Boo at the Zoo

What a lovely weekend. Yesterday we had an E. and mommy day - just hanging out at home...we tickled, played, we planned a grocery store trip and survived without any extra purchases...I always consider it a victory when I exit the store with nothing more than what I planned to buy :)
It was a very nice day. Last night I was thinking about what a great balance there was between interacting and playing and then doing our own thing....I got chores done she played happily by herself. I feel like that is something really new - it has taken a long time to develop. I feel so grateful...
E. is such an extrovert and days with just she and I are sometimes hard for her - she loves the interaction with people and of course with her friends. But I also see how too much stimulation sends her easily over the edge and she becomes a puddle of tears....enter Boo at the Zoo....too much fun....too much candy.....way too many people....too loud....all leads to a very long ride home with one whiny, tearful girl.
Glad we went also glad to leave :)
I only got a few pix, but they are cute - we went with our dear friends and E's BFF Jaedyn.

E. and J. talking with the UNC Mascot - she chatted with them and they loved it :)

Spontaneous...

Tonight, as we were getting ready for bed, E. told me "Mommy, I'm so happy this is my home."

Sweet....me too E. I'm so happy this is your home!

Fall Fun

It is so much fun to be celebrating a 2nd year of traditions...like pumpkin carving. This year we added our friends Kenzie and Maddie to the party. The girls had so much fun. Playing in the goo...marking out their pumpkin faces....it was such a glorious afternoon...gorgeous weather.

Pumpkin guts....ooey gooey fun!

I really don't even know what to say about the band-aids.... goofy!

Tons of fun was had by all :)

The View...

from my front door late this afternoon really took my breath away. 

The light through the tree...the blaze of Fall color. The sweetness of a little girl looking out...I feel so grateful. There is so much beauty to take in....when I slow to look for it.

18 Months

Family

E. and I have been together as a family for 18 months today. 18 months ago, we left the Vladimir Baby House together. I remember the day as if it were yesterday...we were both so scared, terrified really. She was leaving the only home, family, language, sounds, food, smells, sights she had ever known with a woman she barely knew. I was lunging head first into the world of motherhood....I had no idea if I could handle it.
Fast forward 18 months, and we are mommy and daughter...neither of us could imagine life without the other.
 Life is sweet...and I'm so grateful.

The Death of .....a nap :(

Ever since E. first came home -  almost 18 months ago - I can't believe it - she has napped, daily! This summer saw the death....of a daily nap. I've heard other moms talk about grieving this, now I'm living through it. It's a tough one - she plays so hard...she really still needs it, but she refuses. And how do you make someone sleep...especially a four year old someone? You don't. It's been and some days still is, a tough transition...especially on grouchy days, where a nap would be so sweet. But she's a big kid, she'll tell you and naps are for babies...sniff...sniff...insert stuck out lower lip here...from mom :)
She's growing up...too fast. 

Long Weekend

Bittersweet....the end of summer...the end of swimming outside. E. and I were at the outdoor pool every day this weekend. We made the most of it, especially since we got the green light from Dr. Sarah to swim again. E's collar bone is healing.Thank You, Lord.

This is E. and her BFF Jaedyn posing at the pool

E. wearing Jaedyn's goggles and lifevest. 

E. is an amazing swimmer - she doesn't wear a life vest in the pool at all - she is a little fish.

We had a lovely, relaxing weekend..