PRE-K GRADUATE

Sydney's Pre-K experience was a lot different then Bella's.
She was always a little less into it, but for the most part she was still excited to go ... most days.
She was a lot more quiet and apprehensive about making friends, talking to teachers, participating in the activities/dances/songs ... well everything.
She usually told me things she wasn't a fan of in school. And she sat out quite a lot.
But she did enjoy telling me stories about preschool; although they usually were made up and involved extensive Magic School Bus-type field trips or ridiculous lists of snacks she had, usually including birthday cake.
She also hasn't been quite as attached to things either, so when she dumps out her backpack it wasn't surprising if she ran off afterwards saying, "Just throw it all away, my teachers did it".
She found some days quite boring and was eager to go home and not too excited the next day.
Some days were a battle to get her to go, and we ended up going late a lot the second half to avoid the drop off attachment struggles that struck her. (Also we all got a little more time to sleep in.)
She also enjoyed counting all the way home, which we tried to do everyday to see if we could get home before we got to 100!

I am so proud of her for sticking with it, we have worked on a lot at home as well. Especially since I found the preschool program to not be as academically focused as it was for Bella. All in all though Sydney picked up on her Letter Recognition and is writing her name (we're working on legibility). And she has a lot more interest in learning, for a short span of time at least. We have a lot to work on this summer to get Kindergarten ready but I think she is really excited and ready for the big kid world of school that is right around the corner.

Pre-K had its ups and downs but she figured it out, and I'm crossing my fingers that Kindergarten goes even better! I think having Sister and Brother both at the school and going in with her everyday will definitely help, along with the fact that it wont be quite as early (Pre-k was at 7:45). She is mainly excited for the art special, the lunchroom and recess on the big playground.

At her Pre-K Graduation Piper was a attentively watching her sister every step of the way. AND... playing with the baby behind us.

"ITS SYDNEY!"

The bottom "S" poster Sydney and I made
together. She loved finding all her
favorite things and more to put on it. 

SO PROUD OF OUR GRADUATE!

Her teacher Mrs. Woodward

Kindergarten here she comes!

(Hope we are ready...)

Love Mommy

Sydney,

I see myself so much in you. Not just in your curls that have turned to wavy locks. But in the fact that you have this big personality at home and then you quiet it for a crowd; whether that be at school or a party, or church on Sundays. Some are amazed we describe you as our wild one, but no one knows you like us at home. And I think I kinda love it that way. The true Sydney is wild and my little fighter. Nothing keeps you down. You have a way all your own, and even if that sometimes means your doing your own thing alone you don't mind too much. You hate the camera for the most part, so unlike your sisters you just shy up and would rather not show off. You don't feel any need for anyone's approval, which I kinda love! Sometimes it makes life difficult though with your siblings because you just can't follow them around and be happy. You speak your mind and want it your way, at least at home. I know as you've struggled a bit with preschool it has come out extra at home, probably because you bottle it all up at school and it all gets a bit exhausting. But I am so proud of you and your inner strength that gives you a vivid imagination and ultra unique sense of style. 

At times you make me a little crazy with all the whining and I won't lie here, you are our biggest whiner ever! It is like nails on a chalkboard to me and drives me to madness. I wish you could always be happy, fortunately you are pretty easy to make laugh and smile. So usually if I have enough patience (which I am working harder at everyday), I can find a solution pretty quick that will fix your broken heart. Your also the biggest teaser ever and you know just how to tease me and it drives me nuts most of the time. But I try to appreciate that side of you too, I know you get it from Daddy and he is SO proud! 

As much as you love to give a little smirk and pull one over on someone. You hate to see your siblings upset and will do almost anything to make them happy even if it means giving something up of your own. But it has to be you, when I let you make the decision, then within seconds the problem is fixed instead of me having to battle it out. Sometimes I don't think it is always fair for you to always give in but your love for them is such a blessing and it makes me melt watching you admire Bella and Connor. I pray and hope that they see that influence they have on you and grow to appreciate it as well. You have Kindergarten around the corner and I wonder if that will be the chance; if with your start they will take the chance to show you that love and protection that you desire and yearn for from them. Honestly I see little spurts of it already as Con and Bell see you grow and become one of the big kids already. I see how much you want to keep up with them. I just can't help but want to keep you little and keep you safe in my arms. 

Love,

Mommy

EASTER 2019

Happy Belated Easter! 

Our Easter was spent with a week of all nighters as we battled the beloved stomach flu ... yet again. Fortunately we’re feeling better and these kids are finally enjoying Easter candy. 

Boys VS Girls

Well Connor has been waiting for this FOREVER!
Last year the Father Sons Camp out was rained out and Connor has been anxiously awaiting for this one ever since.
He even got picked up early from school so they could make it to the camp site early.

They had a lot of fun, even if Connor ditched Shea to play with friends for half of it.

Then they got breakfast at MickeyD's and... 

CRASHED. 

The girls and I were home and I promised them a GIRLS NIGHT!
So equipped with face masks, and nail polish and a princess movie; I even had a special strawberry dipping dessert and then everyone got to sleep in  Mom's bed!

It was ... EXHAUSTING and I was SO not in the mood! HA! But I survived and they loved it!

You decide who had more fun the BOYS or the GIRLS!

Mother's Day 2019

Motherhood is everything I imagined and nothing I imagined. 

It is filled with milestones of victories and failures. 

I feel so grateful for these 4 beautiful children, 

even if it's almost impossible to make them all happy at the same time 

I’m a love my routine mom and a trash the routine mom, all in the same day. I’m a forget about homework and mix up pajama and hat day type mom. I’m a proud mom, always ready to take on the wild looks and comments, “Are they all yours?” I’m a let’s go explore mom. I’m a cuddle up with hot cocoa and a movie mom. I’m a don’t want to share mom, so wait till the kids go to bed to break out all the sweets mom. I’m a let it all out mom. I’m a don’t sweat the small stuff mom. I’m a freak out mom. I’m a hypocrite mom. I’m a think I’m going crazy mom. I'm a love this life mom. I’m a love God first mom. I’m a love you no matter what you do or don’t do mom. I’m a dance in the kitchen and sing in the car mom, (whatever embarrasses Con most). I’m a songs and stories and kisses mom no matter the age. I’m a I’ll carry you to bed even when your faking mom. I’m a try to be calm mom, but I’m also yeller mom too. I’m an always saying sorry mom. I’m a let me snuggle and play with your hair mom. I’m a worry all night mom. I’m a reader mom, never too many books mom. I’m a hate to be late, “yep late again” mom. I’m a let’s play together mom and a hide upstairs in the quiet mom. I’m a tell me everything mom. I’m a let’s try to eat healthy mom and occasionally serve cookies for breakfast type mom. I’m a no sleeping in my bed mom, but 3 am I’m too tired to care mom. I’m a let them be little and when will they grow up mom. I’m a see a screaming unruly child in the shopping cart, “been there” mom. I’m a there is no right and wrong in parenting mom. I’m a breast and bottle type mom. I’m a co-sleep and cry it out mom. I’m a love home school but public school keeps me sane mom. I’m a whatever I think is best mom. 

I’m not perfect. 

BUT I know I am exactly the mom my kids need!

We live in a world where Mom's especially are judged A LOT!

Usually by other Mom's. 

And I won't lie I have felt a lot of dirty looks for having this wild crew. 

I try hard not to feel awkward as we pass some stranger staring and proud instead. 

But being pregnant makes me a little more vulnerable. 

I am so truly grateful for this little one that will make me a Mom once again and more than ever am relishing the experience of growing baby. There is no greater gift and I am forever grateful that I get to experience the joy that comes with this Motherhood journey. 

Week 29