Saturday, August 27, 2011

My first haircut!!!

Today was an exciting day in the Holland house.  My 19-month old little man was going to get his first haircut!  We have been letting it grow and grow and finally we have had enough!  He has been sweating all the time under that mop...and it was time to say goodbye!
We were a little nervous on how he would handle it all. 
Here is a photo montage of the way it went down...



 We arrived to Salon Red to find the ac was out!  It was a sweltering 95 degrees outside!


That didn't stop this shaggy man from being excited!  He was ready for his first haircut.
The day before his puppy dog Beans had her haircut.  So we pumped him up by saying he was
getting his haircut just like Beans!  That put a big smile on his face.


Our good friend Chelsea put a car wrap around him.  He thought it was so cool!!

 You can tell he was hot because his hair starts to look more and more wet...and that was sweat!


 And when it was all over he was awarded with a sucker and a Popsicle!
Chelsea said he was the best first haircut client she has ever had. 

Sweaty and all...he was pretty proud of himself.

Friday, August 19, 2011

To My 5 Year Old Diva

My Dearest Lillian,
Oh how fast 5 years has gone.  It seems like only yesterday you were making your much anticipated debut into the world.

Yesterday you turned 5 years old.
You proudly declared the last night of being 4, "my last night as a four year old...I think I'm going to enjoy it." 
And then you entered your first morning as a 5 year old by marching in our room and shouting at 6:45am..."I'M 5!!!" 
Oh how I do love your enthusiasm. 

I want you to know, my baby, that I have treasured these 5 years with you.
I have loved every moment with you.
The imagination games you make up.
The silly giggles.
The constant wardrobe changes.
The way you start each day with more energy than I could ever dream of--my favorite is still the way you used to wake me up by pushing your buggy into our room while wearing a princess crown...even at 6:30 in the morning that is hysterical.
The way you love to watch movies.
The way you tell me you love me...from "Mommy I love you so much" to "Mommy I love you more than that sidewalk over there." 
The way you love your grandparents and great-grandparents.
The way you love Jesus with all your heart.
The way you know how to make someone feel special.
The way you make friends.
The way you love your brother and teach him so much.

I am so excited to see what this year holds for you.  I know it will be full of smiles and giggles...because that's how everyday is with you!
Thank you for being my girl.
I love you,
-mommy

Monday, August 8, 2011

That's How it Goes!

Being a mommy to two children; I should know better!!!

Nothing ever, EVER goes the way it is supposed to go.

However, in my fantasy mommy world (shouldn't there be a game called that?) I keep thinking that things will go a certain way...and this time was no different.

Lilly started school today.   It's not kindergarten yet, but it is a 5-day a week Jr. Kindergarten class...so in my world...it's a big deal. 
Last week we went to her open house and all was well.
Last night I prepared everything for the big day:  snacks, pressed clothes, school bag.
We were ready!
Then the sun went down...(wait...haven't I said that before?)
As I was putting Lilly's new school dress on the hanger I noticed a rip in the seam.  I didn't think it was too big of a deal...but it's the first day of school...and I knew that it would be unacceptable to my little princess.
Now here's the thing (pause for embarrassment) I don't know how to sew.  I'm not sure why, but I never felt the need to learn.  So I quickly called the magical Mimi (my mom) and said, "Crisis!!!  Lilly's dress has a tear"  To which she said, "No big deal I will sew it up in the morning before we go to school." (Magnificent Mimi can do everything...even sew a dress on the big first day of school!)
Crisis averted!

During the middle of the night Graham woke up with a nightmare.  He was screaming.  This was the kind of screaming that yanks a mama out of bed to a full-on sprint...stumbling involved.
After some soothing he went back to sleep with ease.
I, however, was awake enough to run a marathon.
So I laid back down and stared at the ceiling.
During the next two hours I managed to solve most of the world's problems...then my alarm went off.
It was still dark because I knew I needed to get completely ready for the day. 
***sidebar--even mama's feel the need to impress on the first day...don't know why***
At 6:41am there was another startling scream upstairs followed by a loud thud.
Only half-way dressed, I dashed upstairs to get Graham before he woke up his sister.  The thud however, was Lilly leaping out of bed to go to her brother's rescue. 
6:41 is not a good time for Grambo.  He needs to sleep until at least 7:15 to be a happy boy for the day...so I knew I was in for it.
As I walked out of my room I noticed my cell phone on his dresser.  I thought to myself, "you big dummy...if someone called in the night it could have woken Graham up!"
I opened the phone to see A MISSED CALL AT 6:41AM!!!!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was my fault!!! 
The caller was marvelous mimi...and that worried me because she never calls that early.  Through an unexpected Chief visit at 6:55 I found out that she was sick and was calling to tell me Chief was coming over to get the dress so she could sew it. 

For the next half hour I proceeded to get ready with an 18-month old on my hip because the angry wooden floor monster kept making him cry.
Finally it was time to walk out the door.
The dress was fixed, mama was dressed, and the crying had stopped.

When we got to school Lilly was so excited.  I had my camera in my hand ready to go!  I couldn't wait to capture her walking in the classroom and turning to tell me goodbye.
As she walked in the school she was a girl on a mission.  There was no chatting about the beautiful decorations, no anticipating what snack time held...she was ready to get to her room.
As she put her bag on her hook and hugged her teacher I was snapping shots.  In between I kept saying, "Bye sweetheart!  Bye Lilly!" 
No response.
"Bye babydoll!  Bye Lilly-boo!" 
Still no response.
Finally she was in the classroom and her sweet teacher could tell that this mama was not leaving until she got some sort of recognition.
So her teacher said, "Lilly, do you want to tell your mama bye?"
To which Lilly ran out and said, "Oh yea...bye brother!!"
WHAT!!!
ARE YOU KIDDING ME? 
DIDN'T I GIVE BIRTH TO YOU? 
She tells the little guy who whacks her in the head with a muffin, jumps on top of her while watching cartoons, screams at her until he gets what he wants...she told him goodbye!
I couldn't help but giggle and walk away.

She is ready.
I've done my job.
Small pat on the back for me.

Even though NOTHING went right this morning I learned that I really need to stop having glorious expectations for those big milestones.  And for goodness sakes...learn how to sew!!!


Little Diva is ready to go!!!

Do you see what I'm talking about!  
Poor Grumpy-man

One last smile before she forgot about me.


Friday, August 5, 2011

Saying Goodbye

Today I begin the process of saying goodbye to the lazy summer days.
Lilly starts Jr.K on Monday!!!
Last year we made the incredibly difficult decision to keep her out of preschool...due to some tight finances.  It turned out to be an incredible decision.
I was able to do some of my own preschooling at home with her.  We learned a lot together.
She learned her letters and numbers.
I learned that teaching is not for everyone!
She learned how to write her name.
I learned that my patience needs some work.
But together we learned that precious time spent together is worth more than anything else.
I am so thankful for all of the days where I didn't have to rush us out the door.
For the days where we could watch the extra cartoon snuggled up under the blanket.
It has been very nice.
Now comes the fun and exciting part of journeying off to school. 
I am a little nervous about the drive (19 miles each way) but I believe we have found a great school.
I know she will thrive in this environment, and it will really show us if we can afford to continue the private school route that we desire for the kids.
So goodbye slow mornings...but hello new ideas, stories, and creative driving games!