GI Jane & Gems

We're glad she takes after her mommy and her daddy.

I had been going through my old jewelry to find rhinestones for McKenna to wear for Homecoming. We discovered these "jewel" earrings, from the '80's.

Ivy was smitten and, since they are clip-on, she adopted them immediately.

And wore them around for days.

No matter that she was wearing an Army uniform at the time (thanks to a generous big brother).

Later that day, we received a package from Austin, who is in Iraq.

He sent a scarf and jewelry for each sister (and cool ballistic glasses for Coop).

Who says there's only one way to wear a scarf?

The necklace is from Austin, and the flowers at her waist? Hair clips.

Oh, and Dorothy shoes and a little sequin action on the jacket.

Eclectic and darling.  That's my Ivy girl.

Perfect for play!

Birthday Baby

I told her she couldn't do it anymore . . . but she didn't listen.
She went ahead and turned one year older anyway.

My BABY is seven.
While I'm thrilled for her, I can't help but be sad for me.
Luckily she still likes to snuggle.

Our day was busy, busy, and Daddy was in Germany, so we decided to postpone the celebration,
except for opening a few gifts.
And, of course, she got her birthday mirror message.

 



How cute is that! Miss Ivy Sarah on her big day.

In the traditional birthday chair . . . time for presents! (She waited patiently all day.)

She was ecstatic about the pink shirt . . . because it's camo!  That was her one request.

Birthdays don't interfere with soccer.  She had her practice, and then we headed to Coop's game.

Soccer birthday girl.



Having A Ball

I shouldn't have been surprised that she wanted to play soccer again this year.

She loved it last year, even if she never (maybe once?) made contact with the ball.

But all that's changed.

Still no goals, but she definitely makes contact.

And she's almost made a couple of goals.

And she's keeping track of all the sweets that those add up to, per her daddy's promise.

(Mom has talked her into $10 in the bank, rather than a load of sugary treats for all the kicks.) 

She plays with a smile on her face.

And pink running shoes on her feet.



First Day of School

Mothers everywhere anticipate this day.

I dread it.

It is a sure symbol, garbed in bright new clothes and combed hair, that my babies are growing up and away from me.

It's an official declaration that they'll be ONE YEAR OLDER very soon, further away from preschool age, toddlerhood, and infant stage.
Further away from when they and I together were everything.
Further away from lisps and mispronunciations.
Further away from silly sayings and perpetual grins.
Further away from hand-holding and snuggling.
Further away from downy hair and naps on my lap.

But never further from my heart.

McKenna Ann - SENIOR!

Tessa May - 9th Grade

The Three Littles

Maia Rhynn - 6th Grade

Cooper Robert - 4th Grade

Ivy Franzis Sarah - 1st Grade

The Gang

Can you spot the one so cool for school?

Sweet Sixth Grader

Excited - but a tad nervous.

Growing up too fast.  Mom cried all morning.

Snuggles

Somebody loves visiting Grandma and Grandpa . . . and the doggies.



Thanksgiving Point

Our friends, Matt & Kate, have their birthdays in April.

So we decided, instead of wrapping up trinkets and sweets, we'd take them to Thanksgiving Point.

From us, to them.

But April is cold in Utah.

And May is cold in Utah.

And even June brings days colder than Spring, and vacations . . . and life.

And so on.

In August, FINALLY, we were able to make good on our birthday promise.

 

The Pot

See the truth between the lines?
 Ivy has been "doing the kitchen" lately. She even switched dish duty w/ put-the-silverware-away duty w/ her 14 year old sister. (I'll switch it back after school) But as she's been a'scrubbin' I said "just leave the big icky pot alone. It has to be washed by hand." She said, "I know how to do the pot. Don't worry. I've watched daddy a lot." What a lucky wife and mom I am!

She said "I love doing the kitchen. I want to do it every day that the world is going on."

Smooth Talker

"Mom, when I'm at college and you send me peanut butter, make sure it's the not nutty kind, but the smooth kind."



Friends

It's so nice to have good neighbors . . . who are also good friends.

Little Matt lives across the street and he and Ivy are buds.

The Flower in the Meadow

Lucky us.

Our friend Carrie McEwan is taking a photography class.

And she needed a model.

I just happened to have a really cute one available.