Miss Independent

Hailey is a very independent little girl. 

She is very good about finding something to keep her busy. There are times where she will play by herself even if her brother and sister are playing. 

Now, that's not to say that she doesn't play with Hannah and Colson because she does quite often, but she has those times where she just wants to play her own thing and I love that about her. :o)

The Wholehearted Parenting Manifesto

By Brene Brown

Above all else, I want you to know that you are loved and lovable. You will learn this from my words and actions--the lessons on love are in how I treat you and how I treat myself.

I want you to engage with the world from a place of worthiness. You will learn that you are worthy of love, belonging, and joy every time you see me practice self-compassion and embrace my own imperfections.

We will practice courage in our family by showing up, letting ourselves be seen, and honoring vulnerability. We will share our stories of struggle and strength. There will always be room in our home for both.

We will teach you compassion by practicing compassion with ourselves first; then with each other. We will set and respect boundaries; we will honor hard work, hope, and perseverance. Rest and play will be family values, as well as family practices.

You will learn accountability and respect by watching me make mistakes and make amends, and by watching how I ask for what I need and talk about how I feel.

I want you to know joy, so together we will practice gratitude.

I want you to feel joy, so together we will learn how to be vulnerable.

When uncertainty and scarcity visit, you will be able to draw from the spirit that is a part of our everyday life.

Together we will cry and face fear and grief. I will want to take away your pain, but instead I will sit with you and teach you how to feel it.

We will laugh and sing and dance and create. We will always have permission to be ourselves with each other. No matter what, you will always belong here.

As you begin your Wholehearted journey, the greatest gift that I can give to you is to live and love with my whole heart and to dare greatly.

I will not teach or love or show you anything perfectly, but I will let you see me, and I will always hold sacred the gift of seeing you. Truly, deeply, seeing you.

Mother's Day Crafting

For Mother's Day, I turned to pinterest to find ideas of crafts that the kiddos could make for the grandmas.

When I saw a picture for a wind chime made out of clay pots, I knew that was going to be our craft.

It was perfect--three pots for three kids.

Once the paint was dry I sprayed them with a clear acrylic and assembled the wind chimes.

The final result was awesome. I kind of wish I would have gotten one...

Last Day of Kindergarten

When Hannah steps off of the bus today she will officially be a first grader.

This was seriously the fastest year ever. I don't remember my school years flying by that quickly!

Hannah is a little sad she will not be in kindergarten anymore but I told her some of her classmates will be in her class next year, along with new kids that she will become friends with. I know when it gets closer to time she will be excited to start first grade!

She enjoyed kindergarten so much! She was placed in an advanced math class and she is reading chapter books.

She loves school and has done really well so I know she will excel in first grade.

I just want to know where the years have gone!? Wasn't she just born??? How is she in first grade??