'Tis the Season

Popping my head above the waters of chaos to share a couple Christmasy things that have me excited and that I thought you might like as well.

How cute are these antler pillows from Winder & Main?!

They are obviously a great way to bring some Christmas flair to your living room, but how great would they be in a boys' bedroom year round?  Or if you are lucky enough to have a separate den in your home?  So cozy, I just love 'em!

My dear friend, Shannon, sent me the sweetest little canvas as an early Christmas gift.

She has different sizes and options for sale, wouldn't they be great Christmas gifts?  Perfect for the new and seasoned mama alike :) Let me know if you need help getting in touch with her!

Stockings!  When it came time to get stockings for Wade and Holland, I really wanted something that would last, stockings to serve them throughout their childhood.  I was excited when I found some I loved a couple years ago at an embroidery shop in Richmond.

I love a needlepoint stocking, and I think these are just the perfect blend of classic and whimsy.  Exactly my favorite type of design for kids.  They are made by Kelly Rightsell.  For some reason, it looks like her site is not selling them this year, but leave it to Amazon to stock them! (I believe Atlantic Embroidery Works may have a few left this year from last year's stock if you happen to be local in Richmond and in need of a fun stocking!)  There are so many adorable designs.   This will be Mary Graham's first Christmas, so it was fun to pick one out for her this year.

I also came across these cute stockings at TJMaxx.  And only $12/pop!

We just started an Advent book that I am loving.  After seeing it on a friend's Facebook post, I ordered it right away, and we were able to start it just one day late.  (Amazon Prime really is amazing--I ordered it on Sunday and it came on Monday!  And I did not pay extra shipping! All of that to say, if you are like me, and you are always lagging behind, it's never too late to start celebrating Advent.)  We've done the devotionals from Unwrapping the Greatest Gift the past couple of nights, and it's been great.  The language is simple enough that I think (I hope!) my children are able to grasp bits of it, and yet it's also so thoughtfully written that it is just as meaningful to me and Philip.

I have not done a ton of Christmas decorating (I'm blaming it on this incredibly exhausting season of life in which I find myself), but we did get our tree up and decorated (well, the top half…we have a baby who is intent on investigating any and all items within her grasp, so the bottom half of our tree is naked).  I brought out a few other bits of Christmas cheer, like this little pillow from last year's dollar section at Target.

Also, Kevin, our elf…..he's back (and apparently, hungry!).

First Days

Kindergarten and preschool have both officially started for my kids, so we are trying to find our rhythm with this new pace of life.  I know I'm not the first mom to say this, but there is quite a bit of shuffling to be done when there are no school buses involved and kindergarten is only a half day.  Yes, you heard me right.  Half day kindergarten.  Forgive me if I've already bemoaned this fact to you, but it's just never what I expected when I imagined what my life might be like as a mother to a school-aged child.  But I guess that's life right?  Often times it's different than what we expect.  I'll be the first to admit I'm not the best at gracefully handling the times when my expectations aren't met.  All that to say, my kids and I will be in a similar boat this year--all with lots to learn and plenty of room for growth!

Kindergarten is obviously a big milestone, and I'm just really proud of Wade.  He had plenty of challenges in his early years and there's been no shortage of change and transition in his little life.  And yet, he has embraced this new season.  Really, I could stand to learn a lot from him.

Sometimes the thought of him being in elementary school makes me feel teary and nostalgic and my throat begins to tighten.  Other times I really enjoy what life is like with a five year old, and I am thankful for the many ways mothering this boy for half a decade has shaped me.  We aren't without our hard days, but there are also more rewarding times with an older-ish child.

Wade is in a Montessori program which is offered through our neighborhood school.  He tends to be a man of few words when it comes to these sorts of things, but he seems to like it so I can't complain.  His class is a blend of kindergarten and first graders, which I actually think is a pretty cool thing.

Most days we walk and/or ride bikes to school.

This is a pretty sweet little tradition.  Our walk is about ten minutes (if we are efficient :)

After I drop off Wade, I take Holland to preschool.

Holland barely made the cut off for pre-K, so she's actually doing the curriculum Wade did last year even though they will be two years apart in school going forward.  She thrives in school and is generally just a delightful little lady.

She loves to do art, and try as I may to provide lots of creative opportunities at home, I think she and I are both happy that preschool will fulfill some of that interest too!

Holland and her snaggle tooth buddy, her special friend Lucian. 

After school drop offs, I rush home to get my tired baby down for a nap.  

{clearly post nap}

Then I hope and pray (like, literally) I get a couple hours of quiet time to regain my sanity and perhaps get a bit done around the house so that I am ready to be the patient, engaged mother I'd like to be.

We arrived to pick up Holland from her first day at school, and she was so immersed in her book, she had no idea I was sitting right in front of her with a camera :)

Speaking of being patient and engaged,  I really feel like time to myself helps me more than anything with this.  I'm curious as to how you fellow mamas build time into your week for yourself?  A regular sitter? Preschool for your kids?  Time to exercise?  I'd really love to take a painting class.  I've also been thinking of getting involved in some sort of volunteer work that combats sex trafficking in the Sacramento area (it's something like the second largest city in the US for human trafficking.  Horrifying.)  Time while I'm at home and my baby is napping is great, but in order to thrive, I just feel like I'd love a little something outside of all of that.  What are your thoughts?

A Summer Recap

Well, Wade starts kindergarten today.  So as not to focus on the fact that my heart is currently in my throat, I thought I would share some of my favorite moments captured from our adventures this summer.  There are tons more (I am a bit snap-happy with my camera), but I'm not sure you have the stamina to read through the forty or so I whittled it down to as it is, so here goes…

Back in June, the kids and I worked on a painting for Mary Graham's nursery.  I LOVED it!  This was in the beginning stages…

We spent most of our summer back in sweet Virginia, where we visited family and friends and just soaked up the general awesomeness that is the Commonwealth.

So much fun to get to spend some time with grandparents and cousins in northern VA!  Just look at the faces on those precious children.

Fourth of July fun!

Mary Graham loved cuddling up to her Uncle Taylor during our time at the beach.  Had the best time hearing his crazy stories about being a landlord.  I need to laugh like that on a more regular basis.  We so wish he didn't live so far away :(

MG was also quite smitten with her Mimi.

I don't think this picture needs any words, but it was too funny for me to leave out. (that's a king-size bed, btw.)

Kiawah, South Carolina

Enjoying some quiet on the beach with my dad.  There is no one quite like him.  I love that he encourages me for major acts of bravery (like my cross-country flight with all three kids by myself, for example) by urging me to consider the life of Louie Zamperini (of Unbroken fame) and how, really, my troubles pale in comparison.  (And it's true, I have to admit.)

Who is this grown man I was like a little mama to all those years growing up?  He was never more than five years old in my mind.  Love him.

My two guys out on the water.  We had a great time, just the three of us.  I think having older kids is really fun. (I realize five is hardly "old," but you know what I mean)

babies + bonnets + beach = heaven

Mary Graham and my dad developed quite the bond.

My sweet Holland.  Every age of hers is my favorite.

Just a typical kind of day.  Philip carrying Graham like a sack of potatoes into the ocean.

Sometimes it's hard for me to believe that here I am, married and with three children.

Just look at these three munchkins.  I am blessed to call them mine.

One of Holland's strengths as a big sister is reading to MG.  She is quite remarkable at it actually.  I need to post a video.

I celebrated my 32nd birthday while we were in Virginia.  It was wonderful to spend the afternoon at the Ploughcroft Tea Room with almost all the women in our family (we missed you Megan!).

all the granddaughters!

Holland was SO excited to make my birthday cake.  She has no idea that her precious excitement over it was by far the best part of my birthday.

Sure missed being with Philip, but I made sure to get some birthday kisses from these goobers.

I am so thankful for these two women, my beloved grandmothers.  They are so dear to me and don't think I took for granted one moment that my children got to sit on their laps and get their cheeks kissed by them.

I had my first painting lesson!

Wrestling with Papa!  This instantly took me back to the day when my brothers and I were in their place.  And yes, Taylor and Andrew, I told Wade and Holland the secret to getting out of a vice! (breathe on dad, of course)

We had a picnic at the Peaks of Otter and walked around the lake.  It was a gorgeous night.

There is just something special about a grandmother with her grandchildren.

Papa and Mary Graham were early morning buddies.  Is there anything better than being able to pass your baby off to your dad so you can sneak back up to bed and sleep?  Fellow mamas, am I right?

Wade and his cousin, Nolan playing with trucks together.  Classic.

All my babies in the tub together!

Witnessing my children run through the yard at my parent's house on a beautiful summer night?  I wanted to hit the pause button.

We love you Mimi!

Holland has always been the crafty one, but Wade recently developed a love for coloring pictures.  It is really endearing.  (He will explain that he prefers to color when there is already a picture drawn, just so we're clear :)

And if Holland doesn't have it made, then I don't know anything.  I mean, look at this girl living the dream while her big brother pulls her along for the ride!

And with that, we bid farewell to summer.  Our journey continues at kindergarten…I hope to return soon with more to report :)