an emotional week for Moma

The ends of my spectrum...my first born...the one who made me a moma...graduated from elementary school this week. My baby...the one I cling to her fleeting baby smell...graduated from preschool this week. Lots of tears were shed this week by me...both happy and sad ones. I am tired...just that emotionally exhausted tired that comes over you when your heart has been tested. But tonight a wave of contentment washed over me as I put piles of laundry away quietly and I got to be a fly on the wall to the ends of my spectrum.  Riggs and Lila...fresh from baths...lay in my bed talking about school and the big week they had. Lila excited to be able to talk about school in her own way now and Riggs happy to talk to her and what school will be for her...what Goshen was to him. It was precious to watch them share and talk and it just made everything right with the world after such an emotional week for Moma...it was like everything had come full circle...the ending and beginning lost in each other.

And then he told her a few stories about princesses....princesses who love school and have so much fun there....and her eyes lit up as she listened and pictured herself as that princess.....what an amazing brother...what a lucky little girl.

lucky me too......

American Girl

With the girls all ready for their trip to American Girl we headed across the street! Lila insisted on taking her stroller for her bitty baby. She was fearless crossing the street to American Girl..her eye on the prize!

Sarah Kate was practically dragging Julia into the store!

Once inside...Lila's eyes were wide with excitement and the choosing of her very fist American Girl began...poor Bitty Baby would have to share her love from here on out....

In this same position Sarah Kate took her time and thoughtfully chose her Elizabeth...Lila went right up to Julie and said..that's my baby!

She could not wait to get her out of the box and into her arms!

She was excited to show Julie to Julia and Sarah Kate, but she just couldn't take her eyes off of her!

After a quick wardrobe change for Julie into her matching dress the girls were off to their photo session with their dolls! They were so cute in their matching dresses that matched their dolls...SK holding Lainey and her dress said I heart Sarah Kate....Julie's dress said I heart Lila...and Julia's doll's dress said I heart Julia!

We were then off to the doll hair salon for new dos for the dolls....Julia's doll even got her ears pierced! Lila absolutely loved this part...she sat and watch all three of the dolls get their hair done.

We tried to get a picture of Jenna and I with our girls...but as you can see Lila was still in a love trance with her doll....

I was so happy to have mom there...just to share this with her...the girls were so darling and so happy to be there...and I am so happy she got to see it for herself!

It was such a fun night at American Girl! We shopped till we dropped...and Lila  just couldn't take her eyes off of Julie...she just loved her...her first...as Lila says...."American Gull"

We met back up with the boys in the elevator at the hotel...they had a ball at the game!

They left in Celtics gear and returned in Bulls wear!

Lila Ray was so excited to see her brothers and introduce them to Julie...and they were so happy for her!

I'll never forget it.....this night with Lila and SK in American Girl Chicago..I'll Carry it with me in my heart forever.....it was pure bliss for this baby...pure bliss!

We ended the night with an American Girl Sundae from the Hotel...a tray of ice cream with all the toppings you could think of!

It was the perfect way to end such an amazing day!

the writing on the wall

When I was taking the trash out today...I noticed this on the wood work around the door to the garage.  Who did it was a mystery. It wasn't Lila...she can't write. She sure did a great scribble number on the couch in the playroom though...sister can scribble! It looked too tall for Sarah Kate to do...beyond her reach on the wood..and she would never do something  like that. So what boy did it...and what one would write SK twice to frame their sister? I was on a mission to find out.

I gathered them together and asked all four of them...(included Lila cause she loves drama!) ....I gave my speech of you know better....tell me right now....if you lie you will get in more trouble....and waited for the guilty boy to stand up like a man and take his punishment.....i waited.....and waited...nothing. No one would give me anything.  So I had picked this battle...and my theory.... right or wrong...is if I pick the battle then Moma has to win it in the end...that is why I am very careful about what battles I pick but don't tell the kids that! ;). So I told them that if they could not figure it out they were all going to bed...and sent them upstairs for a meeting to talk about it with each other. They went to Riggs' room and I strained to listen from the stairs to their whispers...and then I heard my sweet little SK say....I think maybe I did it...but I'm not sure...I can't remember...I know I wanted to put my brothers and sisters initials on the wall but I don't know if I did it...I really can't remember...and my heart melted for her...and then I went into shock....K-kate did it....hard to believe. And I scrambled up the stairs to swoop in to talk, guide and comfort her through this admission ...but I stopped as I heard the brothers take care of it by themselves...take care of her. They told her sweetly that it would be fine...she wouldn't get in trouble if she told Moma...and were so sweet with her...I couldn't see but I am pretty sure they may have even been a few pats and back rubs as her guilty tears rolled down her cheeks. In a few minutes the boys came out and told me Sk had something to say. I walked into the room and K Kate was sitting in bed...tears spilling. Lila sat right beside her stroking her hair saying ....I got you Baby. Sarah Kate then told me she thought she did it. We had a little talk...even though I wanted to say...get your shoes on we are going to Wal-Mart to get you a new Barbie you sweet little girl!. Sometimes as a parent your heart is pulled in two different directions of what you need to do and what you want to do....and you have to really fight to see what is the best thing for this child in this moment. All forgiven....she said she wanted to go on to bed...so with a heavy heart she went to bed....

I just love her so much....God love her and the writing on the wall.

Lila Ray Rocks Shirts

When Lila was born the kids were given these "Lila Ray Rocks" shirts. They are precious!They wore them when she was born...to her first birthday party...and again as she turned two...next year they will be too small so this is the last session with the original set...I just want to remember it....