Our first day of distance learning went pretty well yesterday. I made a super early run to the grocery store, ran by the elementary school to pick up Sophie's supplies, and answered 100 questions from the girls. Ella was pretty self-sufficient, but required a little direction when it came to research. Sophie had a few technical difficulties, but we were able to get her back on track in a few minutes. By lunch, they were exhausted and we spent the rest of the afternoon outside. I'm trying to work while they work and then take advantage of our time together. So far, it's working pretty well, but I'm praying the novelty doesn't wear off. For the most part, Ella will be able to finish her entire week's worth of assignments in a half day. Sophie has daily reading assignments, but aside from ...
sophie
On Being Nine | a Sophie Update
I'm still behind on blogging, so in an effort to catch up, I'm going to share a post about what my big girls have been up to, before it's time to share Polly's nine month update next week (what in the world?!). Back in April, Sophie's elementary school hosted a Father + Daughter Dance and she was thrilled at the thought of taking her daddy. Obviously, Josh would dance on the moon if they asked him to, but I think he was secretly hoping she wouldn't want to participate in this event - ha! The funniest part is that she thought this was some sort of choreographed, dance on stage situation, and she was very concerned at the lack of practices. Once we explained what a dance actually was, she was even more excited to attend. She did mention that daddy sat at a table and chatted with ...
Being Baptized at Home
Sophie is a talker, a question asker, a truth seeker. She's the girl you pick up from Sunday School, who talks all the way home about what they learned, why it does (or doesn't) make sense, and where it can be found in the Bible. It's been fun to have deep conversations with her as she grows and to watch as Biblical principles start to make sense in her own mind. Back in October, she -- very matter-of-factly -- came home and asked us how many times she had to ask Jesus into her heart before we would let her be baptized. This question is so Sophie and we knew right away that something was brewing deep in her soul. Our church's kids' service, offers the plan of salvation and an opportunity to pray every week, and while she hadn't told us about her decision quite yet, it was obvious it ...
Sophie’s Third Grade Interview
I shared Ella's back-to-school interview on the blog yesterday, but little sister's is just as wonderful to watch! While eight years old was a rough year for Ella, Sophie seems to be thriving. She is hilarious and so thoughtful and she has the most sensitive spirit. I think she's been looking forward to ruling elementary school without a big sister on campus and her first few days have been wonderful. She's changing classes for the first time -- she has three teachers this year -- is separated from her best friends from last year, and has moved to the front hall, which she sees as a very big deal. She got all of her hair cut off on Sunday and after three whole days of loving it, she woke up yesterday with a much different attitude. She slept on a wet head, making it stand on end, ...
Eight is Great!
Once upon a time, I wrote birthday letters on (or very near) the girls' actual birthdays. Fortunately, Sophie is my most forgiving child, because we are a grand nine days late. Dear Sophie, I hope you'll look back on these photos and remember exactly what being eight was like. These capture your spirit and personality so perfectly and I will be forever thankful for this snapshot in time. There were days when I wrangled you into matching outfits, glittery sandals and oversized bows. You were always eager to please and never one to complain, but I'm so glad I've learned not to micro-manage your style and to let you be in charge a little more often. You are a big fan of mismatched outfits, stripes on stripes (much to your older sister's chagrin), quirky graphic tees, and wild ...
Sophie’s ‘Let’s Play’ Party
Remember a few days ago when I shared some of my favorite birthday parties of years past? I shared that to give you a dose of pretty, because Sophie's party this year was all practical and no pretense. Last year, she attended the birthday party at a local play place and hasn't stopped talking about it since. We were already in the thick of party planning for our unicorn bash, but she assured me that we would have to celebrate at Let's Play this year. Honestly? I tried to talk her out of it. It seemed overpriced and limited and the creative part of me really wanted to throw something beautiful... and blog worthy. Hear my heart when I tell you that every party I've thrown has been for the girl and not for the blog, but I sure do enjoy giving you those recaps each year. I agreed that since it ...
Little Letters | April
Dear Sophie, today you are seven! When you reminded me yesterday that it was your last day ever to be six years old, I almost cried. I'm not usually nostalgic, but something about your voice and the quiet of the house and your sweet snuggly self just got to me in that moment. Dear Snuggle Time, you are my favorite time of day. When Sophie sneaks into our room after bedtime, wearing mismatched pajamas and dragging Pink behind her as she comes, we can't help by smile. Josh and I both know what's coming -- she'll squeeze right in between us and say "snuggle time?" I hope you are a daily part of our lives for many years to come. Dear Unicorn Tee, it's been an entire year since you were introduced into our lives and we still see you multiple times a week. Thank goodness for this ...
Back to School Update
I feel like I was the only mom on the planet who was ready to send her kids back to school, but hear me out! I'm not a stay-at-home-mom, so it isn't like I get to spend huge amounts of time by myself while they're in school or anything -- although if you follow me on Snapchat you'll know that I raced home after first day drop off to watch Breaking Bad in my pajamas. Our schedule has been so upside down during July and the kids were seriously falling apart. Bedtimes have gone awry, I haven't seen a completed chore chart (or a clean load of laundry) in weeks and I don't remember the last time we ate dinner together around the dining room table. We were in desperate need of a family reset and I'm thinking a new school year was just the thing to get us all out of our funk. The girls were so ...