Belated...Yep...

Well, Hello There!  It seems I've taken an unintentional vacation from blogging.  I am determined to catch up and continue forward.  So let's get to it....

Christmas comes and goes more quickly each year.  What is that all about?  Didn't it seem to go in slow-motion when you were a kid?  I feel like my kids are missing out on authentic Christmas traditions, experiences, and moments. I tried hard to simplify this year. I tried to not get caught up in any big projects, any over-scheduling, any over-spending.  It STILL passed quickly.  But...Im still glad that I did simplify. 

We kept our tradition of building gingerbread houses at Grandma Ladybugs.  This year though, we thought we would try doing a "mini-village".  It was a cute idea at the time, but I think we decided in the end that most of them just looked like fancy outhouses.  Here's a few pics of our 3-4 inch creations:

(NOTE TO SELF:  Make less sprinkles available next year...)

I played the Christmas music and made the Christmas treats.  Before we knew it....Christmas morning had arrived.  Now....because of the girls ongoing, questionable "behavior issues" in dealing with each other this past year, my girls  found the following note from Santa near their presents:

DEAR BERKELEY AND MCKENNA,

MERRY CHRISTMAS! I HOPE THAT YOU TWO HAVE A GREAT MORNING WITH YOUR DAD AND NOW WITH YOUR MOM. I LEFT A 1/2 LOAD OF PRESENTS AT EACH HOUSE, SO YOU COULD OPEN PRESENTS WITH THEM BOTH.  I HOPE YOU LIKE WHAT THE ELVES, MRS.CLAUS, AND I PICKED FOR YOU THIS YEAR.

YOU'LL NOTICE THAT I DIDN'T PUT TAGS ON THE GIFTS AT YOUR MOM'S HOUSE.  THAT IS BECAUSE I ONLY BOUGHT GIFTS THIS YEAR THAT YOU TWO CAN SHARE.  YOU ARE BOTH VERY GOOD-HEARTED GIRLS, BUT YOU BICKER AND FIGHT TOO MUCH.  THESE GIFTS YOU NEED TO SHARE AND ENJOY TOGETHER...BECAUSE IT IS MORE IMPORTANT TO BE KIND TO ONE ANOTHER AND LOVE EACH OTHER. 

LET THESE GIFTS BRING YOU CLOSER, MAKE YOU BETTER FRIENDS, AND LAUGH AND PLAY TOGETHER.

**REMEMBER:  HAVING A SISTER IS A GIFT MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANY TOYS, BOOKS, OR CLOTHES.

BE GOOD FOR YOUR MOTHER GIRLS.  STAY IN BED AT NIGHT AND HELP EACH OTHER BE GOOD.  THAT WAY I CAN BRING YOU MORE PRESENTS NEXT YEAR TOO.

IM OFF TO DELIVER MORE PRESENTS NOW. 

HO! HO! HO!

SANTA LOVES YOU.

SC

So, included in their gifts to share were one "Twist N' Ride" bike, 2 DVDs, 2 CD's, 2 of the same Barbie, and some Nail Polish.   Here were some pictures from their "loot reveal":

I love how both their mouths are open on this one!

Happy to get a "Taylor Swift" CD!

Berkeley added a Daddy and a Baby to her "Fur-Real" Bamboo Family.

And McKenna got a "Fur-Real" Cat and New Giraffe.

One of my favorite moments of Christmas Morning was when McKenna opened her present from Berkeley.  They both got excited and told each other what their gifts were two days prior.  But when Kenna saw it she just reached over and hugged Berkeley. It was so genuine and so sweet. 

Anyhow, it never ceases to amaze me that Christmas morning starts out all nice and orderly like this:

And ends up like this:

But it's a true sign of "JOY"...right?

There were so many blessings this Christmas.  I worried about providing enough for the girls, but there were angels surrounding me and helping me to make the "season bright".  I cannot speak of the PEACE that filled my heart as these blessings appeared at just the right moments too.  It fills my soul with gratitude and happiness.  I cannot wait and I hope that -one day-

I am able to give back more than we have been blessed with.

OH! OH! OH!

And a little shout-out to Santa...

The girls are getting along better all ready!  I think your magic is working...if even a little...IT'S PROGRESS!

Priceless...

I awoke to this cute sight one glorious, Saturday-morning in September.  The girls were dressed and ready to go.  Their excitement was off-the-charts!  So, you might be asking yourself...

What special occasion or event could possibly be

SO IMPORTANT....

...that matching dresses had to be put on?

...that we had to sport our lime-green hats AND fuscia, glitter, lip-gloss?

...that we had to look our very, very sleekest?

...that we had to be crowned AND doting dirty, white socks??

You DON'T know?

Grandma Ladybug's Yard Sale, of course.

FALLow Me....

Around the end of September, I realized that my days to drive up the Canyon for a 'color rich' tour of Fall, were quickly diminishing.  So, spontaneously one evening, I decided we were going to drive up Emmigration and squeeze in a little nature moment.  It was WELL worth the time. 

 I happened to have my camera with me.  It wasn't really cold at all.  It was windy.  McKenna had had one of "those moments" earlier that day, where she insisted on wearing an outfit that looks questionable to the rest of society.  She was in the shortest shorts she owned, and was only allowed to wear them with the agreement that they would be put in the "summer clothing bin" after that day.  But, what do mismatched, questionable outfits almost always bring on?  

Kodak moments. 

What does a mother do?  Skip the pictures?  I almost did.  But, I think you'll agree...it was smart to just relax and let the memories happen. 

 

Showing me their leaves they were taking home. 

When they're not worst enemies, they're best friends. 

I love the "best friend" moments.

Doesn't matter who the hairy woman is...she's lucky to get a sweet hug like that!

And, it doesn't matter what you have to do after they get older...you MUST insist on a few Mommy pictures for the blog. 

(She's humoring me, but I'm okay with it.)

Favorite quote of the night -

"Hey Berkeley, Let's touch our butts for this one!"

The girls were having so much fun, I just let them walk ahead and enjoy each other for a moment. 

McKenna being "herself" and having nutty fun on the trail! 

Berk was singing on the trail.  I wish you could see her face, it's so "dreamy". 
She's got the most beautiful dreams in that head of hers! 

McKenna wanted to take a picture of the rock I didn't want her to bring home.  This turned out to be a cool picture, I thought!  Good job, Kenna!

We live in such a beautiful world. We are so blessed. I couldn't decide which was more beautiful.... the leaves? Or my sweet girls enjoying them?

We will miss you, Fall. 

It's always a joy when you come to visit.

We Specialize in Imperfection...

A person I know posted a blog like this once, and I'm copying her. I don't worry about 'stealing her idea', because:   1- It was an awesome idea.  2- She "de-friended" me on Facebook for some unknown reason...and so I don't worry about offending people like that !  And 3- If she doesn't like me stealing the idea...she'll have to actually "re-friend" me to complain about it - or comment on this blog post and admit she still reads it.

So, on that note...

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has finished reading a friend's or a stranger's blog and logged off, thinking:

"Wow, I wish I could be a cool Mom and do stuff like that."
or
"She always has it SO together.  I wish I did."
or
"Their marriage sounds sooooo perfect.  Why can't ours be soooo romantic too?"

I'm sure there are many, different, self-depriciating judgements that we place on ourselves...depending on the blog and depending on our current state of being. 

But the fact is...on a blog....it's easy to make life look perfect.  I'm more than sure that my friend's are aware of how imperfect I am....but for the one's who I still have fooled, I will confess:

1.  Berkeley was late to school seven times last quarter.  (Although, I'd like to point out that she was "on-time" - 31 times!)

2.  It's unusual if my bedroom is EVER clean.  It is the "catch-all" of the house...and I only get to it once in awhile.  It's embarassing, yes, but it's our reality until we have a basement or "extra room" to hide the "extras" in. 

3.  My car is only clean like 30% of the time.  And, if we are being totally honest, we did grow mold in one of the food trays once.  Im not proud of this fact, nor did I have any idea the food was there -- but it happened.  The food tray is in the trash now, but "ew." 

4.  After Mrs. J told us Wednesday night, that Berkeley needed to have her homework in on-time more often- We left for school Thursday morning without the *&^! homework.  I had to drive it back to the school later. 

5.  Sometimes, we have cereal for dinner.

6.  Sometimes, we have cookies for breakfast.

7.  I told my kids "no" when they wanted to go play out in the first snowfall this year.  I didn't have any warm coats for us yet (just jackets), no boots, and I didn't want us to get all "wet and cold".  What Mom denies their kids the first snowfall?  Isn't it supposed to be "wet and cold"?   

8.  Sometimes, often, I stay up late on Facebook - when I could be doing housework.  Facebook takes less energy, and the laundry will wait for me.  

9.  I don't always remember to clean my kids ears with q-tips after every tub and shower. 

10.  While there are many Mom's on the playground early, that are dressed, showered, and have make-up on - I'm not one of them.  I'm the Mom with the pj's on and mascara under her eyes. 

Truth be told, perfection is frightening to me.  I don't want to be perfect...because then people continually expect perfection.  How exhausting is that?  We specialize in imperfection in this house and, quite frankly, we're okay with that.  Would I like to be the "cute Mom" on the playground?  Yes.  Would I like to have a clean bedroom?  Yes.  Would I like to get all the laundry done?  Not really.  I hate the laundry.  But, I would like a tidy, neat home. 

Sometimes we get those things.  Sometimes we don't. 

What I feel is important, is that my kids know to keep trying.  Every day we can work to be a little better than the day before.  That's all.  And we can work hard to see the "little things" in life that bring us true joy.   

If all else fails, we can at least find the humor in our short comings.  There is a sign at my house, that reads:

"You can touch the dust, but please don't write in it."
 
I've seen others that read:
 

"Our house was clean yesterday, sorry you missed it!"

 

"Please excuse the mess, the children are making happy memories."

 

"Martha doesn't live here."

 

And one of my personal favorites...

 

In the words of Michael McLean "Life can be hard.  But we, need not be, so hard on ourselves...We must be more gentle with ourselves."
 
I gotta go clean the car. 

Baby Steps No More

I've already groveled about posting McKenna's Birthday late. BUT....I guess there is always time for more groveling.

Along with McKenna turning five, came time for Kindergarten.  I was worried that she would HATE Kindergarten, because McKenna already complained that pre-school (a mere two and a half hours) was too long.  "I've had enough of my ABC's, Mom!", she would tell me.  What was she going to do when it was three-and-a-half hours of her ABC's?

Well, the big day arrived.  She had her outfit layed out the night before and her backpack - ready.   It was so sweet, because McKenna wouldn't eat at all that morning.  She just wanted to GET THERE.  She was nervous and excited all at the same time! 

Finally...it was TIME to go....and I couldn't help but get a little emotional when I saw my baby walking down the sidewalk to the car with, what seemed like, a GIANT backpack on her shoulders. 

She was so READY.  I knew it.  She knew it. 

Armed with cameras, the parents took turns capturing memories...

 She looked sooooo tiny up against the GIANT school wall.

On the Kindergarten playground, McKenna jumped right into playing.  I don't know why, but that surprised me.  Usually she's so anxious.  She did become a little overwhelmed as more kids showed up though, and kept looking to make sure I was close by.  I was.

 When it was finally time to line up...I could see that my "Little Bug" was the tiniest one in the class!  I wasn't worried though - her stature is tiny, but her spirit is large! 

   

I was happy to see Kenna's excitement and surprise when she recognized one of her friends, Isaac, there too.  A familiar face helps even the biggest-of-kids feel more comfortable, when you're starting something new.  (Isaac is the boy in the brown shirt, above, right next to McKenna.)  I guess the two 'newbies' found comfort in having one another there, because when Berkeley checked on Kenna during their recess that day, she said Isaac and McKenna were out on the playground....holding hands.  

I felt a little lonely after they followed their teacher inside and the doors shut.  McKenna's 'Elementary Journey' had officially begun.  It will move fast from this point forward. 

I paused for a moment and wondered what I would do first.  For the last eight years, all daytime activities had been centered around Berkeley and/or McKenna.  I was no longer the mother of toddlers. This was my 'Rite of Passage' too!  What would I do first?  The possibilities were limitless!  Three-and-a-half hours?  Really? 

So, I did what any smart, self-respecting, Mother would do....

I went home and took a nice, guilt-free, nap. 

I love, love, love....

...them.