These Days...

 Several things to catch up on whats going on these days in with the Askew crew:

Penny you are almost 3 months! These days you are smiling and cooing and we are all in love with your sweet dimples and blue eyes. You have slept thru the night 3 nights in a row from around 10:30 to 6 or so, which I am trying not to get my hopes up about but has been pretty wonderful. I was joking when I came up with your first Christmas wish for the church program and said that you wished you would sleep thru the night but our wishes might just be coming true. I am trying to soak up all these last baby days because I know they go so fast and I want to cherish the beautiful parts of the perfect weight of you rested in my arms, the slow, heavy blinks just before you drift off to sleep, the simplest things that make you smile - a familiar face, twinkly lights and the wonder that is ceiling fans. We have special time together on Tuesdays and Thursdays when the big kids are at school and these days I love getting to share that time just me and you, sometimes we run errands, we attend ladies bible class or do chores at home. My spirit has always been one that craves a certain amount of quiet space to think, process and center and I am finding these days of quiet are so recharging to me and I enjoy having my little side kick along too. 

*A Daicia Pic - love her eyes captured here. and
I am a little smitten by this hand me down winter hat I've been loving on her.

Oh Rhett, how fun life is with you these days at two and halfish. You bring so much laughter to all of us. Your favorite foods are milk, avocados, pizza and pretzels. These days you are loving the books The Giving Tree, Mama Llama Red Pajama and Goodnight Gorilla. Last night when were reading The Giving Tree you asked me how do you get in the book? You wanted to climb in and put the trunk back on the tree that the boy took away. Your imagination truly has no limits, you keep expanding your Christmas list to include crazy things like "a Giant orange Dragon, a plane to fly you over your house to Benny's house ( while we are wishing for things I wouldn't mind a direct flight either to Benny's house) a live bird and a hang glider to fly me in the sky". You often tell me of crazy things you see out the car window, "look mom a hippo!". Your favorite show is Jake and the Neverland Pirates and you are on quite a pirate kick, you often have a foam sword in hand and like to yell out "yo ho ho". You are a little bit dragon obsessed lately too,  you "draw" pictures that you tell me are dragons, you use a raspy, growly voice at times that you say is a dragon voice. You love lately to wear your hair spikey for special days and call it your dinosaur hair. You still take a good long afternoon nap and I still have you in your crib, despite all your climbing everywhere else you haven't even really tried to get out of it yet so I think we will roll with it as long as we can. You kind of have a propensity with all your exploring of getting stuck places, you got your head stuck in a chair at the zoo this fall, you got your nose and head stuck between a pew and the wall at church the other day and more than once you lodged your foot places you needed me to help you get undone. I often call Ava, Avie-baby or Ava-boo, lately when you are calling her from another room you yell Avie-baby or Ava-boo in the same cadence as I often do and it makes me smile every time. I also love everyday when we pick up Ava you say to her in that thick and deepish voice that is so you "How was your day Ava, did you you miss us?" I love the way you love your sisters and you call them "My Penny" and "My Ava".

After the ice storm we had a lot of tree clean up to do, Grandpa brought you this chain saw to help out on clean up day.
You were all business. 

Ava these days you are thriving at Kindergarten being 5 and halfish. I loved going to a few school events of yours this past week and seeing you in this setting that has kind of been a mystery to me. You have two really close friends that you have bonded with but I also noticed your whole class seems to belong to each other, I wish all your schooling would be like kindergarten in that way, where you love each other and look after each other in the way I noticed you all do right now. You are starting to read, while I have mixed feelings about the academic pace of Kindergarten these days, you are so very proud of your reading. You love art and are often working on "projects" around the house. You have made a few books that you put in Rhett's book basket and you like to read them to him. You and your dad just finished your first real novel that you have been reading together at night, Poppy and now you are on to The Mouse and the Motorcycle.You are a great big sister, you are a natural nurturer and you've mastered how to rock Penny's car seat or bouncer just the way she likes it and can gently wiggle her paci in at the same time to soothe her if I am trying to cook dinner or attend to something else. You learned about deep breathing at school and you like to coach Rhett through using his "belly breaths" when he is having a melt down. He will listen to you and often this can calm him quickly. (It's kind of funny I tried the other day to see if you wanted to try it when you were really worked up but no such luck for the same success) You and Rhett play often together these days, most of the time you have great fun together playing school, putting on shows, playing in your "hideout" but you can also have some pretty epic fights too. You are still petite and sweet. At the doctor the other day, 2 year old Rhett weighed in at only 3 less pounds than you. I asked your teacher some questions at the fall parent teacher conference about your assertiveness abilities as you are naturally inclined similar to me towards keeping the peace and introversion and she complimented  you saying"that girl can hold her own!" and I really loved that. Your Friday behavior folder pretty much has all positive marks except for some weeks you got marked for "Talking at inappropriate times" and I have to say it makes me smile that my girl that is often quiet feels so comfortable she gets marked for this and that my rule follower can can also break out of that mold too as we all need too at times. You want to loose your teeth and are so excited to be 6 these days but I am happy for you to not move on too quick. 

One of our best moments these days, we were playing in the leaves at grandma's when dad returned from deer camp.

These days I've been navigating the world of 3 little and there's moments its beautiful and wonderful and truly a dream come true and moments I've been overwhelmed, frustrated and not always the mom I wanted to be. You 3 continue to be some of my greatest teachers during these season of life. Motherhood brings out many of my best parts and so many of my weakest parts, I am trying to embrace more the value of repair and the power of grace, you all teach me about forgiveness too for I find no one is quicker than littles to forgive and move on in the way you do.

Ava starts Kindergarten.

Well It's been over a week now and we are well into the school groove. I've been letting my thoughts simmer as I process this milestone. 

I emailed these sentiments to a friend that seems to capture my thoughts on this time that I want to make sure I don't forget: It seems every milestone holds some pride, joy and sorrow too because we are saying goodbye to other things, I can remember one of my saddest milestones was when Ava got her first tooth and I felt like so this is it - that sweet baby gummy smile is gone - did I appreciate it, cherish it and will I remember it? and I didn't even get to say goodbye to it, that new tooth just showed up. Such a normal milestone but it also represented so much more to me. We survived the baby years which is a celebration but also sad because we will miss those sweet moments  and we might always think of ways we could of been better during that time -more present , more intentional and nothing says your slipping thru my fingers like going to school and and your child having to cultivate their own village and world in a space away from you for the first time. 

but on the flip side...

My new favorite time of day is the time I use to hate, late afternoon, after school she is in such a good mood, she is so excited to tell me about her day, to re-connect with Rhett and is just so joyful. I am loving the time with Rhett and our quiet days together right now. I love finally getting to answer's Rhett question in the affirmative that he has asked me throughout the day "yes it's time now to go get Ava." She's thriving already in this new space with new confidence, new friends and excitement for what lies ahead, while I'm sure some of that will wear off I am soaking it up while I can.

She held a firm grip as we got closer but she also easily let go when it was time for goodbyes and in that way I guess it was all as it should be and everything I want for her...that her roots will also give her wings. 

Kindergarten Eve Yogurt Run

The only first day tears were from Rhett, when he realized he wasn't getting to stay at Kindergarten with her. 

Ava turns 5!

 Dear Ava,

Your 5! and you are so excited about it, beside getting to chew bubble gum and move your room upstairs you tell me daily all sort of things you can do now that you are 5. "5 year olds brush their own hair all the time, "5 year olds don't need help getting dressed." Which is still so classic because every other day that changes if you want to do it all by yourself or you want some help.

We celebrated with a theme from one of your favorite things from this year. We had a Neverland Peter Pan party and you were so excited to host your first friends party.  Besides a few family friends, you invited some church friends and had a special friend from your preschool too. I think my favorite part was the half hour before the party started you were so joyful with anticipation and excited to show all your friends the fun we had planned for them.

Your party day dress was gifted to you by your Uncle Matt and Aunt Lori and I think you wore it three days in a row you loved it so much. Even on our stay at home days you can usually be found these days in a dress or your gymnastics leotard "practicing" while you watch your current fav American Girl movie about a gymnast. 

The Pixie dust necklaces were a big hit!

Even Super Man made it to celebrate with you!

Your favorite gift was your first roller skates.

On your actual birthday me and you and went on a lunch date to our favorite tea room that has become a little birthday tradition for us. It was fun to be out just the two of us. Right about this time 5 years ago was when I held you in my arms for the first time, its been such a joy to watch you grow each year into such a beautiful girl both inside and out, I couldn't be more proud to get be your mom. I love reliving and revisiting that day in my mind and heart each year on this day. I asked you in the evening if you wanted us all to go out  for dinner or it just to be you and your dad and of course the idea of a special date night with just him was what you preferred. I love watching how much you two love and adore each other. You share a love for Ribs so a trip to Texas Road House was where you went for your special birthday dinner. 

Later during your birthday week we went on a special outing to the arts festival downtown. You were absolutely enamored by the dancers and music at the children's stage. We pretty much just stayed there the rest of the time while you danced your heart out and brother ran in circles. You and Rhett have had a lot of fun this year, while sometimes he annoys you by getting into your things for the most part you have become great play mates and you are so nurturing and loving with him. 

Oh to dance like no one's watching - one of the many super powers of childhood

So Happy Birthday sweet girl, we had fun celebrating this milestone with you and are loving year 5 with you already,

Love,

Mom

First Ice Skating!

Ava has been asking about ice skating for over a year and she had some Christmas money from her great grandparents that she received at Thanksgiving (Grandma I knew you would read this so wanted you to see how much she enjoyed the gift!!) So we headed over to Mitch park Saturday for a special afternoon of fun. Despite the cold, she loved just about every minute of it, it was a special first for sure. I asked her if it was everything she hoped it would be and she smiled so big when she quietly nodded yes as we were leaving. Definitely a day to tuck away for keeps.

Getting started!

.

So excited!

working on their ice dancing routine 

This strategy seemed to work the best, dad's hand on the coat, a little safety net to avoid a face plant. 

I loved those tiny legs in those tiny skates, by the end of the time she was trying it all on her own. 

Even watching them refinish the ice had some magic and wonder to it.

Hot chocolate break.

Thanks to Aunt Amy for keeping Rhett, he's not quite ready for ice skates just yet.  

Happy Halloween!

Alice in Wonderland has been Ava's favorite movie the last few months so it was an easy theme for Halloween this year. I found a great Etsy find for Ava's dress and then I made Rhett's white rabbit costume with a lot of help from hot glue and spray adhesive. 

Mayfair Trunk or Treat

Our Alice in Wonderland themed trunk

Getting ready! 

Rhett 18 months, Ava 4 and a half years old

Summer field trip

One thing on our summer bucket list was to do a day trip to 

Seminole to visit the Children's Museum there. 

A and I packed up the kids, turned up the Frozen soundtrack and headed there on a Friday, 

it was really well done and we are planning a revisit this fall to explore some more the outside fun: 

It was fun the boys were able to enjoy a lot of the play areas too.

building with magnets.

Our girly girl loved the mechanic area.

Rhett driving a Model T

Summer bucket list almost complete as these summer days draw to a close!

Rhett 15 Months old & These Days with Ava

He turned 15 Months old this week.

He started walking this month! 

Says ma, mom and mama often.

Nods for yes and no. 

Loves to wave and say Hi and Bye to people, even complete strangers we pass by.

He starts repeating "woo, woo" every time he hears a dog bark. (which in this house can be often)

Has 8 teeth. 

Lowered his crib to the last notch.

Still on two naps but might be getting ready to drop the morning one.

Sleeping all night most nights.

Loves to cuddle and will pat our backs when we are holding him.

Favorite foods are still avocado, mac and cheese and milk.

Likes to take a crayon or marker and hold in his hand to scribble on paper. 

Loves to be outside or in water.

Enjoys playing with a ball.

These Days Ava you are loving doing art projects. 

You have an art bin that you love to get down to paint, cut and glue creations. You love to make creations to give to people. 

We pass your preschool often as it's near our house and you get pretty upset at times asking me "why must school have a summer break!" and are so eager to return in the fall. One day recently you asked if your buddy Izzy could go to your school and I told you she will probably go to school on her side of town. Then you contemplated the idea of going to school where she does but you decided you weren't use to those teachers and would miss your school too much.

 It has been interesting watching you navigate social settings and relationships - as the apple doesn't fall far from my tree in that department.  I find you are very thoughtful in your interactions, prefer familiar settings, close relationships within smaller circles and at times need to recharge in low energy settings. 

We went to a church gathering this week at someone house. You made friends with one of the adult ladies there and you came to me excitedly to tell me that I will be so proud that you "got use to her". That's your introvert lingo for making friends. Yesterday we were at a restaurant meeting a friend of mine for lunch. You were going to go play in the play area and asked if any of your friends would be there. I told you no so you proceeded to tell me a well thought out plan you had for maybe finding another little girl that was playing alone that maybe you could "get use to" and maybe you could play with other little girls but told me now more than 3 I think. 

My prayer is you will embrace who God made you to be, you already make a very loyal and loving friend to others as you love so deeply and with such kindness. I pray many will be blessed by knowing and receiving the love you have to give.