October 9, 2010

Today was pumpkin and apple day! We spent the first part of the day with Aunt Doodie, Cayden, and Mya checking out a local pumpkin farm. We spent lots of time riding tractor bikes, barrel trains, hay rides, and more! You got to see real animals and play on a swing set. We had a blast!




Then you, Molly, and I headed to Gex Gees Orchards to pick our own apples! You wanted Red and Golden Delicious, and that's what you and Molly picked! You loved "working" at the orchard, and even told the man as we left that you were able to hold 4 apples in your arms at one time!

We then traveled to Apple Hill to check out Pumpkin Land. We try to go every year and get a picture by the large pumpkin. This year, Molly wasn't really into getting her picture by the pumpkin, and you, well, I'm not quite sure what you're doing!!

Then we checked out their live animals - pigs, donkeys, rabbits, goats, and turkeys! You liked feeding hay to anyone who would eat it!

Lastly, we headed to a neighborhood family farm to buy our pumpkins. It is an honor system where you pull up, pick what you want, and pay the amount you owe into a lock box. There is never anyone from the house outside. I talked with you about how important it is to pay attention to where you are getting your pumpkins (each row is labeled with a dollar amount) and to keep track of your bill. I let you help put money in the lock box today. I think this is wonderful that people still trust others to be honest.
We had a super day, and although it was long and exhausting, you were a trooper. You are such a leader and good helper. You were always quick to check on Cayden and Molly as we traveled to various stops at the first farm. I love that you always ask questions and want to know and understand how the world works. I hope you never change!

September 19, 2010

BIRTHDAY PARTY!

We planned your birthday party a little differently this year. Typically, we invite family and friends who have young kids. This year, we only invited the kids from your kindergarten class. I figured this would be a good way for you to socialize with your new friends and also give me a chance to meet some moms and dads! Unfortunately, only 5 of the 24 kids invited showed up. Not sure what people out here in Wakeman think that RSVP - Regrets only means, but we sure had fun anyways! We decorated balloons, created box houses, ate cupcakes and ice cream and then opened presents!

Here you are decorating balloons with

Gracie, Karlee, Molly, and Alexa.

Hiding in your box house - What fun!

Daddy cut holes in each box for doors and windows.

You and Karlee made your houses connect!

(Karlee lives right down the street and you

two ride the bus together every day!)

Enjoying yummy cupcakes and ice cream!

Posing with Gracie - you two are silly buddies!

Here is Brad - you say he is very funny at school!

Sweet girls - Alexa, Gracie, Sarah, Molly, and Karlee.

The girls with Aiden!

It was so nice to meet all of your new friends :) I'm so happy you had a great time at your birthday party!

September 17, 2010

On September 17, 2005 (my exact due date) you arrived at 2:23 p.m. I snuggled you and held you for a bit and then it was daddy's turn. We took a picture of your dad holding his first baby at exactly 2:50 p.m. Since then, we've continued this tradition and we take a picture of you and your proud daddy every year on September 17th at 2:50. It is fun to look back and see the changes each year. This years picture is one of my favorites!

We also decorate the house with birthday signs for you to see as soon as you wake up! We hung them all over the house and I captured a few for this post! We let you open one present before heading off to school, but you had to wait the WHOLE day before opening the rest. I bet that was torture!

Today you are FIVE! I can't believe that it has already been five years since the day you came into my world. I remember that day like it was yesterday, and I have cherished every day since then! You are growing into such a lovely little lady, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for you!

Happy Birthday Sarah!

August 25, 2010

And she's off...

FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN!

Here you are, standing on the front porch preparing to head off for your first ride on a real school bus to kindergarten!

Sisterly love...Molly hugs her big sister before her first big day.

There is bus 11! Sarah tries to look back, but is blinded by the sun. She almost forgot to kiss me goodbye! She was so excited!

And then the reality hits...HOMEWORK! Although it is hard work, Sarah sits right down and does her work neatly! She LOVES SCHOOL! A girl after my own heart :)

If only I could hide in her pocket each day.

August 25, 2010

And so it begins...you are off to Kindergarten! Yesterday we went to school to meet your teacher, do some fun assessments, and see the school. Before we left, I gave you a gift that Daddy made for you. It is very hard for him to be away from you on this special day and he wanted to make sure that you knew he was always with you. Just this past weekend when he was home, your flip flops broke. Daddy came up with a great plan to use a washer to hold the flip flop together. You also helped him build a cart to take the garbage cans out using wood and chains over the weekend. So, it only seemed fitting that he make you a gift using a washer and a chain. He carved "I love you" into it and hooked it to the chain using what you called "an S hook!" He hooked it to your bookbag and kissed it before he left on Sunday to go back to New York. As we prepared to leave, I told you that Daddy is thinking about you and that he made you a present. When I gave it to you, you got tears in your eyes as you read the words. You have the greatest daddy ever!

Here you are showing off your pretty outfit that you picked out for school. Notice the homemade bow headband...thats a clip hooked to a headband...you're very own creation!

My excited Kindergartener!

Meme came over to take pictures and see us off. I can't believe you are going to school already!
We talked about The Kissing Hand. I drew a heart on your hand and gave you a kiss to hold all day long. This way, if you were missing me you could look at your hand and know that I am thinking of you always!

A twist in the story...you gave me a kiss to hold too! I think Mommy is having a harder time than you are with this new adventure!

Even your sister got in on the love!

Cayden too!

Don't forget Meme! She just loves you so much :)

August 20, 2010

5 Days...

You will be a Kindergartner

in only 5 Days.

Time has flown by. I can still remember the day I thought I could be pregnant. I can still remember the first time I felt you kick inside.

I can still remember your first cry. I can still remember all of the milestones you've reached up to this point.

I will always remember.

And now, you are off. Off to tread your own path in this world. I've been wrestling with emotions this entire summer, but it hasn't been until a few days ago that it's really hit me. These are my last days with you as a sweet, innocent, lovable child. Starting in only 5 Days, you will become a girl who has a life outside of my world. You will have good days and bad days. You will miss me but find comfort somehow. You will make friends and enemies. You will try your best and you will create your own opinions. Sometimes you will fail. Sometimes you will simply not care. But always you will make me proud.

I have been struggling with how to share my excitement and fears with you. I am excited for your new adventures and I know that you will do great. I am excited for your new friendships. I am excited to watch you learn and grow. I fear how I will react as I watch you leave on the school bus that very first day. I fear someone being mean to you. I fear you feeling sad and I am not able to comfort you. I fear I may not have prepared you enough. I fear that our close bond may start to unravel. I fear I will miss you.

Along with my fears and excitements however, lies a deep admiration for your strength and sensitivity. You amaze me everyday, Sarah. I love you.

I have spent the last few weeks of summer preparing myself to be a mom of a kindergartner. I've read the school policies, I've joined the PTA. I've learned bus schedules and volunteered to help at classroom parties. I've subscribed to the school newspaper. Today I received my first edition. The superintendent included a letter written by Dan Valentine titled, I Trust You'll Treat Her Well. As I read it, I cried. It seems to cover my thoughts perfectly. I want to share it here so that you may always know my feelings as you approach this new adventure.

I Trust You'll Treat Her Well

by Dan Valentine

"Dear World:

I bequeath to you today one little girl...in a crispy dress...with two
blue eyes...and a happy laugh that ripples all day long and a flash of light
blonde hair that bounces in the sunlight when she runs. I trust you'll treat her
well. She's slipping out of the back yard of my heart this morning...and
skipping off down the street to her first day of school. And never again
will she be completely mine. Prim and proud she'll wave her young and
independent hand this morning and say "Good Bye"...and walk with little lady
steps to the schoolhouse. Now she'll learn to stand in line...and wait by the
alphabet for her name to be called. She'll learn to tune her ears to the
sounds of school bells...and deadlines...and she'll learn to giggle...and
gossip...and look at the ceiling in a disinterested way when the
little boy across the aisle sticks out his tongue at her.
And now she'll learn to be jealous. And now she'll learn how it
is to feel hurt inside. And now she'll learn how not to cry.
No longer will she have time to sit on the front porch steps
on a summer day and watch an ant scurry across the crack in
a sidewalk. Nor will she have time to pop out of bed with the
dawn to kiss lilac blossoms in the morning dew. No, now she'll

worry about important things. Like grades...and which dress
to wear...and whose best friend is whose. And the magic of books
and learning will replace the magic of her blocks and dolls. And
now she'll find new heroes. For five full years now I've been her
sage and Santa Claus and pal and playmate and [mother] and
friend. Now she'll learn to share her worship with her teachers...which is
only right. But, no longer will I be the smartest [woman] in the
whole world. Today when that school bell rings for the first
time...she'll learn what it means to be a member of a group.
With all its privileges. And it's disadvantages too.
She'll learn in time that proper young ladies do not laugh out loud.

Or kiss dogs. Or keep frogs in pickle jars in bedrooms.
Or even watch ants scurry across cracks in the summer sidewalk. Today
she'll learn for the first time that all who smile at her are not her friends.
And I'll stand on the front porch and watch her start out on the long, lonely
journey to become a woman. So, World. I bequeath to you today one little
girl...in a crispy dress...with two blue eyes and a happy laugh that ripples
all day long...and a flash of light blonde hair that bounces in the sunlight
when she runs. I trust you'll treat her well."

I truly love you, my sweet Sarah Rose. I pray that you do incredible things!

I am with you always :)

August 2, 2010

Sarah Rose.One of the most beautiful, caring, kind, friendly, and loving people I've ever met. And she isn't even five yet. This little heart was blessed with a special love that could've only come from another special love. I see Grandma Gert in you every day. And I love every minute of it!

You spend countless hours teaching your little sister all sorts of things. I love what a leader you already are. Reminds me of myself...
You have finally gotten over your shyness when meeting new people. Everywhere you go, you introduce yourself and ask people what their names are. So friendly!

You, my girl, are destined to be something very special!