Transitions

Currently our lives seem to be a state of big transitions and lots of changes.

1. The obvious..Spring is turning to Summer.  We have had many of days that have already been hot, but now the pools are open which are calling our names.  And summer picnics. And lots and lots of time outdoors.

Makenna at her friend's butterfly picnic

2. Makenna is enjoying her last days of preschool and will graduate this Friday.  (gulp..)

class picnic

Rylan getting in on the tball game with the preschoolers

picnic lunch with friends is the best

3.. She will be starting at the local grammar school in the fall and since her preschool is in the town next to ours (Naperville), her preschool friends are going to different schools. So come fall she will be making all new friends.  Makenna, the social butterfly that she is, of course has no problem with that.  However, I'm sure will miss some of the girls she really adores.

4.  Our lovely UK friends are moving back to well, the UK. Waaa.. this makes us very sad and I know all four of us are going to miss all five of them so much but I also know that we will meet again, in their land as well as back here in the States.  So when is our two family vacation going to be J & A?

5. Rylan is certainly all boy and has very little baby left.  He still wants to be held and carried on occasion (which I treasure because I know those days are numbered) and he still needs his mommy snuggles but this photo tells it all.  Hello skinny arms and legs. Hello boyhood.  #timepleaseslowdown

6. Teeth are loose and even the adult teeth are already coming in behind the loose tooth in MC's mouth.  I'm not sure this little girl will have a toothless grin just yet because that adult one is getting so big already. (See it?)

7. And some of my favorite things about this time of year...gardens are growing and flowers are blooming which always puts a smile on my face.

Happy Almost Summer.  Will be back soon with the graduate.

Ten Randoms

1. Sometimes life is really, really great and other times life's struggles pop up.  If there is one good thing that comes from such hardships, is that I realize just how great the everyday, normal day to day life, truly is.

2. Last week we had to say an abrupt good bye to our little Zoe.  Although she was my mom's pup, she was just as much a part of our family too.  We will hold onto the memories of sweet Zoe and love on our Cassidy and Zoe's sister, Riley, a bit more in the upcoming days.

3. On a brighter note, we had our family portraits done by Erin and the sneak peek was amazing.  You can see them here.  http://erincobb.com/Blog/?p=5872 We can't wait to see the entire gallery and have the photographs adorn our walls.

4. Mother's Day was a very nice day (week!).  Last Wednesday, I visited MC's school for a mother's day tea.  We were treated to fancy handmade place mats, flower sandwiches and songs that would make any mother wipe their eyes.  Makenna was so very excited which made it all the more special.

5. On Sunday I awoke to Makenna at my bedside, handing me the beautiful rainbow card she created. "Happy Moder's Day Momma!" is a great way to wake up, btw.  We spent the day in the city, walking the streets, eating great food and playing in the park.  It was all good, and I am once again reminded how very fortunate I am to be a mommy, a role I have dreamed of since I was  a little girl.

6. Have you ever stubbed your toe so hard, that you think it might be broken and it hurts with every step? I think I have.  Ouch.

7. With the nicer, warmer weather we have been doing a lot of this.

8. And this..

9. Makenna is wrapping up her preschool days and is so excited to "graduate."  Tonight while on one of our walks a little girl stopped and asked MC where she went to school. "Well..I'm in preschool now but I am graduating in two weeks and I'm going to kindergarten in the fall."  Excuse me..but where did my little girl go? Such a responsible answer MC.

10. We have continued our Vegan ways and are loving it.  And as if we needed any more proof that this is right for us, the answer came in Scott's lab results after just 3.5 months of eating this way.  His total cholesterol dropped by 25% and his LDL's decreased by 30% ( even though his numbers were all normal before) .  Amaazing! Just stunning.  Taking an active role in health prevention for our family is so empowering.

Ten on Tuesday

1.  TOT is back this week.  It's been awhile and in life's ups and downs, this seems like a post that works for today.

2. This past weekend we had our pictures taken with the famous Erin Cobb.  She is as sweet and delightful in person as she appears.  We can't wait to see our photos and know that they'll be nothing less than dynamite.  So happy she made a visit to Chicago!!

3. Rylan has finally adapted to and looked forward to going to the gym child care center.  We have been going regularly for the last couple weeks and this momma couldn't be happier.  However, on my spin bike this morning I was summoned to pick up a boy who had just bit another boy.  Ugh..lifes downward moments appears. I am pretty certain it's an isolated problem since he's not a usual biter and the fact that he has been a complete crab monster the rest of the day. I'm tossing it to be a bad day for the Ry guy.

4. Hence, I am running (literally) somewhere when Scott arrives home from work.  I could use some me time and I am always so thankful that Scott understands and facilitates it without any question.

5. On happier days (ha!), here are some recent pictures of the day from the last week.

6. Tomorrow I am going to Makenna's preschool for a Mother's Day Tea.  She is super excited and has been practicing her songs regularly (so adorable!). Yesterday she told me that I was going to be the queen for the day on Muders Day (mothers day) and that she can't wait.  ha..I knew that preschool tuition was going to pay off someday!  :)

7. Makenna is doing super in her swim lessons.  She has become quite the fish and in the last couple of weeks to watch her freestyle across several lanes is still quite a thing to see.  She is now learning the breast stroke while she is still perfecting her freestyle and back stroke.  Go go go MC...

8. This year we have started our own little herb and vegetable garden, starting with the seeds.  So far these little babies are growing and soon we'll have to plant them outside.  Weeee.....  We are all so excited to see them grow and to of course, eat them!

9. Not sure where I came across this, but i love it!  So true and a great reminder for every day.

10. Here's hoping tomorrow is a better day!

project life moving forward

I have enthusiastically remained on board with creating a photograph each day to represent different aspects of our lives in this point of time. This is the third year running and I just love looking back and often use it as a reference book for different things.   I know my side link hasn't been working and I still need to spend some time trying to figure it out (or an evening since I can't seem to sort the problem).  I hope to have it back up soon.

Here's a few of the most recent ones.

xo,K