catching up

Stella's last day of her first year of pre-school came and went! 

She had such a great school year and has grown and learned so much!

Thank you to Pinterest for the inspiration to create these "Owl miss you treats" to pass out to all of her classmates on the last day.  

Then off to Indiana we went again.  I had three job interviews lined up and so Stella, Ruby and I made the trip back!  Here is one of our favorite parts of the journey, the tunnel.  Stella and I make a game of holding our breath all the way through it.

Another favorite sight is the Ruby Falls barn roof.

And we made it to Indiana.  Stella was able to walk in a parade on Memorial Day with the Landrigan girls for their swim club.  She walked two miles with them and had a great time.

Ruby was an enthusiastic and patriotic spectator! 

She did not even mind the loud fire engine's sirens.

Headed to Liz's softball game. Ruby wore an oven mit out of the house and looked so silly with it and the glasses on. She is getting so big and says something new everyday. She's catches on to new things very quickly and loves to play and act silly.  She also does like to sit still sometimes and look at books or do puzzles.  Ruby is super ticklish and loves to laugh. She is so friendly but also can be quite serious and stoic in front of new people. You just never know. Yesterday we had a meeting with a realtor and Ruby gave her a hug before she left. Ruby is saying so much: help me, hold me, hungry, hi Stella, Hey Millme (Millie), thank you, love you, more please (she says that one quite a bit), barbie, snack, juice....I could go on and on.

She really loves to dance and even attempts to sing. When she's up to no good she knows it and looks at you with the sweetest little face and raises her eyebrows so funny. She loves animals and so is really into shows about them, books about them, and toy animals. She also loves babies, real or fake. We have a good friend her with a new baby and Ruby really loves her and is very soft and gentle around her which is not her typical demeanor!  Her favorite lunch right now is hummus, pita chips, cheese and fruit. 

Miss Ruby Eileen is so very special and I'm so happy that soon most of our extended family will be able to spend much more time with her.

Stella enjoying the game with one of her favorite people...  Kate!

Stella is in gymnastics again until we move back.  She is doing really well and her teacher, Miss Betty, commented on how strong she was.  Stella really likes the class and is such a good listener and follows instructions so well.  I am one proud Momma!  She is swimming so well already this summer and has become much more independent in the water.  She still wears water wings but I am going to try to teach to swim without them this summer. Our neighborhood pool is open and we so enjoy walking down there to swim whenever we want.  We will sure miss that luxury!  But many more luxuries will be replacing it when we move back HOME.

Two days ago Stella walked up to me carrying her little blanket and said, "Mom, I really don't think I need this anymore because I am a big kid.  Is it okay if I throw it away?" Whoa.  This was nothing we had ever talked about doing!  I was floored!  So I said, "sure you can" and I let her know how proud I was of her that she made that decision for herself and all by herself!  I was so impressed!  So of course I captured a video of her throwing it away(press play below)!  What a big deal..really!!!  This girl continues to be remarkable to me!  I am so lucky to have two very beautiful, lively and smart girls!

I have a new job!  I will be starting to teach art again in August at DeKalb High School!  Going back to the same school and art room where I once decided I was going to become and art teacher!  The position is part-time.  I will be teaching three classes every morning, 3D and ceramics!  I couldn't be happier.  I am thrilled to have the opportunity to teach again and at the high school level. This is the perfect position for me.  I get to teach in the morning and then be with my girls from noon on.  But wait there's more... their grandma will be with them all morning while I go to work.  It really doesn't get better than that!  I am certainly having my cake and eating it too and I am grateful!