My Silly Ellie

I tried to get a nice picture of the girls and me... my silly Ellie thought this was better :)

Here she isn't in the picture because she was pouting and didn't want her photo taken...oh well, at least I got one of me and Kate! :)

Everything Grows

Kate

Ellie's first strawberries from her garden

Butterflies and a Bug

Ellie had her end of the year field trip yesterday at the Windmill Gardens in Sumner. She got to plant her own flower and then we went to the park to play and release the butterflies her preschool class has been growing this year. It was a wonderful and sunny day and it was great to see how confident Ellie is now compared to the beginning of the school year. She really has grown up so much since September! I had Kate in the front pack the whole time. We managed pretty well for the most part but I am still adjusting to being a mommy of two. I always feel like I am giving each one only half of the attention they need and yet I simultaneously feel like I am giving motherhood 200% at all times! Math has never been my best subject but I am pretty sure those numbers don't add up! I laugh now every time Ellie eats a snack at the park without me first washing her hands with a wipe or sanitizer or every time I use my shirt as an impromptu burp cloth for Kate. So true that EVERYTHING changes with the second child! I think Ellie had three packs of gummies (GASP! SUGAR! BAD FOR HER TEETH! SPOIL HER APPETITE!) yesterday before I realized it. Oh the guilt of motherhood! My brother and I were talking on the phone today about how when I finally get a moment of downtime, I don't know what to do with it! Update my iPod? Sleep? Eat? Shower? Load of laundry? Stare off into space? Return one of a zillion phone calls, text messages, emails? We laughed at how we (as parents of two kids each) keep saying, "Sorry! Let's get together next week when things calm down. This week is crazy." Ironically, the next week comes and we keep saying the same thing. :) When does the "crazy" go away? Ha! Anyway, I finally got one of those "moments" tonight so I decided to update this blog...and drink a diet coke before it got warm and eat M&Ms before they melted (GASP! SUGAR! BAD FOR MY TEETH! SPOIL MY APPETITE! NOT HELPING MY DIET!). It was heavenly! Enjoy the pictures, Ang

(orange butterfly Mema!)

She also hurt her knee yesterday and was a big baby about it. It was kind of funny. :)

and a Bug...Little Sweet Bug that is!

Mother's Day Weekend

Friday Soccer Practice...Ellie wouldn't wear the jersey because she didn't like the color! :)

That's my girl! Go Ellie!

Getting some grub at an old drive-in burger place in Buckley. DELICIOUS!

Ellie poses with our new composter. Let me tell you, this was a very exciting event for our family. Ellie is delighted to throw everything inside the drum!

Our beautiful Kate Elizabeth...posing just like her sister!

Ellie took this one...she did a pretty good job! Jaxie was a bit confused about which way to face...

Good one Daddy!

My Mother's Day card from the girls...Ellie signed it of course!

Family tradition: planting our flower pots on Mother's Day

Another picture of "Sweet Bug" (Ellie's name for her sister)

We all had a wonderful weekend. We spent most of our time together and outside in the sunshine. We went for walks and Ellie rode her new scooter, we played in the backyard and worked in the garden and flower beds, and of course, just played on the floor with Kate. Ellie and I baked homemade blackberry scones that turned out AMAZING! I even got a nap! WAHOO! Happy Mother's Day to all the moms, especially mine! :)

Status

Here's the status of the McDonald clan:

Kate is poopy

Jaxie is bored

Ellie is always in her pajamas

I'm exhausted

and Dan is 33 years old!

How are you? :)

Sweetness

Today was murder. I am exhausted despite a helpful visit from my good friend Ruth and Dan's parents. Dan just left for work but I managed to get both girls asleep by 7:30...all by myself! I guess the saying is true: All's well that ends well! These sweet pictures remind me why it's all worth it! I think I need to peek at them again at 2 a.m. when both girls are AWAKE and want mommy! UGH!

Just a Stepping Stone

Today, I turn 30 years old. I have a million different feelings about this day, time, hour, moment in my life and although I am usually fairly good at putting my thoughts into words, I can't help but think of the lyrics from Alan Jackson's "Remember When" song. He seemed to say it much better: Remember when, thirty seemed so old. Now looking back, It's just a stepping stone To where we are, where we've been. Said we'd do it all again, Remember when. OK, so maybe 30 does still seem a little old to me but the stepping stone idea is true enough. I am thirty years old. I have a husband, two BEAUTIFUL and healthy daughters, a dog, a home, and a supportive and healthy community of family, church, and friends. Wow. I am so lucky. I mean, really. Really lucky. I couldn't ask for more. And I know this really is a stepping stone. God willing, I am only at the start of the path I look forward to: watching the girls grow up...Kate's first smile, "mama," footstep...Ellie's first goal in soccer, tying her shoes, reading a book...Dan and I continuing to plan and save for our goals and share them with our daughters....the girls trying out life as teenagers, learning "heartbreak" isn't forever, forming an inseparable friendship with each other... and so it goes. I am not going to feel too bad about being older today. Thank God for the opportunity! And I am especially grateful because I can still see all the wonderful places to come and do not regret any of the places I've been. Again, I am so blessed.