The inevitable future...

I have been somewhat reflective these past few days. I will catch a glimpse of Calla and realize how much time has passed since we brought our first little girl home. She is only four and a half, but that time has raced by me. Now I see Amelia deciding that she too wants to keep growing up. I know that these precious girls are such a gift from the Lord. They have amazing personalities that vary so much even from each other, that I am eager to see what paths God directs them into. I just tend to take these days of their fleeting childhood with a feeling of awe. They grow so fast. I want to give them so much love in these days I spend with them. For all too soon, they will be running to and fro with way too many things to have time to sit and snuggle while we read a book. I love my girls.

Amma...

My mom came to visit last week for several days. It was so wonderful! The girls had a great time. So did I! We were busy, but had lots of fun. Fourth of July we headed to Lake Michigan for the fireworks. Amma played in the sand with the girls for hours. Calla snuggled into Amma's lap and even braved the fireworks without holding her hands over her ears this year. Thursday we went to a children's museum ALL day.The kids had a great time. So did the adults. Cory and his dad ended up splashing around in the water room and Mom and I tested out the chemistry lab - goggles, aprons, beakers. So fun! We went shopping Saturday and watched more fireworks Saturday night. I love my mom and my girls love their Amma!

Horsies...

I have tried to pass my love for horses onto my children. Horses have always been my favorite animal. I get them horsie toys, coloring books, stuffed animals. Calla picked up on liking horses last summer. All she wanted to see at Farm Tech Days were the horses. She picked a horse-themed birthday when she turned four. That's my girl! Amelia already recognizes a horse. She says "horsie" and makes quite the noise to attempt to imitate one. We were at a July 4th celebration and saw the pony rides. This is one overpriced event I enjoy doing for the girls. It was Amelia's first ride on a real horsie. After the initial shock of the horse moving under her when she first saddled up, she enjoyed it. Big smiles! From Mommy, too!

Amelia...

This is how we found Amelia after we left the dining room. She had schmeared the remains of her yogurt container into her hair. She was so excited! She made sure all of the yogurt was out of the container. She is such a fun little girl. She is beginning to say more and more words that we are actually able to understand. "Fishy." "Car." "Ball." "Dolly." She will attempt to repeat just about anything. She likes to play with cars, necklaces, balls, and baby dolls. She loves her sister. She is a spunky little thing that already knows what she likes and what she doesn't. She is one of my true joys.
Psalm 127:3a "Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD:"

Our week in Review...

Calla was invited to stay overnight at her cousin's house on Wednesday night. So, after church I graciously allowed Cory to put Amelia to bed and headed to the coffee house with my two closest girlfriends. Great, refreshing fellowship ensued. I love those girls. They make my life richer.

Since I was a mom of one Thursday, I decided to it would be a great day to pick strawberries. I dropped Amelia off at a friend's by 9:30, and was off to the strawberry patch. All year round, I long for fresh sweet corn and fresh-picked strawberries. I picked two ice cream pails full and headed toward the registers. As the tractor was leading me back to the van, I knew I would want more than I had picked. I do admit that the one deterring factor was the lack of conversation out in the fields. I attempted, twice, to converse with the nice grandpa man next to me, but he would have none of that. Busy picking strawberries, you know. Cory says maybe he thought I was hitting on him.

The rest of the day went as usual. the only thing it lacked was a non-stop chatter from my favorite four-year-old.

Friday night, we had a picnic with the girls from our Sunday School class. We had given them the incentive a few months ago. Bring your Bible. Say the three given verses. Have a family picnic. Two families, plus mine and the other teacher's. We were at a park near Lake Michigan. It was a lot of fun. I especially enjoy watching dads play with their kids. The cookie ice cream sandwiches my sister-in-law brought for dessert weren't bad either.

Now, Saturday, is full. Cory spent the morning out fishing with his dad and brother. Lunch. This afternoon is a graduation party. Then Cory and Calla are heading off to the races. Amelia and I will stay home and relax. I have two sewing projects to be working on, so that will probably end up being my goal.

A Shopping Trip...

We had a shopping trip adventure this morning. I have to plan these in the midst of several other kid-friendly outings. Monday, we were home all day. Tuesdays are park day with our friends from church. We stayed at the park from 10:30-1:30. So I thought we could eek out a trip to Target. Nothing else. Just Target and then back home. No such luck.

My friend and I usually plan our trips to Target together. Moral support, I think. I love Target. I love to wander around looking at every department. Snagging deals. Plus, you can get a drink and popcorn for a buck. You can't go wrong. Well. I find bliss in Target, but my girls are otherwise. It seems as if the large red bullseye sends off waves to their brains that say, "Disobey and throw tantrums. It makes life way more fun." My friend's kids are the same way. It seems Target sends them into this realm where they can be the other part of their split personalities. Their arms will flail at intermittent moments. Screams, whether of joy or disgust, erupt at any given opportunity. And yet I keep going. I do try to make it an every other week event.
My favorite Target memory happened when I was nearly due to have Amelia. Calla and I ventured to Target alone. I was at the customer service desk when it happened. She bolted. Down the main aisle in a child-like jog. Ok. I can keep an eye on her while I waddle as fast as I can to catch up. Then it happened. She took a sharp right turn into the clothing racks. Now all was hopeless. As I began searching the racks near her entry point, I realized she was long gone.
"Code Adam. Female. Two years old. Blonde pigtails. Blue denim shorts. Pink shirt. Code Adam. All employees." As I stood there with tears and dread on my face, Target employees emerged from the woodwork. All were on the search for a little girl whose mother obviously can't control her. Yep. Especially when the darker forces within Target take over. They found her within seconds. Gleefully playing in the center of the toy aisle halfway across the store. Needless to say, we left. And now she is confined to a cart most of time. Until she's 21.

A New Adventure...

We decided to move Amelia into Calla's room last week. Both girls were having their own struggles at night, so we decided maybe this was the best move. It seems to be working well. They take turns as to who gets to cry themselves to sleep. Mostly Amelia. It has been fun to listen in on conversations. Calla will say little things to Amelia. "Amelia, Momma said no more crying." "Amelia, we need to be good girls." "Amelia, should we sing one more song?" I am glad for the friendship that is already blossoming between the two of them. So sweet.