Getting Outside!

Now that school has started and we don't get to spend every day together, we all try really hard to make the best of our time together. I don't mean to say that we didn't before or that we do all these crazy things now, but we just try to be intensional with our time and do things together instead of wasting days and time together. The end of the summer ended on a HOT note, so outside stuff has been hard to do. But a few rare occasions as of late have allowed us to get outside and really enjoy it!

Last weekend, Siena and I went down to City Market. We just needed to get out of the house. So, while Matt was at football meetings, Siena and I took a drive downtown. We really had a lot of fun! We bought some basil (for pesto - yum!!), peaches, and a few veggies. We walked around and looked at all the stuff...and sat down to enjoy the weather. It was pretty warm, so we needed to stop for a drink and a little snack. While doing that, I had a impromptu photo shoot. Caught some really cute photos of Siena...and a few of her many faces.

On our way out, we walked by a little train that pulled kids around the market. Had to stop. Too cute not too. And now that Siena is getting to the age where SHE wants to do these things, it was a well-spent $2.00. Oh, she loved it! She was the caboose and she had a smile on her face the entire time. It was precious. I was a proud Momma, watching from afar. It's funny how quickly that happens - 5 minutes ago it seemed I had to be by her all the time, helping her with everything. Now, off she goes on a train ride, waving to me as she passes by, all the while saying, "...see you in a little bit, Momma..." Sheesh.

Then, this weekend was quite a treat weather-wise! Today was like 7o and sunny! I think everyone was out of their houses, enjoying the ability to be out of the house and not sweat to death! Just a couple days ago it was over 100! But hey, it's not worth trying to figure out. We just enjoyed it. After dinner, Siena wanted to go to the park, so off we went! Again, the last time we went to this park, we were helping her onto everything, showing her how to do things...and now, I mostly sat by and watched her climb and slide! Again, she loved being outside and loved her independence. She is a very "...I do it like a big girl..." kind of girl. You know what, I'll take it. She's doing great. And I love to be along on her adventure!

Noteworthy Odds N Ends

Okay, so...once again, I am playing catch up. I guess it just happens. I'm over it. :)

There are a few things that have been happening since Siena's 2nd birthday that I want to make sure I document them. With the whirlwind of school and football starting, as well as totally changing the face of KidsQuest (the children's ministry that I lead at our church), we have been busy to say the least. And when we do have some time, it's spent together and with Siena. We wouldn't have things any other way, but it makes for busy weeks, weekends, and every moment in between.

Let's start with the Connie story. I referenced it in my last post, so I suppose I should detail that story a little bit. Yes, Connie was a birthday present. And yes, she is doing just great in the house. But she is replacing another little creature we had in our house for a short time. On Memorial Day weekend, we brought Cole, a black lab puppy home. He was a wonderful puppy and I'm sure he will make a wonderful dog someday, but we are not the family to find that out. What we did find out is that having a dog - no, let me rephrase, a puppy - is not in our cards right now. It's just about impossible. Between our schedules, our lack of energy when we get home, and a 2-year-old, a puppy was not a good idea. For anyone - including Cole. We found that out as the weeks went on and it just wasn't getting better. So, we had to swallow our pride a little bit and admit that it just wasn't working. We put some feelers out and tried to find a home for him that would be better than what we could do for him. Long story short, we found someone. A friend of my dad's. He lives in Northern Michigan and has a wonderful family with 2 boys, ages 9 and 11. The perfect set-up for Cole. All worked out. The only situation we were facing then was that he couldn't take him till Labor Day. Not that we wouldn't have been able to suck it up and keep him for another few weeks, but Em was in town for Siena's birthday and no one had any plans to be going to or from Michigan in the next while. It would have been the perfect situation to send Cole home with Em and that way Cole would be closer to them when the time came. My mom, bless her heart - seriously, said she would take him in for those few weeks in between. Her and Peter took care of that puppy for long enough to realize that we weren't completely crazy in saying that we just couldn't do it. Since that time, Cole has been given to his new family and everyone is happy. It was truly a blessing to find a good home for Cole so quick. He's going to be a great dog. We hope to see him someday again! Siena still talks about her "Coley" and I think she does miss him...or at least the thought of him. But we know we made the right decision and it's what's best for all parties involved. But, back to Connie. We promised Siena that when Cole had to leave to go to another home, she could get a fish. We were trying to ease the leaving of her pet. It seemed to work and her focus turned to the fish instead of the dog. The timing was really great because Cole left the weekend of Siena's birthday party and we were able to get Connie a few days later, on Siena's birthday. All worked out. And that's the story of Connie and Cole.

Cole, we know you're going to love your new family!

Another really big thing that has come up somewhat recently. Siena has moved to a big-girl bed. A couple weeks before summer was over, we got new carpet in our house. We are still wanting to sell our house and we figured carpet would help that process. While moving all the furniture off the old carpet, we on-the-whim decided to take Siena's crib apart and just go for the big-girl bed. After the new carpet was put in, we put everything back and we set up Siena's room with the door closed, trying to make it a really big deal. When she finally walked in, she saw her mattress on the floor with her blankets, Ya-Ya, and a couple extra little friends to keep her company in her new bed! We totally overdramatized it...but anything to get her to think that's really cool! And she did. She was pretty excited. We were both a little nervous about what she would do that very first night now that she would have free reign in her room. But she didn't move a muscle. She didn't cry (or make a peep for that matter), didn't move around or out of her bed, and that was that. We couldn't believe it! We stared at the monitor to see what she would do. I don't think she really knew what to do with herself! Well, that was the honeymoon period. She soon figured out that she could get out of bed and that she could open her door and walk right out of her room. So, for a couple of weeks, we had to fight that one out a little bit. Unfortunately, the latch on her door doesn't completely shut, so she can just push the door open. I found myself holding the door shut while she cried on the other side. We did that for a few nights and then she realized it wasn't worth it. I am proud to say that now she goes to bed and stays there. She still makes sure to get plenty of hugs and kisses before bed, but you will never hear me complain about that "staller". And I don't mind it one bit when she wakes up in the morning, opens her door, walk out, closes the door behind her, walks into our room and curls up in bed with me for a little bit in the morning. That snuggle time is priceless and I love every minute of it.

Nothing special, but she loves to say she's sleeping in a big-girl bed!! Another step closer to not being a little kid anymore...sigh...

And as a side note, we have started school. Matt started football the week of Siena's birthday (she was born the first day of practice two years ago - so she will always have football surrounding her birthday) and that has preoccupied a lot of his time. He really does love being a coach. And we love him being a coach. Siena and I plan to be at all of his games this season, cheering him on! Go Cats!

Matt and I have also both started teaching again. I am thrilled with my class - they are wonderful and a treat to teach. Matt is excited about some really great opportunities at the high school too. It's a good start to the year. Of course it's hard to be away from Siena and we both miss spending every day with her, but it's just the way life goes. I think I am a better mother because of my job...it's just my personality and how I operate. Matt loves what he does too and I know he loves Siena to be a part of that as much as possible. We are blessed to have jobs that allow for us to be with Siena as much as we are. We thank God all the time for the situations He has given us and the way He calls us to live a life for Him. We are very blessed. And as we start a new school year, we look forward to it all...

TWO YEARS OLD!!

That's right. Believe it or not, Miss Siena Grace is TWO years old. And what a two years it has been. It's hard to even begin to process all that has happened since her last birthday, let alone her 2 years of life on this earth. Life-changing doesn't begin to describe her. There is not someone that brings us more joy and more laughter. There is not someone who is more demanding of our time and energy. There is not someone that we love more on this earth. Siena is a celebration of life.

This year, for Siena's birthday, we toned it way down (as most parents do after they realize the production that goes into a first birthday party). :) Siena loves to swim and be in water. So why not celebrate her in a place she loves - Grandma and Grandpa's pool. The weekend before Siena's birthday was a good time for everyone. With football starting the week of Siena's big day, we wanted to make sure we got a good party in before the busyness really kicked in!! We invited family and a few of Siena's friends (and ours) to swim and play outside. We decided to do simple food - sandwiches, chips and salsa and guac, fruit, salad, frozen yogurt, and drinks. Other than that, there wasn't much of an agenda. We all swam, played on the slip-n-slide, played with bubbles, chatted on the porch, and just spent the day together. We are so thankful for such wonderful family and friends to surround Siena with love. She is one lucky girl!!

A very happy birthday girl, pin and all!

Daddy and his birthday girl - in their favorite spot! (The reason for the "fog" in the picture - it's so blasting hot in Missouri, going from inside to outside is too much of a shock for a camera and it completely fogged up...for quite a while! Wasn't going to wait for it - wanted to capture some moments!!)

The bubble-blowing station...

"Running" down the slip-n-slide...

...and back for round 2.

A very excited little girl, waiting to blow out the candles! Might have been one of her favorite parts of the day. For days after her party, she kept talking about "...more candles on my birthday cake?!"

All of Siena's little friends who joined the party. Bryce, Erick, Laney, and Brady! What sweet, sweet kids! (Bella and Benjamin were there too, we just took the picture too late!)
Inside to open a few presents from the family...I think Auntie Em's more excited about the gift than Siena! :)

A happy day for us!!
An extra bonus to the birthday party? Auntie Em! Em was in town for a wedding reception, so it was perfect timing! She made the party complete. Siena sure does love her Auntie Em! Those two have lots in store for the future...

Oh, and then the cake. We made it tradition last year (ha - tradition...after just a year!) to make Siena's cake each year. Last year, that cake about got the best of us. This year, we again decided to ease up just a little bit. We made a fun swimming pool cake that (we thought) turned out pretty cute! We used teddy grahams as people in the pool and little candies for the toys. It was pretty painless and we got it finished during Siena's nap the day before. :)

The party was a success! Siena had such a great time with her family and friends around her! She loved splashing around in the pool, loved blowing out the candles, loved running down the slip-n-slide (and you can just imagine how that turned out!), and loved being the center of attention. After everyone left and she opened a couple gifts, she was worn out! A good, long nap after a birthday party - sounds like a success to me!!

And then Siena's special day, August 10. Even though we had Siena's birthday party, we still had to celebrate her actual special day! Matt had football for the morning and I actually had to work too. When I woke up Siena in the morning, she right away talked about her birthday cake! She was one excited little girl! She got to spend a few hours with her buddies, "Byce and Brady Boy." I think she loved that gift!!

After Daddy got home from football, we headed straight for the zoo! We have never been to the KC Zoo, so it was high time! What kid doesn't love to look at all the animals?! Her favorite was Nakita, the polar bear. She kept saying she wanted to get in the polar bear water and swim with him. Needless to say, we distracted her from that and moved on to the other animals. It was a pretty hot day but we were able to walk all around and see the animals we really wanted to see. Some of the highlights: the rhinos, giraffes, gorillas, lions, and elephants. On the way out, Siena got to pick out a little animal of her choice. After going through a few contenders, the "red-tailed panda" won out? We certainly didn't see that animal (and still aren't convinced that there is such a thing) but that was her choice. She named him Poomba. (Can you guess what movie she had seen shortly before that?)

Siena checking out the monkeys...

Trying to feed the turtle that popped his head up to say hi.

After the zoo, we went to Spin Pizza for yummy pizza and salads. That MAY have been a decision made my us that Siena just happened to like. I suppose when they can't pick their own place yet, might as well go for something WE like! Speaking of which, we topped that off with Orange Leaf frozen yogurt...my absolute favorite these days. And that is not just me. The very first time the 3 of us went, Siena inhaled all of my yogurt and was licking the inside of the cup with her face. That was our indication that she liked it too...so we thought that would be a fun treat to end the night.

And then, just to add icing to the cake, we stopped by the pet store. Siena got a pet fish. The story starts a little earlier than her birthday, but I'll cover that in another post - this one is all about her birthday. She got to pick out the fish and the home for him. I'm proud to say we have a red and blue Beta fish named...Connie. Yep, Connie. No idea where that name came from. Siena doesn't know anyone named Connie (well enough to want to name a fish after her), I don't think she has seen anything on TV with that name...your guess is as good as mine. I laughed out loud when she said it. And we stuck with it. Siena is very happy with Connie. We have to work on the air hugs and blowing the fish kisses. She feeds her and watches over her. Connie lives in Siena's room and they are the perfect roommates.

Trying to give Connie kisses...bless her little heart.

What a wonderful day to celebrate a wonderful girl. She sure is something special. I can't imagine our life without her. She is the joy in our days and the best part of our life together. We are blessed to be her parents and God has given us a gift that we treasure dearly. Siena Grace, you are a beautiful girl! Momma and Daddy love you more than you'll ever know! God is so very good and what a special miracle you are. Happy Birthday, little love.