Thursday, June 28, 2012

Soccer Camp



We asked her if she wanted to try it out.




And did she ever!


Over-the-top excited for a four-evening soccer camp a few weeks ago...





Bought her cleats, shin guards, socks, and a ball. She spent several afternoons in the back yard with her Daddy-O (who, in her mind, is a soccer pro after she spotted his trophies and senior soccer photo at Grandma's house), dribbling, practicing, and trying to keep away from her sporty little brother.






Oh, the cuteness!




Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Last Day of School



It was 183 school days ago when many of us mamas had to let go of our fears and anxieties, trust that God would keep them safe, and let our Kindergartners start their journey...


First day of Kindergarten - August 2011



...and today is the last day of my Kindergartner's 1st grader's school year!


Last day of Kindergarten - June 2012



What a journey it has been! So much growth in just 9.5 months, and so many lessons learned. I loved watching my daughter conquer a few of her fears and try new things. My heart swelled when she lovingly gave her own things to her classmates, making her own decisions to show them love through little acts. I hurt along with her when friends said or did hurtful things, trying to navigate through this thing called friendships. It's all part of growing up, developing the character within.


 This morning we had the honor of watching our daughter (along with many other students, hand-picked by their own teachers) receive a Character Education Award (translation - our school district has "Traits of the Month" that are discussed in each school, and the Award went to students who displayed those traits all the time in their daily lives).





The Award was a surprise to Danae, and she didn't know we were going to be there to see her.




We are beyond proud of our girly girl! I might not want her to grow up, but wow - is she ever becoming a beautiful little lady, inside and out!


Friday, June 1, 2012

busyness and slowing down



Somewhere in the past few months - between the deadlines and the emails, the phone calls and the charts, the feeling of working constantly and the guilt of not finishing it all - I pushed aside the things I love to do (baking, reading, playing, running on a normal schedule, writing) and busyness latched itself on. 


I should have seen it coming. When prep time for the busy summer lacrosse season hits (usually February-May), I work a ton more hours than normal. But I didn't figure in the other hats I took on within the past year and how it would all fit.



Completely.my.fault. 


And completely in need of a change.



We are now learning to pull back. To do a bit less. To put aside a few hats for a bit. To slow down. To start saying "No" and not feel guilty about it. To stay home more and just "be".



And I'm completely fine with that.