Sunday, October 19, 2014

Jackson

Jackson turned 7 a few weeks ago. I'm so in love with this kid! He makes me happy and I am thankful he is mine for a little while. Happy birthday Jack Jack! 

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Transportation Parade


I'm a little behind and wishing I did a better job of updating this blog. One day I will regret not better documenting these sweet little days. So, better late than never, right?

Earlier this month, all the kindergartners at Jackson's school got to participate in a transportation parade.   They could choose any form of transportation and use cardboard boxes to construct their project. Well I'm the queen of procrastination and waited until 4 days before to start Jackson's. He flip flopped several times about what he wanted and finally decided on an airplane.  You may remember when Olivia and Poppa Joe made a princess carriage. Well, it was Poppa to the rescue again!

We believe that Poppa can build anything. Basically, he is McGuyver.

Once we pieced it together, Jackson painted it! 


I cut out stripes and his name. 


Friday rolled around and it was time for take off! 


 



 You can't believe how creative some of these kids, parents, grandparents are!
These are just a few from his class! I wish I had taken pictures of more. There was a hot air balloon, pirate ship, flying carpet and tons of others.  


Thank you Poppy.....You're the best!











Monday, September 2, 2013

I like big bows and I cannot lie....

What what?? 

So, a few weeks ago Livy comes home with a cute little pink flier from the high school dance team about a fund raiser. She was all like "Momma, I HAVE to do this...please say yes...please talk to daddy...I really want to do this." And I was all "What is it that you HAVE to do?" 
Apparently it was the opportunity of a lifetime. You pay $30 for a Saturday dance clinic at the high school gym, get a snack, a t-shirt, and then preform with the dance team during halftime the following Friday at the first home football game of the season. My immediate reaction was to say NO. There are several factor that I contributed to this being a BAD idea. 1.)We are not dancers. Not that we don't like to bust a move here in the confounds of our home out of the public eye, but smooth moves are not at the top of the McArdle family natural talents. 2.) I don't like to do things that I'm not very good at in front of others. Others include a packed stadium full of friends and strangers. Both being equally intimidating. Fear of failure and embarrassment keep me from many life experiences. I'm aware that is an unhealthy outlook in general, but I play things safe. And naturally I tend to throw that protective safety net around my kids as well. 


So, I told her to let me think about it and talk to her daddy. And I did. And we never came to conclusion one way or the other.


Meanwhile, Maw Maw just busted up and filled out the form and sent $30. Just like that.

   
And just like that she was going to do something that made my stomach knot up for an entire week. I was scared for my girl. Scared that she wouldn't do as well as her friends that burst forth from the womb going to Donna's School of Dance. Scared that her peers may laugh at her because she has never taken dance and may not be able to do all the moves or memorize 3 routines. (Let's be honest, little girls can be mean.) Scared that if this doesn't go well she won't try new things with eagerness ever again. Scared that this one thing could scar her for life. I was scared. Me. Not her. She was excited to try something new. She was eager to watch and learn from those cool high school girls. She was ecstatic to hang with girlfriends from her class on a Saturday. She was pumped to be on the field at half time.


 So, I prayed for my baby. I bedazzled her t-shirt with rhinestones. Go big or go home. She may not be as good of a dancer but by George she can totally rock the cutest shirt. And, of course, throw the biggest white hair bow she has on top of her head! Ready or not she is about to do this.


Even if I'm getting on her nerves taking pictures. 

The high school dance team is top notch. I mean really, seriously good. Halftime is like a Broadway show. They are super talented young ladies and I was impressed!

After they finished their performance the little girls joined them on the sideline to dance the routine they learned last Saturday.  

And they were sweet. Some of them were actually really good. However, most of them were in the same boat. They didn't nail every move. But they were smiling and enjoying the moment. They were dancing with all their little hearts and having fun. When they finished the crowd cheered as the walk off the field. 

I walked down to get my girl and couldn't wait to tell her how proud I was. She seemed a little upset though. When I asked her what was wrong she said that dance was not her thing because she wasn't all that good. I just squeezed her up in a hug and we made our way out of the stadium. As we walked further from the crowd I slowed down to talk to her. I had to tell her that I loved her. No, she wasn't the best dancer out there. But that is one of my favorite things about her. I had to tell her that I think she was very brave to try something new even if she knew she may not be great at it. I admitted that I'm not nearly as brave. She set a good example for her Momma this time. I love that she is willing to step out and walk the uncharted waters of life. That will serve her well in the years to come. I know it served me well to watch her. And I want to be a little more like my girl. Brave. Willing. And bedazzled with a big bow!  

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Just Like That...



I no longer have any kids at home with me during the day. They have grown up and moved on to greater things like Kindergarten and Third Grade. 


I'm not completely devastated. I'm actually kinda proud of these two. Don't get me wrong, I have my moments when I realize just how incredibly precious time is and more importantly that there is less of it to spend and invest in my babes.  I sometimes wish life had a rewind button and I could hold and rock and snuggle them as infants. But, I am thankful for these 8 1/2 years that I've been privileged to be called Momma. They are growing up and I pray that we are guiding them gently towards being loving, independent, and productive young adults who live with passion and conviction.  



In less than 5 years this doll baby will be a teenagers. WHAT?!?!?! Actually, she is practically there now. So grown and a little sassy. She's right about almost everything....just ask her. I sometimes have to take a deep breath and count to 10 before I lose my mind! But, she is precious and still has a hold on childhood innocence that so many of the kids her age are losing. I know it is slipping away and we are trying to balance allowing her to grow up while staying grounded. Roots and wings. It is hard stuff! 



And my baby boy. I could suck him up with a straw. Pure sweetness. I think since he is the baby there is a greater urge to make time slow down and savor these last moments of "littleness". I've accepted that I don't have tiny babies or toddlers anymore.  I'm okay with that. I just want my Jack Jack to stay little for a while longer. I like that his late birthday gave us an extra year of preschool. We had a fun time together last year. He may be the sweetest, silliest, loving little boy ever. At least in my world! 



Today was a great first day of school. I walked them to their room, unashamedly took pictures, and gave quick hugs. We prayed together before we walked in for a good year, our teachers, friends, safety, and that they would be good learners and show kindness to everyone. 



 There were no tears or any dramatic melt down or fear. Just a nervous eagerness and excitement about a new year. Jackson's face was saying "Please leave...I got this." So I did.  

This is the last year they will be in the same school until they are in high school. I love their school and teachers. I'm certain this is going to be a great year!

Monday, May 20, 2013

Graduation

Last Thursday evening we celebrated Jackson's preschool graduation. 

It was a sweet and very entertaining ceremony. 



He had such a great year and learned so much from his precious teacher, Mrs. Kristie. I'm so glad that my sweet friend loved on him every day. He LOVES Kristie! One day after I picked him up from Mother's Day Out Kristie and I were talking. She told him bye and asked if she could have some love. I'm sure she was hoping for a sweet Jack Jack hug. But he grabbed her up and kissed her square on the lips!! We died laughing and he didn't seem to mind because he doled out some more sugar. Later I asked him why he kissed her and he said "because I love her." Well, duh mom, right? We had a little chat about personal space and that I am the only woman in his life that gets that sweet sugar!  But seriously, Kristie was the perfect teacher for him and I'm beyond thankful for her!


So, it's big school with his big sister next year! He's excited and so is his Momma! I'm not nearly as apprehensive about him to going to Kindergarten as I was with Olivia. There is a certain familiarity with the school and teachers we have gained over the past 3 years. Plus, Maw Maw Precious is there. And the fact that I have dragged him all over the school wile doing things with Olivia and her classes make me certain he can pretty much run the joint! Next year will be exciting but I'm ready for a fun summer break!

 I'm proud of my baby boy! Love you Jack Jack

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

The Confident Mom

Yesterday was an exciting day for Olivia. She got the chance to compete in the Mississippi Region V1 Science and Engineering Fair by winning first place at her school science fair back in January and all winners had the chance to compete in the regional fair.
She was so excited to attend. Getting out of school for a whole day probably didn't help either!
Our friend Hayden also won his district and he came with us. As we rolled down the beach on highway 90 I drilled them with question that the judges may ask. I figured this was my contribution since Clay did all the real work with Olivia on her project. Did I mention what a great, wonderful, patient, smart dad he is? We were so sad that he had to go on a business trip and couldn't be there. He really did a superb job of helping her and keeping the fire burning when her flame was dying around day 7 of the actual experiment.  I just drive the bus on stuff like science fairs!
And this bus pulled up to the coliseum around 8 am and unloaded 2 tables, 2 chairs, 2 projects ,2 kids, 2 bags of their stuff, and my camera bag! I made them promise not to move until I came back from parking the van!
I was not prepared for the chaos that welcomed us as we entered the building. Kids and parents were everywhere. We waded through the masses and found our 3'x5' space in this massive room.  I helped them set up the tables and projects.

Livy was all smiles until the announcer told all parents to exit while the judging took place. Then some nerves set in and she gave me the look. The look that said please don't leave me here in this room with 750 other kids that I don't know for two hours. I almost hid under the table. I covered it with some silky fabric that matched her project board. The judges would never see me under there. I could just hold her hand under the table and make her feel safe. Instead, I gave her some peanut M&M's, a drink of cold water and my ear phones to plug into her Kindle. I wrapped her up in big hug and prayed over her and did my best to comfort her. Then I left my baby in that big room of strangers with wet eyes. 

I sat in the hallway outside and waited....and prayed....and waited. Finally, almost 2 hours later they released the kids for lunch. We headed to the mall and she was much better. She apparently pulled herself together after I left and got her A-game on! She talked 110 mph telling me what she did for 2 hours. She talked about the judges and how one judge told her she was the best. WHAT?!?! I immediately thought why would a judge tell a kid that and get their hopes up? I mean there are tons of kids and surely Olivia had a slim chance of winning. Confident mom of the year award, right? So, I did what any confident mom does. I start the pre-loss speech. It went something like this: "Olivia, now I don't want you to be upset if you don't win, okay? This was an incredible experience and we didn't come to win anyway. I'm already so proud you and what a great job you and daddy did on the project. There are so many kids there and not everybody gets to win. And this has been a fun day. You got to be out of school and hang out and meet new friends. We got to eat at the mall and shop in Claire's for few minutes. So, let's just be thankful for a great time and not worry about winning, okay? " 

Her response was "I'm pretty sure I'm gonna win, Momma.  I mean, I like told the judges all about my project and one the judges was an Electrical Engineer like daddy and I talked to him alot and he told me that he really liked my project and that like I did a really good job."

Yikes.... Now I was planning my next speech. The consolation speech. My mind went several directions. Why did that judge have to pump her all up? I know she is gonna be crushed and disappointed and cry. Mercy days, this is gonna be a mess. And I'm gonna have to haul all this mess out of here and tend to her being upset. Oh well. Its about the experience. So, we head back for the awards ceremony. She insisted on sitting at the end of the row so it would be easy to get out in case she wins. I didn't have the heart to tell her no. The  longer we sit and wait for her category to be announced the more nervous I get. I hate big crowds and there are seriously a thousand people in this huge room.  And she is on pins and needles waiting to hear the Chemistry results for grades 1-3.  

Finally, her category is called. They announce sixth place....fifth.....fourth.....third.
I look down the row as they announce the second place winner to tell her its okay.
"And first place goes to Olivia...She was out of her seat and in the aisle... McArdle!!" 
She was halfway to the stage. THANK GOODNESS they said McArdle and not Smith or Jones or Brown because she was gone!

Because I was the confident mother of the year I put my good camera in the van after lunch. So, I took a bunch of blurry pictures with my phone. I could kick myself! 

 That smile was so big and genuine. She worked hard. She did her best. She talked like an adult to the judges. And she won. I can't believe she won the stinkin thing!

I was in shock. She was not. I was so proud of her!

We waited for her buddy Hayden's group to be called. His mom was extremely confident in her son as well. And what do you know? He won first place too! 

Congratulations!!! 
We are so proud of you!





I learned a lesson yesterday. Never doubt my girl. And never put the Nikon back in car before the awards ceremony!