Wordless Wednesday- Boyd's Orchard 2013

One of my favorite things to do in the fall.... 

 a trip to the orchard! 

One little Smorstad hasn't quite learned about picture posing.... can you find her?

Pinteresty Fall Break

For a long time, I fought the urge to join Pinterest.... but then when planning Ivy's rainbow birthday party I caved and boy, am I thankful.  In fact, I can't imagine how many things I would have tackled in the summer had I been a part of this wonderful surplus of knowledge! Oh well, there is always next summer to look forward to. So this week we had a very Pinteresty week at the Smorstad household!

We made bird feeders!

Materials:

Toilet Paper Roll

Peanut Butter

Birdseed

String/Ribbon

The girls even enjoyed a few fingerlicks of the peanut butter!

The birds definitely enjoyed the feeders as they have almost been licked clean! We will have to make more soon!

Then we did a science experiment post nap one day! This kept Tula and Ivy busy and entertained for over an hour!

Materials:

Baking Soda

Food Coloring

Vinegar

Medicine Droppers

Tula loved to watch it bubble and Ivy was excited to see how many different colors she could make.  Separating the colors vinegar in muffin tins was a great way to keep things clean!

Every fancy girl loves glitter so Ivy was beyond excited to make these glitter pumpkins!

This will definitely be a fall tradition!

Then we made this yummy pumpkin fluff dip!

Oh my absolutely delicious and easy!  It is also healthy.... well, I don't know if you are supposed to eat it all in one day like the Smorstad family did! But nonetheless, it was so good! We enjoyed dipping fruit and graham crackers into this tasty treat.

The not so fun, but oh so necessary cleaning projects!
 I also was a little bit productive and did some cleaning with a little baking soda and vinegar!

I "de-funked" my bathroom towels using a tip found  here. I was so excited because I have bought so many new towels when mine have started to smell funny and seem like they are stuck in a wet state. So far this money saver worked, and my towels are good as new!

 We also used these household products to clean my dishwasher using this trick. I am hoping this works and will keep our dishwasher smelling good as new!

The Smorstad Family has definitely been reaping the benefits of Pinterest this week.  If you haven't been Pinteresting your life just yet, I think it is time!   

Back the farm again!

Maybe you remember our last visit to the farm... I know we definitely haven't forgotten about that day!  That is one of my fondest "first" memories for Ivy and I couldn't wait for Tula to experience the farm and all of it's glory.  You can imagine the excitement that I had once Cicely and I planned this little trip.  Fall break couldn't come soon enough! 

The farm did not disappoint! Tula was absolutely shocked at she stared at the enormity of these real animals through the fence.  She was not afraid at all and mimicked what she saw Farmer Rhett do- calling the animals and sticking her hands through the holes to pet their noses!

Not only did they have the biggest of horses and llamas, but they also had brand new kittens.  The were so lovey and I am sure enjoyed the hands of all these little ones loving on them.  Ivy and Rhett talked about how their own cats used the be that small and Sidney Shea was all business teaching Tula how to hold her own kitty.

Tula was tickled when she got a turn with Cinderella Kitten, but didn't know what to do once the little kitten decided she was moving! 

We didn't leave the farm without taking the llamas for a walk.  Everyone walked the llamas and the Rhett taught Ivy how to play "auction" as he sold one llama after another to the highest bidder.  Ivy was interested in the auction but seemed a little nervous to actually jump in and play.  Rhett definitely might take after his Uncle James Benton and get into the auction business someday! 

After some time with the animals we headed over to Two Sister's Pumpkin Patch which was awesome.... especially since it was free!! The kids played on the hay bales, visited the animals, ran through the corn maze, and sat on a tractor.  Cicely and I talked about opening our own pumpkin patch someday! We have dreams :) 

(Go ahead, laugh!  I am sure you are wondering what my job will be since I don't know much about farming or animals but Cicely has all the details figured out! Someday, friends!)

Sidney Shea and Tula are becoming sweet friends!  Before long Oaklee will be walking right along with these big girls. 

You can imagine what fun they had on this wagon ride!  Let's just say, we were not sneaking up on anyone as these kiddos all have some lungs on them.

We got a picture with everyone. We have almost doubled since our last trip to the farm.... who knows how many little kiddos we will have next time?!? We definitely had a perfect fall day with the farm animals, a pumpkin patch, and our friends!  I love looking back on days like that and the memories that were created!

ivy's fieldtrip and a little therpy sesh....

Ivy's first kindergarten field trip- Evan's Orchard!

 Ivy had her first field trip.... I like to say first "kindergarten" because it makes me feel better that she actually took her first field trip ever with my class- meaning I was there.  (I am sure you have a hint about the therapy session that will begin shortly....) Ivy had an excellent time and I was so thankful that her Daddy got to share this special day with her.

The weather was ugly but those kindergartners were happy to be at the pumpkin patch.  God was watching over this little group because even though the rain surrounded the area, not a single drop fell on their little pumpkin picking heads!

Daddy got to meet lots of Ivy's kindergarten friends that we hear so much about but have never actually met.  Ivy had a great first KINDERGARTEN field trip and I was thankful that Daddy got to have a sneak peek into her school life!

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I love these people..... like so much that it hurts my heart sometimes.

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I haven't blogged much since school started.  I am not sure if I am just super busy or if I am trying to guard my heart a little.  I am pretty sure it is the latter since I have always made time to keep up with this family scrapbook.  But this is my outlet and these blog posts do serve as a record of my mommy heart to be shared with my girls someday.  So I will share and stop hiding- blogging is like therapy, but it's free and I can do it in the privacy of my own home.

A little background....

I started teaching.

I loved teaching.

I got pregnant.

But I was committed to teaching.

Then Ivy was born.

I was so sad.

I was so so so so sad to leave her every SINGLE day.

I was going to stay home.

I went ahead of God and began planning my life and decided I was staying at home as soon as Greg got out of school. Maybe you remember when I announced my plans to the world or maybe you remember when I learned a very hard lesson less than a month later. This was a difficult, sad time for me.  I had to realize that Greg and I were adults and we had to take care of our family.  I had to accept the fact that even as I sobbed at my parent's kitchen table they could not fix this for me.  I had to choose joy, for the students I would teach and for my family at home.

That is what I did.... proudly.  I did my very best at work and I shared amazing experiences with students and families and co-workers.  I enjoyed my time at home, thankful for afternoons, weekends, and cherishing every snow day off or long summer vacation.  And I achieved balance in my life.... I can only give God credit for that because I couldn't do it on my own.  I felt like being a working mom was about having a positive, "I can do it" mindset, day in and day out.  I continued this through my pregnancy with Tula and even survived going back to work with just a few tears*. 

Then this year came.

Ivy is in kindergarten so it is supposed to be a little bit easier.  I had convinced myself that being a working mom for these years, the little years would be hard but then it would ease up.  But I wasn't prepared for the way my heart hurts and aches this year.  (And maybe, hopefully this will all change when she is at my school next year.... but right now it stinks!)

I am feeling that same dread that I felt about possibly missing a first giggle or a first step.  But instead I am missing out on being a part of my girl's school day.  School- what I am so deeply passionate about- but I don't get to be there.  I am missing out on volunteering and reading aloud to her class.  I am missing out on spontaneous lunch room appearances or being the mom that can help Mrs. Hoffner with the little tasks like cutting and laminating.  I am missing out on field trips and seeing her friendships blossom.  I hate it. I want to be one of those moms that have meant so much in my own classroom.  And I can't.

I don't want this to hurt, I have tried to talk myself out of it, and am currently remembering that my sovereign Lord knows what I am supposed to be doing.  I am in constant conversation with Him. I thank Him for a renewed spirit each school year and for the gift of teaching.  I thank him for a job like teaching where the benefits for mamas are so, so good.  I thank him for my co-workers who are some of my very best friends. But my prayers to him haven't stopped over the last 4 years- I still ask that if our situation ever changes or if a better opportunity for our family comes up that it will smack us in the face.  I ask that if we could be better stewards of our finances or better health insurance becomes available that we will be able to put every penny in the perfect place so that I would have the opportunity to be Mama in these early years. But at this moment the only prayer that has been answered is one that says, "I have called you to teach, Sarah.  And you can Mama and teach at the same time.  That makes you the teacher that you are.  Use this gift and do it joyfully."

I am working through this and I know it will be okay but it isn't easy.  I am already looking forward to next year.  I plan use some of my planning time to be a part of Ivy's classroom weekly.  I hope our lunch schedules might overlap a little and I can see that in the future (like when she is in 2nd grade)! And I know I will really know her teacher and they will never ask for my driver's licence when I pick her up.  This has been one of those times that hurt because I wasn't expecting it.... kind of like when Ivy was born.  I hope that next time I have a kindergartner I will have these emotions all figured out!

letters from an auntie

 On September 19th I jumped out of bed excited and a smile was permanently pressed upon my face all. day. long.  I was waiting in anticipation for a new title- on that day, nearly one week overdue, I was going to become an Auntie for the first time.

All day long my students jumped for joy every time my phone made a peep because they were awaiting the arrival of my nephew just the same.  I wish I could have been in Cincinnati waiting for him and watching the minutes pass in a hospital but instead I let the fun spread through 26 + second graders at Wilmore Elementary.  We started our day with a share square where they taught me what it meant to be a good auntie and we ended it with dismissal and a text message stating "He is here! Long and skinny... everyone is doing great.... pictures soon!"  The wait was over.

Graham Duncan Jones 

September 19th, 2012

2:21 pm 7lb 2oz, 20 3/4" 

 After tons of pictures being sent my way from Wednesday evening on, I finally got to hold my nephew for the first time on Saturday morning.  I was able to visit the new parents (who are doing wonderful) and share this sweet baby with Ivy.  We cuddled him and poured over the perfection of the sweet little baby.

 Ivy was absolutely tickled to see how fun it is to be the big cousin.  She was so excited to finally have a cousin and get to have him all to herself (for a day).... Tula will have to wait until next time!  Ivy held him, loved on him, and decided we need some blue baby in our house soon- especially since she is "such a good holder now." Maybe someday sweet girl, but for now let's just enjoy this little Teddy Graham. 

 Nana and Pops are absolutely smitten with the newest grandchild.  And after meeting Graham, Ivy is perfectly okay with sharing her Nana and Pops!  It is exciting to get to peruse the racks of boy clothes when we go shopping with Nana because we are no longer limited to the pinks.  I can't wait until he gets to wear some precious little boy shoes.... but for now, I will enjoy his long skinny toes on his soft baby feet.  I learned after Ivy was born, not to rush a baby.... ever.  I will enjoy each little moment, because you blink your eyes and they are in kindergarten!

This picture melts my heart.... my baby brother, a daddy, and oh what a wonderful daddy he will be!

Dear Graham,

Welcome to the world, welcome to the family.  I am so excited to see what your life will hold.  You have two parents that were perfectly picked for you.  They love each other, love you, and most important, they love the Lord.  I can't wait to watch them raise you, and I am sure learn from them as I raise my own children.  You are lucky, little one, because your Mommy and Daddy are two of the most selfless people I know.  They approach everything with a serving heart and I am sure they will parent in the same way.  You will grow up in a household where you know what it means to love others and you will know what it means to be a child of God.  I can't wait to watch your heart take shape as you become a little Jones.

Thank you, little teddy Graham, for making me an Auntie.  You and your future siblings are really my only chance to be an aunt, so I promise to do an awesome job!  I would love to be simply Auntie.... since your daddy is simply Unc, to my girls.  I can't wait to spend more time with you and get to share my family with your.  I have such wonderful memories with my own aunts and I am excited to create the same with you.  We can look forward to beach vacations, back yard kick ball games, trips to the museum and the zoo, and someday.... sleepovers!  

I am so glad that you are here- I praise God because He made you in an amazing and wonderful way!

Love,

Auntie

Circus

 This little lady is such a dare devil so what better excitement than the circus?

That is exactly what Nana and Pops decided to give Tula for her birthday.... tickets for The Greatest Show On Earth!  And it just so happened that Tula learned all about the Circus at school the week before.  They tight rope walked on a string on the floor, pretended to be lions jumping through hula hoops, and made clown crafts just in time for her to experience the real thing!

 Last Sunday we woke up from afternoon naps and headed downtown to enjoy the show.  Tula kept pointing at the circus train cars lining the street- we were all curious about what they kept inside.... lions? elephants? fancy ponies? Who knows?!?!

 Tula was already entertained by the clowns "pre-show" tricks.  She had this "WOW!" face the majority of the evening.  The clowns continue to be her favorite part even after seeing the elephants, the tight rope walkers, and the pony show!

 Ivy enjoyed Little Sister's birthday present just as much!  She loved the fancy outfits that the circus girls wore and she was very curious about lots of the circus acts- where do they live? where do they practice? how did they get this job?  I guess the nosey gene comes early in this family!

Even though the circus acts were all very entertaining I don't think anything was quite as fun as the circus food!  Ivy and Tula enjoyed hot dogs, popcorn, and cotton candy before the evening was over!  We are so thankful that our family got to celebrate our little circus girl at the real circus!  

Barnum and Bailey did not disappoint the Smorstad family! 

What's Up @ 2?!

Tula Belle is 2 and there is so much going on!

Tula's Stats:

Weight: 22lbs (4th %)

Height: 32in (15th %)

So this is big!  Tula has passed the 10th % in height which is huge.  She still appears to be much smaller than her peers but she is wild enough to keep up with the bunch.  Dr. Menkus is not concerned about her weight because she is on a slow and steady curve and the curve is good.  That makes this Mama feel good and have my worries put to rest.  She wears 12 months clothes but we are hoping to bust out the 18 month winter wardrobe that has been waiting so patiently since last winter. 

Tula's Favorites!

 Favorite Food:  Tula loves "tweats" or treats as most would say.  She loves candy which is funny because I love dessert but candy isn't usually my first choice.  She holds strong that sweet tarts (smarties!), m&m's, and suckers are her favorite foods.  She also loves grilled cheese, watermelon, applesauce, teddy bears (teddy grahams), yogurt, and her once a day vitamin! She is still drinking a lot of milk and water- juice must be in the form of a box to get her to drink it, which is okay with me!

Favorite Toy:  Tula has finally started to play!  It brings so much joy to my heart.  Right now her favorite is baby dolls.  (Again~ I am grinning from ear to ear just typing those words!) She wants to rock them, feed them, push them in her stroller, and of course put them in time out.  She gets easily frustrated when she can't carry all the babies and their accessories so Ivy has just introduced her to the diaper bag and Tula is in heaven.  

Favorite Place:  Tula loves to be outside- anywhere!  She loves to run, explore, and swing.  She loves to collect rocks, mulch, and bugs.  We are thankful that we have another outdoorsy girl as it makes for some perfect family evenings.

Tula's Personality

Everyday Ms. Lisa checks that Tula is "cheerful" and "active" on her daily report.  I would say these words perfectly describe my girl.

She is cheerful when she can be touching you.  Touch is definitely Tula's love language.  She likes to be held, sit on your lap, and recently she has taken to holding hands.  She is definitely a little cuddle bug.

And active.... oh yes, she is active!  I would say she has two speeds "off" or "high."  She is very busy moving all over the place.  She runs, jumps, rolls, climbs, and moves from one toy to the next very quickly.  She is a risk taker in the fullest.  This makes Mama nervous but I just have to keep watch all the time! She also talks on the same two volumes as she moves.  This left her hoarse for the first two weeks of school and we are often challenging her to whisper.  She has not mastered this skill yet! :)

Upcoming Events

In the next year of her life I hope that Tula continues to grow and mature but I am not rushing it.  I love babyhood and I don't want to watch it pass by so quickly.  Dr. Menkus talked to us about getting rid of the paci and potty training and I do believe those things will happen soon- but not yet.

Weaning from the paci: Tula loves her paci and blankie and tends to think of these as one thing.  During the day they are working very hard to have her rely on her blankie for comfort.  This works for some of the day but once she is home she acts like she was starving for the paci.  We have heard her say many times "I need my paci!" and usually we let her have it!  Ivy was free from the paci at 2 1/2 and my goal with Tula is by 3.  We'll see!

Potty training: I have a confession.  I have never potty trained a child!  Ivy woke up on her 2nd birthday, declared she was wearing panties, and never looked back!  She was ready in the best way possible.  Tula is not- she doesn't stay dry for long periods, she soaks through her diaper most nights, and she isn't "regular."  All signs that showed Ivy was ready before her 2nd birthday.  Tula is interested in the potty and has had a few successes but more often she puts on panties, doesn't go in the potty, and within 5 minutes will wet the panties and be ready for some new ones.  I will be watching for the signs and jump on the opportunity when I have breaks from school.  I don't want this to be stressful for anyone and I know it will come before long!  

We enjoy our snuggly wild child and are so excited to see how she grows in leaps and bounds over the next year of her life!