Changes Part 2

So, I started my Changes post with my baby, Renee, because I found it easier to write about her since she is still little. Patrick, my eldest turned 10 this year, and I found it more difficult than I could have imagined. He'll always be my baby, but there is absolutely no denying the fact that he is becoming a young man. This is his last year in elementary school, and I can't believe that in the fall I'll be sending my boy into middle school.

Patrick is true mix of personality traits. In sports, he is a strong and confident leader. In school, he is smart, but a bit lazy. He excels in Math, has finally buckled down in Reading, and still finds Writing to be a waste of his time. At home, Patrick is still an extroverted introvert. He loves to tell us stories, some that seem to go on forever, but then needs his quiet time either in his room, or sacked out on the couch watching movies with me. I'll admit, these are some of my favorite times. He still seems little to me at these moments, like he still needs his mom. I cherish these moments because they seem to be coming a little less now.

I've enjoyed every age this boy has been. He's an absolutely delightful, awkward, funny, strong guy. Although, I miss how little he used to be, I'm loving watching him grow up. I can't wait to see what the next few years have in store for us.

                                                             Silly, sweet boy

                                                          Me and my boy bonding over football

                                                               Strong and confident

 

                                                        Handsome boy Spring school picture

                                                         Pat in his happy place. Up a tree

Changes

Every once in a while I have the urge to post here. I miss being able to do weekly, or even monthly updates, but our lives are so busy now. Still, I love coming back here to see how my kids have changed so perhaps I'll be better. For right now I want to do a post for each of my kids. I'm going to start with my baby, Renee.

Renee will always be my baby to me, but there is no doubt in my mind, that my baby is growing up. She's almost done with her second grade year, and I couldn't be more proud of her. She is sweet and sassy all rolled into one. She adores her family, and if any of us are not within her sphere, she's looking for us. Over the last year, her confidence has grown so much. She's becoming a fabulous student. She loves reading, and is meticulous about how it's supposed to be done. She is gaining confidence, if not yet speed in Math. She understands the concepts, and is willing to put in work now, where she wasn't before. She is an amazing writer and storyteller.

While her brother has always loved sports, Renee has struggled to find out where she fits. This past year she seems to have found, what seem to be, her things. She's gone back to gymnastics, and is really willing to put in work. She's also found cheer leading. She has done Pop Warner for the last 2 years, and this year joined a limited all star team. I have watched my shy little girl, become a confident star on her team.

Words cannot express how much I love this little girl. I couldn't be more excited to be on this ride we call life with her.

                                                                    Sassy and tough

                                                                  Open and funny

                                                                   My best girl

                                                                School Picture Grade 2

                                                              Strong, brave, little flyer

Updates

I've decided rather than try to backfill all my entries from the fall, I'm just going to continue moving forward. However, I will post some milestones from the past 6 months. Renee began Kindergarten. She's thriving there and loves it. Patrick has made the DR strikers, the town travel team. They've are currently 26-0. They are an amazing team. Ken and I continue to do well. He ran several marathons and half marathons, and I continued working in 2nd grade, and loving it.

Renee's Graduation

Major Milestone Alert!!!!

Watch out world Renee Emeline has graduated preschool! I was so proud of my little girls. She was so happy and proud of herself. One more step on her journey.

 

New Experiences

 

It's important to me that the kids have lots of new experiences. This year, I encouraged Patrick to try baseball. He was reluctant, but ended up really enjoying himself, especially since Daddy was his coach. Renee had been asking my to try horseback riding. She loved it, and is now bugging me to get her own horse.

 

Memorial Day 2015

The "unofficial" start of Summer began with me getting hurt. I'd been trying to run, and managed to fall on our straight, flat road, and sprain my ankle. Luckily, the weekend improved. The kids were so excited to be in the Memorial Day parade. And they looked so darn cute too. The day finished up with some illegal back of the truck riding.

 

Mother's Day 2015

 

Happy Mother's Day to me 2015