May was a full month, as it is for many people. Between school year commitments wrapping up, showers and graduation parties, yard projects and time with family, the month flew by!
Samara's first year of preschool wrapped up with a Field Trip to Gifford Farms and a picnic on the last day of school. She did so well and looks forward to next year when she will go to preschool 3 mornings a week. But, was glad for a break in the summer, if for no other reason than to go to garage sales with Gemma!
The Saturday of Mother's Day weekend we went to Derby's in the evening to spend time and then Sunday we celebrated with Pennell's at our house. It is such a blessing to have so much family in town to be able to spend time together often! Not everyone is in town though and we went to dinner on the 18th at Karre's while Grandpa and Grandma Pennell were in town. It was a nice day and the kids even got essentially the entire family involved in a game of duck-duck-goose (definitely a first)! We got family pictures taken towards the end of the month with Cattura Bella Photography and ended up with some really nice photos. If our kids are paying attention, they seem to have a photogenic trait in there. :) I hosted a bridal shower for my sister-in-law-to-be, Bree, along with Michelle, Laura and Cheryl. There were some moments of slight craziness trying to prepare and set-up the shower with all of our kids running around. The men all went on a day full of Bachelor Party festivities including shooting range, go karts and camping. But, in the end it was a nice shower to welcome Bree to the Derby family and friends circle.
During Memorial weekend, we decided to "test camp" in our backyard just to see how it would go if we wanted to go camping for a summer vacation with the kids. Samara loved setting it all up and Kalum "helped" set up the tent, too. We got a small metal fire-pit so that we could have the campfire and roast marshmallows. Once we finally got the tent up and fire going, it was already getting late for the kids. Kalum started saying "bath", "bed", "sleep" sensing that his normal night routine was not looking promising. Mommy had to bathe him and put him in bed (and later sleep in her bed rather than in the tent-darn...). We enjoyed some campfire and marshmallow roasting, then Jeff and Samara climbed into the tent. At 11:30 Samara came in to get a sweatshirt, then did go to sleep. In the end it was determined that a 6 person tent and two slightly older children would make camping a more enjoyable experience - so we'll give it a year before we head to the mountains. :)
Samara's May Moments:
- One day I told Samara she did something just in the nick of time. She says "freak. I say just in the freak of time." Okay, but it is just in the nick of time, just so you know.
- We went on a walk through a neighborhood near us that has many homes being built. She was trying to get to the big dirt hills to climb when she found some mud. She slipped and went down so quickly that she didn't even know what happened! She jumped back up, then noticed her shoes, legs and hands were all muddy. She squealed, then said she was okay. Then we finished out the rest of the walk and trip to the park. Mud doesn't bother this girlie (but the hose-down in the driveway was not well-received!).
- Samara loved going on a trailer ride behind Daddy's bike for a fishing trip! Though they didn't catch that many fish, her casting skills have improved and she wants to go again.
- She is also getting better at riding her bike. With training wheels she can go on walks, turn corners on her own and she knows how to get herself rolling by pushing off with her foot. She still needs a helpful push when she is on some long hills.
Kalum's May Moments:
- 18 month checkup measurements: 27 lb 2 oz (65%), 33.5" tall (79%, he's stretching out, grew 1.5" since 15 month appointment), head circumference 47.25cm (32%). He is healthy and on track for all milestones. He got a Hep A shot and only cried briefly, more because we had him lie down on the table than the shot.
- May 8th - first time climbing on a dirt pile today! "cimb! cimb!" he said the whole time. He had so much fun that he refused to sit in the wagon the rest of the walk, he wanted to climb more!
- Lots of new words!: open/close, shark, summer and even saying the whole word including last consonant. All done (and sign), says WAY at the end of the "the cold never bothered me any..." and GO after "Let it..." from Frozen movie, ready set go!, still says his name as "kummer" instead of Kalum (he knows it's not exactly right and laughs at the response he gets)
- His response to any question used to be, "no", whether he meant it or not. But now he says "yeah" when we wants something. Started saying "yeah, sure!" which is hilarious to hear.
- He can now go down the stairs all on his own, by holding on to the railing.
- He chases after any bird that gets close. One day at the park, he took off running into the field where there were a lot of robins and other birds. "Robber! Robber!" he yelled for robin as he chased them all away.
Now full disclosure... As I was preparing today to write this month's blog, Samara was up in her room supposedly napping, Kalum was crying in his crib because he didn't want to nap and Jeff was in the living room relaxing away from me. They had all returned not long ago from a walk to the park together while I stayed home to get things done. Prior to that I had overreacted to being shot by Jeff in the chin with a marshmallow shooter. Instead of taking my thoughts captive, then reacting in love and fun, I chose to act on the emotions of feeling a little tired and overwhelmed by my to-do list. So, during my time alone while I cleaned and did some food prep I re-thought the situation and how differently it could have gone. I want my kids to look back and remember the fun times, not that Mom was tired or crabby. Jeff is ever-serving our family whether through performing well at his job, taking care of our house or being a fun Daddy to our kids and he deserves my best as well. Why do we save our worst for those we love the most? My entire life is full of blessings and I should be nothing but grateful and pleasant. Another goal for this summer, but maybe the most difficult since it can't be checked off the to-do list like cleaning out a closet: being more light-hearted, exhibiting joy and laughing at more in life.
More summer to come in the June post!
