Dear Evans (6)

Dear Evans,

This birthday letter comes almost a month late, but life here lately has been mostly chaotic, to which you and your sister have contributed. :)

S I X! How do three little letters feel so big?

Off to kindergarten you went this year. That first day of school I was so worried you wouldn't make it to your classroom. Convinced you'd be lost wandering the woods of Ballentine all day long trying to find your way home. Being the sensible mama I am, I of course made your daddy call the school and make sure that you were in fact in the place you were meant to be. And, you were. Of course. Not wandering the woods, but discovering the big new hallways of elementary school. Without me.

I'm ok, I promise I am. I've had S I X years to prepare for this, after all. Chin up.

No longer sheltered by church preschool, and a drop off and pick up schedule that changed based on the weather.  No longer able to play hooky or stay in pajamas later if the desire may arise. And I do mean me, here.

You've taken off without any hiccups. I knew that you would. You've never been shy to a new friend group or situation. You've always been my brave girl. Now you're my brave girl that's also a giant. The squishy toddler is gone. Standing about as tall as me, and I'm only exaggerating by a little here. You tower over your classmates and it makes me chuckel. I know the days are numbered before I'm officially the shrimp of the house. You are my tall string bean. And so girly. The clothes, the makeup, the costumes. All girl. I see glimpses into your future and it both terrifies and thrills me.

Not ready. And I do mean me here.

I knew that starting "real" school would present new challenges and new worries. I pray every day that you are kind and that you would seek to include everyone. And I pray that others would have the same heart towards you. As I'm loading you up for carline, I'm loading you up with the -be nice today-s and the -make a new friend-s. You can thank your D Ma for that advice.

You'll come to realize your mom is right. And I do mean me here.

S-I-X. It seems little, really. You've got at least 12 more years at home, right?

One Sunday at church last year, while you were still in preschool, the pastor had a recognition day for kindergarteners. The kids and parents came up and were given a jar full of pennies. The pastor went on to explain that each penny represents each month the child would be living in the house before leaving for college. 12 months of pennies for the next 12 grades, or 12 years. The pastor then instructed that the parents should remove a penny at the completion of each month, slowly watching the penny jar empty, serving as a reminder of how short a time these children are at home. To parent, and appreciate, them accordingly.

Big gulp, and I do mean me here.

I love you so much my big six year old. I'm so proud of you.

Love,

MAMA

Photo: Erica Carter

Photo: Erica Carter

Photo: Erica Carter

Photo: Erica Carter

Previous birthday letters linked below... 

Dear Evans (5)

Dear Evans (4)

Dear Evans (3)

Dear Evans (2)

Dear Evans (1)

Birthday Celebrations

Way back in February, we celebrated a bunch of birthdays! My dad, niece, mom, and Mae Caroline all have early year birthdays (two January, one February, one March). My brother's gang came up in February for a weekend and I had cakes made for each of them. Too cute! If you are local the Southern Gourmet always does the best job.

My dad is a retired builder, so he got the builder cake...

My mom is retired CSI... so she got the police cake...

Mae Mae is peppa obsessed.....

And Grayson loves Ever After High...

A fun time for sure! The cousins had fun spending the night together in the same room, staying up way too late giggling and talking, and little sleep... but sometimes weekends like this are just what the doctor ordered. Memories that last forever!

I can't believe how fast time has flown since then. I have been meaning to sit down and write Mae Mae a birthday letter, and just haven't done it yet. Oops. Maybe this week I can get all caught up :)

Our Weekend

Saturday we went to the zoo for some family fun to celebrate Mae Caroline's birthday (which is on Tuesday)! I cannot believe that she turns two tomorrow. My last baby turning two. I don't know whether to cry in a pillow or shout for joy that we are nearing the end of diapers and cribs forever. Eek. So many emotions!

The zoo was so great but it was packed! An 80 degree day in February, of course it was slammed. But the kids had a great time. Papa, Dma and Granddaddy came with us. The girls had a great time, MC LOVES animals. We had to leave before seeing everything though, the girls were DONE. Evans was getting tired and grumpy and MC was beginning to get overheated and tired as well. When we got back home, both girls napped until almost 5:00, ha!

Sunday was church and lunch at Papa and Dma's. Then a lazy, rainy day of naps (and fort building) for everyone!

My kind of Sunday!

Catching Up

Catch up time! In the last month, we celebrated FALL weather, got ready for Halloween, went trick or treating, went to the fair, celebrated TWO birthdays, shoo.

Family came in town for the state fair. It was so much fun! The kids wore themselves out and giggled all weekend. Too cute. I remember going to the state fair with cousins as a kid, and now our kids are doing the same. Such special memories!!!

Trick or treating with neighbors. Evans wanted to be Wonder Woman this year, and she picked out Mae Caroline's bat girl costume as well. They lasted until about 7:30 out and about, and then crashed immediately at home. HA! 

For Hubs birthday, we ended up buying a golf cart. We'd been looking for a long time (even when we were living in Savannah we considered buying one). It just makes sense in the neighborhood we live in now. We've used it every single day. The girls love it! 

We enjoyed some nicer weather, too! My birthday weekend it was highs in the 80s. Boom! I love fall weather (not so much winter) but little surprises like that are always welcome. Especially when you can enjoy Lake Murray in November!

I don't like a lot of fuss for my birthday (I'm weird like that I guess!) . I told Hubs I just wanted a little break from the kids (as much as I love their sticky little fingers and cute boogie faces). 

He arranged for my parents to watch them all day and night Saturday. WOO! We watched football most of the day and stayed at a hotel. It was amazing! I didn't feel like I had to be doing any kind of house work all day. Woohoo. 

Thank you, Hubs! And thank you D ma and Papa! Can't do any of this without y'alls constant support. Takes a VILLAGE.

The girls are still loving school and seem to be learning new things every week. Evans can now write her letters A through F and recognizes her written name. Mae Caroline is now saying more words and understanding more at home. Hooray! 

Work for me has really picked up recently, which is such a blessing!!! I've met with 4 new clients in the month of October. Thank you for every past client and all my friends that have recommended me to others. Your word is everything! I look forward to many fun projects ahead. 

Happy November! Before we know it, Christmas will be here. Wowzers.