Hard Things

It started with perler beads. You know the little, plastic, rainbow colored beads that you ironed to make them stick in shapes? I bought a pack for Bill a few years back thinking she would enjoy playing with them. I was half right. She LOVED the idea of them but was easily frustrated when they got bumped off the board or by the length of time it took to finish a project. She would look at me with defeat in her eyes and say "This is too hard!" That was the first time I told Lilly we could do hard things.

The year that followed was hard. Their dad moved out, my marriage ended, I went back to work, we moved to a new neighborhood, Lilly started first grade at a new school, etc. Lots of things were new and unfamiliar. Days were easily derailed with a little bump in the road. Time for fun projects and play became less. Some changes were good and some were very hard.

Something about that lesson with the tiny beads stuck with me. It became my mantra I can do hard things. I never knew how strong I could be until I had no other choice.

The girls and I found new routines and have grown through the changes. The good days out number the hard but I am thankful that we were able to see our own strength. I'm glad we are able to look back and say "That was hard. But we did it!"

photo by daniellenicholphotography.com

Last week I was helping with a photo shoot for a very talented local artist. We were passing around prints to hold for the pictures and I realized that I didn't even know what I was holding.  I turned the print around the those words were staring straight back at me.

WE CAN DO HARD THINGS.

I may have teared up for a second (a brief second!) and took the print home because how could I not.  Life is tough but so are we.



You can check out more prints (and other stuff) at flaxandwooldesigns.com

TDPP Thank You Dinner

The Dinner Party Project is an organization local to Orlando that brings strangers together with the goal of fostering community while eating really great food. I will write more about the organization itself another time. Right now I want to make note of what this community means to me. 

I became involved with TDPP last year. First, I went to a dinner. It was a week night and I had to scramble last minute to find someone to watch the girls after my original sitter canceled. I had already rescheduled so even though I was mentally exhausted from the work day plus the last minute child care change up I went. It was held at a local venue, there were 8 guests in attendance including our host, Katie. 

I walked in the door feeling grumpy from the aforementioned circumstances and left a few hours later feeling full of life. With such a small group you can't hide but that is what is so great. The host helps you feel welcome and facilitates conversation. I saw below the surface of my fellow guests. I really saw them. I heard them- I heard who they are and what they are passionate about. And I was heard which is a beautiful feeling. 

So I asked how I could join in.

Dana, the founder, welcomed me with open arms and walked me through the hosting process. I now host about once a month and it continues to give me life every. single. time. Dana organized a special dinner for all of the hosts, chefs, venue owners, volunteers (etc.) right before Christmas and it was amazing.  I wore a gold sequin jumpsuit with my white high top sneaks and clearly made a fool of myself rubbing the sequins all night long. Great food and amazing people- can't beat that. 

To find out more about The Dinner Party Project visit www.thedinnerpartyproject.co

Six Year Old Lil

Let's take a moment to savor this moment of six year old sass. Yes that is her brand new American Girl doll facedown on the sidewalk. Six is fantastic.

Can I play catch up for a little bit? Lil turned six last summer. We had a small get together with friends and a local/super cute ice cream shop. 

I really dropped the ball last year. We moved in July, I started working full time that same month, and school started the next month so party planning was the last thing on my mind. I am so thankful for friends who come together to support me and my girlies even with next to no notice. 

Lastly, I have that same picture of Lil burying her head in my chest from each of the last 3 birthdays. Love that shy girl so much.

Mermaid Tails with Jordan Emmitt

A few weekends ago the girls and I got to take part in my pal Jordan's first local workshop. It was held at the most adorable shop in Orlando called Paper Goat Post. 

I took a few pictures of things around the shop that I especially loved. I regret not buying the mug and jewelry dish because they are gone now. I may still go back for one of the animal heads. How many mounted faux animal heads are too many for a child's room? Asking for a friend...

Jordan led the kiddos in making several mermaid crafts- shell necklaces, painted wooden spoon dolls, and no-sew mermaid tail blanket things (don't remember the technical term). The girls loved painting their spoons (both versions of Ariel who were then forced to fight to the death several times) and playing in the glitter meant to decorate the spoons. They also enjoyed watching me tie their blanket sides up for them. 

If you're local and looking for a good time check out Paper Goat's event calendar or Jordan's blog for upcoming workshop news. 

TBT: Lucas Nursery

Flowers forever and ever, amen. I found these pictures in iPhoto from last summer. The girls and I went to a local nursery that has a great butterfly house on property. The house was full of tropical flowers, mini quails (which so adorable af) and butterflies... obviously. 

Bud and Bill had mixed feelings about the butterflies but loved the quails. They were done way before I was and by the time I was finished photographing the flowers they had practically formed a mutiny. Still worth it in my opinion.

Pumpkin Patch

Alternate title: pissed off pumpkin patch. Rosie was such a little stinker last weekend at the "pumpkin sack" (her words). Probably because I made her take of her sister's way-to-big dress and put on one of her own before we left. She sassed all over the place, grimaced and growled through picture taking and got mad at pumpkins that were too heavy for her to lift.

Her sister on the other hand was the opposite. She was recovering from a high fever but I thought a small outing in the sunshine may help perk her up. She smiled for pictures and was very sweet, if not a bit sluggish.

We brought home some little pumpkins (and one greenish gray one!) to paint the next day. Which was an adventure in itself.

I love this season and sharing it with my girls.

Bud goes to preschool

This year my sweet baby bud started preschool.

She is attending her big sister's alma matter. She tried several times last year to blend into the surroundings, either settling in a chair or getting in line to wash her hands, so that I would let her stay and play with big sissy. Needless to say, she was over the moon when I told her it was her big day.

She picked out her 'parkly shoes (just like sissy's), got to take "first day front step" pictures and insisted on wearing her backpack at every available moment. No bud, you can't wear your backpack in your carseat. And marched into the school like she owned the place.

She wasn't sad in the slightest when I left and had, what I can assume, was the best first day ever UNTIL she found out that nap time happens at school too. The next few school days were a challenge because she didn't want to nap. No nigh nigh at coo, mama! but she is adjusting well. She was the last one up on the past two school days and I got the pleasure of waking her. I sure do love some sleepy/cuddly bud.

Buddy is so big and brave. I sure am proud of my girls.

Kindergarten Bill

So Lilly started kindergarten this year. Which is crazy. It has been a big adjustment for all of us. The tardy bell rings at 7:50am and there isn't a whole lot of leniency surrounding tardiness. We learned that the third day of school... after we were 2 minutes late.

Bill was not particularly thrilled with the change in our morning routine. So I can't watch TV at all anymore?!? Just get up and get dressed and go to school?!?!?!?! The struggle is real.

Other then that she has really enjoyed it. She enjoys homework, especially when she receives praise for a job well done.  She has friends (and a 'boyfriend' named Michael who she is going to marry because he gave her money... yeah).

She bravely asked to bring lunch money one day and I obliged giving her as much direction as I could. I felt anxious all day wondering if she remembered to tell her teacher, if the lunch ladies were helpful and kind, if she liked what they served. She got into the car that afternoon and stated: I didn't give them the money. I learned that she had felt unsure/shy so she didn't speak up or give anyone the money. But she did get lunch (not sure how that works) AND she came home with an extra dollar (see above about Michael).

All in all she is learning all about the important things in life: TV withdraw, money laundering, and boys. Amiright?

Peter Pan Birthday Party

Wendy's best princess post // Daddy Pan // Being shy during the HBTY song // Wendy & Tink snuggles

Bill turned 5 this month. We decided to have a Peter Pan themed birthday party because she is obsessed. We had a few friends over, ordered pizza and even had a screening of Disney's 1953 classic. Lilly was Wendy (obvs), Rosie wore her Tink gown and I did my best Smee impersonation.

We had donuts for dessert (because Lilly still isn't sold on cake/cupcakes/cookies) so we had them glazed with Wendy's colors. I made the kids Peter Pan hats out of felt and filled tiny treasure boxes with candy.

I decorated with various Peter Pan quotes around the house including the above pictured "Think Happy Thoughts". It was inspired by this print found on Etsy.

Lilly had "the best time ever" which is really what it's all about. Love my sweet shy girl.