And then there was one...

Thursday morning I did something that I had feared, dreamed about, and imagined. I know, I know. Everyone thought I would cry. That I would be so sad to send them off to kindergarten. Well, apparently, I got all of the sadness out last year when they went to preschool. :)

My excitement was rivaled by their excitement-slash-anxiety. Once I left the in the classroom--sitting and standing and walking so close to one another that they were touching at all times (but not actually holding hands because, of course, they're not that nervous) I carried this little monkey out to the car, buckled him, buckled myself and thought, "Hmm. So this is what it's like to just have one". It was a very strange feeling indeed.

I'm so looking forward to elementary school. I have such great memories of it--thanks to my mom and to the magic of reading. :) I'm also so looking forward to enjoying every moment with this little guy. It feels like a new chapter of our lives is beginning (one that coincides with our adoption finalization on September 4th!!). I think we're gonna like this chapter just fine.

Sitting in on the reading rug before class started. They were totally fake reading. They can both read but this was so fake. This was a "turn the pages so fast that even mom couldn't read the words but just act cool like you do this kindergarten thing all the time" kind of fake reading. So cute.

New outfits (Isabel's was layed out on the floor for 24 hours prior to the actual "get ready" time) and new backpacks make it all feel very official.

A letter from Daddy to Isabel. He was climbing that morning and left them each a letter on their placemat wishing them a good day and reminding them to be brave. Bonus princess and panda drawings included.

Milo's letter.
Apparently, celebratory cakes/cupcakes are now a tradition for the night before school starts. Two years running makes a tradition right?

And then there's this guy...

Milo at his favorite place (the zoo) with his two favorite people.

I'll be the first to admit it. My mother bear instincts go into overdrive for Milo. No joke. If anyone so much as looks at the little guy sideways and I'm ready to take them down. Give 'em a piece of my mind. Teach 'em a lesson. If someone is harsh with him I want to scream "YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT MY BABY HAS BEEN THROUGH!!" and then show them a fast-forward version of his little life.

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That's my boy. That's what's shaped him.

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Here's the thing--this kid is AMAZING. The sweetest and strongest little spirit. The most amazing faith. The greatest laugh ever. He is. Truly. Amazing.

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When I&M were small, I was having "a day". I distinctly remember staring at the two of them and wondering why WE were sent two! Why did WE get twins? I had the strongest feeling that they needed each other, that they would be the best of friends--that they have always been the best of friends--and that they were sent to US for two very different reasons. Isabel needed us (our parenting, our strengths, our whatever were things she needed). Milo, on the other hand, was sent FOR us. He would teach us. He would help us to be better parents, he would teach so much to everyone around him.

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And you know, it's so true. I mean, of course, they both need. Of course, they both teach us. But that feeling has held true. They do have very different reasons for being here, in our family.

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Milo has taught me more about myself, my instincts, my abilities as a nurse and as a mother than you would think any five year old could.

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And, here he goes. Off to kindergarten. With his too-big-backpack and his "fast running shoes"...and maybe a stuffy or a blankie snuck in that backpack. He says he'll miss "the little guy" and that he is "a little bit scared". But he'll do fine. Preschool was a breeze.

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Me on the other hand? To be determined.

Adventures of Isabel

Isabel has been growing and changing so much lately. This girl is me in so many ways--and so very NOT me in so many ways.

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Obsessed with all things old west or pioneer (me) and a lover of costumes (not me). She asked and asked and dream of a bonnet (of all things!) until I had to give in--who can deny a girl a bonnet? Thank you, GrandmasGirl (Etsy--I love you.) in central Ohio for the well-crafted and hilarious bonnet. You should know, she told me "Mom, all my wild dreams have come true!". Goes without saying that she's worn it everywhere.

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We've discussed her love of Pugs. And her desperate desire to have one. She is fixated on "when I am 8" because she thinks she's getting a Pug when she hits that blessed age. Apparently, she missed the part about her mom needing to live in a pet-free bubble. Thanks allergies. So, instead, she picked out a stuffed Pug for herself at Target (after her so cute twin brother thought it only fair that she get to pick out a toy too--even if she wasn't the one who endured hours in the E.R. getting sutures in her ear). Clutching the stuffed Pug (Polly, of course) on her way out of Target, she says "Mom, all my wild dreams have true!!". Dreamin' big. :)

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We didn't name her after this poem--but we should have. She's getting braver and braver. A talker at home, she's always been shy in public and nearly silent at school. I think she's finding her voice though...

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Love that girl. That almost kindergarten girl.

Adventures Of Isabel

by Ogden Nash

Isabel met an enormous bear,

Isabel, Isabel, didn't care;

The bear was hungry, the bear was ravenous,

The bear's big mouth was cruel and cavernous.

The bear said, Isabel, glad to meet you,

How do, Isabel, now I'll eat you!

Isabel, Isabel, didn't worry.

Isabel didn't scream or scurry.

She washed her hands and she straightened her hair up,

Then Isabel quietly ate the bear up.

Once in a night as black as pitchIsabel met a wicked old witch.

the witch's face was cross and wrinkled,

The witch's gums with teeth were sprinkled.

Ho, ho, Isabel! the old witch crowed,

I'll turn you into an ugly toad!

Isabel, Isabel, didn't worry,

Isabel didn't scream or scurry,

She showed no rage and she showed no rancor,

But she turned the witch into milk and drank her.

Isabel met a hideous giant,Isabel continued self reliant.

The giant was hairy, the giant was horrid,

He had one eye in the middle of his forehead.

Good morning, Isabel, the giant said,

I'll grind your bones to make my bread.

Isabel, Isabel, didn't worry,Isabel didn't scream or scurry.

She nibbled the zwieback that she always fed off,

And when it was gone, she cut the giant's head off.

Isabel met a troublesome doctor,

He punched and he poked till he really shocked her.

The doctor's talk was of coughs and chills

And the doctor's satchel bulged with pills.

The doctor said unto Isabel,

Swallow this, it will make you well.

Isabel, Isabel, didn't worry,

Isabel didn't scream or scurry.

She took those pills from the pill concocter,

And Isabel calmly cured the doctor.

Camping. For real. No backyards.

This weekend we finally accomplished some ACTUAL camping with the Voorhies family. As we suspected, the fun factor was very high. We found the most beautiful campground (Colorado Campground in Pike National Forest if you're interested) and could have stayed in Colorado Springs for a week and not run out of things to do and see.

Commence pictures.

Garden of the Gods

Fitting into any crevice possible. Also known as escaping the blazing sun.


Nice that I asked someone to take our picture and they didn't speak English. The next 60 seconds were filled with hand gestures, apologies, and confusion as I tried to convey that I didn't want him to take a picture with HIS camera but OUR camera. Eh. At least the picture turned out pretty cute in the end.

View from the visitor's center deck. The place was filled with taxidermy. Milo summed it up best, "That's kinda cool but a little creepy too."

Lake Manitou

Milo, Kennedy, and Isabel "practiced" casting their poles for hours. Well, maybe minutes if you deducted the time spent untangling lines from feet, legs, and one another.

Casting away. All of the "real" fishermen got quite the kick out of the kids enthusiasm.

Mike showing off his wicked biking skills. This was moments before he totally biffed it on the flat wooden bridge. And fell into the swamp. And nearly made us wet ourselves laughing. No, seriously. He has mad skills.

Isabel and Milo living out the intro to the Andy Griffith show.

Milo put so much muscle into casting that he got his "lure" stuck in the pine tree above the trail. When we looked up to untangle it we realized that about 235 other fishermen had done the same thing. (As evidenced by their lures all tangled in the branches.)

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Totally unique zoo experience. Giant kids' playground complete with giant flowers and oversized chairs.

Wallabies (or "koalabies" as Isabel called them) out for the pettin'.

Cute benches and sculptures all over the place. Nice "owl faces" right?

Giraffes that you can feed AND pet. And there are about 12 of them!

Campground Fun

The real reason that I go camping: good food.

Mike and Spencer took s'mores to a new level on this trip. S'mores with Caramello anyone? How about with chocolate chip cookies instead of graham crackers? How about with oatmeal creme pies instead of graham crackers? Lost ya there didn't I? I had you until the oatmeal pies.

Keeler all cuddled up and warm by the fire.

Morning fire with Daddy.

Aaawwww camping with a toddler. :) Sophie spent much of her time hanging out in the pack 'n play or eating dirt while toddling around the campground. Love Kennedy's sass in the picture. Love these girls period. Adorable AND funny.

This pictures reminds me of camping as a kids. only our chairs were always dangerously off balance and mostly uncomfortable. These darn kids don't know how good they have it! ;)