Friday, June 1, 2012

All Good Things Are Wild and Free..and Almost Three...
















My poor blog.  It used be updated faithfully, like clockwork, twice a month.  Now it's lucky if I can throw something together once a season or so....is this the end??? It might, or it might not be.  

This Kaz Mama is still getting used to the whole Parenting/Work/Life/Relationship Paradigm.  Ever heard of the Glass Ball Theory?  The blog is definitely one of my "rubber balls," so forgive me if I drop hypothetically "drop it"  from time to time.  Sometimes, something has to give and a few things end up falling threw the cracks.  No worries, I just need to take some juggling lessons and/or figure out how to hold myself up to a standard of grace, not perfection.

Anyway, Spring has Sprung and All is Well.  I could say it has been a busy few months but I guess I might sound like a broken record.  We did have a few "firsts" this Spring.  One of the firsts was for me....I took my first overnight trip without my girl.  Matt and I went to Florida for a few days of relaxation and fun.  We went to the beach, ate lots of seafood, slept in late, and pretty much just enjoyed each other's company.  I came home feeling about 10 years younger and fifty shades of wonderful ;-)  And, nope, I don't feel guilty about it at all.  Hannie had a great time with my parents who spoil her rotten.  I came home to find her relaxing by the pool in her brand new chaise lounge with her bestie Jonah...





Hannah continues to grow and thrive and drive me crazy. Here are some classic "Hannah Moments" of this month:




Nana: "Gosh, it looks like it's going to storm."
Hannah: "OH NO! I DON'T WANT IT TO!"
Hannah: "Why? What's wrong? You're not afraid of storms."
Her: "If the storm makes the TV go off I will miss my favorite shows WHAAAAAA."

I'm so proud.....LOL

Hannah: "Can you hand me my juice?"
Nana: "It's right on the table next to you. Why can't you get it?"
Hannah: "Because I said 'Abracadabra' and my hands are now claws."

Hannah: I love you mom....

Me: Because I came to Kazakhstan and made you my little girl?

Hannah: No, I love you because you have nice white teeth.

I can't believe she will be three this summer!! The days are long but the years fly by.... I haven't said much about preschool yet because I still don't know exactly what we are going to do. She is registered. The teacher request has been made. But I still have my reservations. I think Kelle Hampton describes it best....

I've made lists of pros and cons of both public and home schooling. Truthfully, I am an advocate of both and more importantly, I am an advocate of the fact that--like breast feeding vs. bottle or sleeping alone vs. family bed, or vaccinating or not vaccinating--there isn't a wrong answer. My child will learn to fly in whatever environment in which she is placed because I will support her. Of this I am confident. I also remember that we can change our minds, we can reassess, we can listen to all those quiet cues our children send to tell us exactly what they need, and we can respond accordingly. We will make a decision for our children based on what we feel is right for them and for our family, and we will make it work.



We give our children roots and wings. I know I need to let her go a bit. Growth is hard, but it's a good kind of hard.




Hannah at almost 3:




Rode her first roller coaster and log flume! She is 37+ inches tall which means she can ride all the "Big Kid" rides in Planet Snoopy!


She is very, very nice to others. There is a wonderful little girl, Addie, in her Little Gym class who is sweet and smart and also happens to have Down syndrome. Hannah plays beautifully and gently and patiently with her, always making sure she is included and having fun.


She always says "please" and "thank you." She uses very big words and I have no idea where she learns them. Today she used the words "viking, opposite, instrument, and runway."


She loves to ride her bike and scooter, go off the diving board, eat ice cream sandwiches, accessorize, and make birthday cards for people (not necessarily on their birthday).




Love you Hannie!! Without you, tomorrow wouldn't be worth the wait, and yesterday wouldn't be worth remembering!!