Bowling and a fall

Last weekend we got to see Angelica and her family! We miss them since they moved so we were really happy that we got to hang with them. We all went bowling and had a great time! Samantha and Angelica did great and every adult got at least one strike. Daddy ruled the game and everyone was helped by using the bumpers to avoid gutter balls. On the last frame, Sofia decided that she would head down the lane with the ball so I went after her. Unfortunately I forgot how slippery the lanes are. As soon as I grabbed her, I fell hard on my tailbone. It was a classic fall with slapstick style. A few minutes later I had a headache that lasted a few days due to the brain scramble I had given myself. I don't know how Sofia didn't fall, but at least she wasn't hurt!

Here are some shots from the bowling alley...

We already miss our friends and are eagerly awaiting your next visit!

Favorite games we play

One of the games we like to play is, "Climb on Mommy". I lay on my back and hoist the girls up with my feet so they can "fly". Tonight each kid had one of my feet because they didn't want to take turns "flying". It was hilarious and a situation I never anticipated! In an effort to quell the arguing at one point Sam was up on my feet and I was holding Sofie up with my arms. Who needs to work out with these lovable weights?

Sofie's favorite games include, but are not limited to: "Peek-a-boo", "Hide and Seek" (she usually ends up in a closet unable to get herself out) and anything that involves moving. She has been trying to jump for months and is quite proud of herself when she's successful!

Sam's current favorite is "Hide and Seek". We have taken it outside when the spring weather allows us to! Forts are still fun, but whenever you ask what game she wants to play, it's always "Hide and Seek". We count in Spanish and English and will learn Hebrew eventually!

Daddy's game is the best... his stories. He makes up a silly story and teaches it to Sam. Characters include: the Monkey named Dave, a banana called Shenanigans and the super tall stretchy man named Jim-Jam-Rubber-Band. Daddy has a gift of creating characters and telling stories. We are so lucky to be his audience!

Working and changes

My first day went well at my new job. The hardest part was being gone for ten hours. When I got home, we had dinner and I got to play with my girls. I missed them so much today. It may seem trivial and I'm sure we'll get used to it. Every time I thought of them today I had to fight crying. I'm finding it's hard to let go of talking with Sam's teachers at preschool and Leslie at daycare. I'm fortunate enough to have a husband who is eager to jump in and work at a place that is considerate of my kids and will offer me flexible hours. What those hours turn out to be is unknown, but I know we'll figure out a great arrangement!

My emotions coming up is me reacting to the change in our routine. A favorite quote of mine is, "Change happens, growth is optional". I'm processing the change. I look at parenting as being a role model - it's Daddy's and my job to guide the kids through these changes and help them cope while modeling good behavior. I hope that as the years go by my girls actively choose to grow as our life evolves.

Off to work

Life after being laid off is an emotional rollercoaster. Then there is job-hunting which is another emotional rollercoaster. My last job afforded me to work part-time and flexible hours. The job I was just offered is full-time. I have other job offers as well to weigh out. In any case, I am extremely blessed to have the options that I do.

Here I am faced with the choice that so many moms and dads face. Is the money worth it? Should my career wait until the kids are older? How can I make every moment with my kids count so they know how much I love them and how proud I am to be their mom? How will Daddy and I lead our family through the next round of changes once we make our choices?

Right now I am both elated and a little frightened at what the coming weeks will bring. (That's the way it is on the rollercoaster of life.) In a way I dread working full-time because I've always had a weekday with Samantha and Sofia since they were born. I am already grieving that and wondering if it will somehow hurt my kids not to have that. Daddy will be traveling a bit again soon and I will be managing a new job and the girls on my own.

I write this because someday when my kids read this I want them to know how precious the time was and deciding to work part-time was the easiest decision I have ever made. They had the best of both worlds at daycare, preschool and playgroups with me. We are a family. We drive each other nuts and I cherish every minute of it because life is too short to wallow in negativity. I am filled with gratitude about the family that we are and the support we give to each other.

I love both of you so much!

Sam and her forts

One of Sam's favorite games is hide and seek. She loves to play this especially when we have a fort for her to hide in. They are a wonderful game at Leslie's house too. The following video illustrates this, along with another game Grammy plays:

Past and present obsessions include: The Big Bad Woof (a.k.a. Wolf), yellow cars and water towers. She is an interesting kid!

Grammy

My mom brought me into this world and is one of my best friends. She refused to leave my side through all of my angst and I am eternally grateful to her. I'm sure my girls will give me their share of angst, but I pray that they won't give me as much as I gave my mom. I can only hope at this point! Grammy is a great guide and has proven herself to be a hero to me.

Grammy has an adventurous spirit that isn't afraid of improvising! She has a laugh that is contagious and she is loads of fun! Whether it's playing horse for them or joining us at the zoo, museums, parks, walks or whatever we can come up with, we love to see Grammy!

A couple of months ago the girls went to Nana and Papa's so we could take Grammy out for an adventurous dinner at a Brazilian steakhouse. Grammy helps us so much that we wanted to show our appreciation. It was entertaining, delicious and though she didn't enjoy the front seat to Daddy's driving much (she didn't appreciate the brake lights as he accelerated), it was a great night! She says telling people about the experience has been nearly as fun as going!

Here are a few pictures of Grammy through the years, we love her!

She is a great horse...
Helping Sam be a great big sister...
She always finds a way to get you where you need to go...
Teaching the life skills like washing dishes...

With Sammy as a baby...