Horse back riding

Back in January when Norah starting having trouble going to school again I made a deal with her that if she didn’t cry in the mornings then I would take her horse back riding on the beach. We always see the horses but have never done it. The crying stopped. I should’ve looked into the cost because it is expensive but was cheaper than counseling so we kept it. She’s mentioned it several times and I kept adding more time to it.  Last week when things were cancelling I booked a slot for her and I. And said it was a birthday party.  And her school reward  since she might not go back to school the rest of the year. As she kept reminding me “she was happy in the mornings and I promised!” 

 I wasn’t sure if it would still be open and went back and forth about canceling it but I’m glad I didn’t. They cleaned everything- saddles, bridles, helmets, etc so thoroughly and said that the health department had been out watching them all day. But the health dept should’ve been stopping  large groups of college kids congregating. Norah would loudly point out every group over 10! Ha!

Colin wanted to go too so I got him the last spot. Joel decided last minute he wanted to go but it was sold out. They only have 5 horses  with the virus going around. Colin got nipped in the leg by a horse in the very beginning. The horses were all together and then we started towards the water and I guess colins horse was too close to another horse. Colin told me halfway through and his leg was already bruising. Poor thing! He said it was fun and worth it though. But now Joel is very glad he stayed home with Brent! 

Norah was a natural. Led her horse better than the rest of us.

 She was so excited to not be led around in a little circle! She had full control and could lead her horse all by herself.

 She said the entire way home that this was the best birthday ever!

It was fun and such a beautiful night to be out on the beach.

This morning she told me that horseback riding was magical.

8 is great!

This sweet girl turned 8 today. We had planned on taking her out of school early and head to DC for our annual Wizards weekend. She and I were going to go to the American Girl Store and get her doll pampered and eat at the restaurant again. She had already figured out exactly what outfit she was going to buy for her doll. I told her after we could have a small party with her friends in a week or so but hadn’t gotten around to planning it. 

Then corona virus hit the United States and everyone lost their minds. 

So we are social distancing and staying home. But amid all that upheaval this girl has been so easy going and laid back with essentially her birthday plans cancelled. We have since received the new American girl catalogue so her list is growing daily about all she wants from the store. If we ever get to go she will be picking more than one outfit! Ha! 

I asked her how she felt about having her birthday during a global pandemic! I think we all feel that way right now! 

She did all her Thursday assignments yesterday so she wouldn’t have any schoolwork on her birthday. The boys agreed and they also didn’t do any work! Homeschooling at its best I guess. They will catch up tomorrow. 

She opened presents, FaceTimed with Ant Ant and Ma-am-Maa and Grandpa. 

And then she went outside to play all afternoon. 

She’s looking way too old lately and asks deep and hard life questions. She tells me weekly that she can’t wait to go to heaven because then she wouldn’t ever have to be afraid. She loves to snuggle, play with her dolls and legos, Netflix, and reading books. 

When she’s asked to describe herself she will usually say that she is brave. Makes me tear up each time. But I also can’t think of any other way to describe her. She is very brave. And wise beyond her years. 

She still comes in our room each night around 1:30/2:00. She claims she sleepwalks but I’m

soaking it all up because it won’t last forever. I snuggle with her and get her back to sleep. She is still so tiny to carry around. I tell her she needs to soak that up because that will soon be stopping as she’s growing so fast. 

Happy birthday sweet girl! You bring so much joy and laughter to our lives. 

School

Second grade is going great for this girl. She did have trouble after Christmas break. They had a lock down drill where two classes had to go hide in the handicapped bathroom and one of the teachers had to tell one boy not to throw up. So that set off Norah for a few weeks. (Can’t really blame her after that!) She refused to get out of the car one day in the parent drop off. Thankfully the security guard noticed and ran over to get her and walked her to class. Then Norah got to have lunch with her and watch all the tv security monitors to see that no one gets in or out without them seeing it. She is also now going to go the guidance counselor right before any lock down drills and that has calmed a lot of her fears. The security guard always sees me drive by after I drop off Norah and I see her checking on Norah. She told me recently that she watches how Norah walks in and if Norah looks apprehensive she will text the special ed teacher who has a classroom next to Norah and that teacher will go and make sure she’s out in the hall greeting Norah with a big hug before she gets to her classroom. It really takes a village and we’ve been thankful for all the teachers looking out for Norah. 

This week was Dr. Seuss week and when Olivias mom texted me to see if Norah wanted to be thing 2 I quickly said yes. Anything to keep Norah excited about school! Olivia is also in our Girl Scout troop! Sweet girl! Another mom made their shirts. I’ve only been going into lunch each Wednesday but this time I went in to see the girls and have lunch with them.  

It doesn’t ever get old seeing her so happy at lunch. A far cry from last year when she would sit and cry in my lap the entire time. 

Student of the month

Joel came home so excited that he had gotten student of the month. He has wanted this for the past 3 years. We didn’t realize when Colin got it what an honor it really was. We are so proud of Joel!

Birthday Getaway

Back in september we met for dinner before school started and Heather mentioned our birthday weekend getway. I think its safe to say its now an annual tradition for us. She said that they were looking at their schedules and there was only one weekend in February that her husband wasn't out of town and she wanted to pencil in our weekend. 

So on Saturday we left and had a staycation at the Cavalier hotel.  We went to brunch and then spent the rest of the time at the hotel. Hollys husband's company created the spa logo I think or did something with setting it up so we were able to get 60% off at the spa.  It was really nice.  We asked how often we can go there with that discount! ha! 

The hotel has been beautifully done. It was fun walking around and reading the history of it. It was a great relaxing weekend.

Snow birthday

Last week it started out in the 60s and by the end of the week they were predicting snow.  The kids all week in school were so excited. I volunteer on wednesdays and they were already doing their snow dances.  It started snowing around 3pm Thursday and snowed until 3am friday morning.  Its always so pretty watching it fall. We got a snow day friday but honestly could've gone to school since the roads were dry and clear.  It had just been too warm for it all to stick. A little sad to see the small amount of snow for all that snow.

Norah built a snow man thursday night with neighbors.

We had Addie for the week and she loved the snow.

Friday was my birthday.  My 40th! The snow day eased the pain of turning 40 and made it an extra special day.  I actually woke the kids up at 7am to go play in the snow since it would all melt that day.

The snow was a very wet snow but we decided to go see what the sledding hill was like. The kids were dressed and we were at the golf course a little after 8am.  We warned the kids before we got there that it might be too wet to sled down the hills but it was perfect. There was a layer of ice over the snow so we got about 1.5 hours of sledding in before the snow started melting.  

We came home, had hot chocolate and carrot cake and the kids spent the rest of the day playing outside with the neighborhood.

It was a great start to a new decade - even if Colin thinks 40 is old.  But he did tell me that 40 seems old to him but not to me so technically I'm not that old.

Wax museum

Joel’s teacher does a wax museum every year. When Colin did it he was Neil Armstrong. Joel came home with his famous person and he had also chosen Neil Armstrong. The outfit we made for Colin was falling apart so we made a new one for Joel. 

The kids did a great job and were really in character. You walk around and push a puck light that makes the wax person come to life and then push it when it’s done. A lot of parents are there, administrators and several classes come through. Joel was really nervous beforehand but did great.

Daddy Daughter Dance

She's been counting down for weeks for the Daddy Daughter Dance at school.  

She came home on Friday and immediately got into her dress and put her fancy shoes and necklace on. Then waited and asked me every 5 minutes when Brent would be home.  

They went to Chickfila for dinner and then Norah went and danced the night away with her friends. Brent said she was always with a different group of friends each time he saw her.  

She loved it.  

Brent came home with flowers before the dance and gave them to Norah.  The next day the tulips were opening up and Brent said "Norah look at your pretty flowers," and she replied "you know what else is pretty? ME!!!"  

Yes sweet girl, you are very pretty and may you always look at yourself and believe that!