Low Key

It's been a low-key few days at the Alfaro Abode. We have had fun with friends, but we've also just enjoyed being together, us three girls.

We have gone bowling with some precious people. We have skated and baked (a lot) but I have very few pictures of our goings-on. If you want to see a little more and hear a little less, find me on instagram - I'm kristimarissa.

In the meantime I'll leave you with these 2 sweet shots.

Sensitive Kids

I know that I'm raising sensitive kids. They're sensitive in different ways, but they are tender hearts nonetheless. Also, I was a sensitive kid - so quick to get my feelings hurt. Quick to forgive, too, but oh - have you ever literally felt your heart ache? Felt it feel as if it's pulling in two, right inside your chest? I have. More times than I can count. Unfortunately, at least one of our daughters is the spitting image of me. Tonight, we had just finished watching Annie (old version) and were heading to bed. Out of nowhere Ivy says she needs to talk to me, and she proceeds to burst into tears. Big, fat tears that streaked her face as her lip curled out further and further while she told me the story of what had her upset. You see, in PreK 4, she had a best friend. PREK 4...3 full years ago, and then some. This friend moved away, but came back briefly in 1st grade. When she came back, she told Ivy that she remembered her, but she didn't want to play with her. And then the sobs. SOBS. Because her feelings were hurt 400+ days ago. She may be like me, but I do believe she may be more sensitive than even I was. I asked why she didn't mention it when it happened and she wasn't sure. I know she isn't sure because it happened SO LONG AGO. What hashed up these feelings? I don't know. If anyone reads this blog, can you relate? Do you have a sensitive child who takes years to process typical pains of childhood? If anyone reads this blog, will you pray for us through boys and the mean-girl teenage years? Yikes.

Cabin Fever

For the past two days, I've started off giving the girls a few small tasks that need to be completed before we can go out and have fun. On Wednesday I didn't really have a plan, but thought a painting class or craft time would get them motivated.

The didn't finish their chores until 2 p.m. We went nowhere.

Yesterday, Thursday, their tasks were even smaller.
•Put away laundry
•Make beds
•Work together to unload the dishwasher

The reward was to be a trip to a local favorite park and the Dollar Tree. They didn't finish their chores until 1:30, and despite the fact that I asked several times for them to do the dishwasher first, it was one of the last things they did. That means that at 1:30, I still had to clean the kitchen. We didn't go anywhere.

The girls have been remarkably good, and have played together (or made messes together) very well these two days, but I was very thankful that this morning the WHOLE house is clean, the laundry is done, and we had nothing in our way of fun!

So, breakfast from McD's, Ivy visited Aunt Shirley, Isa and I bumped into our cousins at the library where we were going to see Ronald McDonald's magic show, and then we claimed Ivy and introduced Isa to the playground that will be hers once school begins, despite the damp mulch. Of course, with all this fun, they have squabbled, shrieked, whined, and grumped more than the other two days of cleaning. The Fresh Prince was right...sometimes parents just don't understand! 😄

Our days...

It's summertime. Just that word 'summertime' stirs something in me. I think of flip-flops, warm breezes, time relaxing out by the pool, the smell of coconut sunscreen, tan lines, cool water, fireflies. I love it all. I don't complain when it's 100°+, because that just happens in summer sometimes, and summer is MY time. I am also a teacher. My summers were once filled with days in my pajamas and all other manner of sloth like behaviors.

But.

Now I am also a mother to two young ladies. They have the same schedule as I do, plus an aggravating few days when I must find childcare. The rest of the time they are mine. All mine. All day. All. Day.

My girls, although they no longer rise with the sun, are still up before 8:00 a.m. Most days. They require breakfast and entertainment and refereeing. They also being snuggles and cuddles and arms out-stretched.

So, our days sometimes find me wondering <i>how</i> we are going to occupy ourselves. I wonder if I'm doing more harm than good by being with them ALL the time. I prayed about it last night. And this morning, I tried to embrace the fact that they have taken an interest in cooking their own breakfast - even though it takes three times longer. And I tried to find the joy in their crafting that messed up my kitchen for the third day in a row (with multiple meals in between which bring their own mess). And I watched the people they are becoming. And I was amazed. I am amazed. It really IS going by so quickly. They really WON'T be mine forever.

Oh, be still my heart. Be still when I want to scream. Be still when I cannot pee without hearing "MO-om" three times (at least). Be still, my heart, when the days are long and the naps are gone and the breaks are few. Be still, my heart. It's only for a little while.

Farm Girls

Whining, pottying, itching, wasp squealing, Junebug squealing, grass poking, sister fighting, head flicking, seed spitting, sweaty, hot, 20 minutes of blueberry picking this morning. {I'm not exaggerating this at all. At least they got to ride in the golf cart.}

Rag Ball for Nate

A few months ago, my 19 year old cousin was killed in an auto accident. His family has memorialized him in such an awesome way. They have already awarded the first Nate Bolick Memorial Scholarship to a college-bound graduating senior from his alma mater. Today, as a fundraiser, they held a double-elimination rag ball tournament.

Alex, who has never played baseball without a broomstick, said he would be on the team for my cousin Chelsea (Nate's sister). I am so honored to be married to a man who gives his time and heart to contribute to something more important than himself. Nate was much, much younger than me, and this side of the family tends to be "islands" so if Nate and Alex ever met, it was only once or twice. But, Nate was part of my family and Chelsea and her family are a growing part of our family. Our girls are the same, although they are third cousins, and they have danced together this past year. It's been great to build a relationship with Chelsea and her family, and I hope we'll continue to bridge the islands through the girls' lives. So, we spent our day at the ball field. A first. And I'm so glad we did

There are days...

There are days when I totally believe they'll be friends someday. Most of the time they annoy, argue, pick, mimic, roughhouse, squeal, shout, tattle, and stomp....and that's just before 9 a.m. (Kidding, kind of.)

But like today, there are glimpses of the bond they have. Isa and I were home alone all morning and at one point we watched a new video that she thought was riotously funny. She couldn't get her laughter out for telling me "we HAVE to show Ivy! She'll die out laughing!"

They are young. They are sisters. I hope and pray they'll be best friends someday.

Gone, but not forgotten.

Well, hello little blog. It's been a while. I've been gone, but this space has not been forgotten. As a little thing called Facebook became more and more prevalent, it became the way I shared our lives with friends and family far away instead of this space. I've felt guilty about leaving this blog behind because if I print it, I'll have a tremendous story of Ivy's young life...but Isa came along when grad school and Facebook did and most of her life is documented in smaller snippets. So...I've left facebook. It probably isn't monumental to anyone but me, but I just can't help by miss that connection I had with others, and the chance to share the funny things my girls say and do. I do love them so dearly. And so... I'm dusting off the blog. Maybe not routinely, maybe not more than tonight, but just putting my thoughts out there feels good and so... here we go again?