Summer Camps @ Sweetwater

I can't help but share the above photo from the summer of this great group of tweens and the incredibly talented Shannon Kidwell also known as Fit Piglet. As soon as the camp came available, my 10yo was signed up in less than a minute. There is just something so special about this experience not because it has all the latest gadgets, games and technology but because it offers an opportunity for kids to be here now. My favorite thing besides her increased awareness and offer to help with things that week was the time they spent writing their thoughts and feelings about the world. She shared a lot of her thoughts with me which for a mom who loves to write was such an awesome moment. It's easy as a parent to forget that in addition to the stuff kids are doing all the time - school, sports, hobbies, events - that in the middle of all of it is an actual person who has their own voice and are so intuitive. Love that camp brought a lot of positive moments for her and a reminder for me to listen more and to stop and see more.

Learning as I go,

Last First Day of Elementary

There is so much truth in how quickly time goes by. So here we are...The summer is over. It's already the second day of school but according to my little FIFTH (yes, fifth) grader, "it already feels like the middle of the year" after one day. The start of school this year was a bit calm. This is the first one where I wasn't doing a mad dash to get all of the stuff - the supplies, the backpack, the uniform skirts and the shirts. Since July was going to be a busy month for our family due to travel and competition, we went ahead and tackled the back-to-school shopping in early June. And even though I kinda (just a teensy kinda) missed the last minute hustle, I did enjoy having things ready to go, with little drama or trying to track a package that was mis-delivered by UPS (horrible story from two years ago and the package was never recovered due to an older neighbor that I actually talked to over the phone and provided my address to but decided to drop the package with my daughter's backpack in it at a random house that he thought was ours but then couldn't remember which house). Moving on...Her first day of school was a success! This is her last year at this school since there are no more grades offered. It's bittersweet since it represents the final chapter in her book of elementary education, but also the beginning of the next adventure also known as middle school. Middle school was the so-so for me so part of me wants to do a remote year or three. I have yet to find someone who was like - "Middle school - LOVED IT!" I know it has been a few years since my middle school days...like a lot of years but has it gotten any better. But like most things, she's probably more ready than I am. All this to share a few photos taken at the last first day of her elementary school. Not crying and will not. Nope. Just cheering her on, as I always do and always will. Go get 'em!

The walk in. It's happening. Can't stop. Won't STOP.

Getting organized! Desk is ready
and backpack already on the floor. 

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT PLAN
My favorites - #5 and #7. May we all do that every day.

Positively amazed by all of this,

A Decade of Magic

Happy Birthday to my baby girl. Every day is a gift and every day I am so grateful to watch you grow into the person you are. Being your mom has been so much fun, and of course challenging but mostly, full of magic and adventure. So proud of all that you have accomplished so far. Love you always.

Every day - THANK YOU

It's become an every day practice for me to just stop and say thank you. Early on, I realized that nothing great can really come into your life without constant gratitude. I am thankful...for all of the good things and even the things that seemed not so good but taught me what I needed to know to overcome an obstacle. Thankful for my friends and for those who weren't ready to be a friend. Thankful for the process of learning and growing and seeing what is around me. Thankful for love - the opportunity to feel it and the ability to share it.

Forever grateful,

Happy Holidays from our family to yours!

C & me with our favorite Theodore's 

Kids vs. Pros - Orlando City Soccer Club

On Thursday, March 2, baby girl and her bestie were invited to participate in the Orlando City Soccer Club Kids vs. Pros game at the new stadium in downtown Orlando. It ended up being such a great event and an incredibly special way to kick off the season. We truly hope they do it again...maybe even every year. Many thanks to the Orlando City Foundation staff and volunteers for putting together such a fun time for the kids and a wonderful way to showcase the beautiful game. Below are a few photos from the evening: 

Thank You 2016

I am ending this year in gratitude for the big, the little and all of the moments squeezed in between them. As always, I send happiness and light to the world as well as hope that the new year will bring exactly what we need to learn, to grow, to be better than what we are today.

2016...

Thank you for the opportunities.

Inspiration

Choose beautiful today. 

Every day...

I am incredibly grateful.

Thank YOU

My girls and I in the Carolina mountains.
One of the most beautiful places in the world.

What ever you're doing today or wherever you are, I hope you are enjoying it and know that someone is here (me) thinking of you because your joy sparks my joy and your victories are my victories. That's what keeps the world turning for me. Thank you for being you today!