A Weekend with Grammy and Grandpa Whitehead

Ron's parents came up from Maryland this past weekend for Anna's dance recital.  Here are some pictures from the weekend festivities....

Bookworm

So today is technically the first day of summer vacation for Anna.  Unfortunately due to the major thunderstorms and rain we had this morning, swimming camp was canceled.  She happily joined Sawyer and I for baby lap time at the Katonah Library.  We came home afterwards and had lunch together.  Sawyer is napping now and I told her that while Sawyer is napping each day, we are going to have quiet time.  Her teacher recommended the students read for twenty minutes each day so they don't fall behind.  She also included a lengthy list of suggested books.  I also purchased a workbook my Mom had found a few years ago when she was teaching.  It is called Summer Bridge and is published for each grade.  Its broken down for the kids into sections to complete each day.  So guess what, Anna is ticked off at me!  She doesn't want to read and she DOESN'T want to complete the workbook pages.  I told her this would just be our schedule for Monday through Friday and we could have weekends off.  I have also been compiling a list of science experiments for us to do as well (although she doesn't know this yet).  Things like making ice-cream in bag, making slime etc.  Anna DOES love to read, however she's obstinate about this 'schedule'.  It is so hard to instill in children a LOVE of reading. I'll be honest, I'm not a lover of reading.  And I hate that I'm not.  And I firmly believe the more one reads, the smarter they become.  Any suggestions on how to instill a love of reading in your children?  I'd be interested in hearing them.

Angelina Ballerina

Anna has her very first ballet recital this Saturday.  Ron took her last weekend for her rehearsal.  She came home in tears that she made a mistake.  She is too hard on herself.  We told her that is why you have a rehearsal.  She felt better after that.  She is excited and looking forward to Saturday!

Daisies

Anna and her Daisies troop had their final meeeting and party at Build-A-Bear this year.  She is now officially a BROWNIE!!!

What Really Matters

I read this online this morning and loved it!  Totally
reminds me of my mom.

I didn’t care that she had once been a talented business
woman, and it didn’t matter to me how much money
we had, but I felt secure knowing that she was home
with me all day.

I didn’t care if she was on Facebook, contributed to
popular blogs, or had a large Twitter following, but I
liked knowing she would always be available to
listen to me when I wanted to talk.

I didn’t care that she regretted not becoming a special
 education teacher instead of studying business in
college, but I felt lucky to have her teaching me at
home.

I didn’t care if she was fashionable or admired by
other men, but it made me happy to know how
 much she loved, served, and respected my dad.

I didn’t care how clean our house was, but I’ll
never forget how she let my sisters and me build
 a huge fort in our living room with dining room
chairs and blankets, and spend the night in it.

I didn’t care if she had an elaborate meal plan or
gourmet cooking equipment, but I loved to eat
 her homemade deep-dish pizza at our Friday
family game nights.

I didn’t care if our couch matched the rest of the
 living room, but I remember how she held and
comforted me there as I cried during many
turbulent adolescent tragedies.

I didn’t care if she was highly sought-after by
others for advice, but there was (and still is!)
no one to whom I’d rather go for counsel.

I didn’t care how busy her schedule was, but
I’ll always remember how she got up early
 every day to spend time in God’s Word and
 in prayer.

I didn’t care if she always had the exact right
words to say, but I could count on the fact
 that her tone of voice would be gentle and
her words truthful.

I didn’t care how popular or cool or important
she was among others, because I knew she
would always make our family her top priority.

As I consider the things I didn’t care about, I have 
to reevaluate what my priorities are in raising my 
daughter.  Am I focused on my image, money, and 
worldly success?  Or am I focused on Christ, 
intentional parenting, and being present in her life?

I’ve come to the conclusion that I don’t care 
what else I accomplish in life, as long as I become
 half the mom to my daughter that my own mom 
was and is to me.

Mommy says I can't color with crayons anymore.

Anna's 1st Grade Show

We went to Anna's school yesterday for her 1st Grade Show.  She did an awesome job as you can see.  Anna you make us all very, very proud sweet girl!