bits and pieces

The kitchen remodel project is nearing it's end and I love how it looks. Painting the walls has been harder to do because Belle Belle has been very clingy and we had to establish a schedule of when we can play together and when I need to work.

I had a friend's 13yo daughter come over as a mother's helper for one afternoon. She had never been over before and AB was a little nervous about it. I checked on her in bed the night before and she was holding her little mirror and practicing what she would say. "Hi, Reagan. Would you like to play with clay? Hi, Reagan. Thank you for coming over. Mom, I don't think that was right. Did I sound friendly?" At least she always got her name right. Our neighbor's name is Kennedy and I kept calling Reagan the neighbor's name. I knew it was a president's name!
When Reagan did arrive, Annabelle had so much fun. She loves any new person to entertain with her endless stories and ridiculous questions. Reagan had just finished a safe sitter class so she asked me all the questions the teacher recommended. I don't know if I'll ever get used to being on the mom side of the fence instead of the babysitter side. Her mom was thrilled that I asked for Reagan's help. She texted me and said, "Thank you for giving Reagan this opportunity!" You're thanking me? THANK YOU for giving me three hours to paint without disruption. I will be happy to give her the opportunity at any time. It's crazy to think that in 7 years, AB might be the one I'm dropping off to be a mother's helper. I need to go breathe into a paper bag. 

We watched one of AB's little friend's yesterday. They get along fine but have vastly different interests. He can explain Minecraft and legos. She asked him if he knows what types of food they eat in Bulgaria then several hours later asked if he wanted to waltz. He did not. It made me laugh so hard.

The fourth of July has always been one of my very favorite holidays but this year but so different. I know it wasn't normal for anyone and it didn't seem like a celebratory day. We did a few things at home and I did grocery shopping like any normal Saturday. There were no parades, no cookouts, and no big fireworks displays. We have no family nearby to visit. We did make star and flag sugar cookies while listening to patriotic music which was nice. Christopher and Annabelle picked out sparklers and little fireworks so we had a little show in our driveway. Our favorite was the one that shot out a little parashooter. 

AB gave me a lesson on how to do the throw poppers so they popped properly. She called them "popper-its." She knows how to waltz and set off fireworks. There's nothing she doesn't do!