Shecklet #1 is heading to the lake to help with some wiring tomorrow, so we decided to do a “take 1” on his golden birthday. (Most of his presents were related to the electrical work.)
He requested pizza for dinner and an ice cream cake for dessert. (He wrote 15 as Roman numerals 😂. And yes, the cake slid from its base, so it’s a tad rough. But still delicious!)
Happy (almost) birthday to my oldest Shecklet! We’ll celebrate again in a couple of weeks!
Why yes, those ARE unicorn horns on our heads 🦄 And two of us are wearing winter coats in April 😆
Magenta balayage was super fun. But I asked my friend Joy to give me an update that will be easier to maintain these next few months.
Group picture of these kiddos – missing Shecklet #3 because she had to leave for track. Our kids don’t get to see all of them very often, but when they get together, they fall right back in to their friendship. It is so fun to see them growing up.
And here are the mamas who are never in photos, let alone photos together.
Mid-swing picture of Shecklet #2 taken while resting his foot at frisbee. I am sure he would do a back flip off of the swing if I gave him the “ok.” But he knows I am not interested in any ER visits or orthopedic doctor appointments this year.
The final activity for one of Shecklet #4’s ELA units was making a tin foil version of the main character, Sir Gus.
Great news from the orthopedic doctor this afternoon! Shecklet #3’s shoulder has healed and can resume her normal activities (and activity level.) She is really happy to be able to bike and play frisbee again with her siblings.
I ended up at the cemetery last Monday (3/29) while taking a walk with my friend’s littlest kiddo (so she could get some things done in her house.) We stopped to see Astrid’s grave and found that her marker had been placed. The warmer temps and melted snow must have made it possible for them to finally set it.
A wave of emotions hit me the moment I saw her name etched in granite. I was thankful that my companion was an almost one-year-old who didn’t question my tears or feel the need to comfort me. I was able to cry and feel the weight of the finality that was in front of me, alone. Astrid’s body’s final resting place is now marked for anyone who visits that part of the cemetery to see. Her earthly existence, though only physically felt by me and my family, is known. It’s a reality that is both comforting and hard at the same time.
ETA: On 4/7, my friend, Michelle, stopped at the cemetery with two of her boys to see Astrid’s marker and pray for our family. When I was talking to her later about the flowers beside the marker, she said someone else had left them prior to their visit. My grieving mama’s heart found comfort in knowing someone cared enough to notice my little girl and leave flowers. A simple gesture that means a lot.
Two days. Two parks. Two moms. 8 kids. The fact that this group of kiddos get along so well is a rare feat we don’t take for granted!
The last time this crew was together was back in July 2020. Needless to say, they’ve all grown a bit since then!
