Our Little Gymnast

Here are a few pictures of Haylee at gymnastics. Shes doing so well! 

She's almost ready to move up to the next class.

She isn't even running straight into this pad anymore!

Haylee

Haylee has been going through some pretty tough things the last 6 weeks or so. Actually she's been dealing with these issues for 6 years but the last little while has been extra hard on her. It is so hard being helpless, watching her struggle. She's such a tough little girl but I can tell that things lately have really effected her. We've been doing a lot of fun little activities just for her, trying to keep her spirits up. She loves going to the pet store so we've been doing that about twice a week. She's adopted a dog. She thinks we're going to buy it. We're not. Still, the look on her face when she sees this little puppy. Adorable.

One day while we were looking at the puppies, a couple came in and wanted to hold "Haylee's puppy". As the store clerk started to get the puppy out Haylee started closing the gate on her saying that was her puppy. I had to pull her away and she was just sobbing. The couple was cute and let Haylee hold the puppy. Which was the first time she had held it. They asked her all sorts of questions about the puppy then told her they wouldn't buy her puppy, they'd pick a different one. I was so thankful they were so kind in that situation. They could have just ignored Haylee but I know it meant the world to her!

Another of our activities was going to The Wizard Of Oz. I saw signs all around town for this and since it was at the high school I just assumed it was a high school play. It wasn't. It was a dance recital. It wasn't at all what I expected but the girls loved it. They had girls from 3 to 18 in the recital. The younger girls kept Maycie's attention quite well. I'm so glad I braved the night time cold to go! I was really thinking of how I could back out of this activity but I'm so happy we went!

Maycie has been such a good sport during all of this. She is so supportive of Haylee and she is so attentive. It surprises me everyday how much they love each other. I know it shouldn't but it does! Nearly every morning as Maycie and I are pulling away from the bus stop Maycie says "I hope Best Sister has a good day at school and doesn't have any problems." It really shows me how much Maycie worries about her big sister. During the last 6 weeks Maycie has also quit calling Haylee by her name, its only Best Sister. Haylee can be having the worst day and Maycie will say "I love you Best Sister" and it completely changes how Haylee feels. She'll immediately get that sparkle back. 

Maycie wanted to have a party for Haylee when she got home from school. She colored pictures and made her tons of decorations. Maycie worked on this all day and was so excited for Haylee to see it!

She hid decorations all over the house. In the cupboards, in Haylee's shoes, in the bathroom, in Haylee's pillow. ALL over the house!

Mace even made this crown.

When Haylee opened the door and read the sign I thought she was going to cry. She was so happy. Both girls were jumping up and down saying how much they loved each other. 

Not everyday is better than the day before but we are slowly progressing. We're trying to stay positive and keeping things in perspective. Sometimes bodies just do what they want to do not what they are meant to do. Things have a way of working out. Its hard watching this sweet girl get so discouraged and depressed but I know we'll make it out of this someday.

Weather

While you guys are enjoying your nearly 60 degree weather I just thought I'd let you know that we are -5 this morning. Enjoy...

Minot trip

We went to Minot a couple weeks ago during Brets days off. The girls LOVE going there and I must admit that its kinda my favorite place also. This time was a little different though. We stayed at the hotel we always stay at, which is connected to a mall but the whole three days we were there we didn't go outside once! We were wearing flip flops and tank tops. It was so nice for a few days to forget about winter and bundling up.

We picked Haylee up from school and got on our way. The girls were so excited to go swimming! This two hour drive was the best. The girls were so happy. We didn't have any screaming or fighting. They spent the car ride planning our swimming schedule.

The first night we ate dinner at a restaurant in the mall. Its a delicious place called Grizzly's Grill. They have the best rotisserie chicken. And pasta. Oh their pasta. Bret loves their ribs and prime rib and steaks.... pretty much everything is sooooo good! The girls love being able to watch the chickens cooking over the fire. It smells so amazing! Plus the kids meals are served on frisbees. Kinda the most exciting part.

After dinner we walked through the mall. We passed an ear piercing station and it caught Haylee's eye. She asked if she could get her ears pierced so we said yes. She was so excited! She climbed up in the chair, held this bear and was ready to go.

She was a little nervous and wanted to hold somebody's hand. Maycie quickly stepped up to the job. 

Everything was going great until the girl put on gloves and pulled out the ear piercer. She went crazy when the girl was trying to put dots on her ears. 

After the dots we had to have a good 30 minutes of pep talk to get her calmed down. We went over everything. The more we talked the more nervous she became. She tried sitting on Bret's lap, my lap, by herself, next to Maycie. Nothing worked. 

After another hour of crying every time the girl put her hand up next to Haylee's face we decided to give up. Haylee was a complete mess and it just wasn't going to happen. When we told Haylee we were done and we started walking away she started screaming the loudest scream and made a huge scene. We gave in and told her she had one chance. Back in we went. Haylee was a completely different person. She was brave and sat tall. She didn't need anybody to hold her hand. The moment that earring went into her ear all that braveness disappeared. The screaming and crying returned. This time she was angry...at us! We tried to hurry and do the second one but after 45  minutes we gave up and left. More than two hours and $50 we left with one gangster earring.

It was so cute and I wish we could have had them both pierced but it just wasn't going to happen. The next morning I took the earring out. I didn't have the heart to tell her the hole would heal and she won't be able to wear her earring. I'm pretty sure shes been traumatized by this and won't ever get her ears pierced again.  

Once we started swimming she quit bringing up the ear piercing. We spent most of the next two days in the pool. We had such a fun weekend. We even went to a movie- in the theater in the mall. (I wasn't joking when I said we didn't go outside) We saw Frozen and loved it! Both girls were glued to the screen. 

When it was time to go home none of us wanted to leave. We were all exhausted (the good kind of exhausted) and wanted more. We stopped by the Olive Garden, of course, on our way home. It was such a fun weekend, I can't wait to do it again! Next month maybe??

Silly Maycie

Note: I looked at these videos on my phone and they didn't work very well but from my computer they were fine. So if you're having trouble viewing them, try using a computer.

This is what happens when we pick Maycie up from school most days. Its not always this dramatic but she always sheds a tear or two.

This is after she calmed down. 

Pretty sure this is our family song.

Snow angels

Maycie refuses to use her arms when she makes snow angels...

Happy Valentine's Day!

How was your Valentine's day?? Ours was great! Bret took Haylee to the bus stop for me (like he ALWAYS does when he is on days off! I love it!). Our car didn't die once the entire day (quite exciting!). We were all able to make it to Haylee's school party. Then we finished the day with a movie.

I can't even tell you how much I love that Bret takes Haylee to the bus stop. It makes my mornings so much better! Most days he even picks her up after school. So Friday he was taking a lot longer to get home after dropping her off. I thought it was odd but when he finally burst through the door and told me why he was late I couldn't stop laughing... When the bus pulled up to the bus stop, Bret got out of the car and closed his door first, then Haylee climbed out the passenger door. As Haylee climbed out she must have hit the lock button because after the bus drove off Bret tried to get back in the car but he was locked out... his phone was locked in and the car was running. Our neighbors were pulling away (there are three of us that drive back and forth to the bus stop everyday. We literally follow each other for miles. Neither of them want to carpool, its quite silly if you ask me) anyway, so Bret chased after one neighbor who was able to give him a ride home. That is when he burst in the door telling me I had to get dressed, we had to leave NOW. Out the door we went.

This isn't the first time we've been locked out of the car while its been running. You'd think we'd get a spare key or something... nope. We like breaking into our own car! 

We were actually must faster this time!

It sure was toasty warm inside!

After lunch we headed out for Haylee's class Valentines party. I volunteered to be in charge Wednesday night and roped Bret into helping me since none of the other moms were available. 

Bret was in charge of  a game while I helped the kids make these heart glasses.

We played musical hearts, pin the lips on Mrs Valentine and a heart hop. After the games, the kids passed out their cards. The kids were so nice and gave Maycie all their extra Valentines. She was so happy!

Bret was put to work doing manly things like setting up easels and dry erase boards.

I saw this list the kids had worked on. The "I do not like" list cracks me up!

Empty Nest

I'm an empty nester already! 

Literally.

 Bret went back to work today.

On top of that Haylee decided to run away...

and take Maycie with her!

It all started after I had to get after the girls for getting into things and making a huge mess. While I was focused on Maycie cleaning up I noticed that not only was Haylee was not cleaning up but she was even making a bigger mess. I could tell she was angry so I decided to give her a few minutes of mess making before I got after her again. I then noticed she had pulled her backpack out and was cleaning up. Or so I thought. When I asked her what she was doing she said she didn't enjoy living here any more and she was leaving. Her exact words. 

I knew this day was coming but I thought it would play out completely different. I thought she would storm out angrily but in reality she was very calm and straight to the point. I wanted to laugh so bad but I just simply asked her if I could help her. I told her I didn't want her to go but she is old enough to decide. 

She told me I could help her pack up her clothes.

(excuse her nakedness)

She stuffed that backpack full! She packed clothes, pajamas, books, her piggy bank (in case anybody gave her money while she was gone). 

I told her that if she was leaving she would have to get dressed first. She would also have to make a plan of what she would do for food and she had to let me know where she was going to live so I could send her mail.

After getting dressed she sat down to draw up house plans. I told her it would be easier building a house if she knew what she wanted it to look like.

She decided to make her house out of sticks. We talked about where she was going to collect enough sticks to build a house. Since we don't have trees around us she thought the best place to find sticks would be at the park. 

 

Since it is snowing I told her the sticks would all be wet so we should probably eat lunch and see if things would dry. She was thrilled to pick out her own lunch. Salad, zucchini and carrots. Since she'll be living on her own we decided it would be best for her to learn to cut vegetables. Another exciting moment for her. 

While she ate we talked about things like gathering food, staying warm and the importance of having a roof over her head. We came up with a game plan and she came to the conclusion that building a house will take to long so for now she is going to live in the shed. That way she'll be close by the bathroom and she can still come visit me when she wants.

After eating she decided it was time to hit the road. 

I told her she had to say her goodbyes to Maycie and be on the road. She went to the other room to give hugs and found Maycie sitting on the bed in tears. Mace was so sad and she had the magic that only a sister can have. She sobbed to Haylee that she didn't want her to go. After much persuasion, Maycie talked Haylee into not running away but simply spending the night away. Haylee in turn suggested Maycie have a sleep over with her.

While Maycie packed her bags and got things ready Haylee and I went out to the shed. 

When I got back in the house Maycie was finishing Haylee's lunch so she wouldn't be starving during her sleep over.

Then out the door we went.

I'm pretty sure Maycie didn't realize the seriousness of what she had agreed to until I started saying goodbye.

For now, both girls are happy. They've been in the shed for almost an hour now. They have been over to visit me a couple times already. I've been checking on them every few minutes. Every time I've seen them they have been in a new change of clothes. I seriously wonder how much stuff they took out there!

I wonder how long they'll stay out there. I'm sure Maycie will be back in before dinner time but I'm expecting a struggle to get Haylee back in. I'm sure she's going to want to sleep out there. 

Wish me luck!