A New Chapter

A week ago today Hannah began the new adventure of Kindergarten. She was so very excited and has loved every day of school so far. 

After her first day, when we got home, she said to me, "Mom, I had so much fun I didn't think about you." 

Well my goodness child, I thought about you all day and even got a little teary, wondering what you were doing and how you were getting along. 

 I know it's a good thing she loves school so much, and I'm so thankful for her preschool that prepared her so well. This mama's heart is just not ready to see her grow up. I know each phase of watching your kids grow up is fun and exciting in its own way, but part of me still wants to keep her little and hang on to her innocence for as long as possible. 

This passage out of One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp captures my thoughts exactly:

"Stay, Little One, stay. Love's a deep wound and what is a mother without a child and why can't I hold on to now forever and her here and me here and why does time snatch away a heart I don't think mine can beat without?"

Our prayer for Hannah as she enters school is that she will not allow others to influence her and change who she is out of a desire to be liked by her peers, but rather to continue to be who God has made her to be, and have confidence in who she is. 

One last Hurrah

We had a one week window to fit in a family vacation before Hannah started kindergarten this week, so we zipped up the coast to Cayucos. It was such a fun week of no-agenda family time and some much needed rest. The kids even slept great, which can be the biggest challenge when away from home. 

We got to explore tidepools at Moonstone Beach in Cambria, as well as eat lunch there one day, walk around Morro Bay, play at the beach, take naps, drink good coffee, get ice cream at the Candy Counter, go to Farmer's Market in SLO, enjoy a one day visit from Nona and Gigi, and have breakfast at the Sea Shanty. I miss it already.

Of course we had to visit the Avila Valley Barn on the way up, one of our favorite Central Coast stops

Hannah always enjoys feeding the animals at the barn

We spent a lot of time in our pj's

Drying swimsuits after at the beach, where Caleb's favorite activity was eating sand

One evening we drove up to the top of Hwy 46 and watched the sun set over the hills and fog, it was gorgeous

Me and my crazy boy taking in the sunset

Climber girl

God makes beautiful sunsets

The boys playing at the beach, Caleb especially loves the slide and giggles every time down

An extra blessing was reconnecting with a long time friend, a wonderful woman who discipled me part of the time I lived in SLO. While we only got to connect by phone on this trip, I look forward to seeing her in person next time we're there. Good friendships make my heart full.

So now our summer break is officially over as Hannah started kindergarten yesterday. More to come on that soon.