Summertime, And The Livin' Is Easy!

Family Holiday - June 2010

Well ... judging by the gap between our last post and now ---

I'd say we've had a pretty busy time of things!

Sorry for the long absence from our blog ... been dithering about it for a while now,

but have decided to keep it up for a bit longer.

At least until I get some other, new pursuits under way!

Cowgirl after her School Assembly this term. They were little rainbow fish in the deep blue sea!

Cowgirl's First Sports Day!

It was such a lovely day. The weather was good and we all enjoyed family picnics afterwards. I have to admire her Reception Teacher. Have you ever tried to herd 30, 4-5 year-olds to 'focus' and coordinate a dozen or more different sports activities at the same time? Quite the heroic achievement!

Life with Cowgirl is as amazing and wonderful as ever ... and with our lives reshaping from the influence of life's rapidly approaching milestones, so have our priorities been a bit briskly shuffled around lately. And with my various roles volunteering in Annaliesa's school, particularly as school governor, attention to things like this family blog has had to take a graceful back seat.

More family 'firsts' - Bella finally swimming at the seaside! (Finally)

There are all good things in our lives ... and Cowgirl continues to absolutely thrive in our world, flourish in her school, and bloom beautifully in the garden of her life. There are days when she seems too grown up to still be a 4-year old. And there are days when she reminds me how lovely it is to live in a 4-year old's world.

Our lives have been so full and rich. Busy, yes, but fulfilling moreso. Since Easter, we have enjoyed two holidays. In May we spent a week in Devon on our annual holiday with Cowgirl's two 'China sisters' and their families. Our three families have grown so close over these past few years since returning from China with our girls. And our annual holiday is one of many occasions when we visit with each other throughout the year. The memories together are treasured and brilliant and heartwarming. And our three families being able to be together makes for invaluable 'therapy' when it comes to talking about our experiences bringing up our daughters from China. Priceless. And we know we are so blessed that our 'family' has extended in this way. And that is why we are all precious to each other.

In June, we enjoyed our annual family holiday in Dorset where Cowgirl was treated to undivided attention from her grandparents and auntie! Lots of time rock pooling, building sand castles, exploring countryside and Cowgirl putting on 'performances' for her small but devoted audience! She does allow the occasional side-kick to share center stage. But you always know that Cowgirl is the star!

Building Sand Castles in the Air!

The smile says it all!

Rock pooling in Dorset

This month, Cowgirl finishes her first year of school and she has done brilliantly! She just received an award (Golden Leaf) for being the child who always 'takes such good care of the other children'. Prideful moments. Her teacher said she'd give her the award every week of the year if she could. That is such a lovely bit of perspective to have about our child.

Next year she moves into Year 1 (1st grade) and she is SO, SO, SO excited about that. Her sheer enthusiasm for school certainly helps to quell any nostalgic feelings I have about how fast she is growing up. Seeing her so thoroughly soak up life only makes me feel more enthusiastic about the path she is taking in her life. And the decisions we have made on her behalf, so far.

In less than 2 weeks, school breaks for the summer, and the summer holidays begin. I am looking forward to a break from the routine of school, and from the sheer volume of responsibilities with the PTA and as school governor, and a member of our Parish Council.

And I am truly looking forward to spending some hazy, lazy days with Cowgirl, as well as plans to visit dear, lovely family friends in the UK over the summer. Before I know it, the start of the new school year will be beckoning on the 2nd September, so we plan to make the most of building wonderful memories of Cowgirl's first summer holidays from school. I have lots of mother/daughter things planned and it will be so nice to have a break from rigid schedules and routine!

We have so much more to share, but this catch up has been significant unto itself. So, that only means that I must commit to you that I will be back before long with more glimpses into our world, and more photos to share!

Thank you for patiently awaiting our return! xxx