Dear Sweet Pea &Bumble Bee

Cheers to a child who is completely her own! After a beautiful decade of dance, Roe has decided to hang up her ballet shoes.

She is a truly beautiful dancer (she moves with grace andnlobwa it) but she’s ready to explore new things.

Our family gathered on Saturday to celebrate her final performance, with tears streaming down our faces and big smiles in our hearts. It was as an epic performance to end on (ballet- moon river).

I’m so proud, not just of her commitment and dedication over the years, but of her courage to listen to herself. It isn’t easy to walk away from something you’ve spent so much time and energy pursuing. Yet she knows there is more in this world she wants to experience, and she’s brave enough to follow that curiosity.

A blink of an eye! 2025

Madden - 8th grade

I try really hard not to be a helicopter mom… but dropping off a group of 11-year-olds at a mall just didn’t sit right with me. So when Roe and her friends organized a little mall day (with money they earned from doing extra chores, no less!), I agreed — with the slight caveat that I’d be lurking nearby like a friendly mall ghost!

They picked out matching headbands, lip gloss, and soft pretzels like it was a sacred rite of passage. It was actually so sweet watching them step into this fun new phase of independence.

Meanwhile, I stood outside the stores, walked laps in the AC, listened to my audiobook, people-watched like a pro, and taught myself Canva so I could make this reel. Who says only the kids get to grow?

Onwards and upwards

Just like that… a new school year begins. Did I ball

my eyes out, why yes I did (it’s how I process all of the beautiful life feels). Did the kids still request and love thier traditional first day of school breakfasts, yes they did 😘

Traditions are changing — as they should.

When I asked the kiddos if they wanted to do a modified Teddy Bear Picnic to celebrate today’s quirky holiday and they said yes, I couldn’t help but jump up and down with excitement.

Childhood favorites Wilfred and Winnie even got to come out and play. 🩷

A Tooth Fairy Farewell 🦷✨

Being a mama is such a beautiful journey—full of joy, growth, and yes, all the feels. This week was a big milestone: Madden lost his very last baby tooth (a molar), and I just finished writing my final Tooth Fairy note… with tears in my eyes.

Of course, he knows by now that I am the Tooth Fairy (and sometimes his dad), but we both still leaned into the magic over the past few teeth. For years, we’ve been $1-tooth parents, and when the kids asked why their friends got more, I’d joke that maybe Tooth Fairies operate differently depending on zip code (it’s hard to keep the magic alive without lying).

But this last tooth felt special. The final note. The final use of his sweet puppy dog little tooth pillow. So we wanted to mark the moment with something meaningful. After some thought (and a heads-up from the dentist that this day was coming), we landed on a watch. A symbolic gift—honoring the passing of time and Madden stepping into his next chapter.

We’re holding off on cell phones, so this Apple Watch felt like a big step—our version of a rite of passage.

I’ve truly loved every second of being the Tooth Fairy and so has Matt. And like I’ve said before: each stage of my kids’ lives becomes my new favorite and here we are. 🩷

We couldn’t be more proud of these two. Madden kicked butt this year with straight A’s, and Monroe is moving up to 8th grade math next year!

But honestly, more than the grades and achievements, we’re most proud of the kind, thoughtful people they’re becoming. That’s what really matters.

Here’s to summer break and celebrating all the growth this year brought!

🎶 It was a crazy game of poker (especially the dart board poker game, 10/10 recommend )! Madden’s chosen poker theme party was a fun way to kick off his teenage years. Root beer in mugs, gum cigars, and learning to gamble surely sets these kids up for success 😂

Shark week recap: matching shark onsie blankets (an absolute must 10/10 recommend), homemade shark sushi, shark teeth excavation, awesome shark shows, and lots of pool fun.

I’ve been sitting on this for over a week so I could feel all the feel and process. Reflecting on Madden's incredible journey through elementary school at Villas Montessori school fills my heart with warmth. Over the past six years, he's been surrounded by amazing teachers and forged strong, genuine friendships. But what truly fills me with pride is witnessing the development of his character. At his 6th-grade graduation, seeing him receive awards for his kindness and being a good human brought tears to my eyes (a lot of tears).These tears aren't of sadness; they're a testament to the immense love and pride I feel for him. The tears are also because his childhood seems to be flying by right before my eyes, where the heck did time go!?