Birthday letter to come...
Love,
Mom
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Monday, September 1, 2014
Holding on to Summer
Trying to hold on to Summer for as long as we can. Back to school tomorrow!
One last game of wiffle ball before summer "ends":
Final Score: The Schoonovers 6 - Andrew&Mom 4
One last game of wiffle ball before summer "ends":
Final Score: The Schoonovers 6 - Andrew&Mom 4
Monday, June 16, 2014
Father's Day 2014
I love this man for so many reasons...today I'm thinking of the father he is to our sons.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Friday, December 20, 2013
A Gift
This Christmas, Mark and are getting each other new windows
for the house. Feeling generous, we also
thought we’d treat ourselves to new tires on the van. Romantic, right?
Well, “every kiss might begin with Kay” but, I don’t need a
diamond bracelet to know Mark loves me more now than the day we wed. Nope.
He shows me how much he loves me by leaving for work early to take care
of this mundane but inconvenient chore, thus sparing me the unpleasantness of
sitting in an auto shop waiting room with a five-year-old while my Christmas
to-do list goes undone.
Now, that is romantic.
(In my book anyway.)
Love you, Mark!
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Highlights 12/6 -12/15
Some highlights from last week:
1. First snowfall of the season
We had a "winter event" last weekend. Here in Virginia, any frozen precipitation is called a winter event. And it should be feared...or so the local news teams would have you believe. "What will this mean for our morning commute? Will it ever be 50 degrees again? etc."
2. Snowball fight with neighbors
We have new neighbors who happen to have three older boys. They are great playmates for Andrew & Jay who absolutely love them. Andrew and Jay were having a blast playing in the snow with them. I look out the kitchen window to see a full on snowball fight taking place in my backyard with lots of our neighbors. Smile.
3. Frozen wonderland = day off from school = going to see Frozen
On the bright side, our ice storm allowed us to enjoy two snow days (Monday & Tuesday) and a two hour delay (Wednesday). So, Andrew, Jay and I took advantage and went to see Frozen. This is a great movie. We highly recommend it.
4. Andrew reading our advent prayers at dinnertime.
Loving this. It's a nice moment of calm in what are otherwise rather hectic days. He is so serious and thoughtful about it. It's nice.
5. Andrew nodding hello to another kid at the grocery store (sup….sup)
He's so cool. It's funny to see him having relationships with other kids I know nothing about.
6. Watching Christmas specials as a family Sunday night.
Carving out another moment of calm for our family...we like to snuggle up on the couch in pajamas, ready for bed, and watch Christmas specials together. Just perfect.
7. Getting our house decorated for Christmas.
Fun to watch the boys decorate the tree this year. We only lost 2 ornaments, too! Heehee. Oh, how I love having a tree glowing in the living room, stockings hung by the fireplace, and classical Christmas music on in the background.
8. Zoo Lights
We headed to the National Zoo on Sunday night for Zoo Lights. Great fun. Light displays, snow tubing, carousel ride, model train and lego displays, gingerbread habitat contest display. Great family fun.
1. First snowfall of the season
We had a "winter event" last weekend. Here in Virginia, any frozen precipitation is called a winter event. And it should be feared...or so the local news teams would have you believe. "What will this mean for our morning commute? Will it ever be 50 degrees again? etc."
2. Snowball fight with neighbors
We have new neighbors who happen to have three older boys. They are great playmates for Andrew & Jay who absolutely love them. Andrew and Jay were having a blast playing in the snow with them. I look out the kitchen window to see a full on snowball fight taking place in my backyard with lots of our neighbors. Smile.
3. Frozen wonderland = day off from school = going to see Frozen
On the bright side, our ice storm allowed us to enjoy two snow days (Monday & Tuesday) and a two hour delay (Wednesday). So, Andrew, Jay and I took advantage and went to see Frozen. This is a great movie. We highly recommend it.
4. Andrew reading our advent prayers at dinnertime.
Loving this. It's a nice moment of calm in what are otherwise rather hectic days. He is so serious and thoughtful about it. It's nice.
5. Andrew nodding hello to another kid at the grocery store (sup….sup)
He's so cool. It's funny to see him having relationships with other kids I know nothing about.
6. Watching Christmas specials as a family Sunday night.
Carving out another moment of calm for our family...we like to snuggle up on the couch in pajamas, ready for bed, and watch Christmas specials together. Just perfect.
7. Getting our house decorated for Christmas.
Fun to watch the boys decorate the tree this year. We only lost 2 ornaments, too! Heehee. Oh, how I love having a tree glowing in the living room, stockings hung by the fireplace, and classical Christmas music on in the background.
8. Zoo Lights
We headed to the National Zoo on Sunday night for Zoo Lights. Great fun. Light displays, snow tubing, carousel ride, model train and lego displays, gingerbread habitat contest display. Great family fun.
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving.
Side note: I am really thankful that my sons are looking forward to Thanksgiving. They have yet to utter a word about Christmas or making a wish list. I wouldn't mind if they were looking ahead to Christmas. That would be normal. But, I just love that they aren't seeing Thanksgiving as a speed bump between Halloween and Christmas. Makes me proud to be their mom.
And look, how cute is this guy that Andrew made last year in Kindergarten:
Ahhh, Thanksgiving...
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Blue Skies
I have a friend in Maine who takes breathtaking photos. She is able to capture nature through her lens in some very imaginative ways. I've often marveled at some of her photos of blue skies. And (in the interest of being honest) I've often thought, "I've never seen a sky that blue...surely she has edited this photo a little bit". I mean look at these photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/8319252699/in/set-72157624126828921/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/8084274525/
Well, this week I had a light bulb go off in my head. Every morning from 8:50 - 9:10, I am standing outside the preschool where I work unloading cherubs from their minivans and escorting them into their classes. It is from this sidewalk that I enjoyed, no reveled, in the lingering Hunter's Moon of October. It is on this sidewalk that I soak up fresh air before heading into a room full of 4 & 5 year-olds. It is from this sidewalk that I have been enjoying watching the leaves changing color on the trees that stand so grandly in the woods across the parking lot from me. It has been a highlight of my morning to look up and just stare at the orange leaves against the bluest skies. And that's when it hit me! I've seen this sky before but only in a photo (see Autumn Fire above).
So, I made a point to bring my camera to work with me yesterday to try and capture this vision before it changes to just bare limbs against the sky.
I owe my friend an apology for assuming her photos were "doctored" if only the slightest bit. I'm sorry, friend. AND I owe my friend a thank you. For, I have learned through her photography that even though I am not the skilled photographer that she is, I am capable of doing something she does. And that is to stop every once in a while and look up. For it turns out that we do have incredibly blue skies over Virginia. Just like the ones in Maine. Amazing. Thank you, friend.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/8319252699/in/set-72157624126828921/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/8084274525/
Well, this week I had a light bulb go off in my head. Every morning from 8:50 - 9:10, I am standing outside the preschool where I work unloading cherubs from their minivans and escorting them into their classes. It is from this sidewalk that I enjoyed, no reveled, in the lingering Hunter's Moon of October. It is on this sidewalk that I soak up fresh air before heading into a room full of 4 & 5 year-olds. It is from this sidewalk that I have been enjoying watching the leaves changing color on the trees that stand so grandly in the woods across the parking lot from me. It has been a highlight of my morning to look up and just stare at the orange leaves against the bluest skies. And that's when it hit me! I've seen this sky before but only in a photo (see Autumn Fire above).
So, I made a point to bring my camera to work with me yesterday to try and capture this vision before it changes to just bare limbs against the sky.
I owe my friend an apology for assuming her photos were "doctored" if only the slightest bit. I'm sorry, friend. AND I owe my friend a thank you. For, I have learned through her photography that even though I am not the skilled photographer that she is, I am capable of doing something she does. And that is to stop every once in a while and look up. For it turns out that we do have incredibly blue skies over Virginia. Just like the ones in Maine. Amazing. Thank you, friend.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Happy Birthday, Andrew!
Dear Andrew,
Happy Birthday! You are 7! Whoa. Can that be right?
A major highlight of this past year was, of course, Kindergarten! No longer my preschooler, you became a full-time attendee of Hayfield Elementary School. You were in Mrs. Schwarz's class. You absolutely flourished. You learned to read, tally marks, counting by 2s, 5s and 10s and much more. You would walk out the front door each day excited for another day at school. Learning to read was clearly the most impressive thing you did this past year. Do you remember that was your New Year's goal? To watch you read to Jay, is something that makes me beam with pride. I wonder if you realize how much he looks up to you.
Throughout Kindergarten, you also continued to develop into a good citizen. You pick up trash wherever we go. You would help keep your classroom clean, help other students and help the teachers. I can't tell you how glad I am that you love school. I feel strongly that one’s enjoyment of school helps set one up to succeed. You are well on your way, Andrew.
I am proud of the budding athlete I see in you. This past year, you played soccer in the fall, basketball in the winter, t-ball in the spring and swam in the summer. You can swim a whole lap without stopping. When I tell you how proud I am of you, you reply, "it's no big deal, I could swim many laps". You continue to get braver in the stunts you do off the diving board. This fall, you are playing soccer again. You are quite tenacious! Your father and I love to watch you play this sport that we both love so much. It is amazing to see the difference between this season and last fall. Last but not least, you learned how to ride a bike this summer! You had set a goal for yourself to learn how to ride without training wheels before the summer ended. Mission accomplished!
You have become a Lego master this year. Our home has become overrun with Legos! You are now able to build an entire set without help from me or Dad. More fun to watch are the creations you will design on your own. Your imagination is wonderful.
You also began your quest to become a master gardener this year. You were very diligent checking on your garden each day. Marveling at what you would find. I enjoyed planning, planting and harvesting this garden with you.
You seemed to have grown up a lot this past year. Maturing more in the past 365 days than in previous years. You are helpful around the house. You can reason and rationalize. You are thoughtful. You say the most beautiful graces before dinner, remember others and being thankful for our blessings. I see in you an appreciation for the world around you. You have outgrown the notion that your are the center of the universe. Instead, you are aware of your actions and behavior. You are considerate of other people's feelings. (Perhaps, you could still improve in this area when it comes to your immediate family.) But, I see you being kind to others and earning the respect of your teachers, parents and peers. People actually stop me to tell me what a nice boy you are. Makes me glow inside to know others can see what I see in you.
Happy Birthday, Andrew. I love you!
Love,
Mom
Happy Birthday! You are 7! Whoa. Can that be right?
A major highlight of this past year was, of course, Kindergarten! No longer my preschooler, you became a full-time attendee of Hayfield Elementary School. You were in Mrs. Schwarz's class. You absolutely flourished. You learned to read, tally marks, counting by 2s, 5s and 10s and much more. You would walk out the front door each day excited for another day at school. Learning to read was clearly the most impressive thing you did this past year. Do you remember that was your New Year's goal? To watch you read to Jay, is something that makes me beam with pride. I wonder if you realize how much he looks up to you.
 | |||||||||
| September 2013 |
 | |
| July 2013 |
 |
| July 2013 |
Throughout Kindergarten, you also continued to develop into a good citizen. You pick up trash wherever we go. You would help keep your classroom clean, help other students and help the teachers. I can't tell you how glad I am that you love school. I feel strongly that one’s enjoyment of school helps set one up to succeed. You are well on your way, Andrew.
 |
| June 2013 |
I am proud of the budding athlete I see in you. This past year, you played soccer in the fall, basketball in the winter, t-ball in the spring and swam in the summer. You can swim a whole lap without stopping. When I tell you how proud I am of you, you reply, "it's no big deal, I could swim many laps". You continue to get braver in the stunts you do off the diving board. This fall, you are playing soccer again. You are quite tenacious! Your father and I love to watch you play this sport that we both love so much. It is amazing to see the difference between this season and last fall. Last but not least, you learned how to ride a bike this summer! You had set a goal for yourself to learn how to ride without training wheels before the summer ended. Mission accomplished!
 |
| September 2013 |
You have become a Lego master this year. Our home has become overrun with Legos! You are now able to build an entire set without help from me or Dad. More fun to watch are the creations you will design on your own. Your imagination is wonderful.
You also began your quest to become a master gardener this year. You were very diligent checking on your garden each day. Marveling at what you would find. I enjoyed planning, planting and harvesting this garden with you.
.jpg) |
| August 2013 |
You seemed to have grown up a lot this past year. Maturing more in the past 365 days than in previous years. You are helpful around the house. You can reason and rationalize. You are thoughtful. You say the most beautiful graces before dinner, remember others and being thankful for our blessings. I see in you an appreciation for the world around you. You have outgrown the notion that your are the center of the universe. Instead, you are aware of your actions and behavior. You are considerate of other people's feelings. (Perhaps, you could still improve in this area when it comes to your immediate family.) But, I see you being kind to others and earning the respect of your teachers, parents and peers. People actually stop me to tell me what a nice boy you are. Makes me glow inside to know others can see what I see in you.
 |
| August 2013 |
Happy Birthday, Andrew. I love you!
Love,
Mom
 |
| January 2013 |
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Happy Birthday, Jay!
Dear Jay,
Happy 5th Birthday! Every year when I sit down to write these birthday letters, I look back at last year's birthday letter to remind myself of the starting point for this letter. And every year, I am blown away by how much you have changed in 365 days.
September 2012
September 2013
You are such a kind, sweet boy...with just a hint of major destroyer mixed in. You love to create and you love to destroy. I will often see you crushing dead leaves in your hands as we walk to pick up Andrew. You love to knock over towers of blocks. But, at the same time you love to build intricate towers of blocks. You're not all destruction. You're quite creative and thoughtful. Perhaps, this stems from your obsession over the past year with Angry Birds!
You will stage elaborate levels with your blocks, legos, cups, small blocks, well pretty much anything you can get your hands on. You love to play Angry Birds on the ipad too (obviously!). You have surpassed my capabilities with the game. It is such an interesting glimpse into your mind to watch you strategize your moves. You clearly have a terrific grasp of spacial relations, as well as, causation.
Your love of video games is not limited to Angry Birds. And you seem to live your life like it's a video game. Often you would tell me to "pause" whatever we were doing, while you ran off to use the bathroom or get another piece of a puzzle, or get a drink. You would tell me to "press this button to see a video". Or maybe "Let's restart this level", when you wanted to retry the activity/ game we were playing together. Or maybe saying, "Good job, Mom, you completed round 2!" I can seriously see you becoming a developer of video games and apps in the future. Assuming, those things still exist 20 years from now!
June 2013
This past year saw you beginning preschool. You attended school three mornings per week in the Frog class. This was the same class and school that Andrew had attended the previous year. I think it was a great opportunity for you to be on your own and be recognized for yourself. It was your first opportunity to step out of Andrew's shadow, if only a teeny tiny bit. You were the youngest member of your class and you did really well. You made new friends, learned new songs and seemed to really enjoy your time there. I loved watching you walk to the car with your backpack on and a smile on your face, eager to show me your artwork or tell me about your day. It wasn't always smiles, however. You would often get disappointed that we needed to go pick up Andrew at school. I think you really minded that our Mommy/ Jay time was dwindling. In a somewhat ironic twist, you and I are getting to spend all of our time together this year! In March, your father and I decided to send you to the Dino class this year and have you start kindergarten next year. In May, I was offered a job to be a teacher at your preschool. In August, it worked out that I would be a teacher in your Dino class. So, now we get to spend all day, every day, together. And I've come to appreciate what a blessing this is for me!
I get to see you flourishing at preschool. I get to watch you make good decisions and learn from bad decisions you make at school as you interact with your classmates. I get to see you present your special item at Chapel time instead of hearing your teacher tell me about it. And bottom line, I get to be with you! I love spending time with you. This year of 24/7 Mommy/Jay time is really hitting me over the head that next year both my boys will be off to school all day and I won't be with them. I'm glad for this and for you. But, for now, I'm counting my blessings that things worked out the way they did. I am trying to savor this last year of being a mother of a preschooler!
You are growing up so much physically too. You no longer need to stand on a stool to brush your teeth in the bathroom. You can help yourself to water out of the refrigerator door. You buckle yourself in your car seat. You learned how to swim this summer during minihawks and the many hours we spent at our pool. You are playing soccer this fall on a team for the first time. (You are so cute in your uniform, shinguards and cleats.)
July 2013 September 2013
I love you, Jay...more and more every day.
Love,
Mom
Remembering
Today is a day when you hear lots of people remembering where they were 12 years ago. I, however, find I can't stop thinking about where I was 5 years ago today. Holding my newborn son in my arms for the first time.
September 11th was my due date. And throughout my pregnancy, I would have moments when I would think "I really hope this child comes before or after their due date". And every time someone would ask me when I was due, and I would say September 11th (I know I could have lied and said any other date but, I don't lie, at least not convincingly) they would wrinkle their nose or give me a sympathetic look. As if being born on September 11th was going to be terrible. But, seeing as not all babies come on their due dates, I decided not to worry too much about it.
Then, September 11, 2008 came and Jay woke me up at 12:45am with contractions. He was going to be born on his due date. And it never crossed my mind in the wee hours of that morning, that I didn't want this to happen.
Today is a day of memorial and a day of remembrance of a tragic day in our national history, but it's also my son's birthday. And I love that forever on, that will be what I think of first on this date.
September 11th was my due date. And throughout my pregnancy, I would have moments when I would think "I really hope this child comes before or after their due date". And every time someone would ask me when I was due, and I would say September 11th (I know I could have lied and said any other date but, I don't lie, at least not convincingly) they would wrinkle their nose or give me a sympathetic look. As if being born on September 11th was going to be terrible. But, seeing as not all babies come on their due dates, I decided not to worry too much about it.
Then, September 11, 2008 came and Jay woke me up at 12:45am with contractions. He was going to be born on his due date. And it never crossed my mind in the wee hours of that morning, that I didn't want this to happen.
Today is a day of memorial and a day of remembrance of a tragic day in our national history, but it's also my son's birthday. And I love that forever on, that will be what I think of first on this date.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Teamwork
My boys have been working together on a new lego set today. I love listening to the excitement in their voices as they talk about the different pieces and glimpsing how diligently they are working on the design.
They pooled their allowance money together and agreed on a set to buy together. No bickering, no manipulation, just agreement.
It's been so fun to watch and listen today.
They pooled their allowance money together and agreed on a set to buy together. No bickering, no manipulation, just agreement.
It's been so fun to watch and listen today.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Dream
Today we take the time to reflect not only on Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream for our country but on those we hold deep in our hearts as well. It was something special to stand with my 6yo on the spot where Dr. King delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech and to think of how far we have come as a country. I pray we will continue to mature in our behaviors towards one another. May my sons know a different, more peaceful world.
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