2021 Summer To-Do List

Emmy finished dance this past Wednesday, and at the last class, family members were invited to watch the dancers showcase their new skills. Boomer was busy with the annual YoungLife Golf Tournament, but never fear - Emmy still had quite a cheering section with Grammy, Aunt Megan, and little brother Eli. When we walked in the room, Emmy gave the sweetest smile to the camera. Aunt Megan captured a lot more smiles and dance moves to send to Boomer so he could feel like he was there. I know he hated to miss it. The dancers performed some ballet and then some tap. (Mrs. Lauren is a saint!) Afterward, our girl crew + Eli went out to dinner for pizza, which made for a fun Wednesday evening. We are talking over whether to sign Emmy up for classes in the fall. She really enjoyed it, and Mrs. Lauren said that Emmy was attentive and a good listener. My only hesitation is the commitment from September to May, especially if we are considering other activities like basketball or t-ball. We have the summer to decide, so we'll see how much Emmy talks about it between now and then. If it seems to be a common topic, then I suppose I will embrace my new role as Dance Mom. She sure looks cute in a tu-tu!

 

Today we had a rare Saturday with no plans. So of course I cooked up an adventure for our little family. We went to High Point City Lake Park which has a large playground, a carousel, a train, and other attractions. Emmy and I took multiple rides on the carousel, and the boys joined us for a ride on the train. We had a picnic under one of the shelters, and after the kids played a little bit longer, we headed home, making a pit stop at Uncle Cheesecake for a sweet treat. No surprise that Emmy picked the colorful one with all the sprinkles!

We are well on our way to checking off things on our summer to-do list. Without further ado, I present the Kennedy 2021 Summer To-Do List: 

The Kennedy Ballpark Tour is set to resume again with two ballparks in June. Yay! I've included a few of our regular summer staples: the Science Center, Ocean Isle Beach, and the lake. I haven't written about #13 yet, but it probably needs some explanation since I am officially one week into grad school now. A year ago, I would have said "Grad school, are you crazy?!" I thought for sure when Boomer walked across the stage in 2019, the Kennedys were done with all higher education. But it seems that God has other plans. With my unexpected return to teaching last fall, I felt the desire to get back to the advising and counseling role that I had as a college liaison. I started researching graduate programs in School Counseling, and I discovered a part-time, online program through Liberty University. I will continue to work as I take classes. Unfortunately none of my coursework from my first Masters will transfer, so I am starting from scratch, and it will take about three years. This summer, I am taking two classes: COSC 501 Ethical & Legal Issues in Counseling and COUC 502 Human Growth & Development. I am also taking a 0.0 credit hour orientation course COSC 500. I am somewhat finding a groove of being a student again. I mostly work in the evening hours after the kids go to bed. So far the assignments have included reading, discussion posts, and quizzes. I have a few larger papers due throughout the summer, but I am trying not to look too far ahead, but instead just tackle one week at a time. My prayer is that I can juggle grad school with all of my other roles as wife and mommy. I certainly don't want to miss a thing, just as I remember my mom being there when she too went back to school as an adult. Hopefully I will handle it as seamlessly as she did. Our Sunday School class has been going through a series on "detours," looking at the life of Joseph in Genesis 37-41 as he faced challenge after challenge, setback after setback. Certainly losing my job in August felt somewhat like one of Joseph's detours, but I am having faith that God will prepare the path ahead for the next three years. 

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it." 

- Isaiah 30:21

Eli's Dedication

This morning was a special morning for our family. We participated in our church's baby dedication for Eli. We were originally scheduled to have him dedicated last March, but due to COVID, our church transitioned to virtual services, and unfortunately the dedication was the first of many events that were cancelled over the next few months. We are so glad that we were able to participate today. Pastor Rob prayed over each of the babies and challenged us to likewise pray fervently over our children as we raise them. Our prayer is that Eli will grow up to know Jesus and that we will set a good example for him. We commit to bringing him up in the church so that he will be introduced to the Word. Just as we did with Emmy, the dedication service was our acknowledgement of God's precious gift of Eli and our desire for him to become saved one day. 

The ceremony was not without a few bloopers...like Boomer dealing out raisins to both kiddos, and Eli spotting Aunt Megan in the audience. (Thank you, Aunt Megan, for being the photographer.)

We are heading into the final three weeks of the school year, and this weekend was a great taste of summer. On Friday night, we met up with the Williamses and Houstons for a park picnic and play date. On Saturday, we went strawberry picking at Hedgecock Strawberry Farm. Grammy came along (Grandpa was on a golf trip), and she was a big help in picking strawberries and chasing kids. We went to the same farm that we went to last year, and now that we've gone twice, I suppose it's a new Kennedy tradition! (I can practically see Boomer rolling his eyes as I type this!)

On Saturday evening, Boomer and Emmy went to the Daddy Daughter Dance hosted by the Kernersville Parks & Recreation. They let Eli and Mommy tag along for dinner beforehand at Ledo's, and then they were off for the dance. I signed them up a few weeks ago, and we had talked about it frequently in the days leading up to it. We didn't realize that in all of our conversations ahead of time, Emmy thought she was going to her dance class with Daddy. There was a lot of confusion and tears when they pulled up at an unfamiliar building. To hear Boomer tell it, it was touch-and-go for the first 30 minutes, but then "Let it go" came on at the perfect time and seemed to draw her to the dance floor. The last hour was better, and they came home with lots of treats from Daddy and daughter goodie bags. Judging by Emmy's blue tongue and sticky face, it looked like she enjoyed some sweets there at the dance as well. Boomer summed up the evening as "peaks and valleys" but I know he will keep going as long as Emmy will. He is such a good Daddy!

My mom reminded me that we purchased our home 11 years ago this month! Wow time flies! We are so blessed to have this home filled with over a decade of memories and now two precious babies!

UPDATE 5/18/2021: Eli had his 18-month appointment this afternoon. He weighed 23 pounds 1 ounce (35th percentile) and measured 32.1 inches (40th percentile). He still has a big noggin - 19.1 inches (81st percentile!) Luckily there were no shots during this visit, just some poking and prodding. He was a happy boy. 

Celebrating Moms

We got to see so many of the special moms in our lives this weekend! On Friday while I was working, Eli tagged along with Grammy and Grandpa to a Mother's Day lunch with Great Grandma. He has a bit of scowl in the group photo, but I love this first one of him and my mom. They have developed such a sweet bond this year. I've been told he was quite a hit with the other residents and the staff. 

On Saturday, we made a day trip to Star to see Boomer's parents. Before we pulled out of our driveway, Emmy had a list of things she wanted to do while she was there, the top 2 things being: the fairy garden and the play kitchen. We picked up Bojangles on the way for an easy lunch, and then Boomer's dad grilled steaks for dinner, so no moms had to cook. It was a beautiful day, and we spent time outside at the greenhouse and playing ball. We had two tired kiddos when we headed back home after dinner. 

This morning, we played hooky from church. Although I know it would have been a very special service for Mother's Day, it was outside, and Boomer pulled the allergy card and convinced me to stay home. (In truth, the pollen has been terrible right now!) We visited Great Grandma instead and then headed over to the Houston's for lunch with the rest of the family. We picked up a family meal from Osaka and had cheesecake for dessert. We did our best to wrangle the kids for a group photo with the moms. It's always a feat to get a picture of everyone, but I'm always glad when we do. I'm so thankful for Mom and Megan - I couldn't do motherhood without them! 

After naps for everyone (my only real request for the day), we enjoyed dinner outside on our patio. Sunday picnics have become a tradition during April and May. Boomer had gone grocery shopping earlier and picked up some shrimp and sushi as a special treat. I love my little crew!

"Loves cars and books"

We are nearing the point in the school year where it feels like the last lap of Mario Kart and the music is getting really fast and we're trying to reach the finish line without hitting any obstacles. Whew, I hope we make it to June! Things slow down just a bit on the weekends. (Well, as much as they can with two kids, a household to run, a yard to take care of, cars to service, and groceries to buy...) This past Saturday, we went to the Science Center. Emmy loved posing on the kimono dragon, and she especially loved the new treehouse section. Later that evening, we hung out with the Houstons and Williamses. We spent most of the time outdoors, playing cornhole and watching the kids run wild in the backyard. I tried to snap a picture of Emmy and Eli piled on Boomer in the hammock. Luckily no one was injured and no one ended up on the ground!

These two sure love piling on top of Daddy!

Eli will soon have his 18-month appointment. Usually at these appointments, the doctor will ask a lot of developmental questions. My mom and I have been writing down some of Eli's words to keep track of his growing vocabulary. He can clearly say: Da-Da, bye-bye, hi, pizza, water, ball. He continues to imitate the sounds and syllables of many other words. He can high-five, and he can point to his belly, hair, ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and feet. He is still adjusting to times when he is away from Mommy and Daddy, and we often see tears at church during nursery drop-off. My hope is that he is quickly distracted and the tears dry up before I even get to our Sunday School classroom. I always write on the check-in sheet: "loves cars and books." Eli loves to be read to, and he makes himself cozy on any available lap. 

 

While drop-off at nursery is sure to elicit tears, Eli also gets quite upset when Daddy is out of sight. Boomer left for just a minute to get drink refills at dinner, and the waterworks started immediately!

Another funny habit: Eli likes to lay across my lap, not on my shoulder, before bedtime. As soon as I finish the last book and switch off the lamp, he settles in perpendicular, resting his head on the armrest, while I sing another song or two. Then when I move him to his crib, he rolls onto his stomach without any protest.  

Like her brother, Emmy is all the time saying and doing new things too. She still calls the sun roof "car wash." When she wants me to put her apron on to help with dinner, she'll say: "Can you make me a bakery?" Daddy taught her the word "antagonist" and so she will use it as she's talking about the bad guy in a movie. She loves all things princesses and is quite excited about going to Disney World in the fall. Just like a princess, she sleeps most nights with her "canopy."

This week she was recognized at her school as the Student of the Week. She couldn't exactly tell me what it meant. She said it was for being quiet during chapel. She was much more excited to show me what she had colored that day instead of her certificate. We are proud of her! We got the letter this week saying that Eli would be beginning at Emmy's school in the fall. We have loved having Eli with Grammy and Grandpa this year, so it will be a big adjustment for everyone. We pray that it will be a great fit for Eli, just as it has been for Emmy!