I cannot believe my girl is 10 years old (more like, I cannot believe I've been a parent for 10 years!) Being Georgia's mom has been the adventure of a life time. A totally wild ride. I'm just holding on for dear life because this girl throws me for a loop every day. 

She's very bright and continues to make all A's and get awards at school every year. She moved up to the Gold level Xcel team at gymnastics and is a born athlete. Other than tumbling she loves to ride her bike, skate board, kayak, hike, and now got roller blades for her birthday so she's enjoying learning a new skill. I love watching her seemingly never get tired - she is so active all of the time and always has been. She also loves TikTok and fidgets because what 10 year old girl doesn't. 

Having a tween isn't all fun and games. The past year or so has been quite hard. Lots of emotions and trying to find her place in the world. Lots of anxiety and eye rolls. Slamming doors and loud sighs. Dealing with girl drama at school...or brother drama at home. It's a lot and we're just trying to teach her to handle it with grace but that's easier said than done.

She is very much trying to explore "her style" and wears a lot of Vans and jean shorts or any thing soft. She loves sweatpants and sweat shirts. She would look like she rolled out of bed every day if I let her. She also likes workout clothes. Bows are pretty much done these days although I can convince her to wear one every now and then.

Georgia loves animals. Especially sea turtles and dogs but basically anything that is breathing she is a fan. She's never minded being dirty or getting her hands covered in dirt or mud. She is not a details person. Flexed feet in gymnastics always and often wearing clothes wrong side out or backwards.

Georgia, I love you so much. Every day is an adventure with you and I cannot wait to see where your life takes you. I hope you always keep your crazy spirit. You're a true gem.

Georgia's Christmas

 All of my kids have been so unbelievably hard to shop for this year. So hard.

Georgia is nine and into the whole VSCO girl thing still. Save the turtles and all. The only thing on her list that I didn't get her was an Apple Watch...because, duh, she's nine. She already has a Insta Max mini and tons of Vans and only asked for a new skateboard, yoga pants, and new Birks.

My older two kids have a set amount of money I spend (Barrett is lower because he has no idea and doesn't care) and THIS is the buying guide I use for them.

Here is most of what I ended up getting her.

Skate Board // Yoga Pants // Birkenstocks // Bible // Backpack

Then, I packed her stocking with a ton of fun stuff. These are links to some of the fun things.

Phone Charger // Fit Bit Band // Phone Case // Pop Socket // Pura Vida Necklace

Avocado Luggage Tag

(She has Jonathan's old iPhone 6 and it doesn't have a phone number or data. Only uses wifi and can text a few family members using an email address I made her. She also has an old Fitbit and I was having the hardest time finding a band that fit her. I picked this one because it adjusted the most.)

And, if you're looking for more of an experience type gift...

my mom ended up getting her THIS shirt to go along with adopting a sea turtle in her name from HERE. We plan of visiting her "adopted turtle" this summer at the Sea Turtle Rescue in South Padre, Texas. She'll love it!

Georgia's Fall Haul

 I never did "Back to School" shopping for Georgia so last night I went ahead and bought her a few things. She still needs jeans/jeggings but I want to take her and try them on (if we can) because she's gotten pickier about what she wears and how her jeans look. As is "tween" life I suppose. Send help. I'm guessing we'll head to Target and Old Navy for those and probably pick up a few impulse buys while we're there. For now here is what I got her to fill in some gaps of her wardrobe since she's growing like a weed and this summer basically only wore work out clothes.

Links are at the bottom

Button Front // Wild Girl // Dress // Rust Skirt // Clogs // Denim // Pleather

Georgia is NINE

I always feel at a loss when I sit down to write these birthday posts because it is impossible to encompass all that a child is. Georgia is smart (always has straight As) and funny, thoughtful and kind (sometimes), ridiculously strong, a great big sister, and very social. She loves her dad so much and comes to me for all kinds of girl advice which is so funny to me and something I'm trying to get used to.

She can be really insecure, doesn't pay attention to details. We call her "flighty". She's carefree and surprisingly clumsy for the amount of gymnastics she does. People always comment about how confident she is (or appears to be) but she is at an odd age, beginning of a tween I guess, stuck between dolls and fashion and just wants to fit in and be herself.

She is so amazingly weird and we just tell her to lean into it. To quote Jonathan, "you do you, boo!" She loves all kinds of animals and loves to get dirty. This girl has never minded a mess. Her room is a disaster zone. She loves to read and hang out with her friends. Enjoys being outside and tumbles ALL the time. 

Georgia, we love you so much! I would never have enough space to tell people all about you. You're one of a kind! I can't wait to see what you do with your life.

Georgia - 8 Years

Holy cow, my baby is eight! I cannot believe that eight years ago (at one day late) this little lady made her way into the world.  Oh my goodness, she was such a horrible baby and she cried so much and I say all the time that God laughed and just dropped kicked us into parenting with this one but she sure does make me proud.  After about 8 weeks we hit our stride, she became more of a person and less of a crying monster, and it's been mostly smooth sailing ever since.

Georgia is a dedicated hard worker and something stays in the front of her mind until she's gotten it.  Whether it be school or gymnastics or drawing or skateboarding.  She's learned to be dedicated.  She used to try something and give up (and she still has her bouts with being discouraged) but she's learned to have determination.  She isn't scared to barrel down a hill on a skateboard or skis and loves jumping off of cliffs into cold water.  She's more full of life than anyone I know.  She hangs out in gymnastics a little longer than the rest of the class to get in "more reps" and comes home from a three hour class bouncing off the walls.  This girl never stops.

Her mouth gets her in so much trouble.  No never means no with her.  She always wants to negotiate/argue and it wears me out daily.  We are always working on her manners.  A gentle spirit she is not.  She loves animals, reading, science, doing math in her head, playing board games, being outside, being upside down, drawing, playing with her little brother, and hanging out with her dad just to name a few.  She has a million and one interests and they are always changing.  Currently her favorite colors are lime green and turquoise.

She's made all A's this school year (so far!) and loves working on projects and reading chapter books.  Harry Potter is her favorite which is where her love of white owls comes from.  She also loves bracelets and twisty pets.  She loves school so much that my count down is making her sad and she wants me to sign her up for summer school.  Her current dream is to attend Columbia and I have no idea why.  She has a lot of friends at school and is very social but can be overly sensitive and isn't the best at standing up for herself.  She loves adventure and is always excited to go new places and try new things.  She's still is and has always been a good eater.  Loves her veggies but not as good at eating fruit.  Oddly enough she sleeps best curled up on our love seat in our master bedroom but is only allowed to do that on movie nights.

She loves really big.  She loves her dad.  He's her best friend.  She also loves her brother and thinks he is so funny and so silly.  Which he is.  Now that summer is coming I can't wait to see what adventures her and her dad go on in their kayaks.  They'll have so much fun. She's such a good big sister and loves being a little momma to Milam.  He loves her right back.  They're adorable together.

She weighs 60.8 lbs and is 50.3 inches which is the 66% and the 51%. (Which I have no idea if that's accurate because I did all of that at home)  She has almost zero body fat due to gymnastics and her ridiculous energy levels.  She takes after her dad in that she is SO naturally muscular.  It's insane.  She has a full six pack and her legs, arms, and back are ridiculous and I'm so jealous.

My Georgia Peach, my sweet Peachy-Pie, I love you so much and can't imagine being introduced to parenting by any other means than you.  You make me laugh every day and say the funniest things.  You're my best girl and I can't wait to see what you do with your life.  Happy, Happy, birthday my best girl!

Georgia at 7.5

I can't even begin to explain how proud of this girl I am. 

She makes good grades with little effort, loves Harry Potter, climbing trees, riding her bike and scooter, has made huge strides in gymnastics, and has now become amazing on her skateboard.  She's super social and loves being around people.  If I force her to stay inside then she'll usually curl up in the hall closet or under her desk with a book.

She's says funny stuff all the time and her current word is "apparently".  She uses it every chance she gets.  She loves her little brother and she is one of his favorite people.  She is so much like her dad that often I wonder what we have in common although she has my mom's eyes and my dad's nose so I guess those came from me indirectly.

Typically not competitive or super driven the past two weeks or so all she wants to do is practice gymnastics.  She's constantly on her bars in the play room trying to perfect her latest skill.  I love her new found fire for doing better.

Georgia, your dad and I love you so much (and Milam too!) and just love watching the person you're becoming.  Happy Half!

No good, very bad day

I feel like I'm one of those people that is very prone to "bad days".  It is normally a lot of little things that just add up to a bad day but TODAY just took the cake.

On Wednesday night Georgia told us, "when I bite down really hard my tooth hurts".  My reaction: then don't do that!  But she persisted.  Although it didn't hurt when she ate or drank or talked.

I took her to school on Thursday like normal and called around to find a pediatric dentist on our plan because the normal dentist we see doesn't do procedures on kids so I knew if we were talking cavities she would have to go somewhere else.  So, with Milam strapped in his high chair I figured out the dentist situation and found one with a 10 am opening.  Sweet.  I was crazy but booked it and decided to brave it with both kids.  (Milam is insane).  I was going to take G out of school at 1 any how for her flu shot so what was most of the day?!

We get to the doctor and they're running late because well, it's a doctor's office but we all manage with youTube! It's Georgia's turn and we go back but as soon as they start G's X-rays Milam loses his mind.  He's so upset and crying.  The front desk worker actually came and got him once we went into the room because I could hardly talk to the doctor.

The doctor was very nice and explained that Georgia's grooves in her teeth are so deep and her enamel unfortunately doesn't cover her entire tooth or the deep grooves so it would be nearly impossible for her to not get cavities (my oldest brother and I are the same way). So SIX cavities and I'm not even going to say how much money (because I don't want to ruin your day) later we were on our way with an appointment scheduled for Monday to get her fillings.  We had just enough time to come home, eat lunch, and then head off to get her flu shot.

When we got home Milam was still acting really upset so I put him in bed just so I could get lunch made without him destroying the house.  He was crying and gagged and threw up.  So lunch was postponed while I cleaned up the bed.  and him.  and myself.  and the bathroom.

I started the washing machine and went and got Milam settled.  I changed my clothes and then ran to put my clothes in the washer and the washer was OVERFLOWING!  The entire laundry room had flooded.  So much so there was water leaking into the garage through the baseboards.  So bad.

I called Jonathan bawling.  The dentist bill.  The barf.  The washer.  I couldn't handle it all.  I FINALLY sat down to eat lunch and Georgia walks into the living room and tells us she doesn't feel so good.  She runs to the bathroom and throws up.  Oh - my - goodness.  Plus, there goes the flu shot appointment.  And, don't forget we're now down a washing machine and plus two kids throwing up...just incase you're keeping score.

Georgia didn't throw up again but Milam did after his nap and then he perked up a lot.  Then at bed time he had a super low fever 99.1 and I don't know what tomorrow holds and I don't like going to bed like that.  We're not sure if the fluoride from G's appointment made her sick and if Milam is having a reaction to his flu shot two days ago.

My mom is washing our clothes and I'm here typing getting emotional listening to Lauren Daigle songs and being so thankful not only for my husband, mom, and step-dad who always save the day but also for a friend who stepped up in a huge way for me today and I just can't thank her enough.

I would also like to not that Georgia is SO SUPER anxious and totally rocked her dentist appointment.  I was so proud of her.

New Pajamas and Brownies

The Sock Hop

Georgia's school hosted a sock hop. It was so fun!