If I’d been a little more on the ball, and a little less sick with strep throat and tonsillitis over the past week, I might have managed some glorious 2023 retrospective.
Or even a few odds and ends holiday posts of all our Christmas break happenings that I never managed to share.
But…best laid plans and all that jazz.
It seems the theme for the past few months of life has just been to roll with it—more so than usual (ahem, puppy).
So in that onward and upward spirit…
And because I don’t really do resolutions…
And since I’m still recovering and sleeping like scum…
I thought I’d share just some small intentions for my crew in 2024.
M’kay?
M’kay.
First up: Chica.
Steady on and carry on!
I’ve said it a million times, and I’ll say it a million more: Chica has handled her middle school transition and this tween timeframe with such grace and steadiness, and the same kindness and happy/silly spirit she’s always had. Honestly, it’s kind of astounding (at least to my own teenage self, ha).
She’s experienced so much change and newness, has widened her little world, is growing by leaps and bounds (physically and emotionally, let me count thee ways!), and, yet…she’s still herself to her very core.
All I wish for her in 2024 is more of the same. Truly. That’s it. Just keep calm and carry on, please, please, pretty please!
Next up: Chicklet.
Hone and amplify joy triggers (activities and people)!
Oh, this girl, I love her so. Her smile, her spirit, her laugh, her imagination. She is all the colors of the rainbow, and a child who feels and thinks so much. In 2024, my wish is that she can hone and amplify the things that she loves, and have the joy of more of those things.
Oh, this girl, I love her so. Her smile, her spirit, her laugh, her imagination. She is all the colors of the rainbow, and a child who feels and thinks so much. In 2024, my wish is that she can hone and amplify the things that she loves, and have the joy of more of those things.
So much of my girl’s education requires incremental brainpower to fuel the additional challenges—and miraculousness—of her dyslexic thinking. I want to give her the flip side of that coin as much as possible—like happy extracurriculars (hello, swimming!) that make her so joyful and excited.
And just as I hope to hone and amplify the activities she loves, I can’t wait to watch (and assist, when possible) as she strengthens her beloved friendships. I know it was right around this age when Chica really began to develop her core friend group that carried over, year over year, and I can’t wait to see that unfold for my beloved secondborn, as well.
Next up: Little Man
Connect, cherish and nurture!
I’ll be honest, it’s the hardest with the youngest to maintain innocence, encourage a steady and not overly-accelerating aging, and to give as much time and attention as the first go-‘round, parenting-wise. It’s just absolute birth order and logistics.
My boy has heaping dosing of so many traits I adore: whip-smart intelligence, confidence and a certain charisma, and a whole lotta that young boy energy that makes him so much fun at this age. My hope for 2024 is to appreciate—and to help him appreciate—the age that he is and the milestones he’s reaching, without fast-forwarding any of it! And to just create space to connect with him, as much as humanly possible, before it passes in the blink of an eye.
If I could slow it all down, I could, but I can absolutely do my best to soak it all up like a sponge—and give him just as much of that beady eye attention and love and direction as I did with my first child at this age. I’m ready to be his shadow, his buddy, his disciplinarian, his confidant, his greatest cheerleader—all with or without his consent, ha.
So here’s to a connected year!
I’d go into more detail about intentions for my hubby and myself, but the truth is that our needs are very simply: maintain sanity, and appreciate the precious golden years.
We have hopes for some travel adventures, a few household projects, and just as much joy (and maybe a tiny bit of sleep!) as possible in 2024.
So, BRING. IT. ON.
And now, please enjoy these beautiful pics from our family session a few months ago. One or two always end up on the Christmas card, but I can’t help sharing more. They’re always one of my most precious “possessions” and memories each year—and with Coda puppy joining us this time, they’re that much cuter. ;)
Happy New Year, peeps!
Over and out.
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