"Ducks, Mama!"

Since the girls have started back to school, Lainey and I have been able to spend quite a bit of time together. Every Wednesday and Friday, it's just me and the two little girls for most of the day. I have come to really enjoy this time with my Laineybug! I'm still a little unsure though if she enjoys it. She spends most of her time asking if it's time to pick up her sisters. ;)

On Wednesdays, we go to Storytime with Kinsley, which is SO strange not having the big girls with us! Fridays are a little boring. Usually we of clean up the house, do laundry and prep the for a busy weekend while Kinsley naps. Though it's nice to have a little tagalong - she doesn't leave my side!

During the last month, I feel like I have really gotten to know Lainey. Instead of getting frustrated with certain things she does, I am able to spend the extra couple minutes and figure out why she's doing them. She is extremely lost without the girls here. It's funny, because last year she would run around and play with all the toys, so happy to not have to share and now this year, well, she walks around pretty pitifully?! I enjoy our lunch time conversations with no interruptions. I enjoy her silliness. I love her pokiness. I just love her.

I have been purposefully getting to the girls school way before pick up time, just so I can hear her ask, "ducks, please, mama?", and knowing I'll be able to say yes with no time crunch. She will sit there for as long as I'll let her. She scopes out the ducks, geese, water, baby rocks. She climbs the rocks and hops from bench to bench. All the while, looking back at me with the sweetest smile. So happy. So content. So full of life.

This girl. Words can't even describe the love I have for her.