on growing up.

lots of growing up this summer for the schans kids. more than once, i've heard 'ellee has lost her 'little girl look' and 'sophie's really getting tall.' but if i'm being real (and when am i not?) on a day to day basis, it's not always easy to see that your kids are changing; that in between sprinklers and play dates, they're growing up right in front of your face. but not every day is like today.

after a long summer of trying, and failing, to teach the older girls how to ride their bikes without training wheels, today it finally happened. today, matt took sophie and ellee on a real bike ride around the neighborhood. it's amazing how much i felt as the sped away from me and around the corner until i coudn't see them anymore. it was such a mix of happy and sad; relieved that they accomplished such a milestone of childhood, but sad that they are one step closer to a driver's license. while i know it'll be a lot harder when they drive away, this felt like a real step too. it's so awesome. and it's so hard.

tried to take a picture of my two bike riding girls. casey was jealous and therefore photobombed the moment. that's cool.

the older girls weren't the only ones making a splash today. nora endured her first day of potty training. and by the end of the day, she made a lil' splash of her own into our well-used froggy potty chair. it's almost unreal to think that in a matter of weeks, after nearly 196 years 7 years of buying diapers, we'll be done. i can hardly imagine a trip to target without buying the 96 pack of size sixes. amazing.

my baby who really isn't. today was hard for her because much like me, she's in no hurry to let go of being the baby. she found success, and was rewarded with ice cream. here's to a lifetime of successful peeing, nora, and countless more bowls of ice cream. xoxo.

today, we're celebrating. and i'm remembering when they were little...and that they won't always be.

these kids are something special.