tea for her birthday

This year, my big girl decided to forego a friend birthday celebration in lieu of a more quaint celebration.  She decided that going to tea for her birthday just as her great-grandmother did for her birthday (100 years ago) would be a neat tradition to keep.  With their dolls tucked under their arms, we traveled downtown to a fancy hotel to have afternoon tea.  Having the full attention of Grandma, a dear aunt, her mother and her sister for an afternoon of tea and treats was a great way to spend a birthday.  

The sweet treats that arrived on a plated tower were her favorite.  The dolls and their doll mothers enjoyed the chance to sit at a special table and utilize their best manners.

Afterward, a little scavenger hunt around town led her to her birthday wish of getting her ears pierced.  She was delighted!

1. What do you want to be when you grow up?

I want to be someone who works with computers.

2. What was the best thing about this year?

going to College Station for the Aggie football game

3. What was the best thing about your birthday?

getting my ears pierced even though it hurt

4. What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?

play with Lizzie (the captured lizard from the backyard)

5. Where would you like to travel?

Hawaii because I've heard there are good waves to learn how to surf on....and good shops

6. What is your favorite color?

blue, green, purple and pink

7. What is your favorite food?

burgers and fries...granola and yogurt

8. What do you like to do with your sisters?

go play in the playhouse and swing on the swing

Christmas, this year....

Amongst all the happenings and holiday rush, I long to remember these dear little moments, that unless written down, will fade fast like the winter sun.  It is unfortunate to think that these special times will slip from my mind but I feel like that is the nature of motherhood.  It is filled with so much, all the time, it seems impossible to remember it all or depend on one brain to recall the times I hold so dear.  This year I want to remember...

the way she insisted on placing the star atop the tall tree.

her little wish on Christmas Eve 

the way she so carefully placed ornaments on the tree this year, aware of how far back to place them on the bough and spacing that would please the eye.

the glorious swirls of colors in the watercolor winter evening sky.

the Christmas Eve table adorned with all the special decorations I remembered as a child.  There's no place like home, even when you are grown.

an in-home visit by Santa arranged by her middle sister.   His homemade hat, beard and shirt were her creations to please the littlest one and boy was she excited.

the excitement over giving Daddy his gift and insisting that he open the first gift on Christmas morning.  Watching them get so excited about giving, delights me so.

watching her, watch them before school each morning.  She is in awe of those big sisters.

making gingerbread houses and fanciful little decorative creatures out of Fruit Loops, gummy rings, candy canes, marshmallows, pretzels, raisins, frosting and toothpicks at Grandma's house.

the way a paper flower crown transformed her into a dancing sprite amid the rooftops downtown.

a visit to see this enchanting old guy who charmed them all.

the way she packed all her little gifts from Santa into her sister's old backpack so she could be sure they went with us to Grandpa and Grandma's house.

three giddy girls ready to see Santa on a watercolor winter sky night.

the brightly colored flags that hung over the sidewalks on a little trip with the cousins.

watching our youngest make beautiful ballet memories downtown among the real ballerinas.

singing in the church Christmas pageant.  You memorized all the words and sang them so loud and proud.

baking and tasting our blue and white candy cane cookies for Santa.  Blue was the only color we had to dye the batter.  Who runs out of red and green?

running from bears.

the days of play beside the tree.

Far too long...Halloween fun

These little gnomes romped around the garden for Halloween this year in handmade outfits from their Nanny.  They were delighted to spread their garden cheer from door to door this year.

Their special dog helper was around to scare all the wild animals away.

her special day

Standing outside our sweet little church where I made my First Communion, she beamed to be wearing white with a new silver cross around her neck and taking a new seat at His table.  

We are ever-so-delighted to watch her grow in faith.  A most special day it was celebrated with her cousin and sweet comrade from church.

splendid autumn evening in the pumpkin patch

The old church pumpkin patch never fails to spread lots of fall spirit into our October.  Rows of pumpkins adorn the beautiful fenced front lawn of this beautiful old brick church in town.  

Each year, I enjoy this place a little more than the last.  Perhaps it is because I have years of memories to draw upon as we walk up into the rod iron gates of the churchyard.

Watching them do more of the picking this year was delightful as they measured and weighed all the options.

This one decided that getting a pumpkin about the size of her head would be a good idea.