holiday weekend

This weekend has always seemed like the gateway to summer.  The weather is always warmer, school is out (for the most part), and the days are long giving way to lots of time to just enjoy the breezy warm evenings.  With thoughts of summertime, the beach always seems to creep into my mind.  Those carefree days of smooth sand, rhythmic swooshing waves and the water delight my every sense. 

I yearn for those simple days: watching a man tend his tables by the sea, sandy little feet, pails and shovels, endless sand digging, seagulls gliding and the feeling that nothing is more important than just watching my babes by the sea.

But for now, we will just enjoy the little molded plastic pool that sits on the back deck just beckoning for the little people to fill it's textured bottom.  The Adirondack chairs are more comfortable than beach chairs anyway...

Enjoy your long weekend whether it be far away or at your own little oasis at home.

summer accessories

With the return of the heat, comes the return of all the summer accessories.  Our summer accessory staples are hats and sunglasses.  I have a thing for kids and hats.  They are just too cute to pass up.

This little one was proud to show off her sister's summer accessories on a recent outing.  Fashioned all by herself, she wore these items for hours, incredibly proud of her summer accessories.
























I think classic floppy straw hat and retro Wayfarer shades are the perfect classic summer accessories!

JCrew

   Ray-Ban

Here's to enjoying some of your favorite accessories on the brink of summer!

holding back laughter

I was overcome with hysterical laughter this morning at church.  I realize that during a church service is not the best place to be consumed with hysteria, tears and laughter but that is where it happened.

As we were sitting below the altar listening to the children's sermon {at our church, the children are called up during the service to hear the children's message -- most parents come along to sit with their children, or in my case, to manage the behavior of my little one}, my babe decided that she needed to go back to our pew to retrieve her diaper bag.  I confidently ignored this behavior and decided that I would model proper behavior during the children's sermon rather than cause a scene in front of the entire congregation.

After a minute, she trudged back up to the font of the church dragging her diaper bag behind.  I acknowledged her reappearance and asked her to sit and listen to the pastor's message.  She stubbornly sat down behind me with the diaper bag.  She beamed with smiles.  Again, I neglected to listen to that little voice inside and just ignored her behavior.  Model, model, model...and maybe, just maybe she would do what she should and sit nicely and listen.

via

Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that my girl was laying a diaper out on the floor.  I felt hot redness surging all over my body.  But again, I chose not to engage her...at least she was quiet.  I looked again after I noticed a fellow mother catch my eye and giggle.  When I turned around my girl was laying down on top of the diaper and grabbing her crotch and laughing.

via

I lost it.

  

Laughing...

Hysteria...

Disbelief that this was MY child...

Embarrassment at what others might think of MY behavior...

Tears streamed down my face worst than a good cry...

 via

I quietly told her that I could not change her diaper {which was not wet, by the way} and asked her to put her things away.  Again, I turned my back and out of complete desperation, I just listened to the end of the story.

When it was time to return to our pew, my girl had put all her things away and emphatically insisted on dragging the diaper bag back to the pew.

When I sat down, I breathed a huge sigh of relief. 

Hallelujah!  

Dear me, under pressure, I don't do well and it seems that laughter always erupts.

time with you

I recently had the pleasure of traveling with you...just you, just us, alone. It was refreshing to be able to spend the time listening to your stories, pretending, coloring and visiting a new place and two familiar faces.

As we searched for our plane, you told me all about the airline we would be flying on.  You chanted "I love flying Southwest Airlines!" {probably because your Daddy told you if you said something of the sort, you might just get a lucky set of wings...poor kid, never got any wings.  I guess they don't give them out to excited kids anymore.} 

You got giddy and a bit silly when our plane arrived at the gate.

You were very serious about getting to your seat by the window and getting your seat belt buckled.  You listened to the flight attendant's instructions about "safety in flight" and insisted that we follow along with the safety card found in our seat-back pocket.

  You were curious about the drawing of people sliding down slides into the water and I had to explain that a plane COULD need to land somewhere other than the airport.  You were a bit worried about that but thankfully the new package of markers sitting in your lap diverted your attention away from that situation.

Tasty little snacks of honey-roasted peanuts and plane-shaped crackers were a welcomed treat mid-flight, especially because we had quickly exhausted the newness of your marker set.

At our destination, you confidently rode all the escalators with me {only hesitating a bit as we got on}.  You loved walking on the moving walkways that zoomed us across the airport in no time.  

Soon, we were there!  We made it to the place we had talked about for months.  Everything in a new place seems to excite all the senses at once, making for a very stimulated and tired preschooler. 

 The air was cooler,

 the smells of your backseat buddy were unfamiliar, 

the sights were magnificent,

 the tastes were new and wonderful

 and the sounds of children playing by a mountain stream were quite different from the sounds we encounter on a daily basis at home.

But the highlight was seeing these dear folks who are missed so much back home!

And Momma sure enjoyed spending the time with her sweet girl.  

The end.

Today is my girl's last day of her first year of preschool.  I can't believe it went by so quick.  It is sort of bittersweet to see this first experience with school come to an end.  It marks change.  Change that otherwise goes unnoticed when we get busy with the day-to-day duties of motherhood.  My girl is growing up and facing that sometimes tugs at a Momma's heart.  Her little neck has lengthened, her legs are longer, her face is missing the pudginess of babyhood, she is more poised and she just looks older.  How did all that happen in less than a year?  I have gotten that familiar feeling welling up in the back of my throat this week, you know, that feeling that makes it hard to swallow...the feeling just before the tears.  I am hopeful I can push that aside today and just celebrate.

She has grown and changed so much with the loving guidance of her 2 fabulous teachers.  They always seemed to know just what she needed:  a little push to try something new, the safety of playing by the teacher on the playground, gentle reminders when an overactive imagination takes over, art...lots of art, a smile each morning when she was hesitant to come in the door, freedom to play and learn and warm hugs, just because.
We will miss them so much.  Their loving arms have carried this girl through a year of many firsts.

She learned from so many great experiences and meaningful play, rather than worksheets, 

which I am so grateful for.  

She learned to love school this year.  That is the most wonderful gift any parent could ask for.

I am so appreciative of those who strive to create a nurturing and positive environment for all children--

I know it builds confident and happy people.

Thank you everyone for the best first year!

happy happy

Happy, happy Mother's Day to all of you who have ever,

held a sleepy newborn against your bare chest

run after a diaper-less toddler in the middle of an unsuccessful diaper change

looked into the eyes of a child and been so amazed at their growing little spirit

taken a long deep breath after a child has uttered hurtful words at you

held onto a little flower a child has picked for you

enjoyed the feeling of little hands tugging at the bottom of your pants {for the 100th time that day}

been summoned in the middle of the night by a sick babe

gone back to check, just once more, to be sure they are still breathing at night

proudly hung little bits of growing art on your fridge

cried because you have been so disappointed by that uncontrollable tantrum

left the kitchen a mess and the laundry unfolded to just play and pretend 

felt guilty at the end of the day because you did the dishes and folded the laundry but didn't play with your kid

been afraid to cut your baby's locks for fear that the curls wouldn't return
beamed with joy when you child said "thank you" without your nudging reminder
felt so complete with that little head nestled against your neck
and loved so much more than you ever thought you could love.

Happiest Mother's Day wishes to you!

for you...yes, you

Twig & Thistle

Just because we all deserve a little extra quiet this weekend....

Download this fun little DIY door hangar for a peaceful start to your Mother's Day Weekend!  The hangar is a free download from Twig & Thistle.

Enjoy!