recital

Today, you danced on stage for the first time.

You eagerly counted down the days until your first dance recital.

Special tights, shoes and costumes were donned for the occasion.

New little friendships emerged from the hearts of excited dancers.

Happiness flowed from the smiles of the little dancers and their families after the dance was over.

A combination of accomplishment, relief, excitement and joy filled their little tap shoes on stage today. 

We were so proud to come see our own little dancer.

Bravo, my dear!

September - May

It's here.  The finale of her first school experience.  It is met with joy over her successful year with two amazing teachers that nurtured and guided her every step of the way.  I love these two ladies so much and am so grateful they took the time to love and teach our girl this year.  

I am sentimental to see it come to an end.

This little girl has learned to love school this year and we are delighted!

Yesterday I was Mommy

Yesterday, I was Mommy.  

I took a break from my various other jobs that seem to tie up my days and just enjoyed my kids.  Chauffeur duties ceased, the laundry piled up from the week, dirty dishes filled the sink and the floor was littered with toys and food.  

It was a sweet reprieve to take a hiatus from our busy days and just focus on being Mommy.

We took a hike in the woods and found various woodsy treasures to adorn our fairy houses.  

Sweet smells of cookies baking filled the house.  

Little bakers eagerly helped make oatmeal raisin cookies.  

Mud pies were made and set out in the afternoon sun to dry.  

We laid out a blanket on the back lawn and told secrets under the trees.  

We stared up at the clouds and found little creatures lurking in the sky.  I pushed giggly little girls on the swing for hours.  

We read books together.  They loved the time together.

As I looked into their smiling eyes alive with closeness and affection for me, I realized that this is what we all needed this Mother's Day.  Uninterrupted time together pulled our hearts closer and wound us up tight in a little ball.  We are close again.

These years go fast.  Faster than I ever imagined.

Yesterday reminded me of how fragile and fleeting this time as a mother of little ones is--it reminded me of how precious their little lives are to me.  Getting caught up in the daily grind of chores, errands, appointments, routines can sometimes take over and diminish all that is charming about these years.  Taking a day to remember why I am Mommy and why I love to be their Mommy was just what I needed.

All I could think of last night as I went to bed was this funny little quote about motherhood:

"The days are long but the years are short."

Boy is that true!  

Hope you enjoyed time as a mother or with a mother yesterday!

  

nine

This month you continued to move about with great speed on your belly.  Toward the latter part of the month, you began getting up on your knees and rocking back and forth.  Occasionally, you would lunge forward with great force only to land head face into the carpet.  When you really need to move you just lay down on your belly and "army crawl" wherever you need to go.

Your first little tooth popped up mid-month just like both your sisters teeth did.  8 1/2 months seems to be the time when little teeth pop up at our house.

Your hair has become more unruly with added length and texture this month.  I usually pull it over to one side and use a barrette or bow to keep it out of your eyes.

The usual blue variety of spring flowers were almost nonexistent this year.  I dashed around one morning while your older sisters were in school to find some sort of spring flowers worth stopping for.  I desperately wanted at least one photo of you in the local spring flowers.  The old suitcase did the trick and kept you in one spot while I snapped away.  You were so interested in the flowers and kept trying to eat them.  Our little outing was short-lived after you figured out that you could climb out of the suitcase and into the field of flowers.

We said goodbye to your best bud this past month.  I know you miss him on your daily trips from the living room to the front hallway.  I am so happy to were able to know him even if it was only for a short period of your life.

A Woodland Faerie Adventure

Buttercups in the sunshine look like little cups of gold.

Perhaps the Faeries come to drink the raindrops that they hold.

~Elizabeth T. Dillingham, "A Faery Song"

These three little faeries recently had a chance to witness the enchantment of faeries and their homes at a local botanical garden that hosted a faerie trail for a few months this spring.

Little faerie homes were tucked in among the greenery and trees for curious little children to find.

Dressed in their best fairy gear, our little faeries ran down the paths looking for faerie homes and gardens.  Soon, everything in the garden took on a magical quality.  Little streams and waterfalls were delightful places for faeries to swim and play, flowers were floating boats and the most ordinary rock or stick became some sort of faerie habitat.

It was wonderfully magical for two mommas to watch.

I have a feeling we might find some faerie homes in our yard too!

today

Today.

Today you laid on the grass in the midday sun with the warm spring breeze blowing through your fur.  You closed your eyes as you laid back and the sun put you to sleep.  

You ate shredded chicken from the palm of my hand at noon after you decided not to touch it from your dish.  

You enjoyed going out in front to roam the front lawn and sniff all the doggy smells.

You laid in the front doorway with your brother and gazed out at the street.

You relaxed as I brushed the tufts of fur off your back.

You stood in the font entry with your little sister who was dressed up and pretended you were her magical horse.

You didn't seem to mind him licking your ears and leaving them wet with drool.

Even today, when your shrinking body had trouble keeping up, you stood at the backdoor and waited for permission to enter.

You looked up at me as if you knew today would be your last here with us.

Today, he will take you on one last road trip 250 miles north to be buried with your sister.  He will take great care digging a hole deep enough for your fragile body.  He will gently lay you in the earth and say goodbye one last time.  There, you will rest peacefully by the lake and we will always remember you.

You've been with us since our beginning...

Without you, there wouldn't be us.

We love you sweet boy.  We will never forget you.

Nursery windows...

Today, we stood outside those thick glass nursery windows and awaited the glimpse of a pink baby and proud daddy.  As they walked in, we watched with amazement as they brought her over for us to see.  Our hearts fluttered with great joy as she was held up to the glass.

You stood at the window's ledge for entire the bath, assessments, pokes and cleaning.

We were in awe of such a beautiful little baby...grateful for her safe arrival.

I am always amazed at what an extraordinary event a birth is -- it is unique and special each time.  Even though giving birth is probably the most ordinary and common thing that happens on this earth, witnessing it is unparalleled and so incredible.