our little shoe fairy

This little one just recently began wearing shoes.  Her first real pair of shoes graced her pudgy little feet well after she was a year old.  No, I am not one of those Momma's that insists their child go barefoot until 3...shoes have never been a necessity for this third because she walked so late and hated having anything on her feet since she was tiny.  Why add to the list of stuff to do before you go when you can just leave the baby barefoot?  That's my mantra.

  Over the past few weeks, a new obsession has emerged from her funny personality.  

This girl loves her shoes.  As soon as they are slipped on her feet, she struts around looking down at her feet and then back at me for approval.  I never remember my other children getting such a kick out of anything on their feet.

 Just before we leave, I always tell the older children to get their shoes.  In recent days, our little shoe fairy has begun taking her shoes out of the shoe basket and bringing them to me when it is time to leave.  Today she even began gathering her sister's shoes for our departure.  

I love when the little ones began to catch on in their own little ways.  Their personalities peek through little cracks here and there and bit of themselves are divulged.  

And thanks for trying to help your Momma get out the door on time, little shoe fairy!

at last!

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At last a distinct change in our weather has signaled Autumn's arrival.  We drink up the cooler breeze and chilly mornings outside on the patio before school.  The kids huddle together underneath a down blanket because the feeling of this "new air" is foreign to their tanned summer skin.  I find myself dreaming of what autumn leaves must look like up north and eyeing the landscape here for signs of rusty red, orange and yellow leaves to appear from some of the trees.  The abundance of apples in the produce section of the grocery store signals a change in our eating habits too.  Sweet summer berries fade and vibrant colored apples and pumpkins take their place.  We are ready for this wonderful new season and look forward to many more seasonal treats from Mother Nature in the months ahead!

best of friends and worst of enemies...

I would venture to say that most of you feel this way about your childrens' relationships.  They are either the best playmates or the worst enemies.  This summer was no different.  They played like soul-mates some days while creating magical little imaginary worlds and games together.  But lately, it has been the total opposite.  Crafty little mind games have hurt feelings, hair pulling and shoving has replaced those magical afternoons of play.  Jealously has reared it's nasty head and it seems we can't go a minute without an argument over a toy or a little sister.  Whew!  I am ready for a change!

Maybe some cooler weather and different school schedules will do the trick! 

little dreams of ballerinas

"I liked everything that touched fantasy and beauty."

-Jacqueline de Ribes-

We recently had a little glimpse of real ballerinas...  

real tutus and ballet shoes,

  graceful men and women that twirled and danced effortlessly,

beautiful classical music,

and amazing talent.

I was delighted to be able to show my little dancer how real ballerinas danced and what they wore.  

She danced that night trying so hard to tippy toe around while twirling gracefully.

She stopped to answer questions from curious sisters and even laid out some costumes for us to see.

What a beautiful impression the real ballerinas made on this little one.  I am grateful for the talent they share with their youngest admirers.

first steps

They are wobbly, uneven and completely without rhythm.  

Yes, those first few weeks of beginning to walk are quite amusing. 

You saunter here and there.  Sometimes you make it to your destination and other times you literally fall short.  Most often you are patient and happy to get up and try again but other times you cry and scream out of frustration.  I often catch myself jolting my head around when I catch a glimpse of a little mop of curls coming toward me--I find myself thinking, "I can't believe she is really walking."

Take your time sweet girl.  I know you want to run to keep up with your sisters.  We adore your uncoordinated first steps and look forward to watching you grow more confident on your little feet!

her day

She was up bright and early to meet the sun on her first day.

After much anticipation, her first day of school finally arrived.  She eagerly asked about this day everyday last week when we saw her older sister off to school.  Waiting a whole week was hard for this #2 who excitedly follows in her older sister's footsteps.

On her day, she marched right into her new classroom, greeted her teachers with a drawing and a hug {this is definitely her trademark...a hand-drawn picture for all teachers and a hug}.  She proudly found and showed me her cubby and confidently hung her backpack and set her lunchbox in the top.  She was off, and didn't really even look back.

She was delighted to share a class with her best bud and other friends from last year.  She talked about playing in the sandbox, racing cars and putting puzzles together with her sweet friends.

After reading "The Kissing Hand," her teachers asked her how she felt about school.  Loud and proud she exclaimed, "excited!"

I am thankful for a happy start to a new year at school!

summertime rites of passage

My big girl is extremely cautious just like her mother.  She is always thinking ahead and seems to foresee the worst possible scenarios when it comes to physical activities.  Unfortunately, I think this has kept her from confidently mastering new skills.

This summer was different.

She seemed to be in just the right place to master some new skills we have been working on for a few years.  Thanks to some loving and patient teachers that didn't let her give up, she now swims confidently and independently!  And this afternoon, she took that first ride on her bike without and adult hands holding on.

 

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We are delighted that you have mastered such wonderful physical skills this summer.  They will continue to bring you joy and exercise throughout your life!