more

I remember the day each of my children learn to sign more with their hands rather than scream and cry for more food.   I more vividly remember the day each one of them transferred the sign of more to something other than food.

For my first babe, it happened on a warm spring day on the lake.  We had been boating and when we all decided to stop for a break, she proudly turned to us and signed for more.  We were delighted and the boating went on all day.  

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My second is a bit more fuzzy of a memory clouded by many sleepless nights, but I do remember her love of swinging on our backyard swing.  She enjoyed swinging so high for a little toddler of just a year.  We would stop the pushing and she would come to rest on the swing and then quickly sign for more.  She swung high and fast many afternoons.  

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My third girl just did it tonight.  It brought such happiness to me to watch her communicate her wishes to me through signing for something other than food.  We sat in the rocker together before bed and I began to sing some lullabies before putting her to bed.  As we rocked and I sang, she gently put her head down on my shoulder.  By the time the song was over, I thought she had fallen asleep.  Just as I stopped rocking to get up and put her to bed, she jolted upright and starred me in the eyes.  I then noticed her little hands signing more.  I was overjoyed to know she wanted me to sing more.  I continued to sing through my repertoire of songs and she kept signing more at the end of each one.  It was a delightful exchange I will never forget.

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This wonderful little transitional time between signing and talking is ever-so-sweet.  I am enjoying it more than ever with No.3.  Perhaps, it is because I am aware of how sweet but fleeting this beautiful time is, plus the memories of No.1 & No.2 pop up and accompany No.3's experiences and add to all the joy. 

Go ahead and ask for more.  I am excited to communicate with you, my dears.

accessory...

As I rushed around and got myself Sunday-ready in 5 minutes, I thought to myself how funny it was that all of my children were perfectly dressed.  They all had ironed dresses on, brushed hair with bows, shoes that matched and faces wiped clean from breakfast.  I, on the other hand, hadn't given any thought to what I would wear or the 2nd-day dirty head of hair on my head.  I quickly dashed around my room and found a suitable dress, pulled my hair back and applied mascara and a bit of blush.  

That morning, I felt so disheveled.  I wasn't even wearing a necklace or some cute shoes.  I was slightly irritated with myself for not planning ahead the night before like I always do.   As I sat in the car on our Sunday morning commute, I realized that as a mother, my children are my accessories.  They are the jewels that make me smile and sparkle even when no time has been devoted to myself.

I felt more beautiful that morning with very little that had been planned or put together into some great outfit.  At my side and on my hip, these little ones are the jewels and sweet nuggets of happiness that even the best outfit and shoes couldn't replace!

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!