Tea

Oh how lovely it was to sip tea from my Grandmother's tea set at my niece's birthday party.  Just having my hands encircled around her dainty tea cups with the sweet floral pattern and gilded rim, made me so happy and feel her presence around me.  I adored my Grandmother and miss her all the time.  She did everything right in my world and was such a friend to me.  To have tea with her again would be the most lovely treat in all the world!

her turn to celebrate

10 days after her sister, she finally gets her celebration.  It seems like an eternity to an almost 3-year-old, but a combined swimming birthday party helped ease the 10-day wait.  Yes, this year, she shared a birthday celebration with her sister.  They celebrated with all their close friends and siblings at a favorite public pool. 

She and her sister were delighted to have cookie cake for the special occasion.  She was a little unsure about blowing out her birthday candles alone because of almost burning her hair while helping her daddy blow out his candles a few months prior.  Thankfully, her eager sisters were close-by to help.

 This year you were overjoyed to open cards and "read" them.  You seemed to enjoy this more than the unwrapping of gifts.

On the day of your actual birthday, your sisters thought a birthday morning donut was in order.  You picked a chocolate sprinkle donut to devour.

Your 3-year-old measurements were added to the wall in the garage along with your sister's.  You were so excited to be included in the annual birthday measure.

We adore your strong mind, sweet manners, feisty and fearless personality but kind heart.  Although you are quite stubborn and strong, you take such great care with others and your kindness beams like rays of pure sunlight from gray clouds.  We love you, kid.

Your first annual birthday questionnaire:

1. What is your favorite color?

Yellow

2. What is your favorite food?

Burger fries

3. What is your favorite thing to play?

Blocks with daddy 

4. What do you like to do outside?

Swing 

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

Myself

6. What is your favorite book? 

George

7. What would you like to do this year before you turn 4?

Go in daddy's car

There they go...school days, once again

Little bits of me left this morning and trudged up the sidewalk to the entry of school.  First and third grade await them this year.  I could tell they were both a little ball of nerves, working hard to hold it all together...just like their momma.  

Carefree and excited about her first grade teacher helped this little one bounce into school without too much worry.  After all, she has known her teacher since birth and we are delighted she can share in the rearing and education of our middle girl.

My big girl was equally delighted to know her teacher as a fellow Girl Scout's mom.  Unfortunately, she was a little worried about her classmates and lack of close friends.  Thankfully, her day seemed flawless and she even came home and told me about it...a rarity, for her to discuss her days away from me. 

When I begged to take her annual back-to-school photo in the front lawn before school, she request no photos but instead picked a flower (that matched her dress) for me to photograph.

We are grateful for new school years with dedicated and nurturing teachers guiding the way.  As we slowly transition from summer hours and sleep schedules to school schedules, we will delight in each new day and the beautiful treasures that await!

these are the nights I will remember

Slow summer evenings with lots of time for sisterly reading enjoyment, make us all so happy.  Without the evening rush to get everyone in bed on time, we take more time to let them just be themselves.  On this evening, I found these two cozy in the rocker sharing a story.  She is a wonderfully patient big sister who adores her sister.

the night before she is three

Tomorrow she will no longer be our two-year-old.  She will gain a notch on her belt of years, be ready for more and so happy to hold up another finger when someone asks her how old she is.

As she yearns to fly fast through these younger years, I can't help but want to hold on tighter than I did with the others.  There is something about the "baby," and knowing this is the last that seems to put everything into perspective.  Tomorrow, we will sing, celebrate, blow out candles, open presents and hold you tight.  We are delighted to celebrate you, dear girl.

Off we went...

Off we went in a loaded mini-van with 3 car seats strategically placed, lots of snacks, books, road trip games and movies.  We had a 1,200 mile journey to the other end of the United States.  We decided to split the driving up between 3 days to keep our sanity with 3 children.  Overall it was very manageable with grandma, mom and three kids.  I forgot how much kids this age love hotel rooms.  

As soon as we hit the north shore, there were out skittering over the rocky shoreline to look at the city in the distance.  By day #3 they were ready to run and be free.  Thankfully this is the best place in the world for that -- so much of their imagination is nourished here.  Everything else in the world back home seems to fade away.

They roam through the green woods by the big lake and discover magical mushrooms, fairy homes, beautiful views and lots of flowers.

She wanders through the field of daisies outside our little yellow cabin.

We picked the last of the season's ripe and very sweet strawberries for dinner.

They adore the rides behind the tractor in the late evening.  Sometimes they even venture over the railroad tracks to the other side of the drive.

 A walk down the path to the road and over to the candy store is the best treat for a quiet afternoon.

The bear woods just outside the candy store is a favorite whimsical place to enjoy a sweet treat and play for the afternoon.

The front porch of the old one-room-schoolhouse is her favorite place to tricycle carefree in the morning sun.

  Bouquets of wild daisies grace our dinner table.

She becomes wild and free as nature draws her in and allows her to forget all the insignificant things.

Yes, summer doesn't ever seem complete without at trip up north to bask in the warm sun, wander the beautiful woods, collect perfectly round rocks off the beach, delight in the latest sweets from the candy shop and just enjoy sweet time with our family.  It is my favorite place in all the world and definitely worth the 3 day trek across the US.

No. 2 celebrates

Our dear no. 2 celebrated a three letter birthday this month and couldn't be happier.  She carefully marked the days on the calendar beside her bed.  Several days before her big day, she woke me early in the morning to tell me that she had carefully counted and recounted only to find that her special day was 5 days away!  She skipped around the house that day, as if she floated on the air beneath her feet. 

On her day, we woke up early to make her favorite muffins.  She and her little sis insisted on jamming as many candles as they could in the mini muffin.  She was delighted to watch the flame burn from the tiny muffin on the pale pink glass plate.

A stack of hand-wrapped and decorated gifts were lovingly prepared by her sisters.  

 Her sister watched carefully as we measured on the wall of the garage.  She has grown so much this past year.  I think big sis was a little worried that her little sis was catching up to her mark on the wall.

Dear girl, we are delighted to celebrate your joyous and carefree self.  You radiate happiness and optimism daily and are the most generous child we know.  

Now, for the annual birthday questionnaire:

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

A vet that takes care of lots of animals

2. What is your favorite color?

light blue

3. What is your favorite food?

potatoes, you know, sweet potatoes that you make in the oven...like orange fries

4. What is your favorite game?

make up games

5. What is your favorite place?

home, because my family is there

6. What is your favorite restaurant?

Canes -- chicken & fries

7. Where would you like to go on a vacation?

a cruise because it takes you to the beach

8. What is your favorite thing to do outside?

singing to the birds

9. What is your favorite movie?

The Little Mermaid