somewhere new

I love going somewhere new.  Such excitement awaits in these unexplored places.  The unfamiliarity around each bend peeks my curiosity.  What little pots of gold will we discover today?

Watching my children share in this excitement is such a treat.  Discovering tastes, sounds and sights that they never knew existed is delightful for a parent to watch.

I love to watch the light illuminate something so ordinary and make everything so beautiful.

I am amazed at how clear water can actually naturally be.

I love the way the sailboats sit silent and still in the harbor.

While travelling with children isn't really relaxing, it is wonderful to spend time together away from the distractions of home.

I love to stand back and watch -- watch the beauty of the people and their homes.

I am amazed at how the earth can entertain a toddler for many hours.

It is humbling to see how different we live but how similar we are.

But merely having the time to sit and watch your preschooler pretend is priceless.

And these happy faces never cease to make me smile!

early February rain

We love the rain!  Especially, when it is mild enough outside to enjoy it with an umbrella, rain-boots and pajamas on an early February morning.  I love the peace it brings to everything.  The calmness on a drizzly morning with light rain falling even seems to calm rowdy children.  I do hope we get lots more!

sweet dolls

For Christmas, I wanted to make something special for my kids.  I really wanted to make something with my hands {like I had imagined the elves do when I was young}, something that maybe my kids would cherish for years.  I found this pattern online and decided to give it a whirl.  I thought the finished product had that perfect balance of imperfect, sweet and whimsical.

The pattern was very straight forward for a novice and although it took me a few days to make them, they were fairly simple to make.

They seem to be just the right size for little arms and were incredibly fun to dress and make jewelry for.

I hope they will be used and loved and maybe, just maybe, cherished for many years.

celebrations

This happy birthday girl celebrated her special day with many of her sweet friends!  They bounced and ran and filled up on chocolate milk with fun toppings.  Our grand ideas of a hot cocoa bar were quickly changed  to cold chocolate milk when the temps hit 80 degrees!  Nevertheless, it was a wonderful afternoon spent with many loved ones and dear friends.

1-2-3

Our #3 is due to arrive late this summer!

This year...

This month, we celebrate you!

On this special birthday you, 

-wanted to hear about the day your were born

-you rode your bike for the first time on a walk with the dogs

-made dinner with mommy

-ate donuts with your classmates {and sister}  to celebrate your special day
-were proud to have your sister sit by you at school when we all sung "happy birthday"

-let me fix your hair different

-decorated your own cupcakes

-put your own candles in your birthday cupcake

-helped light the candles on your birthday cupcake

-really seemed to enjoy the birthday phone calls from family and friends
-were super excited to be measured on the garage wall and look to see how much you have grown since last year

-called Daddy at work to tell him that the reason you were crying so much when you were born was because you were trying to tell us that you loved us

-happily played with your sister in a cardboard diaper box

 

What is your favorite color?

purple, just purple

What is your favorite book?
Berenstain Bears

What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to be a Mommy.

What is your favorite restaurant?
Chick-Fil-A and burger fries

What is your favorite food at home?
beans and rice

What do you like to do outside?
play with my car

What do you like to do at school?
play ice cream
where do you play that?
sandbox outside

What is your favorite thing to wear?
a dress with a bow on it...and polka dots

What are your favorite shoes?
clip clops and sparkly shoes

What do you like to do inside?
play with my sister

What is your favorite toy?
the cash register

What is your favorite drink?
fancy drink that daddy give me at dinnertime

What time do you go to bed?
seventy-eight o'clock

What time do you get up in the morning?
forty-three o'clock

Where do you like to go in the car?
to my aunt and uncle's house

birthdays

We have been knee-deep in birthday celebrations this month.  This sweet baby doll has had 6 birthday celebrations this month.  I keep asking when her birthday is but the only answer I get is, "that was just her pretend birthday yesterday.  I think today is her REAL birthday."  I am not sure how much longer I can celebrate with her...