Maxwell With No Training Wheels!

Maxwell,

A couple nights ago you asked your Dad to take the training wheels off your big boy bike. We've mentioned it to you before but you weren't ready. And that's OK. We've learned this about you. We can't tell you to do something until you feel comfortable. If we push too hard, you shut down and take three steps back. So we waited, and two nights ago you were ready. Daddy and I were sooo excited to see ride your bike without training wheels! You were amazing! Not just because you did it so easily, but because you were brave and tried something new. Last night you wanted to try again- and you did so well. We are so, so proud of you son. I love watching you do things for the first time. We love you!

~Mom

 

 

 

Backyard Fort

Last week Maxwell and Ella built a fort out of the junk odds and ends we have tucked away in the back yard. Every afternoon around 4 they've gone out and boarded their "Animal train," or "Animal playground." The name keeps changing. Six ripped chairs and two dog crates = endless playtime. Who knew.

 

 

Scout sitting on the sidelines. "What? Do I have something in my teeth?"

 

 

Listen as they try to agree on a theme song for the fort.

Big Girl, Little Toes

Mother's Day morning Ella and I snuck away to get our nails done. She had a gift certificate for a mani/pedi from her friend Landrie. Another first for little girl. I felt pure happiness watching her experience something new: the big comfy seat, itty bitty toes in warm water, choosing two paint colors because, why not? She couldn't stop smiling. I was beaming.

The nicest man took care of her. His four year old son sat patiently at the register as his Mom and Dad spent mother's day taking care of others. The boy came over to peak at Ella. They made eye contact and started giggling.

My pedicure was pretty nice too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Challenges For Myself This Mother's Day

With Mother's Day around the corner I've been thinking a lot about how I hope my kids see me. And lately, I've fallen short of being that Mom. Honestly, the older they've gotten the harder it is for me to stay patient when they misbehave (lots of talking back and whining). Today I'm praying for a patient heart. I'll never forget something I once read that said, 'People don't remember what you say, they remember how you make them feel.' I want my kids to feel safety and love when they think 'Mom'. I've been doing a lot of disciplining them, which is being a parent, but I want to correct them kinder, gracefully.

My heart is for Maxwell and Ella...
To hear a calm voice, even when I'm frustrated or angry.
To see more of my smile instead of my frown.
To find security in our routines, so they know what to expect no matter what mood I'm in.
To feel safe and giddy when I run to give their Daddy a kiss when he gets home from work.

When they think about our days,
I want them to think about dance parties in the kitchen.
More of me playing with them.
Adventures outside.
Laughter on car rides.
Counting, spelling, imagining.

I want to model treating people with kindness.
With my words and actions.
I want to be quick to forgive and quick to ask for forgiveness, including asking for theirs when I'm wrong.
I want them to see honest.

I want them to dream big.
I want to nurture their strengths and give them the gift of confidence.
I want them to feel heard.
Even if I don't agree with them, I want their voices to feel important, because they are.

Most of all, I want them to understand that I treasure the privilege of being their Mom. I know they won't remember all that we did these first years of their lives, but I want them to feel the foundation of love that we've built together.

I'll always fall short but I refuse to lower my mark. For today, it's starting simple. With an intentional choice of how I control my voice. To speak, not yell. To chose calm over chaos.

An Overcast Beach Is Better Than No Beach

I can't get it through my head that just because we're having a hot, sunny day here, there's a chance the beach 20 minutes away can be foggy and 15 degrees cooler. Like it was yesterday. But it didn't matter, any day at the beach is a good day.

This shot pretty much summs up their personalities yesterday. Maxwell was full of mischief. Landrie could barely tolerate his antics. And Ella was completely focused on their sand creation.

He could not pass by their sand castle without touching it. He just couldn't. 

Maxwell kills me when he's like this. He wasn't being mean spirited, he just wanted to play too. But not their quiet, organized game. He was temporarily distracted by writing his name and age in the sand. Then striking a killer pose. 

A little beach run.

 

I wanted a picture with them so Amy snapped this while they stood still. For one...

two...

three seconds...

...and...they were done.