An Early Mother's Day

(A week early is better than a week late...)

On this mother's day it feels especially important to me to honor the generations of women in our lives. It's incredibly special that Maxwell and Ella have relationships with their grandmothers and great grandmothers who nurture, guide and love them. It's beautiful to watch the multigenerational passing on of heritage, stories, and traditions. Even the simple recognition of quirks and mannerisms become significant when we match them to older family members.

Ella clutches her hands together, close to her body, just like Blano does.

Maxwell gets withdrawn and sad when visiting company leaves, "Just like Mike used to," Grandma Judie tells me.

Their influence is immeasurable to me as well. They affirm me at my best and recharge me at my worst. I take note of how they make me feel and tuck it my heart. Let me treat our children and their children this way! I SO value that they respect our boundaries and support our authority as parents.

I'm a big believer in, 'It Takes A Village To Raise A Child.' Because I don't think anyone can be too loved. So thank you to our mothers and grandmothers who love our children, uniquely, with all they have.

Happy Mother's Day to Nana, Blano, Grandma Judie and Noni.

Please don't be offended when the kids describe you...and say that you are all old and have dots. Kids say the darndest things ;)

Spring Break 2014

The impossible happened and I had two of my best friends come visit with all their kids. What do you get when you throw together seven toddlers, one infant and three best girlfriends? ...pink eye, early happy hour for moms, a few tears, LOTS of laughs, and an epic two night sleepover. It was amazing.

All Dressed Up

Ella and I shared such a special day together. I surprised her with tickets to the Nutcracker ballet. AND a fancy dress. I always dreamed about doing special things like this with a daughter.

 
I don't really wear makeup so Ella thinks it's a REALLY big deal when she gets to play with it.

 

 

Cookies at intermission.

Perfect little girl shoes.

 

 

Waiting for the show to resume. She packed her purse with treasures.

 

A special day that I'll always remember. 

Mario And Princess Peach

When it came to choosing costumes this year, Maxwell chose Mario. Obviously. Because he thinks he IS Mario. Which is kind of weird, no? What is the infatuation with a 30 year old plumber? Sure he shoots fireballs, but really I just don't think he's that cool. Which matters zero. So Mario was the clear choice for Maxwell and Ella went along with Princess Peach because any princess is magical to her. For the third year in a row, Grandma Judie made them amazing costumes. Check out years past she made of Buzz and Tink, and Woody and Jesse.

They were SO proud to wear their costumes to a Trunk or Treat last night. I intended to draw a mustache on Mario but then realized A. I don't wear makeup and didn't know what to use. B. Didn't feel like buying any. I'll find some for Halloween. Thank you Grandma J for their outfits!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Little Scavengers

Last week we went on a walk down the road. The familiar trail by our house became an adventure when we searched for signs of fall (thank you scavenger hunt from Pinterest). These weeks months are getting away from me and I have to force myself to get the camera out. Has instagram replaced blogging for anyone else? Lately the kids have LOVED watching videos of themselves as babies. I love it too. I'm trying to record them more to capture them at four, because all of the sudden they're little people. And soon they'll be five. Then twelve. But for now, four's good.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Hayride.

We're starting to think about Fall. I want to hang on to our gorgeous weather and play summer for another season, but the kids are anxious for change. They want to talk Halloween, changing leaves, and thanks to Costco... CHRISTMAS. IN SEPTEMBER. It's kind of gross that they have decorations out, but it makes the kids smile. So we're easing in slow. Starting with a hayride with old friends.