Max And Ella Go To The Fair

It was the best...

Our Girl, Age 5

Ella Vita, Age 5.

I meant to write you this on your birthday. But I didn't, did I? So I'm writing you now sweet girl. And you really are our sweet girl. When Daddy and I talk about you, the first thing we comment on is your tender heart. You are so kind and loving. And you know how to articulate this. You tell us all day long how much you love us and it fills my cup. "I'm so glad that you're my Mom and Dad's my Dad," you tell me over and over. Ella, I'm so glad that you're OUR girl.

You are so smart. These days you're a little encyclopedia and you overflow with tips and trivia. You teach me about the food chain, the solar system, and you make mention of the revolution and the red coats. I just nod my head, #i'mnotsmarterthanafiveyearold. Thank you Ruff Ruffman and Wild Kratts.

Some of your favorites: strawberries, chocolate, pink, fairies, the ocean, 'teenager shows' (on Disney channel), the library, catalogs that come in the mail (any kind, really), donuts, finger paint, doing dishes, and your FAMILY. You love your family- your brothers and sister, your Grandparents, your Uncles.

You are totally into dogs. I am not. But the joy you find in animals is a perfect example of how motherhood has changed me. I find SUCH delight watching you when you're happy. Even if it's over Chihuahuas.

Sometimes when I watch you I'm struck by your gorgeous face and huge smile. You are beautiful. But it's your kind heart that makes you stunning.

You enjoy girly things. You like pedicures and twirling in frilly dresses. While you play in the dirt and wrestle. You make it easy to go with the flow. I love watching you play with Maxwell. You are an encourager and you are genuinely happy for your brother when he does well. That's such a great way to show your love.


You start Kindergarten next month! I feel good about you starting because you are ready to grow.  You have a quiet confidence about you and you're a great leader for Maxwell. You will start school together and I am so excited for all the things you'll learn and friends you'll meet. You are gong to be amazing!

When I prayed that God would make me a Mama I knew parenting would be hard, but I had no idea how rewarding and fulfilling it would be too. In my worst moments I still find joy because of you and your brother. You have given my life a new purpose and reason. I am your Mama. Any sacrifice I make for you comes back to bless me tenfold. You make me want to be better at life because you're watching me. I'm modeling it all for you with my words, my choices, my relationships. I for sure fall short but you motivate me to try harder.

Thank you for your silly spirit and your gentle presence. You are so special to this family. Your middle name is Vita after your great grandmother, and it suits you well. Vita means life and you bring so much life to our home. You make us so happy.

Thank you God for choosing me to be her Mama. She is a gift and truly brings us such joy.

We love you Ella Vita.

...Maxwell's post next...

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.

April, 2014

I miss blogging. I miss writing. Feels like I never have enough time so tonight I'm starting with pictures from this weekend. My favorite thing about taking pictures is uploading them onto my computer. With each image I remember what everyone is feeling. This day we were happy, relaxed. Maxwell rediscovered his love for riding and Ella was his cheerleader. He gained confidence with every loop and she twirled around the property rooting for him and getting distracted by patches of wildflowers. Mike painted a new shed we built and I shaped hamburgers for him to grill. This is life these day. Routine, warm, dependable.

 

So much more to say. Hope I'll write again soon.

 

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. 

A Narration Of Photos

We made a pit stop before running to Costco earlier this week. I let Maxwell and Ella play for a few short minutes and then sly suggested I wanted to take a QUICK picture. Right on cue, Maxwell was ready to smile. Fake smile, but still a happy face.

 I started with the fail proof, "make a funny face!"

Which Ella took as 'give your Mama attitude.'Ha ha, very funny Ella.

He is slightly amused but more intrigued with the ice cream in the barn behind him.

Oh Ella, don't be so cranky.

Now really, such a fuss about nothing.

I must have made some lame attempt to get them excited here because sweet boy is all, "Sure Mom! But we do get ice cream after, right?" Meanwhile, Ella is practicing a sassy teenager face. But you can tell she kind of wants to smile.

 But the whole time Maxwell keeps saying "Mama, I'll smile!" And my heart melts because he's being so carefree and fun.

She still won't look at me but she's clearly daydreaming about something good. Like setting dogs free from the pound.

 Then I oblige Maxwell and buy them ice cream because he's being adorable and kind. But I only take pictures of Ella because I'm determined to get her to look happy. 

And after ice cream I stop trying and let them play. Which makes my boy smile for REAL. 

And distracts her from trying to look miserable. She finds a box of free tree trimmings and asks to bring some home. I obviously agree and she thinks I'm amazing for the first time today. 

She's very meticulous and calculated while choosing her treasures. 

This entertains her for 20 minutes while I alternate my time between watching her sweet face and catching glimpses of batman sprint between rows of Christmas trees. 

Then days later I upload these images on my computer and remember each one. And decide that while Ella's shots end up the prettiest, this very last one of Maxwell is my favorite. Even though it's blurry. Even though he looks goofy. Because this shot is what I remember about this day. My boy who can usually be very particular and sometimes difficult loved every suggestion I had. He loved the outing. He tolerated my camera. He smiled on command. And then he played. And asked me to play too. So I put my camera down and chased him. And those sweet pictures are the ones I have in my heart.