A Good Life . . .

Summer Locks

A few weeks ago Audrey started pleading for short hair (indicating she wanted it chin length).  While I love the girls' hair long, I'm also well aware that hair is not a battle I want to pick.  In fact, I credit my brother for teaching me that hair is an excellent way for a kid to express herself/himself (as my nephew Jason was often bleached blond or sporting a shaved head).  So, I was quick to give into Audrey's request . . . and I love her choice in summer locks.

I wasn't however, prepared for Amelia to request the same.  So, I convinced her to trim just a few inches . . . she'll get her way with her hair (just like everything else) soon enough.

Happy Easter

If I am eating jelly beans from my children's baskets as I type this post, does that make me a terrible mother?  In my defense, the Easter Bunny was good to them . . . and they need the help!  But if Amelia could see me know, she would look something like this.

I don't recall what exactly she was lecturing me about, but I will remember for some time to come that this was the first Easter when Amelia and I spent hours rehiding the eggs for each other.  Oh how I love finding Easter eggs, especially when they are hidden with pride by Amelia!

And oh how I love the joy on this face - if only chocolate was on the menu every morning!  

The Ducklings of 2012

Okay, so Audrey is starting kindergarten this fall and I know my years during which she'll participate and enjoy Duckling Day are numbered.  So, two facts I savored this year: 1) Audrey wanted the traditional costume and helped make it; and 2) Amelia soaked up every moment of Duckling Day and even wore her mask the entire parade.  I do love my ducklings!

And I remain a huge fan of Duckling Day!

Icing on the cake

Thanks to the generosity of our friends, we collected over 80 books at the girls' birthday party!  The girls will donate the books to Children's Hospital this week.

And I have to make a pitch for Piece of Cake, as they did an amazing job with the cake!

Many thanks to all for making it such a sweet celebration!

Just a "Little" Dance Party

My sweet Audrey turned 5 today!  And last weekend we had a "little" dance party to celebrate her birthday and Amelia's birthday.  The initial thought was that a joint birthday party would be easier.  I think I lost track of that somewhere along the way.  Nevertheless, "easier" was definitely replaced with "a blast!"  We started with an invitation bearing some artwork I discovered via Pinterest and secured persmission to use from the artist (who has an Etsy shop).

Then we added a few fun decorations . . . like candy garland . . 

birthday banners, balloons and pom poms.

We secured an adorable and outgoing 5 year old . . .

and an precocious and passionate 3 year old.

And then we secured a hip, local kids band, The Shazzbots, and invited just a few of our favorite people.  Okay, so we have a lot of favorite people!  Oh, what joy it was to see the kids dance like no one was watching!

At times they gave new meaning to the phrase "dance marathon."

And at times, they melted my heart.

The Shazzbots were perfect entertainers and consistently kept the kids engaged.

Oh, and I cannot forget.  If you every throw a kid's dance party, make a mental note - bubble wrap is a MUST.  Who knew?

While it thoroughly exhausted this mama, as I look back on the numerous happy, little faces, I am pleasantly reminded that it was TOTALLY worth it!  I hope your birthday wishes came true A&A!

Turning Three Looks Like This . . .

Birthday Balloon Pancakes

A birthday crown (which I did not make) and a shirt to compliment it (which I can claim as my own).

Hugs and kisses for loved ones . . .

and presents as well.

Of course, there must be birthday cake (or cupcakes), complete with birthday wishes.

Demonstrations of her skills on her new scooter were a must!

And we topped it off with our traditional birthday dinner at a local Italian restaurant, complete with the traditional orange afterglow from their delicious sauce.

The only thing that seemed odd about your birthday celebration, Amelia, was that you already seem so much older than three.  I love you, sweet girl!

 

Happy Birthday, Amelia!

Yesterday my baby turned three!  Below are just a few things that I want to remember about her at this age:  

1. My lap is never empty when Amelia is around.
2. Amazingly, she has patience for board games.
3. She likes to tell stories as much as she likes to hear them.
4. She love to pretend and rarely is just "Amelia" in our household.
5. She delights in being tickled.
6. She knows all of her sisters buttons and pushes them daily.
7. She redefines "independent." 
8. Her diction is amazing.  
9. She is hilarious and regularly makes the entire family laugh.
10. She enjoys baking and cooking with me.
11. I am oh so grateful that she puts things back where they belong.
12. She regularly says "thank you."
13. She regularly corrects me (and I expect that she will do so for years to come).
14. "Passionate" doesn't seem like a strong enough adjective. 
15. I will gratefully spend the rest of my life making sure that spark that defines Amelia, never fades.

Three girls

Earlier this week after dropping Amelia off at her classroom and while walking with Audrey to her room, Audrey said, "I want another baby sister!  I think you and Daddy need THREE girls."

I was just about speechless.  I'm sure I mumbled something about the fact that that wasn't going to happen.  But I'm also sure I was just mumbling, as she was skipping along daydreaming about taking care of another baby sister.  

When they are teenagers, and Audrey is ready to lose a gasket over Amelia taking yet another article of clothing without asking or having the audacity to think that she could tag along to party, I'll remind Audrey that she wanted two younger sisters.

A rat-a-tat-tat

"That Rabbit Belongs to Emily Brown" is a current favorite in our household.  In fact, Amelia can just about recite the entire book.  And if you're a guest in our house, you're likely going to be asked to read it.

Is there anything better than snuggling up and reading a book to your child?  And while I do love having both girls on my lap, the best is when it is just one of them and they lean their head back against my chest and get lost in the story.  IT. IS. PURE. HEAVEN.

This may be why I'm putting a bag of toddler books in the attic . . . books that are arguably too young for either girl.  I didn't have problems getting rid of clothes they've outgrown.  And toys, well, toys were easy to part with merely for the sake of having some sense of order in this house.  But books are a different story.  

I love that we read "old" books to the girls that both my mom and Cath saved for me and David.  So, I'll definitely save some books for the girls.  But if I saved every "favorite" book - good grief, a fourth of our attic would be an unused library.  And yet I can't give them away.  Not yet.  

So, for now I'll tuck them upstairs and fondly remember that I read "But Not The Hippopotamus" to Audrey hundreds of times, that Amelia could recite "Moo, Baa, La La La" very early on, and that she fell head over heals for Peter Rabbit.  And I'll dream about the girls sharing with their kids Emily Brown's advice regarding new stuffed animals - "Play with him all day. Sleep with him at night. Hold him very tight and be sure to have lots of adventures. And then maybe one day you will wake up with a real toy of your OWN."

A Perfect Mixture

Yesterday a fellow parent asked me if Audrey was a "girlie girl."  (At the time she was wearing a twirly pink skirt.)  I proudly shared that I thought she was a perfect mixture of princess and tomboy.  Can you see why I needed to snap this picture today?  And yes, she climbed it all by herself.

 I think this one sums it up as well.  Sleeping beauty . . . with a bad a@@ tattoo.