we went to tea

Today we went to a tea party with 6 other moms & their daughters. A sweet lady at our church organized this. We are reading this book with our girls, Just Mom and Me Having Tea. The book has 6 chapters with a tea party to go along with each chapter. We've decided to do one tea party a month, so one chapter a month. I committed to doing this with my oldest daughter. Our first time doing the book (this morning...yet another area procrastinated) ended up being a really encouraging time for us both.  The book gives you several opportunities to exhort each other and build each other up.  I love that.  Each of the moms is going to host a party.  I chose the Moonlit Night Tea Party, which is basically a s'mores night in the backyard...fun!

she will always be my first

Exposure Time: 1/320 sec
Exposure Program: Manual
ISO Speed Rating: 320
Lens Aperture: f/2.2
Lens: 35mm (focal length equivalent 56mm on my crop factor camera)
6:06pm:  The sun is setting behind her.  The light in her eyes is the reflected light from the sky behind me.  I am trying to learn from the exposure info of my photos and others.  If it helps you, I'll post this info from time to time. :) Just let me know...

a favorite from today

I went to her Valentine's program at school today. It was a sweet performance, but my favorite part was the look on her face as she ran to give me this at the end. She is a loving little girl and I adore being on the receiving end. :)

my daughter took these

I was blessed by these 2 photos this morning.  My 5 year old took them of us.  Didn't she do great?!  I love our morning cuddle time.  On our home school days we ease into our day with pj's and snuggles (and coffee!).  I love these things.

i love mom

I have something big to share!  Huge.  Kind of gave it away in the title...

She now says, "I love mom."

You know, it often hits me how independent they already are and it can overwhelm me.  But then they go and start saying, "I love mom."  And I'm perfectly content with how old she is and how much she's not a baby anymore.  Just one of life's little rewards, I guess.

She also says, "I love dad" and "I love sissy."  But my other favorite is when we tell her we love her and she points to her chest and says, "I love me."  Classic, isn't it?  It makes me laugh.  (Yes, sometimes you love yourself too much.  It is true of me too, honey.)

tea for two

My daughter's school hosted a Mother & Daughter tea last Sunday afternoon. I jumped at the chance to have some one-on-one time with my oldest girl. We enjoyed tea & cookies for about 15 minutes and then I watched her play down in the creek for about 30 minutes (sigh). It's a little bit of a different era these days.  We can't keep the kids sitting too proper for too long and I'm kind of glad.  It was fun watching the kids be kids. I think she even thought I was a little fun that day...which is always a treat. :)

ah, that's my girl...

coffee with the kiddo

I wanted to document our impromptu mommy-daughter date from this weekend. I wish I could say this was planned & purposeful time with her. Honestly, I saw a coupon for a free cookie and kid's hot chocolate at Barnes & Noble...it just sounded like fun. On Saturday, while the other two were napping, we slipped away for a little time together. I am so glad that we did.

I gave her some money and she enjoyed purchasing the cookie-the-size-of-her-face, all by herself. She loves acting grownup. There are little adventures, like this, that are fun to witness. She was also proud of her whip-cream mustache.

We looked at books. I tried to be really excited about all of them (not so subtly trying to encourage a love for reading). The excitement rubbed off on her & she wanted to buy a load of books right then and there. I didn't see this coming (all the way)...and then had to act really excited about the library! This was when she got her first lesson on taking notes of book titles & authors, "We'll look them up at the library for free, honey, & we'll be able to enjoy more that way!" (wink, wink)

Next, she wanted to go to Oo La La. It's so funny to me that she loves this store. The truth is...the store owner bought her affection with lollipops. On this trip, her loyalty was sealed forever when the store owner gave her a "V.I.P" pin, which ensured that she could have as many lollipops as she wanted the next time she came in. That lady is brilliant!

As a little treat, I bought her a little beaded ring. We thought it was cute.

I got this one photo of her before we left. I see a hint of sweetness & a little mischievousness, behind that smile. It is so "her" to me.

mommy & daughter salon day

I have been waiting to cut this child's hair for a long time.  We had to have it long enough to put back for the recital.  Now summer is here & that called for a cute bob!  I found a deal online where I could take her to my salon and, with my haircut, she'd be free.  Sweet!  We just had to make it a mommy/daughter date.

She enjoyed a milkshake on the ride home. On the way back, I'm thinking (for the first time) what have I gotten myself into?? She can't get used to the fancy salon at age 3. Oh well, she's the middle-child...so she could use some extra-pampering, I concluded.

I should be embarrassed to admit this...but after all my haircuts I take a photobooth picture with my computer of the front & back. I always send it to my mom and sister...all girls do this, right? I also do it so that I can aspire to fix my hair like the stylist does. Anyways, she had to join me in my tradition and end our date with a few more pics.

getting ready

Dear Sweet Daughter,

Tomorrow morning you start Kindergarten.  I can't believe it!  We have spent all week getting ready and getting excited.  We picked out your backpack (purple w/ pink flowers, what else?), gathered your school supplies, and got your uniform ready.  Dad and I were proud of you when you met your teacher, Ms. Carlson, and you were very polite.  Your classroom looks great and you have 7 other girls in your class with potential to be close friends.  There are 5 boys to play with too, who are hopefully kind like our good friends Aiden and Kade.  It has been busy getting you ready for school, but when we slow down and talk - you express nervousness.  Your Dad and I have found it a privilege to be there for you in these moments.  We want you to know that we are here to help you and you shouldn't feel alone.  It is our desire to help you take this next step, and in so doing, take a step closer to being more dependent on God.  Tonight we asked God to give you courage tomorrow as you walk into an intimidating room with new people.  He can help you make a friend and learn your assignments.  He can help you obey the rules and respect your teacher, when you are tempted to make mischief.  We want you to know that this isn't easy for us either, and we are learning how to depend on God more as we see you growing up.

I am so grateful for you tonight.  I feel like its my first day of school too.  I have butterflies.  I want you to have a great first day, maybe even more than you want it.  And I want you to know...I love you so much.  I'll try to keep-it-together in the morning and not embarrass you too bad by taking many, many pictures.  But I can't make any promises there. 

Love you!

Mom

daddy/daughter date night

They had a daddy-daughter date this weekend. It sounded like a lot of fun (completely tailored to them) because they went on a "progressive-dessert" date at the mall. They apparently hit up three stands - candy, icecream, & pretzel! So fun to hear about their "sweet" time.