Happy Birthday Sweet Emme

I will never ever forget this third year of your life. How through most of it, you held my hand, hugged my neck and wanted to snuggle every chance you got.

It was such a special year, Emme, because you are a special girl.


You are my compassionate one, my spirited one, my independent one who likes to find her own way. Your imagination is contagious and indestructible. You love without limits, and what a love to aspire to. I have learned more from your ways than I could ever teach you as your mother.

Every dream I ever had my entire life about the little girl I wanted someday just can't compare with the greatness you turned out to be.








I will forever study the wonder that is you.
God gave me a beautiful, amazing girl. You were hand picked for us, for Ben, for me and Dad-O, for the world. 

You are going to do great things, Sweet Em.
Thank you for loving so good, so big, so pure. You are Heaven, our little Three Year Old.

Preparation

Every girl knows part of the party prep is getting yourself in order....

I would not consider myself a "high-maintenance"

 nor would I say I have good fashion sense 

and I am not"girly" by any definition of the word, 

but thank the good Lord my daughter is.....

We are still working on her painting skills, but what fun we had pedicuring for her party!

It was so cute to watch her carefully dip the brush into the bottle and place it on my toes, apologizing for every touch of pink on my skin.

But as she saw me respond with a smile and thank her for the beautiful job she was doing her confidence grew and she let loose. It was such a sweet mommy/daughter first-of-many moments.

 I loved seeing her proud little face when she was done, and I am so thrilled I was able to capture it on film.

could she BE any cuter?

Today we are celebrating Emme's Birthday.

It is the last year we will have a "just family" party.

And probably the last year we have a party on the actual weekend of her bday.

My poor girl was born during a time that too many other celebrations are occuring.

End of the school year, beginning of summer, opening of pools, first weekends at the lake.

I feel a bit like I failed her going into this day, for most invited will not be attending. 

But, as a lovely friend reminded me, her day will be as wonderful as we make it, no matter who is here and who is not here.

Nonetheless, I have one child who has a birthday in the middle of February when everyone is dying to get out of their routine and go to a "party"

and one who is coming into her new year while everyone else gets the hell out of dodge!

BUT

Is she not the cutest THREE year old EVER????

It is going to be a GREAT day!!!!!

our to-do list

What are you planning to do this summer?

Let Summer Begin

Yesterday was her last day of school, tomorrow will be his.

They have been "students" at this school all year long.

Some would probably ask why we spend the money for 9-12/three days a week when I am a SAHM.

It has been such a blessing in our lives, and I would trade it for little else.

Just a touch of socialization, cooperative play, exposure to having a teacher,

and all the other details in between.

I love that my kids already understand structure and routine, have learned to listen to other adults and have no problem with me leaving them....

reminding me "Mommy always comes back, right?"

They have learned to love other adults that are not family (and been loved in return), been exposed to kids that are different and similar them, and acquired skills I am not sure they would have in their set had they been learning from me.

I am so glad they have had this exposure to pre-school, and because it has been so positive for them, they associate school with positive feelings. 

What a priceless gift to give my sweet tag-a-longs. 

Thank you to Miss Ashley, Miss Joy, Miss Jessi, Miss Jeananne, Fisherman Todd, and Miss Kim 

for giving my children such a gift!

Happy

A few favorites from recent shoots.

Audrey is certainly correct, don't you agree?

in one week

my baby girl will be three!

excuse me while I go cry...

boring.............

Sometimes I fear they will look back on life...............

and think they kind of got the shaft...........

complain they never really got to do anything fun, or out of the ordinary.....

their parents needed to loosen up.............

let them be themselves, come out of their shells a bit.......

feel they lead an uneventful life.....

and wonder if they are so shy and timid......

because

their life was just 

SO BORING

Ordinary Life

Time stands still best in moments that look suspiciously like ordinary life. 

- Brian Andreas

A little silly, and oh so SWEET!

SCREAM

Stretch

Show off the faux-hawk

and kiss back

{sigh}

12 days old

his precious eyes looking right at me

safe in his amazing daddy's arms

the sweetest profile in all the land

a mother's LOVE

an ordinary day

The ordinary acts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest.

Thomas Moore

An ordinary day

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. 

{Mary Jean Iron}

Fearless

Jumping right in with the kids twice her age

taking on the fast and furious rides with ease

giving the conductors the thumbs up

letting her hair blow in the wind

I challenge you to find anyone else that can make an 18 wheeler look this cute!