Quite the Father!

When some of our girl cousins came to visit recently, they camped out in the play room.  This was the sign they made to claim their territory:

If you can't read it, it says, "WELCOME to the sleepover if you are Stella, Sydney, Clara, Sammy, or parents come on in!!!!  No coming in if you are not a girl."

Ben was not impressed.

At all.

I was grinning from ear to ear as I listened to Ben and Clara bicker when Ben tried to enter the forbidden territory.  They were both so self-assured and logical in their arguments.  There was just a (sort of creepy) calm boldness from both of them.

Ben, "Let me in.  I need to get something out of there."

Clara, "I'm sorry Ben.  You can't.  You're not allowed in this room.  This is the girls' room."

"I can come in.  Step aside and let me through."

"But it's against the rules.  See?  Is your name Stella, Sydney, Clara, or Sammy?"

"No."

"Well then....the sign says you can't come in.  You have to listen to the sign.  It's the rule."

"Yes, but the sign says parents can go in."

"Well yeah....but you're not a parent, so you can't go in."

"I AM a parent."

"Ben....No you're not!"

"I AM a parent.  I am the Father of AWESOMENESS.  Now move.  I'm going in."

Clara's reply was the appropriate shocked look of awe and wonder.  With an argument like that?  Right off the top of his head?  He just might be right....he might be the Father of Awesomeness.

Step aside, ladies ;-)

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But You Can Call Me "Slacker"

As much as I'd like to be the blogger I once was, I'm just not.  I can't say that I'm all that sorry either.  Blogging used to be my way to "get out of the house" and communicate with the world.  Now....I more often actually get out of the house and communicate with the world in a face to face way.  I'm loving it. 

My husband said to me recently "You seem more whole than I've ever known you to be."

He's right.

What I do miss though, is the (mostly) permanent record I was keeping of my little family's life.  One of my favorite things is to look back through my old posts and photos.  It's amazing how time flies!  

I know myself well enough to know that I'm not going to get caught up any time soon -- my piles of old prints waiting to go in albums in the upstairs bedroom is evidence of my "slacker" tendencies.  But I don't want to completely let the memories be lost, so I'll do a quick overview instead...

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My baby boy is FOUR!  Holy cow - I just can't believe it.  He's the most loving, stubborn, energetic, and destructive kiddo I've ever known, and I wouldn't change a thing about him!  He is a whirlwind of exploration, destruction, and hugs and kisses....I don't know half the time if I should be hollering at him or giggling at him.  So most days?  I do both simultaneously :-)  I love you, little boy.  I can already see the courageous and fun-loving man you'll grow to be, and I am so blessed to be your Mama.

As a side note....the day of his party was one of my hardest days.  I was STUCK in San Francisco after an R+F event, and I thought I was going to miss his party because I would be getting in late.  If you saw a haggard looking, over-tired, WAY emotional woman blubbering her way through the SF airport....it was likely me.  I felt like a horrible mom, and nearly quit R+F all together.  Thankfully, I didn't miss his party.  Or quit R+F.  

Samantha decided that she didn't want to play soccer this last season - so she was my buddy as we sat and watched her siblings play.  There is simply no one who is easier to spend time with than my sweet little Sammy:

Ben is turning TEN this coming week!  And Clara can wear my shoes even though she's only 8!  I'm so proud of my kind-hearted, smart, wonderful big kids!

Clara came home with this little tidbit of joy....made my day:

Samantha took the lead of her older brother and sister, and started saving her money for her own iPod.  She worked and saved for over a year, and finally had enough money to make her purchase after her recent birthday.  Holy cow, I am SO proud of her!

Yup, Samantha is SIX.  Why does six seem like it's about 3 decades older than five?  She wanted a "flower" party with a daisy cake -- it was so fun to make it with her :-)  We also found a pink poodle pinata, which was just perfect for my little girly-girl.  Sammy is going through an interesting phase lately in which she HATES to be called "cute".

"Well Sammy, 'cute' is supposed to be a compliment.", I told her.

"But I don't LIKE it", was her reply.

"Okay.  What should I say when you look especially nice then?"

"'Pretty' or 'beautiful'.  'Gorgeous' works too."

Well, okay!!

Samantha -- I love your sweet spunk!  I love how you dance and sing and pretend.  You are a gentle and loving spirit, and I just wouldn't be complete without you in my life and heart.  I'm proud of you, my gorgeous girl!

My work with R+F is going great.  I love the people, the "work", and the perks.  I LOVE having a hope for our financial future that is now a joy to imagine.  And to top it off, I earned a free iPad from R+F last month!  My little heart goes pitter-patter every time the UPS guy drives by the house -- can't wait to get it!

Finally -- change -- change is in the air.  The season has changed.  The kids are growing.  The business is growing.  People in our lives are movin' and shakin'.....some in fun ways, some in painful ways, but all good.  I've been in the mood for change too.  I'm going to tackle painting the living room soon, but don't have time for that project today.  Instead, I settled on a new, shorter 'do:

Have a great day, bloggy friends!  Check back in another month or so for another update ;-)  In the mean time, if you'd like to keep in touch with me on a more regular basis, you can find me on facebook here:  Daiquiri fb

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Clara Rose {Eight!}

It just doesn't seem that long ago that my little Clara Rose was toddling around the front yard with the sunshine making her little pig-tails shimmer in it's warm light....

And now she's EIGHT.  She plays basketball.  She reads.  She takes showers instead of bubble baths.  We share socks...what is this time warp I'm stuck in?!

Someday, my kids will start wondering "who am I?" and "what am I supposed to be doing with my life?". I love to document their passions as children, because I want them to remember these things that make up the fabric of their lives.  

So, Clara, at eight years old you love....

Playing basketball:

Basketball was such a fun part of my childhood too - I played from 3rd to 11th grade.  This is the photo from my first year of bb - can you pick me out??

(I'm #5)

Well, you don't really LOVE homework, but you've sure become a hard worker!  I'm  proud to see you studying so hard...reading...doing math...making friends.  You're wonderful!  Do you remember this project, Sweetie?  You were "Star of the Week" in Mrs. Gottesman's class, and you had to make a diorama of a scene from one of your favorite books.  You made quite the "Pink Room" from Pinkalicious!

Another part of you that I'm so very proud of is your tender nurturing side.  You are quite the little mommy!  You love to help, encourage, and frankly...boss people around (I suppose just like your mommy)!  You have a tender heart that is often masked by your bold and enthusiastic side, but I see you, little girl!  I see your love and gentleness.  You take such good care of the people (and animals) in your life, and I love that about you.

As is our family tradition around here, we celebrated your birthday over the course of about a week.  There was the local Grandmas and Grandpas, the Wisconsin Grandparents, our little family, and your friends.  It was quite the event!

You were blessed with some wonderful gifts, like a new speaker set for the iPod you saved up for this year and a gorgeous hand-crafted pen from Grandpa:

Thomas just wasn't interested in a nice picture for your birthday.  That's okay - this is a better representation of our lives right now anyway!

 Instead of the traditional party we've always had, you opted for the big-girl party this year.  We had 4 of your favorite friends over, and I drove you girls to see "Megamind" at the theater.  Then we came back to the house for some more fun.  It was nice outside, so you girls spent a couple of hours running around the back yard:

And instead of cake, we did rice-krispy sculptures instead!  I scooped a big lump of warm and gooey treat on your plate, and you all made your own creations.

Well, most of you did, anyway.  *Some* of you just piled it straight into his mouth.

Sammy's flower:

When you learned that we'd be decorating with frosting and sprinkles later, you wisely made a "cave" that would obviously be filled with chocolate frosting ;-)  That's my girl!

And then the gifts...such generous friends!

And for dinner, it was Daddy's famous pizza.  He put on quite the show for you, and you each got to top your own pizza :-)

And then...the fun of decorating and eating your yummy sculptures!

My Dear, Sweet, Crazy Girl,


I'm crazy about you, Sweetie.  I love your spunk.  I love your courage.  I love your strong hugs and tender kisses.  I hope you know as clearly as Daddy and I do that the world is at your feet.  You have a big heart, big dreams, and an even bigger God...the sky is the limit!  


Whatever you decide to pursue in life, I'm behind you 100%.  Daddy and I are your biggest fans, and we're so very proud of you.  


Many hugs, kisses, and all my love,
Mommy

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