Lessons Learned

Dear Little Tiger.

You taught me two lessons today.

The first.  That lying to you about future immunization shots just might be better than telling you the truth (sometimes even I wonder what I was thinking…).

The second.  That hugs (lots and lots of them) really do make anything all better.

I love you little one.

Our ride to school today

Dear Little Tiger.

Today we took our neighbor to school.  One of my favorite things to do is drive you and your buddies to school.  The conversations you have with each other – priceless.  Talk about zebras, Pennsylvania, flower girls, Despicable Me, yellow Easter eggs, and giggles – lots and lots of toddler-sized giggles.  Beautiful music to my ears.

You, on your own with your own friends, with no big sister around to boss you – it’s a treat to see your personality shine.  Makes this momma proud.

Playing in the snow

Dear Little Bird.  Dear Little Tiger.

Your very first time tubing.  Weather was perfect.  Snow was perfect.  Company was perfect (it was a good thing Auntie came with us – there was no way I was going to haul three tubes up and down that hill).  I didn’t expect you guys to love it so much – silly me.

We tested the hill out first by going down tandem.  But before long you insisted on going down the hill all by yourselves.  Wow.  Later you told me you were trying to knock down the man at the bottom of the hill.

Let’s do this again soon.

How to make a cork necklace (aka: how to get fancy)

Dear Little Bird.  Dear Little Tiger.

Rainy day afternoon crafts are where it’s at!  And crafts that result in fancy, hand-crafted jewelry?  Even better.

Inspiration found here.

It’s always a great day for the beach

Dear Little Bird.  Dear Little Tiger.

You love the beach.  You love the discoveries to be made.  The balls to throw.  The chasing to be done.  The sand to feel and the water to run away from.

You don’t mind the wind.  You don’t notice the rain.  You don’t even mention the sun hiding.  It’s all you’ve ever known.  This coast belongs to you.

 

 

Auntie’s Cupcakes

Dear Little Bird.  Dear Little Tiger.

Auntie’s cupcakes are THE BEST, right?

Happy Valentine’s Day

Dear Little Bird.  Dear Little Tiger.

This year for Valentine’s Day we had two classrooms to make valentine’s for.  That’s a whole lot of valentines to make!

Nothing says “I love you” like a melted crayon heart…right?

Drawing Lessons

Dear Little Tiger.

You love to draw.  Your specialty?  Spiders.  But we’ve been practicing other things.  Today – flowers.  They didn’t turn out to be your favorite subject.  Ah well, it just takes time.  You’ll get the hang of it soon enough.

Two Lost Teeth

Dear Little Bird,

You lost your tooth!  No, you lost two teeth!  How exciting.  I think this occasion was one of the most exciting moments for me.  Loosing a tooth seems like such a very big deal.

You handled the entire thing with so much calm and composure.  The dentist told us about two months ago that your teeth were wiggly.  I kept wiggling them to be sure he was right.

Finally, after much waiting (I really don’t like to wait long), you wiggled your tooth so much it just came right out!  We’ve never really talked much about the Tooth Fairy so you weren’t inclined to give her your tooth.  You carried that tooth around for a full week.  You proudly showed everyone your tooth.  You lost it once at the coffee shop.  You lost it once at Oma’s house.  But we always located it again.

On the night you lost your first tooth, the Tooth Fairy left a letter expressing her disappointment that there was no tooth to collect.  But she left you a lovely felt barrette anyway.

When you lost your second tooth a few weeks later, it was like no big deal.  One minute you were chewing your lunch, the next minute you were holding up your tooth.

This time you wanted to leave your tooth for the Fairy and she left you a lovely string necklace with a felt heart.

Congratulations, Little Bird.  You are growing up!

First Day of Swimming Lessons

Dear Little Bird.

Your first day of swimming lessons.  An immediate love of all things water.  Noisy lifeguards.  Lots of children.  Warm water.  Blowing bubbles.  And a happy, little girl hopping from one foot to the other because she can’t contain her joy.  All’s well.

Picture was taken when you were more cold than happy...