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...

First Picture of the New Year

Dear Little Bird. Dear Little Tiger.

Happy New Year!  I can only imagine what this year will bring to us.  Fun?  You bet.  Learning?  Definitely.  Challenge?  Wouldn’t be life without it.  Love?  More than you can imagine.

Cheers to an exciting year ahead.

*In this picture you are playing at the same piano I grew up playing on.

 

Holiday Fun: Decorating Gingerbread Houses

Dear Little Bird.  Dear Little Tiger.

One of your favorite things to do this Christmas was decorating gingerbread homes.  You and Dad worked real hard and you created two beautiful properties.  You even stayed out of the candy until you caught me sneaking some.  It was all downhill from that point!

Holiday Fun: Wrapping Presents

Dear Little Bird.

You were my chief present-decorator this year.  With your drawing and writing skills you made everyone’s gift really sparkle.

Holiday Fun: Preschool Christmas Program

Dear Little Tiger:

It was so much fun to watch you perform in your Christmas program.  You’d been practicing for weeks a song that I could never quite follow.  Something about being wrapped up in a big red bow.

Learning to Ride Your Bike

Dear Little Bird.

You learned to ride your bike in three short lessons.  And your momma would like to take credit thank-you-very-much.  First we practiced balancing on your bike at the high-school track.  Then we balanced some more on a slight hill.  Finally when I told you that you weren’t allowed to use the pedals, you gave me a look that said, “Seriously, mom?” and you took off pedaling.  I learned a little something about you that day.  All you need is a challenge and a hill.  Awesome.  Just awesome.

Oh, and the fact that you turned your couple tumbles into yoga stretches?  Brilliant.

Running Together in the Hot Buttered Run Race

Dear Little Bird.  Dear Little Tiger.

Our first race together!  I ran the 5k, Auntie ran the 12k and you ran the 1/4 mile.  Congrats ladies.

What Do I Love About You?

Dear Little Tiger.

One of the things I most love about you right now?

You are so extra silly.  You make the funniest faces.  And you have the best temper.  I know I’m supposed to stay mad at you when you throw a tantrum but all I can usually do is laugh.  Isn’t that just the best?

Your Smile

Dear Little Bird.

One of the things I love most about you right now?

The way you make me smile.  You make me smile because of the way you smile.  You smile nearly all the time.  And it’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.

Playing with Mama’s Jewelry

Dear Little Bird, Dear Little Tiger.

It’s official.  You are the girliest of girls.  Non-stop talk of princesses.  Wishing everything were pink.  Begging to put on makeup.  And digging through my jewelry when I’m not looking.

When I came across these lovelies from the back of my drawer, I couldn’t help but insist you play with them.  Gorgeous vintage glass beads strung together to make very special clip-on earrings.  You happily obliged.

I think these earrings started with your great-grandma.  Perhaps your grandma wore them out a time or two.  And I’ve imagined myself a princess when I put on the matching necklace.  It’s your turn now.  Princess away!