You are…

Dear Little Tiger.

All day long you pop up from whatever it is you are doing (building a train track, reading a book, playing in the bathroom sink) and say to me, quite seriously, “Mom. You are awesome and great and cute.”  And if dad is in the room, you look over at him (I think so he doesn’t feel left out) and say, even faster, “And you are awesomeandgreatandcute.”

Little Tiger, you are smart and funny and beautiful.

Finally Forty

Dear Little Bird.  Dear Little Tiger.

Your dad turned forty a week ago.  I bet you think that is really, really old.  You mentioned quite a few times that we needed to buy dad a walking stick for his birthday present.  I thought forty was really, really old too when I was a bit younger.

What’s funny is that the closer you get to forty, the younger it seems.  I’m sure you’ll understand this when you reach your third and fourth decade.

Thank you for being a part of dad’s big day.  I think what made it the best day for him, besides the dinner out and the table decorations and home-made party hats and the trip on the aerial tram and the yummy little peach pies at the food cart, was that you were there with him to celebrate and laugh with and love lots.

Little Bird.  Little Tiger.  Know this:  the happy part in “happy birthday” is you.

You are a Miracle

My Two Silly Miracles

Dear Little Bird.  Dear Little Tiger.

I’ve been thinking about telling you a little more about the blessing I give you each night.  Why I chose the words, where they come from, what they mean.

The part about you being a miracle was inspired by a song.  We first heard it on our trip to Montana I think.  Wasn’t that a fun trip?  We listened to the Dr. DoLittle audiobook about what, 25 times?  At least!

Anyway, these lyrics make me smile every single time I hear them.  And it’s because of this song that I make sure to remind you of your miracle status each night.

are you the sun
are you the moon
are you a watermelon bug in june

are you a frog
are you a bee
are you the kitty cat up in the tree

everything is possible
cause you’re a miracle
everything is possible
when you’re around
cause you’re a miracle, uh huh
a little a miracle, oh yeah
cause you’re a miracle, uh huh
a little miracle, oh yeah

are you a fish
are you a fly
are you a hummingbird buzzin’ on by

are you the beach
are you the sand
are you the wave that washes up upon the land

everything is possible
cause you’re a miracle
everything is possible
when you’re around
cause you’re a miracle, uh huh
a little a miracle, oh yeah
cause you’re a miracle, uh huh
a little miracle, oh yeah

are you a seed
are you a tree
you can be anything you want to be

cause you know it’s possible
cause you’re a miracle
everything is possible
when you’re around
cause you’re a miracle, uh huh
a little a miracle, oh yeah
cause you’re a miracle, uh huh
a little miracle, oh yeah
cause you’re a miracle, uh huh
a little a miracle, oh yeah
cause you’re a miracle, uh huh
a little miracle, oh yeah

song written by renee and jeremy

 

Blessed

There is a reason behind the blessing I give you each night.

I want to leave a deep and lasting impression upon your heart so that in times of disbelief, you will return to what you have always known to be true.

Blessings on you. Peace, peace, peace.  You are beautiful.  You are good.  You are loved.  You are a miracle.

May the words that have become like the air you breathe, be brought forth as a light to guide your way.

An excellent sister

Starting our grocery trip off on a good foot...

Dear Little Bird.

Thank you for being such a good sister to Little Tiger.  You teach her how to bark like a dog. You share your snacks with her. You show her how to rinse her toothbrush in the cat bowl. You pat her on the back when she is a little sad. You share the doggie ride with her at the grocery store.

You are thoughtful. You give good encouragement.

I am proud of you.

PS. Maybe you can teach Little Tiger how to rinse her toothbrush at the sink instead of the cat bowl.  Just a thought.

The Little Ballerina

How is it she is already a little ballerina?

Dear Little Tiger,

I smile as I watch you hold your hand above your head, pinching your skirt between your thumb and finger just like Cinderella, slowly twirling around the room.  What song plays in your head as you dance for us?

What a lovely dancer you are becoming.

Dear Little Bird. Dear Little Tiger.

I will finally put down the constant stream of thoughts of things I want to tell you.  Some things will be useful as you get older.  Some things you’ll never understand.  Some things I can’t bear to forget and I know that some day I will.

You both are my treasure.  You delight me in so many ways.  You make me want to pull my hair out too.  But, it has all been worth it.

Dear Little Bird.  Dear Little Tiger.

I adore you.  You belong to me.  I belong to you.

Dear Little Bird.  Dear Little Tiger.

Useful.  Silly.  Real.  Hopes.  Let this be my love story to you.

Dear.