she rode the bus!!

so this was a big step!

Lillian was begging to ride the bus home.

she's one of the first stops so i agreed!!

it hasn't yet made an addition to our permanent school routine::

but she had a BLAST riding!!!

we walked to the bus stop :: liam was my big helper!

tiny was longing for nap time :: can you tell?

when the tinys spotted her they started squealing!!

so i'll pull the mommy card on this one :: revoke it if you'd like

this was one too many adjustments for this mommy.

i know i may be in a bit of denial that she's growing up

but we're hitting a pause on making this our 'normal'

lillian is LOVING kindergarten. she's excelling.

making new friends!!

i have to say one of my favorite things, in this still vulnerable state of childhood, is

picking her up from school :: being her first 'pit-stop' out of that world back into ours!

its also in those first moments in the car she bursts with joy about her day :: good and bad!

so for now, we are holding that 'first moment' captive!

xoxox

2010 moxxi christmas cards

2010 moxxi christmas cards

3 collections this year!!

CLASSIC

VINTAGE

MOD

they're ready for order!!!

www.moxxi.blogspot.com

big big world

Today Lillian started Kindergarten!!

tucking her in bed last night she says

"I can't sleep mommy, I am just too excited; but I know if I close my eyes morning will come really really fast, how does that happen mommy?"

I love how the stream of consciousness and curiosity never end

and like me she talks in run on sentences!

bedtime is one of my most favorite time with the tinys.

Usually right before we pray they are at their most vulnerable, guards are down, and I get a peek into the richness of their spirit

its been a really cool process in my heart seeing public school really as a mission field. viewing it as a place our children will encounter the world at its best and worst; and our job is to help their hearts navigate life amidst that and be a light!! I am really excited about the nature of Lillian and the tenderness God has gifted her spirit and the quiet confidence she has!!

however...no amount of talk or preparation can ready you for the moment to loosen your grip.

well, for me anyway, i am a tightly gripped mommy!! (smile)

regardless of the bittersweetness in the moment my heart is peaceful in the foundation we've laid in her the last 5 1/2 years! and i stand in His grace and comfort that this is the first of many moments loosening the parenting grip.

a heart in her dress pocket to know where jesus+mommy+daddy are in case she gets sad!

the wonder in these beautiful eyes is so amazing!!!

exchanging a look with daddy!

"i love you daddy, i'm going to school today!!!"

we stopped at a stoplight not far from school and I looked in the rearview mirror; then swallowed really hard there were a million things swirling in my head

...i can't fall apart now..i can't fall apart now..don't cry, not yet, its gonna be ok

...how is she this big? wasn't i just sitting in the floor playing puzzles and rocking her to sleep? wasn't i just wiping her nose and making baby food and listening to her first words?

yup...it just blurred by!

we parked, walked into school and she was giggling, even let out a little squeal skipping down the kindergarten hallway! we hugged about six times and then she gave me 'the look'

the-'its ok right mommy?'-look i choked back tears and blew her a kiss, turned the corner and completely lost all emotional control!! cried all the way to the car!

so now, its 1030, i know she's eating lunch! and i know having an amazing first day..but don't think i won't be counting down these next few hours til dismissal!!!

2 tweets for tiny!

bIrThdAy GiRl

photos!!

sweet big sister lillibug

liam :: don't think he ever sat still long enough for a photo

if you know me, you aren't the least bit surprised that these cupcakes have birds on them!

it was my first attempt at making buttercream icing

happy birthday to my tiny

love you foose!

freshy to fun

you know when i was pregnant with Lillian everyone would say

"hold on tight, it goes by so quickly"

in that moment you 'hear' what is given as wisdom but aren't quite

prepared to heed it as intended :: at least i wasn't

because as a first time mommy i just couldn't wait

for each stage to arrive, to experience the 'firsts'

first time to hold her, first smile, first babble, first roll over, first steps, first 'ma-ma da-da'

but after 3 tinys and and life blurring by my heart is content in the moment :: soaking it up

and...you realize there are still so many firsts to come!

tiny was our most content baby!

slept thru the night at 7 weeks :: 3rd time around this was a gift!

she is so much fun, is our free spirit and has absolutely NO fear!

she's extremely tall for a 2yr old,

like Liam, she's currently in 110% percentile on the growth chart.

its fun to watch God grow her tiny heart and watch who He's made her to be!!

some of my favs of tiny

from freshy to now a fun-filled 2yr old!

tiny right after she was born

lucy 1 week

lucy 3 months

her royal chubbness

tiny 11 months

tiny 1 year

lucy 18months

tiny 2!

you are wonderfully made, tiny!!

xoxxoxo

tiny turns 2!

the tinys love watching simon the cat

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0ffwDYo00Q

its an animated cat who loves to pester his owner!!

they laugh so hard!!!

so we played 'simon cat' on lucy's birthday

and got out the washable markers and drew on animal faces

just the 5 of us celebrated tiny's actual bday . . .animal faces, ice cream sandwiches and all!

few things are better than a hand full of ice cream!!

fresh squeezed lemonade

this week it has been so hot here in charlotte :: its just wrong

so with 3 tinys

5, 3 & almost 2 who have insane energy :: we have to get really creative!

we build forts, make multiple trips to the Y,

paint, pjs+popcorn & movies, play trains, read books,

dress-up & silly dance, hide&go seek...goes on and on

i've not yet been brave enough too be at our neighborhood pool with all 3, alone.

(hence the backyard baby pool)

we're in our first round of swim lessons at the Y, lillian first, liam in a week or so.

then i think with two confidently swimming we'll be prepared!

this summer isn't quite as challenging as last, however;

i'm realizing that every stage comes with new 'challenges'!!!

makin home-made lemonade outta lemons!!

we're doing our best to rise above those challenges

and make the best of it our 'lemonade moments'

and the mess they leave in their wake :: that's a whole 'nother blog post!!!

my daily motto :: if the house is messy, i was a good mommy today!

i know, not everyone can adopt it; i've never been good at tidyness; sorry mom!

we're gonna blame shift that one to my 'creative nature'

mess just seems to follow the tinys, and i've come to expect it, welcome it, live with it!

i know that someday in the not so distant future i won't be stepping on little plastic dalmations or miniature ponys or make a circuitous path to the kitchen to avoid permanent peril to my feet; things will be in their place again; and part of me will be sad!

its a stage, a sweet, messy one!

so for now :: play on

liam has this new face where he tries not to smile :: caught one

this week lillian has been at VBS at a local church up here by the lake

she's taken very seriously the theme

she is wearing my cowgirl skirt from :: 26 years ago

we've also been wee bit obsessed with Toy Story 2.

so the cowboy theme has taken to all the tinys!

love those sweet slate blue eyes!!!

tiny :: in her uniform :: diaper

'draw' mommy

lucy's favorite phrase lately :: "NO, mommy, no"

this one, is a special one, feisty to the core, a girl who knows what she wants :: already

i love it! there's no mistaking, she breaks the rule of laid-back third child!

we're recently bought arm floaties for tiny, lets just say she may have swim team in her future!

off to stir today's gallon of fresh-squeezed lemonade!

xoxoxo