Happy Birthday, my tween!

Last week marked the 12th anniversary of our special boy arriving in this world and it was special for us all. The last couple of months, shoot the whole last year, have been busy for us and it was important to me for him to know how much we wanted to celebrate him turning twelve.  This boy is SO worth celebrating and as he slips towards his teenage years I want more than ever for him to know that his biggest fans live right here.  

The older he gets the harder it is for me to articulate just how much I adore and cherish him.  No one is more worth the effort, though and there's probably no one who will treasure the sentiment more as the years go on so it's certainly worth the try. One last Happy Birthday to our amazing son.


To my dear boy,  

Twelve!  I thought it was a big deal when you got to double digits at ten, but never anticipated how I would feel about twelve.  I see, and hear, and sense the differences in you and can hardly believe it.  One the one hand I love it.  Everything about you as a little dude that we loved is just bigger and better as you grow. You are kinder, smarter, harder working and more engaging than ever.  

At the start of the sixth grade a lot of my Mom friends were asking around to see if other kids were struggling the way theirs were and struggle was the one word that can't be used for you in sixth grade.  You LOVE middle school.  Your teachers are so complimentary towards you and even in the subjects that don't come as naturally to you, you are excelling because you're learning how to focus your energy in the right ways and ask for help when you need it.  That is a wonderful skill that will take you a long way in a world that doesn't freely offer help.  You were honored last trimester with Honors for your outstanding GPA.

You stopped running track last season because your schedule just didn't allow, but there is definitely no grass growing under your feet.  You and your Dad just finished your school basketball season and the last game of your regular season basketball season ended with a hard fought win at 43-38 yesterday.  Baseball season started on Saturday and although we are all bummed you are playing for The Dodgers you went 2 for 4 in your first game and played first base brilliantly.  You are a gifted athlete with an off the charts sports IQ and a laser focus that seems uncommon to me for someone your age.  You make us very, very proud as an intense, yet respectful Athlete.

We took a family trip to Yosemite last weekend and you took snowboard lessons for the first time at Badger Pass.  We all had such a good time and I hope we started a new tradition of heading North for a fun and easy day in the snow together.  Those times with you and Bob mean a lot to Dad and me.  It's so fun to watch you learn something new and have a good time.  You have said that you also want to surf this year and we are happy to support you in any way that you need.

At twelve I worry that you will stop wanting to be My Guy.  You are the warmest, most loving, wonderful boy and our date nights are one of my favorite things.  I take you on dates because I very selfishly want to spend time with you, but I also want you to have one on one time with a lady that wants to hear what you have to say and values respectful conversation.  It seems to me that relationships will become very complex for you very quickly and it's imperative to your Dad and me that you never compromise the remarkable person you are merely to meet a temporary need for someone else.  While I am busy hugging you and playing games I am also carefully watching your mannerisms and listening to your words to know that your heart is being protected.  You absolutely mean the whole world to me and I want so much for you to go through your life reaping the rewards of being the wonderful person you are.  You are exactly as delightful and precious to me as you were twelve years ago when I held you the very first time.

Happy, Happy Birthday Punky. Whether you're snowboarding, surfing, playing baseball, talking about the Aztecs stats with your Dad or watching old episodes of M*A*S*H I hope that this year delights you in every way and brings new challenges and rewards to your heart.  We are here for you anytime and in every way, but if you can't get to us fast enough I hope you will go straight to your knees and pray for the guidance that you need.  God is the only person who will ever love you more than we do and he knows you even better.

All my love to you,

Mom

Ten Things to Smile About; December 2013

Ten Things to Smile About: December 2013

Well, true to form I am way, way late on this post.  Again.  But December is so full of goodness for us it is impossible to move away from doing the good stuff to writing about the good stuff.  Any day of the week I'd rather be late to my blog than to miss enjoying life.  We are so blessed to have such a good and plentiful life.  Last month was so good it was hard to pick just ten things that were worthy of a smile.  Happy New Year!

Much to my dismay, I do enjoy how much the kids love the return of Arthur the Elf.   Their happiness does make me smile.

My sweet Athlete being recognized with high honors in his first trimester of middle school.

The beautiful Christmas cards we receive from friends and family.  I love, love, love Christmas cards and save them all.

An overnight in Santa Barbara for a business event.  It was a grueling drive home (5 1/2 hours!!) but it was so fun to see my close friends who I used to see every day in the office

Taking Bob to see Frozen on ladies night.  The cutest movie!


The start of basketball season for both of my boys.  It is a serious time commitment for Mr. Montoya and a lot of work for The Athlete but even I am surprised how much I love to watch basketball.  It's my favorite sport of the year!

Even after five years of fighting for a seat, hearing the same songs and seeing the same production at school I love the annual Christmas pageant.  Now that my first born is too old to be in it the hassle of it is a little less and I can cherish the opportunity just a little more.  I know I will be heartbroken when I don't "have" to go anymore. 

The safe arrival of Nana.  It is always the OFFICIAL start of Christmas when she's here

Touring model homes with my Mom and Bob.  It was fun to get inspiration from brand new, perfectly decorated spaces and someone sweet and sassy was ready to move in.

Seeing the Rose Parade floats up close as they were being built.  AMAZING!

 

Those polka dots were cranberries and blueberries.  All applied by hand!!

Grieving for good

The internal pictures of my early childhood include a series of things ~

My Nanny in all her wonderfulness.  Her hair like sparkly spun sugar, the gold filigree ring she wore and the hand mixer she used to whip meringue

Putting pennies on the railroad tracks before it was a bicycle trail

My Mama's big green sedan with bench seats and no heat

And the Strickland family

They were this hilarious and wonderful mix of sisters, aunts, mothers, daughters and one amazing old man we called Grumps that was my friends' Daddy.  Everyone spent their time with this family. They always had room for one more and I have absolutely no memory of anyone in that family ever being unkind to me.  Ever.

Miss Evelyn was my Girl Scout leader for what seemed like forever.  She also used to make these wickedly good butter cream cheese treats that I think are called chess squares.

Sherry is the youngest daughter of that family and one of my dearest childhood friends.  I loved to spend the weekend camping with her family at the beach.  We slept in a tent outside while her parents slept inside in their camper. Those weekends were the coolest ever and we would spend all day long on the sand with her boom box singing to heaven knows whatever song and dancing like loons.  The first s'more I ever tasted was in her backyard.

Wendy was Sherry's older sister and was just total coolness.  She never treated us like her little sister's bratty friends and was a blast to be with.  I don't actually remember spending time with my friend Sherry when Wendy wasn't there.  She was our choreographer, the ultra loud ring leader, the super cool high schooler when we were in middle school and the best possible entertainment on road trips.

My memories with their family are sharp, meaningful and happy.  My Mama is still very close to them and spends a lot of time in their company. They are still this hilarious mix of wonderful sisters, aunts, mothers and daughters.  They sadly lost Grumps a few years ago leaving only the constant of the girls.  Miss Evelyn, Sherry & Wendy and all the wonderful Roberts aunts.

Sweet Wendy went to heaven to be with her Dad last night.  Her condition was pronounced terminal just last week and it was a blessing that she was at home and her aunts, her Mom and her sister.  Leaving home for heaven is not tragic, yet my heart is still broken.  It is not right, not fair, not POSSIBLE that someone so young and so extraordinary can be gone from this life.


My heart hurt an awful lot last night as I selfishly processed what that loss meant to me (and to my sweet Mom) and as I grieved for the women she left behind who love her so endlessly.  The idea of someone else hurting always goes straight to the softest part of my heart.  Thinking of the loss her Mother has suffered threatens to undo me.  I won't even pretend that I can imagine what it feels like to make plans to bury your child.  That statement alone leaves me numb and swimming in tears.  Again.

Sadly when Wendy was admitted to the hospital she was still too new in her current job to have medical insurance or life insurance.  And because even critical care is a business, Miss Evelyn had to charge the {exorbitant} cost of the long distance ambulance transfer on her credit card.  This particular element of tragedy gave me purpose.

The negative energy I was bringing into my home and my own heart last night wasn't helping anyone and I wanted to do something. Anything to make it better.  So I am using my grief for good.  The Wendy Shaw Memorial Fund  launched today.  It is a non-profit donation site where friends and family can give as little or as much as they're able, to help offset the unexpected and overwhelming cost of Wendy's urgent medical care and funeral arrangements.

There will most likely never be a day at the beach with the Strickland family, but I can go back to it in my heart just as I do with memories of my Nanny and all of my other favorite things.  For every s'more they served me and every happy moment we shared, I honor them.  It won't help the hurt, but it can't hurt to help.

 If you are so inclined, even $10 would help their family.  You can help by donating here

Ten things to smile about: August 2013

Part of playing catch up on the blog is being sure that I am adequately documenting the goodness of our every day and my gratitude for every moment.  Every month this year has a draft version of "Ten Things" but first things first.

Ten Things to Smile About: August 2013

My dear friend finding her happily ever after.

And it doesn't hurt that these kids are the cutest things ever.  God Bless this sweet family.

A special sleepover for my darling niece in honor of her 4th birthday.  Sunday morning brought breakfast, some dress up and a dance party.  Love you little B!!

Absolutely everything about our 5th annual family vacay to Yosemite National Park.  E's parents came this year, as well as some dear family friends.  It was truly the best ever.

 

 

 

Riding bicycles through a meadow in the rain with my little girl. 

Learning how to play Spoons for the first time.  Seriously the most fun!

Celebrating my E's birthday

Bob being invited to play on an Elite soccer team with girls from her 5 on 5 winter team.  We are very excited and proud for her.


A day of spa treatments, pool time and a dinner date with E.  It was an absolute luxury that I don't take for granted for even a minute.

The first week of school being filled with enthusiasm for what's to come in 3rd grade and 6th grade. 

 

Ending the month knowing that God has big, wonderful things in store for my precious family.  Having so many reasons to thank Him at the end of the month is a wonderful blessing.

 

This month I am linked to Emmy Mom again and am grateful for her always gracious and gentle reminders that another month is over.  Cheers to a great September!

 

10 Things to Smile About: Emmy Mom

 

 

The written word

A lot of my time lately is spent with The Princess. Not that I mind.  That little chick is hilarious and we like to get our nails done and do girly stuff together.  Having her as my constant companion is a gift in many ways. 

But the truth is, I miss my guy.  He spends oodles of time with his Dad.  They go to football games, baseball practice, basketball practice . . . everywhere together.  I know that E loves having him as a constant companion, too.  It works. And I also know that the older he gets the less I will see of him.

The sad little glimpse into the future, however, is not working for me so much.  With school, work, sports and life I only see my guy for a few hours every week. I know that is more than I can expect even a few years from now but I am missing that sweet face and warm heart of his.  We're going on a date tomorrow night.  I can hardly wait.  And if I didn't think he'd get all weirded out I'd say every single thing on this page to him, but he is a ten year old boy.  I am pretty sure that he would be uncomfortable with my sharing how madly in love with him that I am.  So, as a keepsake, I will use the written word.  I truly hope one day he'll read all of it and know how much he was loved. Every single day.

For my son,

You have ALWAYS been too good to be true.  You were the happiest, easiest baby in the history of the world.  That is an absolute fact.  Every day of my life since February 19, 2002 I have said Thank you to God for the gift that you are. I have talked before about how it terrifies me that life with you is so good, but of late I have just decided to take everything one day at a time and be genuinely grateful for every day that we have.

Life is going really, really fast for us right now.  Daddy and I are awfully busy raising you and your sister and being us, and you are so very busy being ten and living life to the fullest.  I love that part more than you will ever know.  It delights me to see you running off to practice and putting on your belt as you go or holding your sister's backpack while she climbs out of the car just before you turn away and walk into school. The spoiled selfish girl in me wants to tell you to stop and come hug ME and spend time with ME, but I love you too much to ever hold you back.  I love to watch you go and find your way, but I miss you so much. 

You are SUCH a boy with your smelly socks and your wrinkled shirts that you cram into drawers when I ask you to put them away, but I am told by someone at least once a week how kind and polite you are.  Wow.  A few weeks ago the umpire at your baseball game, Mark, came to the fence and said "who's kid is that?"  That's sort of a weird question, but I claimed you unconditionally.  He said, "He has really great manners.  He is so polite every time he's at bat.  I've never met a kid that's more polite." I can forgive the toothpaste on the mirror every time because there are a million reminders in the world that you are doing much better things than cleaning up behind yourself.

Sometimes when I am watching you from a distance and catching snippets of your conversations with friends I can imagine you much older and even further out in the world.  I visualize you trekking across a college campus chatting with your buddy on the way to class and just being a slightly larger version of your wonderful self.  I wonder what profession you'll choose.  Your sense of humanity is larger than life and you have a genuine heart for service.  You are super squeamish so I'm not thinking that being a surgeon is in your future, but think maybe physical therapy is or even a career as a high school teacher and coach.  Oh Punky, you would be such a fantastic teacher.  I selfishly want you to make more money than that, but that's just plain shallow.  You would really make a wonderful teacher.

You have so many amazing qualities that I could write a giant novel just about you and your goodness.  You're a great student, a talented athlete, a gentle soul and a wonderful Christian.  You do everything well and there are some things you are exceptional at.  Sometimes I get so focused on the doing of all that we do that I forget to stop and enjoy what we do.  I really enjoy being your Mom.  I enjoy talking with you about the Pendragon books and how that call at second base could be different.  I enjoy hearing how much other people appreciate the young man you are becoming.  I enjoy watching you play with your cousins and hearing you talk to your family.  I enjoy you.  I cherish you.  I adore you.

Thank you for all of the terrific things you are and the hope of the things that are to come.  It is such an honor to have you for a son.

With All my Love ~ Mom

p.s.  I'm thrilled you accepted my invitation for tomorrow night.  I can't wait.

My Proud Mommy Moment is all about my first born. I am so proud of him every day.

Flashback Friday

There's a sassy little miss that's getting lots of attention around here by default.  That must be the idea, I think.

She has a brother, though that is as precious and loved as ever.  This school year he seems suddenly very big and sophisticated.  He gets home from baseball practice a half hour after bedtime.  The same bedtime he's had since he was in first grade.  Then he stays up too late to read new books that his friends have recommended to him. It might be time to move on (for me) but we're in no hurry.

For me he will always be the sweet little gift from God that hung on his second grade teacher's every word.  He still loves bedtime prayers and thoughtful mass intentions.  The picture I carry of him in my heart looks mostly like this.  For my whole life.



First Holy Communion
May 2010

Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man.

~Rabindranath Tagore

Friendly Reminder

 There's an awful lot of fretting and disciplining that goes on around here.  Life at 1307 is most certainly NOT a free for all.  But with all the fretting and discipline there is an overwhelming abundance of love.

 



Dear Lord help me to remember every.single.day. that she will only be eight once and she may never EVER again swim in my bathtub with goggles on.  Remind me that I need to remind her that no one in the whole wide world will ever love her as much as I do.  Except you.

And Dear Lord, remind me that I can't just say it.  I must show her.  I must show her every day how deeply she is loved, respected and needed in our family.

 

Pouring my heart out with Shell over something that I want so badly and sometimes just need a friendly reminder.

From the bottom of my heart.

Back to School Interview ~ The Athlete

He wouldn't let me walk him to his class line.  I was allowed to park and walk as far as his sister's second grade line but I could NOT go past that.  He blew me a kiss and threw a peace sign over his shoulder as a farewell on the first morning of school.  He had been complaining about it being the first day of school but he was thrilled to see his buddies and get back into the swing of things.  And don't tell him I told you, but he has a GIANT bit of a crush on his teacher.  I'm sure that little tidbit also helped with the spring in his step on Monday morning.

It's his last year of elementary school and he is trying out for the school football team next week. He's still my guy, but I think this might be the start of Version 2.0.

MEM ~ 8/27/12

Name & Age: The Athlete, age 10
Grade Level: 5th grade
School: St Edward the Confessor
Teacher's Name: Mrs. Iseley
Best friend: Grant
Favorite color: red
When I grow up I want to be: rocket scientist for NASA
Favorite snack: pretzel thins
Favorite cereal: Cheerios
Favorite book: Kingdom Keepers series
Favorite holiday: Christmas
Favorite food: bean & cheese burrito
Least favorite food: black pepper
Favorite game: Battleship
Favorite summer memory: visiting the Ronald Reagan Library
3 words that describe me: smart, short & athletic

You are the coolest kid around, my love.  It is so fun to watch you being you.  Have a great year!

Big Deal

We had only met a couple of months before his birthday but I was frantic to find a great gift for him.  My future husband was back in California and I was in Florida.  Birthdays are big deal for me and I couldn't let his pass without him knowing how head over heels I was for him.  Later I figured out that he didn't care a thing in the world about anything that I sent him, but at least he'd known that HIS birthday was a big deal to me.  Eighteen years later his birthday is still a big deal to me.

He is handsome and ridiculously intelligent.  He is kind and patient.  He is witty and sometimes he's downright hilarious.  His eyes are still my favorite thing about him and he is an amazing dancer.  He married me with all of my faults and has made me better.  He is the most amazing Dad to the most amazing kids in the world.   He is everything I wanted then and more than I ever thought I could hope for.

He's my husband and today's his birthday.

He's a big deal to me.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Montoya.  I love you

Give a little love

It's been more than two weeks since my baby girl turned eight years old. Her birthday letter from me is long overdue and I almost let guilt get the better of me and didn't write it at all. But on a dinner date with her tonight I realized that she deserves every little bit of love I can give, any time I give it.

My Lulu,

Your actual birthday was June 30 and I feel more than a little terrible that Daddy and I were in Italy for your big day. But, I know we are important role models to you and I truly hope that you're learning from us that the timing of the world doesn't always work exactly like we want it to. I want you to take the time to learn about life from us before you decide to run headlong into for yourself. Even at eight I can see that it won't be too long before you decide you've got it down. You seem to have your head so high in the clouds sometimes that it doesn't even seem to phase you when life happens, but I also know better.

That teeny tiny tough exterior of yours belies your gigantic soft heart. Your capacity to love has no boundaries. I see how much love you have for your brother, your cousins, your aunts and aunties and your grandparents. You love, love, love your Grandma and your Nana so much and you bring them absolutely endless joy. They treat you like the Princess that you are and you deserve all of the pampering they give.

The end of first grade was just a few days before your birthday and you are so dang smart, Lu. Reading is totally your thing and your favorite books this year were Ivy & Bean. You were so proud of yourself for being the first girl to pass all her "gumball goals" math facts and even though I tried to teach you not to be boastful I was really proud, too. You got 100% on almost every spelling test all year long and started making stories out of your spelling words when just writing sentences became too dull. You are a truly exceptional writer.

And a crazy fast runner. Finally after watching your brother's track meets for three years you got to run in your first track meet and you did not disappoint your fan club. You and your classmates ran a great relay and YOU WON your heat in the 100M dash putting you 14th out of 57 first grade girls. That was awesome. We cheered you on through fall recreational soccer and an awesome spring season at indoor soccer. It is so much fun to watch you compete.

You, my eight year old baby, are so beautiful. I love your bright blue eyes, your tangled blonde hair and your smooth, golden skin. I love watching you create an entire world for your American Girl dolls in your room. I love watching you sing and dance in the dining room while I'm making dinner or loading the dishwasher. You're hilarious. You make me laugh. You make me crazy. You make me love more than I even knew I could. You make me better.

I love you so very much. It unnerves me to know that you watch my every move. I try really hard to be someone you can look up to. I fail pretty often, but I want you to take notice just as readily of my willingness to say I am wrong. There is nothing weak about asking for forgiveness. You have so many gifts to offer the world and I pray you will embrace them all and use your talents wisely. You can go so far and I will be with you every step of the way if you'll let me.

Happy Birthday with all my love,

Mom

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Week at a Glance

My favorite Sundays are sunny and crisp and end with a clean(er) house, clean pure hearts and a sense of accomplishment and preparedness for the week ahead. 

We're working towards that today in the spring sunshine and as I scrub the counters I am mentally recounting our week.  None of the pressures of week stick to me like the cooking spray that I can't get off the stove top.  NONE of that stays. It's only the sweet stuff that lingers.

Stuffed animal sleepovers

Pitching four innings

Cloudless skies and crashing waves

Undivided attention and hugs that last longer

So many of the moments in the week feel like chores, but it's so nice to remember how much goodness dwells in the every day.

Double Digits

My perfect first born son turned ten years old today. He has been looking forward to today for a LONG while and has relished in his day as only he can. In honor of my baby boy; a letter on his tenth birthday.

My Son,

You being so excited about your birthday is a gift in itself. Your enthusiasm for life is my favorite thing in the whole world. It is almost impossible to be in a bad mood in your presence.

On your tenth birthday you are in fourth grade. You're finishing a winning basketball season on your Dad's Aztec {of course} team, you have started practicing for spring baseball season and your track season starts in one week. It's fair that I call you The Athlete. You have mostly A's in school with only two B's - handwriting and math. You were selected by your teacher as a "Port Mate" aboard The Pilgrim because of your leadership and organizational skills and you just received the Manner of the Month award at school for looking adults in the eye as you're speaking and being spoken to. Those are all reasons for a Mama to be proud but some of the best things about you can't be measured.

Whatever you do you do well, but you also have a good time while you're doing it. Your friends love to hang out with you because you are witty and full of fun. Boys enjoy your company because you play hard but don't take yourself too seriously, and girls want to spend time with you because you are a good listener. Your cousins love to be with you because you are gentle and patient and generous. Your sister looks up to you and idolizes you for every reason. 

Punky, when I think about how quickly the last ten years have passed it takes my breath away. It doesn't seem that it's been ten years since the very first time I held you.  The most beautiful thing though about having you for a son is that I can't be sad to see the time pass. I am so excited about your future. There is absolutely nothing standing in the way of your greatness if you will continue on the path you're on. I am certain that I am a little biased but you really are the perfect mix of tender and tough. 

God has big plans for you and every time I pray I ask that you will continue to seek Him for your tough questions and not go elsewhere for justification. I pray that life will be just hard enough that you understand you have to work for the things that matter, including love. I pray that the world will be kind enough that you maintain your enthusiasm and continue to share it with everyone you meet. I pray that you will never lose sight of how deeply you are loved and the unconditional support that comes from your family. Mostly, I pray that God will keep you close and that you don't have to learn very much the hard way. Oh how I pray for that.

Happy Birthday to you, my favorite ten year old. May the world always give you the goodness you deserve and may you continue to return the world's goodness to those who know and love you so much.

With All My Love,

Mom

Birthday Blessings

Today would have been my Nanny's 92nd birthday.  New Year's Day will mark the fourth anniversary of when I held her hand for the last time and I miss her terribly.  If I could call her today and wish her a happy birthday I would be sure to sing in my clearest, happiest voice.  No one ever made me happier or feel better than my Nanny did for most of my life.

When I pray with my children and tell them of the Lord's goodness I ALWAYS think of her.  She was so faithful and steadfast.  She would enjoy their enthusiasm and love for God so much.  Psalm 23 was her favorite scripture.  It reminds me of her.  Just like hummingbirds, butterflies and homemade waffles.  They were all uniquely her to me.  Happy Birthday, little bird.  I love and miss you so much.

Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
 
Amen.

Flashback Friday

Tuesday night was the end of another baseball season and ended with a heartbreaking one run loss.  You do not want to be the gloating parent on the other team at 8:30 PM on a school night in front of this Mama who's son is cold and disappointed.  You do not.  My Athlete pitched two terrific innings and had a great final game.  He always makes me so proud.

E coached the team this season and devoted a lot of time to making sure the boys were learning the fundamentals of the game. Those boys really look up to him and are learning how to play their positions correctly to take them far beyond this interim season.  He is such a good and talented man and makes me very proud, too.

The first season he coached was spring four years ago and The Athlete had just turned five.  It shouldn't have been that long ago.  It doesn't feel like it's been that long.  But then it does.  He was such a tiny little guy sitting on that bucket.

There are some things though, that time doesn't change. How much I love these two is at the very top of the list. Always and forever.



Flashback Friday

For the last couple of months I have been telling E that we need to have family photos taken again. With The Athlete in braces and The Princess in her own world I feel our time with them slipping away.  I feel it all the way into my heart.

He has an internal countdown clock that is tabulating the days, hours and minutes until he is 10.  Double digits are ruling his world right now.  I have no idea what he thinks is going to happen on that fateful day in February but turning 10 is everything to him right now.

We haven't tried lately, but I don't imagine he'd be all that willing right now to put on a white button down shirt and spend the whole afternoon looking at shells and rocks with his parents and his sister.  I could be wrong.  He does have a heart of gold. 

I will always think he's the most darling six year old boy that ever, ever lived.  I think he's holding a Matchbox car that he snuck to the photo session in his pocket.  I love that.

The Princess is seven this year going on 17.  Her could care less attitude crushes me and I just want better for her.  I personally get a kick out of her inability to be destroyed by pettiness, but I want her to temper her sassy with sweet.

She is a talented and fierce soccer player.  Her teacher told me yesterday that she reads 64 words a minute.  WOW!  I am so proud of her and intermittently terrified for her that I can't even organize my thoughts around it sometimes.

I miss this little wafer of a girl that looks so pretty with a blue bow in her hair.  She may have been complaining just then that the sand was cold on her toes.  That sounds just like what her four year old self would have said.

We paid for photos that day through a school fundraiser and spent another hour or so goofing around and taking photos on our own.  The sun was shining on my precious children directly from heaven.  I love how golden her hair shined.  The sky was bluer than it should have been in October and the green moss on those rocks isn't any more spectacular in photos.  All of it was pretty stunning that day.  The most beautiful thing though was them.  That day will never happen again, but I am blessed that it happened once in my lifetime.

There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child.  There are seven million.  ~Walt Streightiff