Not cool.

"Oh Sarah you look terrible! So pale! Are you feeling all right?"

Wow thanks. I just didn't put my makeup on this morning.

What an ego boost.

Who do you want to be?

Lily was so excited to show me the newly refurbished Fire Engine in her Gym play area yesterday. Over spring break a few kids and some firefighters gave it an over all face lift. They painted the wood and recovered the seat. They added a hose and reel and fixed some of the broken dials.

I would say seven out of ten days when I pick her up she is in the middle of pretend driving in the fire engine but it wasn't until yesterday that I really associated any meaning with it. She described to me the video she got to watch that documented the fix up and explained in detail all of the things they fixed. Then she proudly stated, "When I grow up I want to be a fire-girl." 

Of course I was very interested to hear her thought process in this scenario and I asked what she thought about being a firefighter was the most interesting- or what was the reason this is something she would want to do. Her answer was surprising.

"I want to put out fires and save people!"

This was the first time I had ever heard her express in words a desire to "be something." Really the first time I've noticed her wondering about her future- seeing herself as a person who will one day do something. Although, what surprised me the most is how these ideas change my perception of her. I think of her as my little baby- someone who needs to be protected. In her mind, though, she has the ability to put out fires and save people!

Well, to say the least, I am humbled and I fear I have not given her enough credit for how amazing of a person she is turning out to be.

Maybe she won't really grow up to be a firefighter but I am simply inspired by the fact that she knows she could.

Dancing in the rain

She makes my heart spin!

The lost photos.

Tulip fields 2, a photo by sarahh11 on Flickr.

Looking back

April 21st, 2006

 I remember taking these pictures very clearly- even though it was 5 (yes 5!) years ago. It was so warm and sunny and we both sat outside enjoying the sun. That winter had been really tough. I think it was 30 or so straight days of rain. When the sun finally came out we just soaked it up! She wasn't quite crawling yet but she was starting to try. The hat I put on her head had gotten too small so she kept pulling it off. She needed a hat with that fuzzy head of hers though. I loved the outfit she was wearing- an all pink jacket and pants with the Mariner's logo on them. So cute! She has changed so much but I still recognize her in the button nose and cute little mouth. Her cheeks are less chubby now but the eyes for sure make it my Lily.

Missing my baby girl a little this week but I know she's having all kinds of adventures with Gramma Deb and having lots of fun getting spoiled.

More Celebrating

Family Fun Center, more birthday celebrations and new rope lights on Kendra's bed...Oh my!

It is exhausting to be 5

Lily falls asleep while playing trains

Happy 6th Birthday Kendra!

Dear Kendra-



April 14th, 2005

What joy you bring to my life! Your enthusiasm and spirit constantly amaze me and keep me on my toes. Your dad was nice enough to share some awesome pictures with me from when you were little. It is hard to believe how much you have grown- even in the year and a half since I met you.

You are a great friend and big sister. Lily always misses you when you are gone and counts down the days until you come back. We all look forward to having you in your spot at our dinner table and cuddling together in Martin's chair.



April 9th, 2011

 I can't believe how much you have learned in Kindergarten this year. You are trying hard to read and write and show a lot of promise with your math skills! You are extremely social (sometimes not to your benefit) but it seems like kids are drawn to you- it must be the energy you bring where ever you are.

I hope you have had a very happy birthday week and we can't wait to see you this weekend! Love ya kid!

Kendra's Birthday Party

Kathe threw Kendra a birthday party at her house this weekend. We all had lots of fun and we can't wait to celebrate again with her next weekend. Happy 6th Birthday Kendra!

The Beautiful Birthday Girl

Kendra and cousin Emma- posing of course.



Butterfly Birthday Cupcakes



Kendra opens Lily's present- a toy horse



Such a good sister! So sad it's time to say goodbye.

More later this weekend- now I am just too exhausted! 

Searching

I wandered around the hospital. Everywhere I went people were coming and going in every direction. Room after room I searched echoed with children and noise. A thousand nurses passed me by, all with similar faces and not one of them I could recognize.

I tried to get the attention of someone- anyone, "Have you seen my daughter?" But over the din of the crowded, fast paced hospital no one seemed to hear or notice me.

Finally, I caught a nurse's eye. I saw in her face that she immediately recognized my bewildered, overwhelmed look and would take pity on me.

"I'm looking for my daughter Lily- but she isn't in the infant room. I am sure that's where she was when I was last here. She had her own bed."

"How old is she?" The nurse asked as she led me down the long hallway, a maze of doors and people.

"She's just a baby. Well, she's one." Suddenly, I knew that wasn't right either. "Actually, I think she is four...no, five."

Finally we stopped and she opened the last door at the end of the hall. The door swung open in front of me but instead of a hospital bed, I saw a classroom. It was a classroom with desks and children and Lily sitting quietly in the front row.

I ran inside and scooped her up, overwhelmingly happy to have found my girl, though I couldn't imagine how we had gotten from there to here in only the blink of an eye.

**********

Both girls came home with notes from their teachers yesterday. Miss Kendra did an awesome job listening and following directions. Miss Lily did a great job waiting her turn in line. Simple notes, simple messages but they mean a lot. We have two really great girls. : )

Home Made Water Colors

DIY Water Colors from Oh My Handmade


Last Saturday we did this little project- intending on doing another watercolor painting project on Sunday- but it turns out that they took a little longer than 24 hours to dry and then we ran out of time! Story of my life.
The best part about the home made watercolors was that it included ingredients I always have around the house anyway. I didn't have to go out and buy anything! Gotta love that, right? Here's the recipe (or click on the link a the top, she has much more artistic pictures than I do!).


Ingredients
3 Tablespoons Baking Soda
3 Tablespoons Corn Starch
3 Tablespoons White Vinegar
1 1/2 Teaspoons Light Corn Syrup


 Instructions         

First, mix the baking soda, corn starch and light corn syrup together in a mixing bowl. Then mix in the white vinegar into your mixing bowl. You can divide this mixture into different containers and then add your food coloring for each color we placed 10-13 drops OR drop in your food coloring into the mixing bowl to make a large batch of one color.

We put them in old Tupperware lids as well- but they did take a couple of days to dry and the baking soda seemed to separate out quite a bit. I'm not sure if it was supposed to or if we did something wrong. Either way it was fun, we did it together and now we have some new paints to try tomorrow. I'm sure I will be posting pictures of their masterpieces then.