~What Was Long Is Now Short~

Any time Lyssa has complained about getting her hair washed, combed, brushed, touched, pulled, put up, etc. I have told her we could cut it and make it a lot easier.  She always insisted she still wanted it long, until last week.  Every day for an entire week she came to me and told me she wanted her hair cut short.  How short?  Short "like Rapunzel at the END of Tangled".  Short "like Miss Riah" (Mariah, her beautiful 7 year old BFF).  Everyone questioned her.  

Me: Do you really want it that short? 

Elyssa: Yes.  

Me: Are you sure you want to cut it?

Elyssa: Yes.  

Alec: You know I won't like it short, right?

Elyssa: Yes. 

Nick: It will take a long time to grow back, right?

Elyssa: It's okay.  It will be long by the time we go to Costa Rica again!

This girl was sure so I made an appointment and made sure to take before and after photos.

She had sooo much hair that they we were actually able to donate it to Locks of Love.  It was kind of neat to explain to the kids how it works.  They were very interested, and since Alec had a little girl with cancer in his preschool class last year he understood.  Since Elyssa's hair cut almost everyone that knows her has made a comment to her about her cute short hair.  Finally on Sunday after church she said to me "Why does everyone keep talking to me about my hair?  It's just hair!"  

I couldn't help but laugh.  

I think my little lady has a good head on her shoulders. 

I sure love that sassy little lady and her short, easy breezy hair.  :-)

~What do you do in the summertime...~

When all the world is green?

(I love almost everything about this picture.)

 Mr. Alec has taken up spending hours on the swing in the backyard now that he has learned to pump.  It's so fun watching him make himself go oooooh soooo high, smiling to himself, happy in his thoughts.  Amazing to think that not that long ago I was introducing the baby swing to him, spending hours on end pushing him high into the sky.  Now he does it all himself. 

 Cordy loves being outside in the yard.  She loves to pull up all the grass and tries to sample everything in sight.  She's pretty fast and I'm not as vigilant as I probably should be so she's already tried dirt, grass, weeds, sticks, rocks, and tree bark.  Grass still seems to be her favorite.  (Silly Cordy!  It's yucky!)

 These three also spend a great deal of their summertime entertaining each other.  Alec and Elyssa are the best of friends (and frienemies), and Cordy can do no wrong in their eyes about 98% of the time.  They all like to make each other laugh and be silly.  Add it all up and most of the time it equals a goofy fun time for all.

 We sure love summer!

~Cordelia at 9 Months~

On May 31st, while galavanting around New York City with Erin and Ryan, Cordy officially turned 9 months old.  I had every intention of doing a photo shoot of her there, but in all the chaos of the big city it didn't happen so we did it the morning after we got home. 

 Can you tell she was still exhausted from the trip?

The bow didn't last long.  Neither did her sad face.  Cordy is such a sucker for attention and brightened up right away!

Cordelia is one of the friendliest babies I know.  While we were in NYC she made friends with people everywhere as she flashed her happy smile and glowing eyes, squealing with delight.  Who can resist that face?

She's finally working on some teeth and spends lots of time with her fingers in her mouth on the days when the pressure is on.  You can tell that some days they both her more than others, but in general she is still a very easy going little lady.

I brought her in for her 9 month well-baby check up to find that my little lady really is on the small side. Height: 26 3/4 inches (12%) Weight: 17 lbs. 12 oz. (19%) Head circ: 17 inches (18%)  Funny because I would never look at her and think she was a small baby.  She's got plenty of sweet squishiness to love on and she's very alert and attentive.  Who cares if she lost and ounce since her ear infection last May!  Silly doctors.  I think she's a healthy happy baby.  No worries here.

Dearest Cordelia,
It's so fun to watch you grow!  You are a delight to everyone in our family.  We all love to watch you try out new foods, flip and roll around the house, and laugh at our silly faces.  You're such a social little lady and often you will start laughing and cooing just to add to the conversation.  You love it when we all stop what we are doing to watch you and in return you always give us such a happy show of affection.


You are such a courageous little lady.  I was amazed at how smiley and friendly you were with everyone we came in contact with while we were in NYC.  From homeless people, security guards, policemen, business people, grandparents, and college students you made friends everywhere!  I was in awe at your universal kindness, and thought I could take a lesson or two from you on how to treat everyone I come in contact with in my day to day life.  You may be young, but you are already teaching me so much.


We all love you to bits and can't imagine life without you.  Your brother and sister can't get enough of you!  I'm so glad you came to our family and I get to be your mommy.  I love you more than a million trips to exciting places and a billion beautiful firefly filled summer nights.

Love always,

Your Mommy

~Goodbye Barbeque~

As the end of May loomed I had to fight of the urge to sit around and feel sorry for myself since many of my friends were moving away.  The fact that Alec's Fabulous Five was breaking up made it even more sad.  I decided we needed to do something fun, so we had a Preschool Reunion/Goodbye Barbeque Bash!  It was perfect!

I would love to be a fly on the wall, privy to the conversations between these five little boys.  They are a hoot!

 We ate delicious food (provided by all in attendance), kids played, parents chatted.  The weather was perfect.  I couldn't have asked for a better night to barbeque.

After we filled our bellies,  the conversations, jokes and games continued.  Though I have no pictures of the action on the trampoline, believe me that there was always someone bouncing away to their hearts content.

Then I demanded a Fabulous Five Photo Shoot.  

These boys crack me up!  They have been Alec's buddies since before he can remember. 

(Isaac Payne, Chase Pluid, Alec, Harrison Mons, Carter James) 

Each has their own unique personality and have played a very important role in Alec's life over the last 3 1/2 years.  He can be so reserved and shy at preschool, but with these boys he is the true Alec that I know and love with no inhibitions.  I think that is probably why I feel the most sad about their mass exodus from Iowa.  I wonder what Alec will do without them!  I have comfy special spot in my heart for each and every one of them for the wonderful friends they have been for my little boy.

(Mandy James, Kelly Pluid, Sara Payne, Robyn Mons, Me... fighting back tears)

And these are all their pretty Mamas!  All women that I have looked to for advice, answers, sympathy and laughs.  All women who have taken the time and room in their great big hearts to love me and my crew of little people.  They taught my boy his shapes and colors over a year ago, but they have taught me soooo much more.  They have loved us despite our imperfections, supported us in good times and bad, and been my role models as they have mothered their own children.  I love them all like sisters, and will miss them all terribly.  It's been and honor and a privilege to call them "friend" these last four years and I am forever grateful for each and every one of them.

~Best Friends~

It's so nice having a best friend.  Someone to dress up in crazy outfits with you, talk about dresses and princesses, and play "mommy" or supergirl.  

There was even one very funny time when they dressed up in all sorts of crazy tights/dresses/swimsuits/shorts/hairbows and played "going to the temple" together.  It was priceless!

(Lyssa and Maddie)

It's even better when your best friend has a brother who is one of your older brothers best friends too!  This way everyone has someone that they are really excited to get together with on play dates and everyone has so much fun!

(Alec and Isaac)

We really hit the jackpot with these friends.  In some ways they have been more like cousins than anything!  While they were back in Iowa for the last four months we spent at least two or three mornings a week together, having a blast.

It's totally lame when best friends have to move away.  It breaks my heart every time Alec or Elyssa asks when Maddie and Isaac can come over to play and I have to remind them that they don't live here anymore. We miss them terribly but know that we are so lucky to have had best friends worth missing.

~Gourmet Popsicles~

Home-made hand squeezed lemonade with pureed kiwi and chopped up strawberries....

Sometimes I think I take my homemade popsicles a little too seriously... 

but they are sooooo good!

~An Object in Motion..."

 ....tends to say in motion.

He's a fast mover and a groover.  

Don't blink of you just might miss him. ;-)

~Last Day of School~

May 18th was Alec's official last day of school.  To be honest, he was pretty excited about it, though I felt like crying.

Now, don't get me wrong.  Alec loves his teachers and has soooooo much fun at school.  He was just kind of tired of having to get up and get ready in the mornings.  The little man was ready for a break.  We all need those every once and a while, right?

Alec had the most amazing teachers this year, Mrs. Lynch and her helper, Mrs. Voung.  I absolutely love Mrs. Lynch in every way.  She was such an amazing teacher for Alec.  He understood him and cared about him and did everything in her power to provide him a safe comfortable learning environment.  In return I really think he trusted her, which is a really big deal.  Alec doesn't trust many grown-ups these days so the fact that he trusted her means a lot.  As the end of the school year crept up on us I felt soooo sad that he would have to say goodbye to Mrs. Lynch, but found solace in knowing she would be Elyssa's teacher the next year.  Then we found out that Mrs. Lynch will be moving up to the Pre-K class this Fall!  She will still get to be Alec's teacher!  Alec and I were both soooo excited!

(I stole a number of these pictures off the preschool website.  Alec gave this same face in almost every preschool picture.  Silly boy.)

A few months back Nick went in and taught Alec's preschool class about his saxophone.  Alec loved having him come visit, and even brought along his saxophone kazoo.  I heard they played a mad duet. :-) 

 It's been a wonderful year full of learning and growing and new experiences for my little Alec. I know that it was scary for him at times, surrounded by people he didn't know well, but I'm so proud of him.  It's so amazing to see how much he has grown and changed over the last 9 months.

I love you, Mr. Alec!

Just like I tell you every night, I'm sooooo glad I get to be your Mom. :-)

~Picture of the Day Attempts~

In an effort to distract myself from the mass exodus of our friends here in Iowa (and promote further personal talent development, learning and growth) I gave myself a Picture of the Day challenge on Facebook.  Sadly I only made it half way through the month and then got distracted with travels, sickness, life, etc.  I plan on attempting this challenge again someday in the near future.  Since I annually turn this blog into a book and highly doubt facebook will be around for my children's viewing pleasure 10 years from now, I still wanted to share my favorite gems here.

May 9, 2011--Spending the afternoon under the blossom tree.

May 10, 2011--Sultry 99 degree weather calls for wading pool parties and swimsuits all day long.

May 11, 2011 --Watching thunder and lightening for the first time.

May 12, 2010-- Hard to believe this was the only picture taken all day... on my cell phone! Yikes on the quality, but it does sum up our day very well.

May 13, 2011-- Another day of only cell phone pictures. Yikes! After a preschool Mothers Day Tea and a successful trip to the ENT, Alec was practically beaming from all the one on one attention.

May 14, 2011 -- That boy has moooooves! He grooves to the music just like his mama.

May 15th-- Falling asleep while reading stories on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Nick makes up the most random stories when he's falling asleep. :-)

May 16, 2011-- Learning how to clap is fun to do! She's sitting so pretty these days.

May 17, 2011-- Trampoline jumping Captain Jack pirates. It's so fun to have friends who play pretend with you.

May 18, 2011-- The little mans last day of school.

May 19, 2011-- I'm cheating. This is actually from the 16th, but yesterday was a project editing day so no new pictures were taken. Still this is one of my favorite spontaneous moments I captured during my visit. The little lady was singing to her baby sister and the parents were soooo happy. Heaven seemed so close and I left feeling spiritually uplifted. Thank you, Laura, for the opportunity to photograph your beautiful family.

May 20, 2011-- Another day of no significant picture taking, but some fun editing. These twin boys are a hoot!

May 21, 2011-- Like father, like son. Optimus Prime shirts and plaid shorts. I LOVE IT!

May 22, 2011-- A preschool reunion.... The Fabulous Five! Each with their own unique lovable personality. I think it's safe to say we are really REALLY going to miss these boys when they move this summer.

May 23, 2011-- Another photo editing day. I love this family. I have photographed them more than anyone else and it has been so fun to watch them all grow and change over the years.

May 24, 2011-- Lyssa in deep thought. Notice her thinking tongue. :-)

~Saturday Morning~

How do you spend a Saturday morning without Daddy dearest around??  We got pretty good at surviving it last month.  For half of April and most of May poor Nick was stuck in class all Friday evening and Saturday.  It made for a short weekend for Nick, but the rest of us managed to kick back, relax, and have fun without him.

Kitchen dance parties are always a fun way to pass the time.  Alec likes to watch his sweet moves in the refection of our oven.  

On this particular morning Lyssa prefered to do her dance moves on chairs.  I say whatever floats your boat, Little Lady!

Cordy always thoroughly enjoys watching her older siblings.  They make her laugh like nobodies business!  Throw in a graham cracker or two and you have a very content little lady.

All in all making for a good morning.  :-)

~Backyard Pool Party!~

What better way to kick off the first hot summer day of the year than through a backyard pool party!!!!  On May 10, 2011 it was a sultry 95 degrees outside, and thats without the humidity!  Older siblings are all in school and the pools/splash pads aren't open.  I figured my backyard would do the trick.  We set up with home-squeezed lemonade, rocket popsicles, minutemaid popsicles, water balloons, bubbles, and our two kiddie pools.  Then we texted everyone in my phone (and even made a few quick last minute phone calls) and invited the world to come jump on our tramp and slash in our pools.  Everyone brought along a towel and sack lunch and we had a blast!  (Cordy slept the ENTIRE TIME in her crib.  That girl is one amazing sleeper.)

I've learned that while playing hostess I am terrible about taking pictures.  I realized at the end of the day that I only had pictures of a handful of our little friends and none of the fun Mamas that came to play that morning!  Still I hope the kids remember that it was the perfect exciting morning, splashing and playing with friends, and a welcoming the happy summer weather. :-) 

~Fairytale Rain Floating Down~

I had been waiting for this day since the end of January. May 9th was the day of fairytale rain when the beautiful white blossoms on my front tree all gracefully float down around us. It's such a magical time.

This year we invited some of our very favorite people over for the morning to play with us in our magical petals. In fact, when Maddie climbed out of her van she said "Look Mom! Snow!!!!"
First there was the mandatory BFF popsicle eating in the backyard....

Then out to the front to dance among the petals!

Seeing as how we kept calling it "fairytale rain" Maddie thought it was only fitting to bring a fairy out to dance with us.

Alec made fairy rings for everyone out of dandelion stems. Being the good little mommy she is, Elyssa couldn't resist showing the petals to her monkey, Mortimer.

This was Cordy's first year to enjoy the fairytale rain, and she drank it all up! She would watch the petals gently float down around her with so much light in her eyes. She also took the opportunity to sample the petals and grass in the surrounding area, much to my chagrin.

Eventually all good things come to an end and our friend whisked themselves home for naptime. I went to bring the kids in but just couldn't. It was so beautiful outside! The dishes and messy house would still be there tomorrow. There is only one good day a year of magical fairytale rain. We had to savor every moment of it! I brought out a few beach towels and a stack of books and we settled in for the entire afternoon.

These two played and laughed and made me laugh! Cordy is getting to be such a silly little lady with a budding jokester personality.

Meanwhile Lyssa settled in on a towel and took a nap in the shade of our tree. When she gently woke up to fairytale rain all around her she was soooo happy. I looked on and couldn't help but think that these are the moments that make childhood magical.

I'm so glad we've made this an annual tradition, celebrating the beauty that nature has to offer.

I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day.