Snips and snails and sugar and spice? #kids

Do you remember "sugar and spice and everything nice" and "snips and snails and puppy dog tails"? Cute rhyme, but my sweet girl and baby boy are so much more.

My boy is made of grins and squeals and lots of meals. He loves to laugh and make others laugh. He has about twenty face/body movements that will crack the grumpiest of grumps. He runs everywhere with pounding little feet and squeals with joy all day long. He also eats a lot. Meals and snacks and more meals and snacks for that guy!

My girl is made of stories and flips and clever quips. She is a writer and teller of magical tales. She spends a lot of time moving, flipping and bouncing in her own hilarious ways. And she has a quick wit that gives us the giggles out of nowhere.

Kids are the best little creatures on earth, aren't they? They simultaneously make me happy and exhausted, and I cannot imagine what I ever did without them!

What's it like in your house? What would your poetry be for your child?
 

When God made you.... #happybirthday

When God made you, daughter, He smiled.

When He made your eyes,
God said, "a little more blue",
and they sparkled like the sea.  

When He made your hair,
God said, "a little more shine",
and the golden glinted in the sun.

When He made your mind,
God said, "a little more imagination",
and the stories swirled inside you.

When He made your legs,
God said, "just a bit faster",
and now you can run like the wind.

When He made your heart,
I think God added some sugar,
because your sweetness exceeds all the rest.

Stay kind, my dear. Use that mind, strengthen those legs, and be humble despite your beauty. Know that you are special and always, deeply, loved.

Happy 7th birthday to my favorite girl!
  

 

Valentine's Day surprises for young children

Valentine's Day is a time to celebrate love and family. While you are planning a night out for your spouse or picking a card that says it just right or bustling around to get 22 classroom valentines purchased and coercing your child to fill them all out, do not forget to find a little surprise something for your young elementary or preschool aged kiddos.


I have always enjoyed surprising Amelia with a balloon or card or a little something special on various holidays and occasions. It is easy to purchase candy or a stuffed animal from the nearby drugstore for the kids pre-Valentine's Day, but how about something a little more unique or special? I certainly do not need any more stuffed critters in this house!


I perused the trusty Internet to find some ideas for my little ones. How about these adorable creations? 

Keepsake Surprise

source: PersonalCreations.com

This Hello Kitty box from PersonalCreations.com is personalized with a name and filled with Jelly Bellies. You could get any jewelry box or ceramic trinket box and fill it with a favorite candy. This gives your child something special and "grown up" to keep along with their sugary snack.

Money Flower

Pinterest.com

I love this idea!  Children love to receive real money to add to their piggy banks or to take to the store. Money also allows children to learn about budgets and prices when they go out to find their new item. This Pin can be found here: origami money flowers. You just need some bills, green pipe cleaner, and a ribbon. How cute would this be waiting on the breakfast table on Valentine's morning?

It has been one year... #happybirthday

Dear baby boy,

Today marks one full year since my title changed to "mom of two". One full year since your sister shed her title of "only child" and instead became the best big sister ever. It has been one year since the snow and ice rocked our plans for bringing you home and since Grandma and Granddad managed to get your sister safely home from school that crazy afternoon. One full year has passed since Daddy nervously watched you come into the world in a way we had not experienced or planned; in an operating room.

Upon seeing your little newborn face, my first words were, "oh, he's CUTE!". And little guy, you have certainly lived up to that assessment! Your sister refers to you as the cutest baby in the entire world and your smiles and chatter ensure that we make new friends everywhere we go.

Your face is cute and your personality is strong. One day in the future, you will learn that we called you "Hurricane Andrew", so named after the third strongest hurricane in US history. But we nicknamed you lovingly, amazed by your ability to investigate absolutely everything. You keep me on my toes daily, but your inquisitive nature means you will learn and grow and become someone great. 

You changed our lives forever very early in the morning one year ago. You are a shining star that we cannot imagine our world without. Thanks for being silly and sweet and happy and even difficult at times. Keep being you throughout your life and you will go far.

We all love you so much! Happy birthday, my baby boy. Wishing you many, many more years of joy and wonder and giggles.

Social Media Moms chat about happy marriage

The upcoming weekend will be a whirlwind of activity for Andrew's first birthday festivities, including a Cars party courtesy of #DisneySide Home Celebrations. But before Andrew made his mark on those late January days one year ago, it was another special occasion. On January 25th in 2003, Steve and I said our "I dos" in a small, historic white church in the Atlanta suburbs.

Twelve years have gone by!  One dozen years. While we have had issues and ups and downs like everyone else, we are happy and blessed more than we could ever have imagined.

If you do not think having children will completely change the dynamic of your marriage, I would advise you to think again. Adding additional people into a home, especially babies/kids who need attention, education, food, cleaning, etc.? It can rock the world you knew before. With powerful blessings come a few bumps in the road sometimes.

 

I launched a conversation with some of my favorite Georgia Social Media Moms to mark my upcoming anniversary: What are your tips for a happy marriage with kids?

Smart, busy, influential moms give some pretty smart advice:

"Spend some time together completely offline, just the two of you."
--Krystyn from Really Are You Serious, married 11 years, 4 daughters

"Be sure to make time for your spouse! Date nights at home can be just as much fun as going out - and you don't have to spend money on a babysitter."
--Kecia from Southern Girl Ramblings, married 7 years, 2 sons

"Never speak ill of each other and don't hold grudges."
--Autumn from Classic Mommy, married 8 years, 1 daughter 

Wishes for a very merry Christmas

For my husband,
I wish you a release from thoughts and worries of work, fun adventures with your children, and easy success and joys in the new year.

For my darling first grader,
I wish for you excitement and surprises, never-ending learning and wonder, and a healthy dose of confidence so we may always see that glowing and adorable smile.

For my sweet baby boy,
I wish you continued growth, discoveries, and squeals of laughter.

For family and friends,
I wish you peace, happiness, and love with safety, health, and prosperity in the new year.

May all of you find your happy place this season, and may that happy place reside in your soul each and every day.

*** Merry Christmas to all! ***

Family love and adventures

As a teen, family vacations with my parents were not always at the top of my "most favorite things" list. Most teens want to stay home, hang with their friends, and walk a good 20 yards behind their parents anywhere, at all times.

When parents become grandparents, though, the dynamic really changes. The same goes for other extended family. It is a joy to see my children interact with their grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. I like to watch the unique games they play together and listen to their conversations. Amelia has experienced beach activities, toured Hawaii, picked fresh berries, chatted with a donkey, and had countless hours of playground fun with extended family. Andrew is beginning to recognize and remember family faces as well, and I look forward to watching him grow up with amazing family members too.

 

It is almost time for our annual beach vacation with my side of the family. Amelia is excited, and I look forward to that extended time all together.

 

Having help with the kids on vacation is an added perk!

 



Letter From Mom, April 2021

Every now and then, I like to bring up some of my favorite older posts. This one from 3 1/2 years ago is titled "Remember Me". I wrote a letter to a future Amelia, the Amelia who will be thirteen years old in the year 2021.

 

A letter from Mom
April 2021

My lovely Amelia,

I cannot believe you are officially a teenager. You have grown up so fast, and I am so proud of the young lady you have become. You are intelligent, capable, and friendly - with that spunky gleam in your eye we first noticed within moments of your birth.

The next few years will be a whirlwind. You will soon enter high school, meet new friends, develop your interests, and begin to mold yourself into the person you want to be. If you ever need an extra boost or simply a hand to hold, remember me.

Surprise them with little gestures of love. They'll remember!

Amelia is on her sixth day of first grade. Last week went really well and I know she is going to enjoy her year. Check out a favorite memory she had last week:

(Not playing? Click My Skittles to open in YouTube.)

I enjoy surprising her with little gestures of love. I hide small treats or notes in her lunch bag or by her bedroom door every couple weeks. In the midst of a busy day or the morning chaos, she can stop for a moment and remember that she is my sunshine.

When this little guy is big enough, he'll get them too! For now he has to settle for extra kisses and tickles at home.

Linked up to Really, Are You Serious for Mommy & Me Monday.

#WW: Amazing Mommy's Day note

Oh my.... she is my joy. A three-page note, written all by herself, for me on Mother's Day Sunday.

it says...

 

Happy Mother's Day Mommy,

Thank you for helping us do stuff 

and helping me when I need help on my bike 

and helping me when I get hurt

and helping me when I need to learn something

and also when I need a push on the swings.

You push me and that is what I really like about you -

When you do stuff for us and me

and no matter what, I love you.

From, Amelia. 

Wedding plans at age five

I am three decades past preschool and kindergarten, but a few big memories still stand out. Like the time I was cast out of the ballerina role in the preschool graduation event ("too short", apparently). Or the time a boy I "loved" in kindergarten was kissed by another girl (devastating!).

Now that I am Mom to a kindergartener, I am glad that I still have a couple of those memories. Especially now that my girl is dreaming up wedding plans at age five and a half.

She is in love.

The boy is apparently the ladies' man; he hangs out with all the girls. Amelia says they all want to marry him, but she is the one he sits next to at lunch. She is the one whose hand he grabbed as they ran through the playground. My little girl is already tallying her wins vs. the other ladies and imagining the rest of her life with this boy. She was shocked when I told her that marriage is a good twenty years away!

Frankly, I am wearing thin from hearing his name. Tonight, I found a drawing of a boy with his name  written (in rainbow, of course) all over the page.

No matter what, it isn't very comforting to see such behavior in a child so young. My child! But it does help that I am able to conjure up memories of similar feelings and behaviors from my own childhood. I survived and married the right guy when I was in my mid-twenties. I suppose there is hope for my smitten darling too.

I'm just really, really tired of hearing his name!

Love does not live happily beside fear. #DomesticViolence

It's an old joke; my husband and I laugh about buying a shotgun when our daughter begins dating. We all want to protect our children from any hurt whether it be physical or emotional. No one messes with our babies!

But sometimes life takes people down a dark path and they can feel helpless.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness month.

Ladies, know your worth. Understand that your worth is bigger than you may have ever imagined. You are powerful, strong, beautiful, and have the ability to overcome life's hurdles. Sometimes love sneaks in and turns everything we know upside down. Sometimes, and unfortunately, it is not for good. Love does not mean being told where to go, how to dress, to when to speak. Love does not live happily beside fear. Or manipulation. Or spite.

#WW: My only... for now

"They grow up so fast" is not cliche. It is totally real! My sweet and amazing only child is growing up so much faster than I could have ever imagined. Like a flash of lightning.

"My only" will soon have a new title; Big Sister. More than anything else, I look forward to seeing her love and teach her baby brother.

DETERMINATION

FRIENDSHIP

CREATIVITY

All of us #beautiful

"Mommy? Who is the prettiest person in the whole world?"
A question from my five year old tonight... it's a thinker. Amelia does not believe she is a pretty girl. At only five years old, she already wonders why people look different. She worries about what is pretty and what is not.

I don't dare tell her that a prettiest person exists.
And maybe she doesn't.

We are all beautiful. Every person was made unique. Every person a miracle.

Babies are beautiful. Ugly creeps in as we let our human ways take over. Ugliness appears in the wrongs that we do, in the cruel words we use, and in the evils we allow into our hearts.

I told my sweet, sensitive, lovely little girl that no one is the prettiest in the world. We are all beautiful if we have beautiful hearts. I reassured her that she is truly pretty because she is a caring, compassionate, amazing kid. I told her that her blue eye are astounding and her soft curls amazing, but her inside love shows her true beauty. And it always will.

"I love Mommy and Daddy" overkill?

Amelia is an extremely sensitive and loving child. She loves to snuggle and give surprise kisses. She has a sweet heart and a creative mind, always making up stories, coloring, or singing. Sometimes all at the same time!

Nearly every picture Amelia draws is finished off with a big " I LOVE MOMMY I LOVE DADDY" across the top of the page. She creates masterpieces and presents them to us like magical treasures.

Cute, right?

I tried something new

Four years and 361 days ago, I tried something new. There was no going back, no time to question, no time to rethink this massively life changing event.

Four years and 361 days ago, at 11:57 p.m., I took a step into an new world. I became a mom.

I will look into your beautiful face

When the week begins right

Easter was a lovely day. Amelia woke early and I let her climb into our bed. She gently kissed Daddy on his cheek and snuggled in our sheets. I took a leisurely shower while they cuddled softly. Amelia did not pressure us to hurry, or play, or to go downstairs to investigate the Easter surprises.

So quiet. So sweet.

Eventually, we went downstairs. We watched her joy as she searched for eggs and pulled goodies out of her purple straw basket. Throughout the day, we spoke with friends and family. We enjoyed a delicious meal with amazing neighbors. We worked hard to pack and clean in preparation of the move, but it felt okay. There must be something about starting the day out in peace - it sets you up for a good day.

Hopefully for a good week too.

Their hearts have mine

Sometimes I like to see what I was writing one year ago. This one is worthy of a revival from the archives. I still listen to them at night. They continue to have many perfect moments. My girl LOVES her Daddy!
- - -

I am eavesdropping, creeping softly to peek through the cracked door. The room is dim, lit only by the glow of a princess nightlight. My little girl, growing bigger very day, is quiet. Her head rests on Daddy's chest and his fingers gently comb her soft waves of hair.

Married for a decade

Wow, it is our TEN year anniversary today. On January 25th in 2003, around 3:30 in the afternoon, I became a wife. Steve's wife.

We had an adorable wedding in a historical chapel and a quaint reception in a lovely home from the civil war era. Our DJ mispronounced "Stephen" when he announced us into the reception. I danced with my dad, Steve danced with his mom, and we smiled at some sweet grandparents who are no longer with us. I spilled vodka cranberry on my dress. Steve joked with college buddies who flew in from many states. We departed that evening with sore cheeks from too many smiles, and we stuffed our faces with reception food in the hotel.

Mommy, why do you say I'm special?

My child is the sensitive type. At age 4 1/2, she already doubts herself. Kids are mostly sweet at this age, but every now and then someone hurts her feelings. And she stands aside quietly and does not say a word.

When she has a bad night and pushes our buttons with rudeness and a complete lack of listening, she ends up crying quietly to herself in bed. She asks us later, "why am I a bad kid sometimes?" It seems no amount of encouraging, loving, and praising can break her strong will to blame herself. Amelia is an amazingly smart, considerate, well-mannered, wonderful kid. She has her naughty moments (like every other kid on earth), yet she takes it to heart and concludes that she is a "bad" person.

The other night, in the dark of her room before sleep took her to dreamland, Amelia whispered to me, "Mommy? Why do you say I'm special?".