:: Pumpkin Waffle Cone Ice Cream ::We are celebrating today with a big scoop of Pumpkin Waffle Cone Ice Cream. Today my baby boy is 8! I can hardly believe that my little guy has become such a big boy. We have planned a family trip for this big day, but first there is always room for ice cream. Pumpkin Waffle Cone Ice Cream for breakfast sounds like a great way to start off our weekend celebration! [Read more…]
My sweet, sweet girl… didn’t I just write about you turning 5? The year has quickly sped by…. leaving me wanting to turn back the clock, and experience the last year with you all over again.
You have grown so much this year… not only taller, but in maturity. A year ago, it was hard for me to imagine that you’d soon be starting Kindergarten. Now… First Grade is around summer’s bend. To be perfectly honest, you haven’t been crazy about homeschooling this year… mostly because you want to do your older brothers’ work, or play with your baby brother, Finn. You find coloring, cutting, and workbook pages to be “boring!” I’m constantly buying new curriculum for you… or searching the internet for projects that you’ll enjoy!
You still really love to help around the house, especially if it involves cooking or baking! You recently picked up a camera and shot some photos. I couldn’t believe your natural ability to capture beautiful moments, from your unique perspective. When you aren’t playing with your favorite dolls, you are typically singing, dancing, or tumbling around the house {or on the furniture!}. You pretty much provide us with constant entertainment!
You are the most amazing big sister, Sophia Blue! You love your baby brother more than anything! He follows you around… wearing your high heels, sparkly makeup, and tutu’s! He loves getting wrapped up in your imaginative games and practicing your fancy ballet moves! Lately, you’ve been telling your two oldest brothers that they are the “meanest brothers in the whole world!” {This is definitely a new phase we are going through.} Deep down… you do love them dearly, but those older brothers of yours LOVE to antagonize you {they really like to make you shriek!}. Although Mommy and Daddy do our best to keep the peace… we know that having three brothers will only make you stronger, more well-rounded, and confident in life. Promise! [Read more…]
Happy Birthday to Mason! I can’t believe he is lucky #7! How can that be?!? I know as kids we were told by our parents that time really does fly once you have children….and they are so very right! Mason entered this lovely world on a hot November day. The year he was born was one of the hottest summers that we had here in Southern California. Yes, I know I was pregnant and most women claim that the year they were pregnant was super hot, but it truly was {I have a list of friends that can attest to this, wink}. I remember having to leave the hospital in shorts, all of which is the last piece of clothing a mother of a fall baby wants to be wearing after having a child. I pray you Mama’s out there never have to experience that. Heat and pregnancy really don’t mix.
I can go on and on about my pregnancy, delivery, etc., but what is most important is what his birth and life have taught me. I do believe I was truly chosen to be Mason’s mama. He has opened my eyes and heart to more life than I have ever expected. You see I think we all have in mind how life will be and how things will go during and after our pregnancy. All of the baby books filled with information on what to do and how to do it all makes it seem as though raising a child can be and will be a text book situation. What I have learned as a mother is that more often than not, raising a child or a baby generally does not follow a guideline or a particular path.
I whole-heartedly have had every intention of posting healthier recipes up on the blog {and I promise… I will!}; however, we did have a special birthday in our family last week. Ryan, my oldest son, turned nine. I’m still sort of in shock at how quickly my time with him has gone. In just nine more years… I’ll be sending this handsome boy off to college {sigh}. I’m literally holding onto him for as long as he lets me…
One of our traditions {dating back to when I was a child} is having the birthday person pick their favorite dinner and dessert. When I was growing up… I always picked savory crepes for dinner and deliciously sweet crepes for dessert. {Not your traditional birthday cake, but still to this day, my absolute favorite!} For Ry… it was his favorite restaurant for Chinese food and homemade S’mores Ice Cream Cake for dessert. In my opinion, there’s just no reason to purchase ice cream cakes. You can so easily make one yourself…. and I guarantee it will be so much more decadent and flavorful!
Nearly a decade…. I can’t believe it, Ry. It’s been nearly a decade of hugs, kisses, cuddles and sweet, thoughtful conversations with you. Nearly a decade of reading books, exploring the outdoors, answering your questions, going on walks, praying with you, and tucking you in at night.
Being my firstborn… it’s amazing how much I remember about your sweet personality growing up… your likes, dislikes, and little quirks. I remember each major milestone as if it’s permanently etched into my mind. It’s so special being the first… in so many ways. You see, you will always hold such a sacred space in my heart, because you were the child who first made me a mother. The child who taught me patience, and an unfathomable type of love {the most exceptional form}, that which is unconditional.
When you were a baby, you loved looking at books from the earliest age. In fact, when you were only weeks old, you were completely mesmerized by my colorful psychology books placed on the shelves. When you were slightly older, you would wake up and spend several minutes thumbing through board books. If I came in before you were finished, you would get upset… indicating a desire for a few more minutes with your books. It was the sweetest thing! By the age of three, you were doing 100-piece puzzles in a flash! By the age of 4, you told everyone that when you grew up, you were going to be a Paleontologist. You have always loved learning… for the sake of learning! It is so beautiful to bear witness to….
:: A Love Letter to our Little Man, on His Birthday ::Dearest Seth,
You are SEVEN today…. How in the world did time go by so quickly?
In all honesty, it seems as if only yesterday that we were frantically driving to the hospital to deliver you. I remember your birth so vividly in my head, perhaps because it was a bit traumatic on my end! Your daddy and I barely made it to the hospital before you decided to make your entrance into the world! Just 35 minutes we had to endure patiently before meeting you. You were our tiniest baby…. just 6 pounds, 9 ounces. I’ll never forget those first tender weeks cradling you in my arms and keeping you all to myself. It was hard for me to let you out of my arms. As you grew…. you had the same issue with me! You only wanted Mommy to hold you. No one else! We called you my little koala for that very reason. [Read more…]
