A Few of My Favorite Things...

Here are a few of the things lately that I have been celebrating. There is so much more but I'll start with top of mind for now and build as needed....

my 93 year old grandmother (a wonderful role model).

friendship- I have daily contact with fabulous ones and intermittent contact with friends from long ago. I treasure all of them.

handmade gifts from my girls

my Saturday night call from my dear Aunt Cyn congratulating me on Obama's Washington state win! ;)

prayers for others--Liv was praying for a very sick Eric last night (fever, chills, etc.) and it was beautiful despite his illness.

my brother Tim's sense of humor (probably the funniest person I am blessed to know!)

chocolate chip cookies homemade by my friend, Darren--the lack of evidence on the plate shows how much Audrey & I enjoyed them yesterday during game time.

receiving comments on my blog!

sleeping children (is there anything more precious or peaceful)?

a quiet home.

sipping tea with a magazine.

discussing politics, religion, life with Eric.

Boston fruit slices~ YUM! Almost gone...;(

recipes from my Aunt Pam sent across the miles.

thoughtful, helpful friends (and their kiddos) My friend, Eric, hung 3 of these darling chandeliers for me in the playroom!

my dogs even love my neighbors (on our evening walk last night Frib stopped at Gloria's door looking for turkey and Carrie's door since she's my dogs and kids surrogate mum!)

Audrey's kindness~ "I'm Sorry I do not have your card. So 'Go Fish', Mama, & Good Luck" her mantra when she does not have the card requested during Go Fish.

sweet husbands- Mara's husband sent her a surprise cocktail from he & their little boys the other night at girls night. His generosity made Mara (& me) cry. Prince!

honesty & ability to apologize easily (I am so pleased my parents taught me these traits!)

reconnecting with family- saw my beautiful cousins and fabulous aunts in California a few weeks ago. magical.

my mom's laid back nature (how I wish I got some of that!)

my brother Peter's positive disposition. great, great guy.

All for now. I would love to read some of your fav things, too!

For some reason I typed this post as a list of items but they all blend in a paragraph. Carrie, please help!

Guilt. Friendship. Teaching Moments.

Tonite was girls night. Long fabulous talks shared over yummy treats with a handful of my dear friends. It was perfect. And therapeutic.

After discussing my poor parenting skills and as a result my guilt, resentment, and helplessness I gained some perspective. I thank R & C for that tonite. And God. And Olivia.

After I arrived home and relieved the sitter I went in the girls rooms to kiss my sleeping beauties. I found this note on Olivia's bedroom floor.

"Mommy, I miss you. When you come in tonite can you sing, 'I've been working on the railroad?' You are so cool. Thank you for always being there for me. Love, Olivia"

I went to turn the page to write a reply and found this~

"Mom rocks. Notes about Mommy. She is the best. She is so cool. She is so nice. I look up to her because she does very, very good things."

I share this information here not because I believe it about me but because I don't. And yet Olivia does. And she loves me for me. And accepts me as I am. What a lovely gift. She is a wonderful teacher. Clearly I need to be a better student and do the same.

This picture was snapped the other night when Olivia was sharing a report with me on the person she most looked up to. And she named me. It was the nicest thing anyone has ever said about me. And it came from my child who knows all of me--good, bad, and ugly. I felt so loved.

Pink Gumballs, Sleeping Beauties & More

It was Erma Bombeck (or someone like her) that wrote about child rearing and the joys, triumphs, and frustrations that come along with it. One phrase in particular has always stood out in my mind when the writer addresses how sorry she'll be when the fingerprints on the wall disappear. I get what she is trying to say, how it all goes so fast--too fast.

Here's some thoughts on what I will miss dearly and what I treasure daily.

Opening my purse and finding sparkly barrettes, pink gumballs and notes from the girls...

holding small hands...and feet

kids concerts (yes, even a part of me will miss these!)

after school chat sessions, ribbons on the dogs, giggles and flashlights inside their playtent, butterfly kisses,

singing with their cousins

silly spontaneous performances

their teachers

even their recess monitors (Liv says she just has to check in with her daily since they're good friends. Darling!)

bed time

sleeping beauties

chandeliers and goldfish

trails of books

little friends

sleepovers

children's stories, tea parties, everything about this next scene...the pram, the dolls and animals Audrey has chosen to take for a stroll, the blankets, and the care that went into tucking all these little treasures in

and everything about what was happening prior to this picture being snapped...I will miss naming these dolls with Audrey (Lucy, Maggie, and Melissa), gathering their bottles & watching her feed them. After she was all settled in with them she asked for a picture so she could send it to Meme (who gave her these triplet dolls.) I will miss her beautiful innocent, pure heart ...yet I anxiously look forward to watching her giant heart grow even bigger!

playdates

playmates

surprise notes taped on my nightstand (Audrey wrote "I Love You")

watching them write real words for the first time (Audrey had to do an "About Me" lesson and what I want to be when I grow up--she had written, "help the needies".

and wearing the words with pride! She taped on paper with the words"you. me. audrey. i love you." on them.

their hairstyles

And let's be honest, there will be many things I will not miss. Hair issues, clothes issues, whining, tantrums, bickering, the morning rush, making lunches, Raffi, guilt ridden workdays, guilt ridden workouts, guilt ridden pedicures, and the lack of naps! And yes, fingerprints on the wall.

Bliss & Blessings

I have so many wonderful friends and family who share their hearts and thoughts with me. I know it is a gift. I promise to not take it for granted. I am not sure how to begin or how to express how deeply touched and loved and how happy it all makes me feel. I remember how overwhelmed Eric and I were on our wedding day. All the attention. All the gifts. All the hugs. All meant for us and all so genuine. I have been experiencing that sort of happiness more and more as of late and I am so thankful.





Here is just a hint of what I am grateful for...





The kind, kind words at your party, Mara. The friendship. The hug yesterday when it was least expected and I did not know how much I needed it. And oh, the bountiful bag of presents. Over indulged was I!





The inquiry over your breakfast bar, Carrrie, about how all was going. The eye contact. The genuine love.





The CD mix made especially for us and hand delivered!





The calendar of my beautiful cousin, Kyle, who was taken from this place far too soon.





The emails and calls with family opening their hearts, accepting my thoughts, and loving me regardless.





The smiles on the kids faces with all the gifts, cards, notes, and holiday wishes from friends and family near and far. We were touched by so many this season!

The crumbs left behind by Santa and the special note of thanks for the clementine from Blitzen!



The generous help from my mother-in-law keeping the kitchen sparkling as we entertained this season.





The talks with my mom. Always. About everything. Or nothing. And always wishing they would never end.





The unexpected calls from my grammie and her emails. 93 and you totally rock!





My dad. I am so glad we're so close and have such a wonderful adult friendship and father/daughter bond.





Audrey's laugh.





Eric's final words before we drift off to sleep. I love every single part of you.





Liv's notes and thoughts and long, long talks into the night. I wish you so much happiness, Liv.





Driving through our old neighborhood last week listening to "Five For Fighting" really loud with Olivia and not wanting to be anywhere else or with anyone else.





Enjoying a cask conditioned Jolly Roger beer and eating spicy Mexican lentil soup at Hilltop Ale House on Queen Anne. By myself. On a work day! Being surprised and hugged by Jeff (the owner and our friend!)





Chatting with family on Christmas day. A second phone call from my folk's house as my brother, Peter, really wanted to talk with his little sis! I love that!!





Here's to many, many moments of bliss in 2008 and beyond. I pray for peace, good health, friendship and much love to all.

Merry Christmas

The signs of the season are everywhere and in an effort to capture it now so I can reflect in the future, I thought it best to document in pictures. So here goes:

Audrey girl en route to her holiday performance.Audrey at her school performance (back row in the middle--head turned "coaching" her friend, Sam). She is such a mother hen yet she does it without sass. During the show she was a consumate rule follower and acting out each aspect of the songs. In between songs she was hushing friends and directing them. I asked her after the show what was up. "Well, I had to tell Rachel that we were here to sing not just wave at the audience. I had to tell Ryan to leave the snow alone--it was not there for us to play with but for decoration. And Sam was touching the curtain that had our winter scene on it. If he kept playing with the curtain the audience would see the plain old blank curtain and they were supposed to see the holiday scene." Alright then.Flowers from Jewel and family. Thank you! Once again our wonderful friends Carrie & Darren were so kind and generous. They surprised Audrey at her performance (and came bearing flowers)! We are so lucky.

Olivia at her gymnastics championship! Lots of first and second place ribbons--and another trophy. Way to go, Livvie!

Painting projects! Thanks to my dear friend, Christa (& family), the girls enjoyed a wonderful afternoon painting on canvas. Another perfect gift, CX!

This was the best day for my girls... relationship-wise. I do not recall them ever getting along as well as they did this day. Amazing how wonderful it feels when there is no bickering or teasing. Audrey was over the moon at how well her big sister treated her. Olivia was able to see how good it feels to have your little sister really enjoy you. And laugh with you and because of you! Audrey thinks Olivia is the funniest person alive. The house was filled with laughter, joy, and big hugs from dawn to dusk. This was among one of the best Christmas gifts I suspect we'll ever receive.

The little tappers. Audrey and her tap class waiting to go on stage for their big performance. They danced to "Here Comes Santa Claus" sung by Elvis. After the show Audrey was telling me what a genius Elvis was. "He knows that Santa doesn't care if we're rich or poor. He says we're all God's children and peace on earth will come to all if we just follow the light. Elvis is really, really smart, Mama." Thanks to Audrey's insight I will never listen to that song the same again.

Audrey turned breakfast time into a princess tea party. Tea set courtesy of my dear Aunt Debbie (thank you and hugs to you!)

The yummy pancakes courtesy of my friend Rebecca and family. Williams-Sonoma eggnog pancake mix- divine! Thanks, R.

Breakfast was follwed by a princess Christmas show. Audrey performed for gramma and me and Eric. Frib stood by (begging) as the adults were finishing breakfast and the show went on.

Olivia and Hannah bowling. Miss you, Hannah!

Christmas movies in bed. Need I say more?

Cheers--Smoky Met Martinis (Absolut, Glenlivet, and an orange twist)--YUM! One is plenty. Wish I knew that going in...Gramma and Eric and I enjoyed a super night out at one of my client's restaurants and were treated like royalty-so thankful!







Back on skates for the first time in more than 25 years! Audrey and Liv were champs. Having me hold Audrey up as we attempted to skate was probably not the best idea-- but it was great fun. I managed a few spins around by myself but there was surely nothing even remotely close to acrobatics taking place!







Olivia on skates for the first time. Two darling, thoughtful girls we met at the ice rink stayed by her side the entire time--helping her learn. It was a fabulous sight. Best of all, Olivia embraced them and their willingness to teach her.







Me and Audrey E. at the nail salon.












































Olivia giving Audrey voice lessons in preparation for another Wilkinson Girls Christmas Extravaganza.

And then the show went on.

"I want to wish you a Merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart!"