7 Wonders

Lizzy kicked off her birthday festvities with some glow-in-the-dark bowling.




She was excited about her new bike, which took her hours to pick out.


My Grandfather Paul and Lizzy have always enjoyed a special bond.

It's a wonder to me that I have been a mother for 7 years. Elizabeth turned seven last week and we joyfully celebrated her birthday. Not knowing what to expect, I remember pondering on the thought of being a mother during the days before her birth. Happily I smile to myself and give thanks to Heaven for sending us our close to perfect oldest child.

Lizzy was born in California. My dear mother flew in for nearly 3 weeks to help with her first grandchild. She came a few days before my due date to assist with last minute preparations. In fact, we spent my early labor walking the mall, getting some last minute essentials (at Baby Gap of course). I had no appetite at dinner that night and became somewhat discouraged. I was having mild contractions off and on during the day but they didn't seem to be leading anywhere. After a warm bath, my wise mother told me to go to bed. I asked if she would be going to bed too and she informed me that she knew I was going to have the baby that night, so she would just stay up and wait for me. Well, she was right! Not soon after I fell asleep I was awaken by what child birth really feels like. My mom was right there, all knowing, and together the three of us drove to the hospital to meet our Elizabeth only 6 hours later.

We hadn't picked out a name for our daughter before she was born. Kelly had always loved the name Elizabeth (a family name) and I agreed that it was and still is arguably the most feminine, beautiful name for a little girl, girl, teenager and lady. It seemed to suit her instantly. Diane is my mother's name and both Kelly and I felt overwhelmingly that this should be her middle name. As we have gotten to know Lizzy more and more, we see why she was named after my mother. They are one in the same! The nick-name "Lizzy" came naturally after the name choice of Elizabeth as it has always been a favorite of mine. Our Lizzy has grown into her name quite nicely. Her femininity, grace, poise, sweetness, politeness and sensitivity pairs well with the name Elizabeth. Her curiosity, creativity and humor make her our "Lizzy D".

I marvel and wonder at the joy motherhood has brought me. Thank you Elizabeth for 7 wonder-filled years as our first born. We are so proud of you, we want so much for you, we learn so much from you, we love our darling Lizzy.

Yay for May!

Two of my favorite things in life are to (1) preform a kind gesture, or (2) to receive one from someone else. On May Day, we were the recipients, and it was so grand. A favorite friend of Lizzy's along with her loving grandmother surprised us with these:

A B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L bouquet of spring blossoms picked from a very well-nurtured yard. They came bundled in a cheery home-made vase (of sorts) and delivered to our door, with a note welcoming the long awaited month of MAY. I love May, as it is the month of my birth, I feel particularly fond of one of the most lovely months of the year. The girls proudly placed the bouquet in their room. Now, the aroma of spring blossoms fill the entire 2nd floor of our home, and their kindness to us fills a sometimes empty pail to the brim.

Happy May Day!

Go Green!

In celebration of Earth Day/Month the children and I enjoyed some earth friendly activities:

We took in the beauty of Mother Nature's greatest Spring Masterpiece:

THE TULIP! (red being the Fav)

The Official Earth Day found us on a LONG journey into the

"CITY" on Public Transit, making many

new and colorful friends. I still think of "Captn" and LuLu, wondering how

he's doing with Bladder cancer and if he still has his eye-patch.

We walked more, and learned that Dad is pretty smart when he tells us NOT to walk

in flip-flops.

I also picked a beautiful tree for our backyard, a clump mountain ash. I love our earth and am becoming more GREEN with each passing year. "Captn" was explaining to me that there is no need for a car in this town; public Transit is great. I agreed but asked if it ever bothered him that it took so much longer than driving. His response was simple: Isn't life about the Journey? Yes "Captn", I believe it is.

Twinkle Twinkle

Lizzy took her turn as STAR STUDENT in school recently. The younger children and I thought it would be fitting to surprise the star with a unexpected lunch date. The conversation went something like this:

Rosie, echoed by Max- Lizzy, Lizzy, we are here (ZZY, ZZY, Here)

Lizzy- HI!!!!!! What are you guys doing here?

Mom- We thought we would come and eat lunch with the Star Student.

Lizzy- I AM THE STAR STUDENT!!!!!

Mom- Oh Good! I guess we picked a good day to come.

School lunch has improved dramatically since my days of brunch for lunch, lunch lady's surprise and pigs in a blanket. We had our choice of either a delicious Potato Bar or a Sub Sandwich. Both choices came with a bounty of fresh fruits and salad and either "white milk", chocolate milk, juice or a water bottle to wash everything down. All of this yummyness was had at the small price of $1.25, per person. I now understand why Lizzy enjoys hot lunch over home lunch, the only thing missing from lunch at school is the lunch ladies don't write you a very witty, sometimes silly, but always well thought out love note on your lunch tray. So, take that school lunch! HA! Score one for the home team.

After enjoying our nutritious meal together, we played on the playground. I was on high alert for the playground bully. Unfortunately for me, I knew him to well, Max had to leave early for lack of sharing the swings. Lizzy was not upset however as she had multiple play offers and ended up looking for "STUFF" in the bushes with a very nice boy named Quintus. That doesn't sound so great, but I assure you that it was all completely innocent.

Later that week, she proudly produced a book compiled by her fellow classmates on why they thought she was a superstar. My favorites were:

I'm a superstar because: I'm Lucky and Cute. (true true Lizzy)

Lizzy's a superstar because:

She is magnifcent, A good friend, lisins to the teacher, nice to uthers, awesome, nevr pushis enyone off the swings, never picks flowrs in the skool, never buts in lines, a good egsampool, prity, good stoodent, and my personal favorite: you are beyotfole (bet you can't guess who wrote that).

I am pleased to see all is well in first grade for Elizabeth. Every child deserves a happy childhood, and I enjoy experiencing it again through our very own Super Star.

Firsts

This Easter marked a few firsts:

1- Rub ons! I'm talking about vinyl lettering people! Anyone who has been to my nest knows there's a lack of vinyl. I'm not saying I don't like it, I just have never used it before now. Let me just say personalizing the children's sand buckets (make-shift Easter baskets) brought me more joy than I ever anticipated. I now own a whole stack of monogram rub on letters, so, what will be next?

2- MAX! Never before in the history of raising our son, has he out-shined his beautiful older sisters when it came to Sunday finery. This year though, he did. And I mean he really did. His suit was more than I could handle, complete with a straw hat of course. I fell in love with our 'southern gent', he seemed completely confident in his attire and the attention it generated. A favorite Aunt & Uncle proudly predicted that Max will be voted best dressed someday, I mean, is there anything more important than that title in High School? Shoot for the stars Max, and hopefully K-mart will continue to provide stylish yet affordable clothing in the year 2024. Now, where's the kid's Easter candy?

Here we go, Here we go, Here we go Now!

2007-It all started with the Costco pre-fab swing set. It's fun for the children, they love playing on it and I love it because of the hours of entertainment it provides.

2008-But, that just wasn't enough for the handsome man my children call Dad. He envisioned something more..... something along the lines of a 6 ft by 8 ft sandbox, complete with cover and roof. I was very proud.

Proud enough that I couldn't help but adorn it with pendants! Of course sewing pendants in varying sizes, onto rope, was way over my sewing skills. So of course, in came my Connie to the rescue. She has saved me more than once and I marvel at not only her sewing skills, but also the great generosity she gives with her TIME. I won't tell you what time this picture was taken, but let's just say dawn was fast approaching. Everyone needs a Connie!

The sandbox proved to be a hit among kids and adults alike! Everyone can fit, with room to dig. Our home became the hot spot for summer parties, and we couldn't be happier!

And now, it's 2009. What gift will we give our backyard this year? There are plans in the works, rulers are out, pencils sharpened, budgets evaluated, Kel's back to the drawing board. If he builds it, will they come? I guess we'll have to wait and see!

Sweet Dreams

When you're so lonely lying in bed
Night's closed it's eyes but you can't rest your head

Everyone's sleeping all through the house

You wish you could dream but forgot to somehow

Sing this lullaby to yourself

Sing this lullaby to yourself (Jack Johnson)

MAX has always enjoyed co-sleeping. As a baby, he would fall asleep smiling if we were holding him. We understood each other, as one of my favorite things to do is to hold a sleeping baby. As he has transitioned into toddlerhood, it has been an "adjustment" for him to sleep in his own bed. He is now free to roam around at night, making visits to anyone who will accept. We have found him in strange places; the stairs leading to our bedroom is my personal favorite. Feeling like he would never learn to be happy in his own bed, I almost gave up. Lizzy gladly volunteered to let him sleep with her, which I actually started to consider. Then out of know where, Mr. Froggy came on scene. A soft cuddly frog prince, origins unknown, has been our hero. We know not where he came from, how long he will be with us, or who exactly he belongs to. It doesn't matter! All that matters is that his magic power has made it possible for Max to sleep in his own bed happily, with Mr. Foggy. Thank you Mr. Foggy, who ever you are!