Eight

Ah my sweet girl, she turned eight today! This is a child who gets on and gets things done. When she sets her mind to something it is hard to make her change it. She is strong, yet incredibly delicate, still figuring out what life is all about. She loves hard. She does everything at the 100% level, no middle ground or halfheartedness for this one.

She is a sweet, yet sometimes tormenting sister. She is helpful and smart and beautiful. She works hard and plays hard and loves to laugh and have fun.

Sometimes I look at her and can see my mother as a child, she is my only child to give me that gift. My first daughter, we are learning much together and although the road has sometimes been a little rocky we will travel on.

I love her deeply and want only the best for her; to protect her for as long as possible, to encourage and challenge her, as she does me. We have fun years ahead.

52 Weeks of 2014 - Week 8

The best beaches have sand and rocks. A kid can play and dig and clamber and climb and run from the waves, or just sit and think, for a few moments. Oh what I would give to know the thoughts that run through his mind. He is a thinker.

Can't beat California, sun and the beach in February. It may be colder again today, but these random gorgeous days are such a gift.

Ten

Ten years ago we welcomed the most amazing baby boy into our life. A decade...how is that even possible? I could not know how much I would love this little guy and how much he would change me. I had no idea what to really expect, how to be a mother...but we learned together. Such a sweet, sweet time.

He is truly beautiful, inside and out. He has a sensitivity, that I know at times must seem like both a blessing and a curse, but I know he will grow into that and will always bless others.

Like me, he sees things very literally and can be an over analyzer and like his daddy he is free with his emotions and wears his heart on his sleeve. He is creative, an amazing artist with a crazy imagination. Although they bug him at times and he craves alone time, he adores his little sisters and I know he would do anything for them.

He is on that cusp now, he is still very much a little boy, but growing all the time; intellectually, emotionally and physically. The small child is standing in the doorway, one foot in childhood still, but peering across into adulthood, he's not quite ready to cross that threshold but it is just a matter of time. It makes me catch my breath...

52 Weeks of 2014 - Week 3

Last week I accompanied my daughter's kindergarten class on a field trip to the Lawrence Hall of Science, in Berkeley. It was so great. Their group had a 'Fizz, Pop, Wow!' science class where they learned about mixing different ingredients and watching reactions, observing the properties of solids, liquids and gases. Then they got to explore the main halls, full of exhibits and hands-on displays. It really was a place that showed how fun learning can be. The groans when it was time to leave, were heartfelt and everybody agreed that the time had been too short.

It is so wonderful to see children's eyes light up as they learn and get excited at discoveries they make for themselves. The joy of understanding something new and feeling empowered. If you live in the Bay Area and haven't already visited, I would thoroughly recommend it.

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 46

I love to see my kids reading. I still love to read TO them, but more and more they can get lost on their own. Sometimes they will even read to each other and that blesses me beyond belief. For the older two to take the time to read to their little sister, without me asking or telling them, is pretty special.

Reading opens one to knowledge, to adventure and excitement, to emotional roller-coasters and dreams. What an amazing skill, a gift in the truest sense, that keeps on giving.

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 45

Childhood is so fleeting. Before we know it, those helpless babies are crawling, walking, then all too quickly running. The cries become words then sentences and all of a sudden there are full, two-way conversations. Time speeds by and we cannot stop it, try as we might.

A little girl was feeling sad this day. Her older brother and sister and cousins had taken off without her, up a steep, loose gravel hill and try as hard as she could, she was unable to follow them. She sat forlornly, fighting back the tears and I felt a little helpless. Had I not been wearing flip flops, or had two dogs in tow, I may have attempted to make the treacherous climb with her, but given those circumstances, it was not an option. I know she loves me, but in that moment she would rather have been exploring with the big kids, than hanging out with her Mom.

She didn't want consoling, she was trying to be strong! I know these instances are growing further apart and happening with lesser frequency. All too soon they'll all be off having their own fun, as I watch (and cheer) from the sidelines. That moment, was one more for me to just be with her, to turn the sad into a smile, to create something special, for just the two of us. So we went on a little treasure hunt, searching for conkers. It was our own little adventure and she was so proud. I guess 'conkers' isn't really played over here, but she knew exactly what I was talking about, she'd seen it on a Kipper episode. She was excited and happy...and so was I.

As mothers, our role is constantly changing. We go from being the be all and end all, to a helper, a teacher, an encourager, having finally to release, to be a cheerleader and supporter and hopefully in the end a friend. Each stage so far has been so sweet and as I see my role needing to change it continues to be bittersweet, but I hope to cherish each one and to keep depositing into those memory banks.

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 44

On a hot day, after running laps to raise money for your school, which would YOU rather have? A full sit down meal or a delicious, cold ice cream? Well for our amazing kids, the answer was, of course, ice cream. It was definitely well deserved and very much enjoyed.

No need for a pose, or to ask this one to look at the camera, just a snap at the right moment as she relished the coolness. Love it!

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 40

The weather this weekend was glorious! Low 80s and it's October...in the Bay, which if you don't live here you may not realize that fog is common year round. It was amazing and we had to head to the beach, which with the government shutdown was not the easiest task. Some beaches were open, but the car parks closed, some had open car parks, but the gates to the beaches were locked...completely ridiculous. We finally ended up at Crissy Field beach and after driving and driving found some street parking. It was absolutely worth it and the kids and the cousins had a blast in the water, building sand castles, burying themselves in sand.

As we crossed the field again, on our return, exhausted from hours in the sun, dandelion puffs glowed in the slowly setting sun and what kid can resist those? I think this was our last summer hurrah...and it was perfect.

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 34

Enjoying the last few days of summer, before school starts later this week. This was a day with friends, an afternoon spent cooling down, getting soaked, then laying in the sun to dry off, sharing secrets all the while. It's a simple, happy life being a child in the summer.

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 21

I am one of those rule followers, I admit it! However, I was out on Saturday afternoon with my girls and we stumbled upon a park. It was a beautiful day, but not overly hot and said park had a water feature. The girls spotted it at once, but I told them we had no swim suits, no towels, no change of clothes, so it wouldn't work that day and steered them towards the rest of the playground. They were a little disappointed but there was other new equipment to explore and they were soon happily climbing and playing.

As I watched them laughing and giggling together and reflected on the fact that they hadn't complained and whined at being told 'no' for today I decided to let them do it. Who really cared if they got wet?

I didn't tell them right away, I told them it was time to start heading out and as we got closer to the water they asked me again "Please Mommy?"!

I didn't have to tell them yes twice. They were thrilled! They tossed aside their shoes and just went for it.  The water would spurt at varying intensities at different times and from different directions and the anticipation then squeals, the sheer joy and excitement was priceless.

There was no holding back, they got thoroughly drenched, and enjoyed every moment. They were kids being kids, having fun, being free. Not much can beat that.

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 20

There are those RARE moments in life when your little girls say "Mommy! Take a picture of us" and you don't argue, you grab your camera quickly and don't worry about what the background looks like, or whether outfits match perfectly, or are cute enough. Then they spontaneously hug each other without you  asking them to. They smile....then they really surprise you and even do a sweet kiss and you are just doing as you were told and documenting that they really do love each other. Which, of course you knew.

Sometimes, though, with all the bickering and yelling and pinching, you wonder if they will both survive, or if you will even be able to handle the teenage years if it's already like this now. So you'll take these moments and treasure them and of course record them. They will be proof. (One day you may need to shove a photo like this in their faces and remind them how they really are best friends because, maybe, for brief moments they might forget.)

I realize, this could just be how it is with my kids and yours may be just perfect at all times, loving and sweet and kind to each other. But, I seriously doubt it.

Love these unscripted moments. Sigh.

Mine

I know I may be a little biased, but I think she is beautiful. That's all!

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 17

Five year olds are determined creatures. This week, mine learned how to blow bubble gum bubbles. We often have chewing gum but she specifically asked for bubble gum this time and asked me to teach her. She worked at it, repeatedly, she was not going to give up and all of a sudden it all began to click. She had put all that she had into it and there she was, proud as could be, blowing bubbles.

Such a simple little achievement, that may not mean much to some, but it's the little achievements that build confidence and make them (us) believe that maybe they can accomplish whatever they next set their mind to!

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 5

Remember that silly poem about what little girls are made of? Sugar and spice and everything nice? Well what I love about my daughter (and what sometimes drives me crazy, if I'm being honest) is that she is no pushover. She is wonderful and sweet and caring and kind but she is nobody's fool!

I am glad of it. I want her to be independent and strong, not swayed by popular opinion or peer pressure. I want her to stand up for herself and for what she believes in. Sometimes that means, as she tests our boundaries, that there is inappropriate behavior, but that is part of our role as parents; to teach her how to handle herself and be heard, without anger and spite. This is the safe training ground, surrounded by those who love her, who will never reject her or take revenge. This is her place to bloom.

She has a spark and a joy and the ability to laugh at herself and they will carry her far. She is determined and I know that will serve her well in life. She will be one who take risks, she will go for it when others are standing back. I pray that she will be bold and courageous, even though at times she feels afraid.

Right now she is my little girl and as much as I would like to keep her that way, I cannot wait to see the woman she will become and all that she will achieve!