The BEST birthday card EVER!

Last Sunday, I turned 43.

Since we are in the process of gutting the kitchen, Tom and I decided that there would be no presents this year, and the girls are over scheduled so we have little time on weekends for a "party". We enjoyed a couple of lovely quiet meals with Susie and Papa, and I LOVED being with the people I love.

However, the girls weren't going to let the day go by without a little fanfare! Ms. Bean washed by car from top to bottom and vacuumed for hours with Papa on Saturday (thanks DAD!). And little Bee, demanded that I produce a box of pens, a sheet of paper, and get OUT OF HER WAY!

20 minutes later, she appeared with this masterpiece, and the following explanation:

The front contains the first and last letter of our names. The Heart indicates who is having the birthday, and the "O" symbalized who made the card.



And here is the inside. A cake topped with sparkelers (THANKS ERICA!) and the ROYGBIV and a sunflower for Mommy. I simply couldnt be more proud or delighted.

Overheard last weekend

Little Bee (while sitting on the toilet) - Mommy, I love you.
Me - I love you too.
Little Bee - Mommy, I love you so much that for your birthday, I am going to draw you a very special picture. It will be a picture of your very favorite thing.
Me - Really? What is my very favorite thing?
Little Bee - It will be a picture of a poop, in the potty. Because that is your favorite thing.

Hmmmmm. I wonder how much that particular peice of art will get me on ebay?

Little Bee's Day (as told to Grandma Susie)

I had a snack but I didn't like the frosting on the cupcakes, because it was lemon and I do not like lemon.

I also had lunch and I just ate the applesauce.

I also took a nap,and the best of all, I made a hola skirt.

That's all the things I did.

Leah

Less then 2 hours after writing this post about Little Bee's kindness and sensitivity, she and I had 2 back to back conversations:

1) At my parents house:

BB - Mom, I don't want to go home
me - Why Leah? Do you want to stay here?
BB - I want you to leave, I am going to stay here.
me - Leah, we were going to spend the afternoon together having some special time.
BB - But, I don't want to be with you
me - Why?
BB - Because I don't like your face

2) 10 minutes later
Susie - Leah, did you have fun at your party yesterday?
BB - no
Me - No? what was your favorite part?
BB - Nothing
Me - Umm. What didn't you like?
BB - (after rolling eyes), I didn't like anything. I didn't like the food. I didn't like the decorations. I didn't like the balloons. (very long pause) I just like the presents.

I can tell, that 4, is going to be a Good Good time with Little Bee!

March 14 - 2009

Yesterday our Lovely Leah turned 4! It was a very busy day, but in the morning I had a few moments to reflect on how she has changed over the past year, and how she changed our family.

Yesterday as I watched her sleep, it occurred to me that Leah completes us. Her generosity and kind nature is grounding and she is a constant reminder to all of us that miracles come in many amazing packages. Her sense of humor keeps up on our does, and brings laughter into our hearts.

In many ways, Leah is your average American Girl. She is into Princesses, the color Pink (though now she is now leaning more toward Red), butterflies, and jewelry. She loves to run, laugh, play with chalk and climb up the slide. In other ways, she is years beyond her physical self. A friend of mine describes her as "someone who was her before", and I am not sure that is untrue. She loves biology, constellations, planets, and classical music. She also adores her sister more then life. Leah's sense of family and the meaning of the word, appears to have the depth most people don't achieve until they have their own children.

4 years ago today, I was staring into the runny eyes of a child, and wondering how she was going to fit into our world. I never thought that a simple presents would light up all of our lives the way she does.

Happy 4th Birthday Little Bee! Mom

Little Bee and her Mommy

The other night Ms. Bean was doing a picture with pastels when her sister jumped up and decided to draw with us. She asked he to draw our front door and the wreath. The people (she and I) , grass, sun and sky was all her! Hate to brag, but my kids got talent!

Note home

I have been meaning to blog this for a few weeks, but life has gotten in the way. My apologies.

For quite a while, my friend Pattys little men have been a great topic of conversation at the dinner table. Ms. Bean has her entire wedding to Owen (Pattys oldest) planned down to the music, dress, and dance . Apparently, Baby-bee has now taken a liking to Pattys younger son , as documented in the 7 July note from her teacher:

"Leah played with the trains and the tracks. She also played with the princess doll that we have in the classroom. In the playground she told me that she was a princess and she was looking for her prince. I asked her for the prince's name and she said "Ryan is my prince". I called Ryan and told him that his princess was looking for him. He immediately said "Leah is my princess" She told him to climb the bridge. He went up to rescue his princess."

Patty, any chance I can get you to split the cost of two weddings?

Note Home - Baby Bee

"She did beautiful drawings with peices of chalk. She also likes to treasure the chalk and carry them in a bucket. I think she also tells them stories."

And we thought she had no friends!