A Mayflower's Musings

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Time is not my friend




Today Maisie Jo turns five! Five, people?! It's just crazy how time flies by.

She is maturing to match her age too. This last week she went to Idaho with her Grandma and Grandpa - ALL by herself for five nights and five days! And she didn't get homesick at all.

Preschool is going fabulously this fall - no tears yet!

We rarely have battles about clothes anymore.

She sleeps until 6:30-7am most mornings.

She plays nicely with her little sister Ruby - (I think Ruby does most Maisie tells her to do - which helps)

And if you are a reader of mine, you'll know that she's also "stinkin' hot!"


I can't believe I "wished her older" so many times when she was tiny. I realize it's part of being a mom...but it sure is painful when the day comes that they aren't a baby anymore and you so wish you go back in time for just a day or two.

Here's to a our wonderful little lady....Happy Birthday Maisie!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

A Kitchen Fit for Oregon


I've been preparing for the first meeting of my moms group this school year. It's so fun to have an excuse to search for cute crafts and seasonal activities for us to do together.

I came across a picture of a kitchen I'd love to have. Since we get a lot of drab days in Oregon...I think it would really help my mood. Is that excuse enough? I think so!

Enjoy

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Trash-into-Treasure Crafts

Trash-into-Treasure Crafts

I just found a craft at countryliving.com and I thought it was so creative...I just had to share it!

It doesn't seem to go right to the specific craft I liked, but the slideshow. The one I wanted to share is the dresser drawers converted into a storage unit:)

Saturday, September 18, 2010

I HEART Blogging...


Every once in awhile I run into someone who asks me if I am on Facebook. When I answer no, I get a gasp and the immediate question of- "Why in the heck not?..."That's how people communicate these days...What a bummer!" etc etc.

Although I hate to have to justify such life decisions - to me, it's an easy peasy answer, coming from a very indecisive person. I have no time for that. I'd rather blog. When I take the time to blog I am investing in so many things. First, I love to record this Mayflower's life stories, especially in this time period of my life. Because I want to remember all the little things of my childrens growing up years, especially to reread in the days when they are all grown up! Also, I love to write - it's therapeutic and fun and rewarding - plus a few people out there actually respond to my memoirs.

I so wish I was blogging back when Daphne was born! I started the year she turned 4 - four wonderful years that went blog-less. Fortunately I did a wee bit of "old fashioned" writing back then - - writing to only one audience, myself, in efforts to remember some of the special moments. Because it's hers and Maisie's birthday month, I'd like to share a couple stories here:




My precious Daphne Rose,

There were moments in your first days of life, when I was so overwhelmed with such utter joy, that the world seemed to stop turning, and only you and I existed. Because I don't ever want to forget those special times that we shared I am writing them down today. You are almost 17 months now and we just had one of those moments, which made me realize I needed to stop procrastinating and sit down and compose...

The first one I will write about, happened your very first day of life outside of my womb. We were in the hospital, and it was only you, me and Daddy in the room. Our huge string of excited visitors had not started quite yet. I think the nurses had recommended that I lay you on my bare chest, in order to get you ready for nursing. Luckily, we have a picture of this moment, because it was our first really intimate cuddle! You felt so good up against me and I didn't want it to end. Unfortunately, it didn't last long enough for my liking, because the visitors started coming and they wanted to hold you too. But, I'll always remember how good it felt to hold you so closely and to know you were mine.

When you were only a week old, your daddy had to leave us alone to go help a friend. I was still feeling a little nervous about being a good mommy to you, so at first I didn't want him to go. But, after he left, I sat on the couch with my legs stretched out along it and my back against the armrest. I put you on my chest and spread one of your bigger blankets over you and surprisingly it fit over my legs too. It was one of my first moments of confidence, when I felt completely sure that you and I were okay and I could relax.

One October day it was super stormy outside. I put on a classical music lullabies for babies cd and kept all the lights on dim. I danced you around the dining room, trying to sooth your little bit of fussiness. Then we parked on the sofa and just listened to the music. I was so overjoyed about being a stay at home mommy for you. I knew right then that we were going to have a lot of special moments together and I was especially excited about the upcoming holidays. For the first time since my childhood, I would be able to be at home throughout the whole season and really enjoy everything with you.

This week we celebrated your 2nd birthday sweetheart. You have grown up so fast right in front of our happy eyes. You are talking in sentences and sing a lot of short songs (in tune)! You want to sit in "big girl" chairs, rather than your high chair and like to make all the choices throughout our day all by yourself too. You are so spirited ~ sometimes your daddy and I struggle with your assertive nature. We are working so hard on you saying please and thank you, without a prompt from us. But even though you are growing into a big toddler, you still love to be held by your mommy and sometimes Daddy when your mood is just right. I love our snuggle times, and when you look at me and say, "Mommy and Daphne - friends" or "We family".



There's lots more, but I'll stop there. I'm going to go spend some quality one on one time with my little girls as I tuck them in for the night. The days and years are flying by...

Friday, September 17, 2010

Our September Girls


















This year we decided to do one party for the girls' birthdays. Although it was really fun, we probably won't do that again. There were some tears leading up to it. Daphne had to be talked into back around the planning stages and then decided last week that she wouldn't be attending if she had to share the day. We had to give her a bad attitude check, but I also "get it". Despite the cold feet about sharing a party with her sister - - they both had a grand ole time.

September weather cooperated with us this year - yeah hoo! We enjoyed spending the afternoon with family and some of the girls' girl buddies this year!

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Stinkin' Hot






We finally got in for our fall haircuts today! Maisie got a new bob to my utter delight. After she was all done and prancing around so proud, she says to me,
"Am I stinkin' hot?"

Yes, little one - YOU ARE!

Friday, September 10, 2010

Hanna Fan

Dear Readers,

I am a huge Hanna Andersson fan! My girls have been blessed to have their share of Gymboree, and even a few Janie and Jack items...but the small collection of Hanna items that we have scored have been the best quality.

Today at Costco I found Hanna leggings! They are in a two pack (with lots of colors to choose from) for 14.99. They have sizes 2T through 8.

It's a back to school find for sure!

Stef

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

First Days (part 2)

Daphne was shocked when her Dad picked her up and told her the good news. When I texted Mike to see her reaction, he joked that his ears were still ringing! She kept saying that we were the best parents ever and that this was her favorite birthday too! We had a wonderful Cheesecake Factory dinner and dined on DQ after that! Boy, I was beat from the exciting day - but so happy!

Today it started all over again with Maisie's first day at preschool. She has a lot of friends in her class and her teacher goes to our church, so it was all smiles this year - phew!

What a week....is it Friday yet?














Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Daphne's Big Day (part 1)






Today is Daphne's 7th birthday AND her first day of 1st grade! I don't know which fact is more exciting to us!! We love birthdays and we love milestones and we love school days here at the Riddle household!

It's also really special, because I taught 1st grade. I remember my first day of teaching SO vividly. I don't think I have ever been so nervous and scared in my life! I couldn't believe that I was about to have 20 some 6 year olds under my care. I went to the restroom one last time that morning before they opened the doors and I took a big breath and said a prayer and faced the challenge.

Daphne didn't seem scared at all this morning. She was so thrilled to be turning seven and also to be going back to school. We took in all the supplies and the birthday treats this morning! She found her seat next to a good friend of hers and that was that. No tears for either of us, and me and the little girls were off to the gym.

It did seem strange to go on with our day so matter of factly. I felt like I deserved some badge and a day off for getting her to this point in her life and for getting out the door on time too! (She and I had to start straightening her hair at 6am...)

The best part is yet to come though. Her dad is going to pick her up at 2:30 and whisk her away to the big city mall for the biggest surprise of her life - getting her ears pierced. She has no idea! Then the rest of us will join them later for dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. I cannot wait and will have more pictures of our big girl to come!

What a wonderful day! I love you Daphne Rose!

Monday, September 6, 2010

Baby It's Hot Outside!

On Friday we set out for the State Fair complete with water bottles and sunscreen! It was a scorcher. But we had a really great time with Mike and Pam, and Becca and her kiddos. It really was like the cherry on top of our exciting summer.