Following in our footsteps

This is the story about two little girls. A blonde haired beauty, and a curly brunette, raised up Lutheran, sharing time in the nursery as toddlers. The blonde is my long time friend, Jessi, and of course the curly one, me. Our journey goes WAY back as I said - way back to our youth. First, church, then our school paths joined in the 5th grade and on. On, into our freshman year and roommates in college. Then our teaching jobs in the same school district. Our similar, quick bonding husbands that we drug to ballets, beach weekends, and double dates galore. And finally, sealing us for life, was our entrance into motherhood of little girls in the same year. Daphne Rose, a curly brunette, born in September and Paivi Jayne, a blonde beauty born just 7 months later in April. The best part of this story, is our girls. They resemble us in appearance and in friendship. They are best friends and Jessi and I are constantly amazed at their magnetism to each other. You just don't encourage that kind of girlfriend love...it is beyond any play dates and trips we planned. The other day, I took them to retrace our campus days. They were very into it and soaked up the stories I had to tell. As I snapped these pictures I reflected on the story of these two little girls.

A Beautiful Mother's Day

Henry Boy

Henry is almost 9 months. He is the sweetest little guy ever. He's a good eater. He's a great sleeper. He loves his sisters. He says, "Ma ma ma ma" and lots of other fun cute noises. He doesn't crawl yet, but sits up well and plays with his toys. He has curls at the back of his head. Oh, and he knows how to clap and wave too. We are head over heels in love with him. Isn't he a cutie?

Happy Birthday To Me

I had such a good birthday this year. I took the girls out of school and we headed to the zoo. Mike's dad, Mike came along, which was so helpful. I was planning on going alone, but it would have been a LOT less enjoyable without him. He's wonderful company and hands on with the kiddos. It was a beautiful day too. After we got home from the zoo, I escaped for a really fabulous massage. Then to top off the day, we rented Hugo for family movie night, and splurged with Blizzards. The best thing about my birthday was that the girls were so excited to celebrate with me. I have the BEST story about their enthusiasm. The day after my birthday, we were still in birthday mode - - heading to Mike and Pam's for my bday dinner and Mother's Day the next day. I heard Daphne ask the girls to follow her upstairs and I could hear bits of their conversation. Daphne was trying to convince them to take some of their hard earned money to buy me a gift. I laughed to myself when I heard Maisie say, "let's just make her a gift; it's the thought that counts". Then, Daphne came down in tears saying that, "there was someone at school who just had a birthday and she was trying to convince her sisters to pool their money to buy this someone a gift. But they weren't willing to cooperate" I played along saying, "well, if they don't know this person, then we can't expect them to give their money." Daphne then quietly admitted that, "well, it's actually someone in our family". She left and went back upstairs for more negotiations. Ha. Pretty soon after that, Ruby came down with a small rectangular gift in obvious four year old wrap job fashion. I unwrapped a small New Testament, in Spanish version. (this was left over from Mike's mission trip to Mexico last year). She was so proud. The end of the story is that Mike took them to Walmart later that day and they bought me a new 20 dollar blender with their pooled cash. But the best part was definitely the "planning stage" that I just retold to you.

Talent Show

Daphne sang in her school talent show again this year at the beginning of May. She had to audition, practice after school for a few weeks, and then performed for a school assembly and the evening show. She did a great job. We were so proud of her bravery.

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Beach Get AWAY

At the end of April the girls had two days off at the end of the school week for parent-teacher conferences. I pre-planned a surprise get-a-way to our family beach cabin...just me and the kiddos. I packed all their favorite foods, three red box movies we hadn't seen (Tooth Fairy 2 is pretty cute), new art supplies and board game, and all Henry's baby gear. It was quite a bit of work, since I took this on alone, but I think the girls had a memorable time. My goal was to get away from the stuff that usually distracts me from being the fun mom I wished I could be more. My job, the dishes, the laundry, etc. I couldn't escape all of that, even with a stack of paper plates, but it was an attempt I think they will remember. They share my love of adventure!

Easter 2012

Easter was a long time ago. What I remember the most is Daphne and I being a part of the Easter choir at church, a fun time with cousins at my sis, Lesley's house, and lots of jelly beans after 40 days of no sugar during Lent. Oh, and a glorious, sunny day!