Thankful Thursday

This week I'm thankful for ...

~ snow and the joy it puts on my daughter's face.  She would spend the entire day (and night!) out there playing and tromping around in it if we would let her;

~ an extra snowsuit for Maaike ... 'cause when one is wet, it's SO handy to have another available;

~ coffee after some long nights with a coughing child;

~ Breaking Dawn and catching up with friends;

~ my newly shorn dog and the fact that I don't have to vacuum fur bunnies every 5 minutes;

~ my husband, who loves me despite (and tolerates all) my whackiness, and supports me no matter what;

~ passing the 30 minutes I had to spend colouring my hair on the phone with my Mom;

~ my Mom.  She would shake her head to hear it, but she's one of the strongest people I know.  I don't know how she handles it all without complaint;

~ brunch with a friend who is moving back across the water far too soon;

~ my bank card and the fact that it just keeps working and working and working (ha!)!!!  How did we ever survive without these little genius inventions?

~ my morning exercise routine that keeps me sane and fit at the same time;

~ the fact that it's only one month until Christmas Eve ... !!!

~ being able to stay at home and help raise the most amazing, incredible, inventive, curious, imaginative, smart, awesome and adorable little girl on the planet.  She is, bar none, my proudest achievement.

Wordless Wednesday - First Preschool Performance

(2nd from the right in the front row, flowered dress ... and, yes, Momma needs a new camera)

: )

How Do I Love You?

How do I love you?

Let me count the ways;

I love you on your very best

And very worst of days.

I love to see you laughing

And dancing in the rain;

And even if you make a mess,

I love you just the same.

I love to hear you sing,

I love to see you smile.

I love the way you take each day

In your own unhurried style.

I'm happy when you're happy.

I'm sorry when you're sad.

And even though it may not show,

I love you even when you're bad.

I love to watch you sleeping,

Tucked away in dreams.

I love to hear you whisper

All your future hopes and dreams.

I love to watch you play

And all your silly ways.

I'm sure you'll never know

How much I love you more each day. 

How do I love you?

It's impossible to say;

For if I had a million days

And time enough for all the praise

I couldn't tell you all the ways

I love you.

XOXOXO

No limits to what a parent will do for their child : )

Momma's Little Easter Bunny

Maaike made a bunny mask at preschool yesterday.  

In fact, it was on a visit with her preschool class to Lakeview Manor where they entertain the "grammas and grampas" that they made the craft (while having juice and jam filled cookies, nonetheless).  She loves it and wants to wear it all the time, hopping around like a wonderful, silly little easter bunny.  : )

Cute but a bit scary, too? 

She even insisted on wearing her bunny mask to the park!

I certainly hope this innocent lack of self-consciousness continues ...

Wordless Wednesday - Thank you for giving me "earrings" version

Busted for Being Well-Behaved

When I picked up Maaike from preschool today, her teacher told me the kids in the class were each given a special item from the Director of the centre that morning. I guess there was a line up for the washroom and the kids were waiting in the hall for their class's turn to do their business. Well, the Director took notice of how quietly and patiently they were waiting and awarded them each with a little coin that says, "I was caught being good."

I love this concept!

In my never to be humble opinion, this should be common practice among human beings everywhere. How often do we jump to criticize, judge and hurtle insults at people? Maybe if someone just handed us a little shiny coin acknowledging our accomplishments rather than our failures, the world would simply be a better place. Food for thought ...

My Girl & Her "Magic" Shoes

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Mary Mary Quite Contrary

Maaike received this little pot with seeds from a friend for her birthday and she was so excited to get it going. She helped put the dirt in the pot, and then poured in the seeds. She placed it on the window sill with some of Momma's other plants so it would get lots of sunshine and then stood and waited. After a few seconds she said, "Where is the grass?" I explained that it takes a while for plants to grow and that it doesn't happen that quickly, and she seemed to be okay with that ... until about 10 minutes later when she went back to the little pot and, discouraged, complained that there STILL wasn't any grass. I guess time really isn't easily grasped in the mind of a 3-yr-old ...

Wordless Wednesday ~ Glad We Started Saving for School

The Nukie Fairy

The "Nukie Fairy" came to our house last night and exchanged Maaike's Nuk for a present, and a lovely note. It actually wasn't by my choice, although I'm not upset to see it go. The Nukie Fairy was an idea I got from a friend, and something I've been procrastinating in dealing with. After a few friends had mentioned they were getting rid of their kid's pacifiers, Maaike & I were having a chat about it when she decided, out of the blue, that last night was the night that she wanted to leave her Nukie for the Nukie Fairy. I explained that her Nuk would go to forever live with the Nukie Fairy and she would never see her again. She seemed to be okay with that, but I still gave her an "out". I told her that if, after she tried to get to sleep, she still wanted to exchange her Nuk for a present from the Nukie Fairy, all she had to do was leave her Nuk under her pillow and fall asleep without it. Well, wasn't I shocked when I went to check on her later that night: the Nuk was still under her pillow and she was fast asleep ...

And she has only mentioned it in passing once today ... didn't mention it at all at bed time tonight. I'm utterly surprised. I thought this was going to be the fight of my life. Funny how they surprise you just when you think you've got them all figured out ...

Birthday Brunch

This morning we had a birthday brunch/party for Maaike's 3rd birthday with her friends!

Here are some photos from the event. It was so much fun & she was spoiled rotten once again.

I've been saying she's going to have to go to "present rehab" when this Christmas and birthday present bonanza is finished, and I sincerely believe it to be true.

Thanks to everyone for joining us and helping us celebrate!

Ballerina Birthday Girl

Our beautiful little girl is 3 today!

Can't believe how time has flown, and how big she's grown! The difference a year makes is indescribable. Our little princess is a walking, talking, interactive child who loves to pretend and play and jump and dance; who loves to read and sing and swim and be tickled. She tries to be independent, but is also sometimes shy and a little insecure as she takes some steps out into this big new world. So glad I can be here to hold her hand and support her. We are so blessed and I am SOOOO proud to be her Mom!