Picking Dandelions

Everyday, this little one picks me bouquets of dandelions.



Today, we headed to the river valley to take some photos amongst the cherry trees and when we were done, Zoe ran around gathering the dandelions.



It took my breath away watching her.



She finds such joy in the little things.



While my other kids are begging to go home... they are so bored... this one makes the most of every moment.



As long as she doesn't see a bug of any kind, she is good!   Otherwise, you will find her running and screaming in sheer panic!

Is a dandelion a clever yellow flower that turns into a galaxy of silvery stars or a weed?

 ~A. A. Milne, Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh

The Graduation Gown

 



The friends.   The girls all looked beautiful.   Every dress was lovely.



The boyfriend.   He looked sharp too.

Young woman, my daughter,
my joy and my heart,
You've reached the end
only to find a new start.

The world sees the young woman
with her charm and her smile,
but behind the woman,
I will always see the child.
-- anonymous

Commencements

It was a great night.   A long night.   But a great night.



The kids were all so excited that this day was finally here and the girls looked amazing.   You should have seen some of the shoes!



The speeches were very good.   And everyone had really great things to share about this amazing school and all their accomplishments.





It took a long time to watch 428 kids walk across that stage, but worth it when they called Abby's name.



Congratulations to the class of 2013!

Lilah is Six!

“Though she be but little, she is fierce!" -- William Shakespeare

Another two wheeler

Zoe has learned to ride a two wheeler.



This was a bit of a challenge for her.   She does have some balance issues and she had to work a little bit harder!



I actually went and bought the bike and brought it home with training wheels on it.   She needed some motivation.   Once something is there in front of her... she wants it!



I knew she would want this pretty pink princess bike with yet... another baby seat!

Oh, the things they say!

When I got into the car with some baking from the store...
Zoe:  Mama!   Whatcha got there?!



After I told her to do something...
Zoe:  Why?  Cuz you're a smart, smart, smart, smmaaaarrrrrt cookie?!



When I rested my feet on her tummy, while sitting on the sofa...
Zoe:  Seriously mom!   You are killing me!



My kids never listen to me... When I explained to Zoe that I would like her to put her Easter treats in one spot, so they wouldn't get mixed up with the other kids, I asked her to repeat what I had said to her...
Zoe:  Blah.  Blah.  Blah.


*they saw a jogger and thought they should run too!

Micah:  Mom, why are there leaves in the soup?

Micah:  I need to go kill some cows, so I can have some leather.   (Apparently, he was playing Minecraft).



Lilah:  Mom, do bears eat fish without cooking them?   That is soooooo gross!   They are soggy and they eat the tails and eyeballs and everything!   Yuck!



Zoe:  Mom, you are the queen!
Me:  Okay.
Zoe:  (curtsying) Now would you please do something with your hair!



I tried to explain to Zoe that I am the mom and it is my job to teach her what is right and what is wrong.
Zoe:  You are not being nice to me!   You are teaching me wrong and I want to be the parent!

Riding a Two Wheeler

When Lilah first came home, and for a very long time afterwards, she did not want to do anything for herself.   She wanted everything done for her and if she couldn't do something the first time, would try to give up.



But we pushed her.   Because we knew that she could do many great things, if only she would learn to try, try and try again.



I am proud to say, that she now will ALWAYS try, try and try again.   She will take a task and spend hours on it, until she has figured it out.   I had told the girls this weekend, that if they learned to ride Silas' two wheeler, that I would take them shopping to buy them their very own two wheeler.

Lilah spent about five hours on Saturday learning how to ride a two wheeler like a pro.   We had to help her a little at first, riding a bike with brakes can be challenging!   But she did it!

So on Sunday, we headed out and she picked out her very favourite bike, in her very favourite colour.   As soon as she saw the baby seat and mini helmet on the back, the bike was sold!