Bryttain ballerina

On Tuesday evening Bryttain had another little ballet recital. I love that she finds so much joy in her dancing, she lights up as she talks about it and as she does it. Asia cannot wait until it is her turn and every week asks me

"When can my do ballet mommy?" (I love the way she talks).

Last night she watched me put Brtyttain's hair into a bun and then insisted that I do hers too, it was SO tiny, about the size of a grape, but we did it. She was so happy and proud. That little girl has music in her. Ever since she was a baby she would shimmy along to the music in stores, a big grin plastered across her face. All my kids love music, but I think it runs a little deeper in Asia, she is always singing.

Bryttain is front row, second from the right.

Bryttain with her Tuesday morning, 10:30am classmates.

I am sure that to an outsider, these little recitals, with three and four year olds must seem a little disjointed and far from perfect. For the parents and family members and friends who fill the room, though, those are the cutest little, most adorable girls in the whole world. We are as proud as could be as they dance in their tutus and I do not know who is beaming wider at the end of it all.

Proud daddy with his girl, and Bryttain with one of her best friends.

Open House

It is hard for me to believe that Arran is finishing up his first year at school. Kindergarten is almost over and it has flown by unbelievably fast. When I think back to his first day and how nervous he was and how hard it was for him to let me leave, and then I think of the big boy he is today, it is astounding. He has grown and changed so much, he is more confident and self-assured, he is reading like a pro, he is taller and minus a couple of teeth and there is his long hair, of his choosing. He is such a little boy, full of energy he loves to be silly but he still has his sensitive caring side.

Last week they had an Open House and so off we went to check out some of his recent work. Somehow in the craziness of trying to get the family out of the house in time to get there for the start and leave enough time before James had to leave for music practice, I managed to forget to bring a camera!!!!!!!! Oh well - thank goodness for camera phones, FAR from perfect, but better than nothing for sure. Mental not to self, a camera should be attached to one's body at all times so as not to miss perfect picture moments, or just those moments that you know you will always treasure.

He is so proud of all of his hard work, as are we and he loved being our little paleontologist guide (hence the costume). Bryttain cried when we had to leave, she cannot wait for it to be her turn.

Happy Mother's Day

In many ways I am only six and a quarter years old, for that is when I was born as a mother, when my beautiful son came into this world. Before then, a different person existed, a shadow of the me I am today. I did not know that I would never be the same again.

By far the best, the hardest job I will ever have. Joy and laughter, frustration and squabbles; no two days are the same. I love my children with my whole heart, yet I often make mistakes and have to ask their forgiveness.

I am grateful for this time I have with them, that is fleeing far too quickly. Yes, I will always be their mother, but a day will come when they do not need me in the way they do now. Bryttain tells me that when she is grown up and has children of her own, we will be neighbors. She cannot imagine, at her tender age, a time when she would want space from me, but I fear the inevitable. Arran says that he will always live with us, but I know his future wife may well have other plans. The joy and heartache of being a mother.

I love my children more than I ever knew I would or could. How could we know what we would become, how we would feel?

To all those mothers out there...Happy Mother's Day

To my beautiful, sweet, loving children, thank you for accepting me and loving me. You are my treasure and my heart is forever yours. I love you!