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!

Texas - Day 5 (Saturday)

On Saturday we piled into the truck and headed for Alvin, three hours away, for a surprise birthday party for Uncle Ireland. Yes, Uncle Ireland lives in California with us, but there we were in Texas for his party. It was perfect, we got to see all sorts of extended family without driving all over the state, with tired kids.

Uncle Ireland walked in to "Happy Birthday To You"...not realizing it was for him. Blowing out the candle on his cake.

Grandpa's band played.

There were a lot of people to meet...

Daddy introduced them to their Great Grandma

Grandpa with his Mom.

Grandpa with his sisters and Mom.

There was dancing with cousins

...and more dancing.

Family!

And I really was there too...not always behind the camera.

Happy Earth Day!

Today was Earth Day and also our local Raley's store's first anniversary. The kids, well the two older ones, got their faces painted, they all got to pot some plants, eat some cookies and we got more reusable grocery totes.

For a shopping trip with kids it was relatively pain free and even fun!

Texas - Day 4 (Friday)

As we had driven from Austin to Gonzales on our first day, I had been astounded by how beautiful it was. The fields were lush and green and full of the most amazing wild flowers. I seriously had not seen anything like it before; fields just full of red, blue, white and yellow flowers. I knew immediately that we would have to make some time to do some photos. Then it hit me, we had no nice clothes with us, the girls had nothing cute, no dresses, we had nothing that would even vaguely match. What had I been thinking? Oh yes - I had been thinking that at $100 a pop for any checked bag, thank you very much American Airlines, we would not check bags but each have a carry-on. It worked fine, we just brought the basics, that was all.

We had to stop at a Wal-Mart to buy nappies/diapers (too much space to pack them) and I found cute $5 dresses for the girls, I was happy, we would be able to make something work.

After breakfast, in town, on Friday morning, Grandma Betty took me to a western store and I got a new dress, we would be able to coordinate...now the photos had to happen!

James' younger sister Canna had told us of a pretty location and drove us out, just before the sun set. It really was beautiful with horses and bluebonnets. The horses were curious and all came trotting over to check us out and see what was going on, unfortunately that sent both our girls into cardiac arrest. Bryttain started screaming and clung to James for dear life, whilst Asia made a dart for safety, heading back to the truck. So much for picture perfect backdrop. The horses got shooed away and we plopped the kids down.

We were cutting it fine, but we worked quickly and got a few shots of the cousins together.

Canna and her little girl.

James and the kids. Then for some reason my sweet little pumpkins refused to all have their photos taken with me together. I was a little frustrated at first, but instead, I now have a wonderful photograph with each of them individually and I will treasure these. Thank you James for taking them for me, I love you.

We were losing light so quickly but we had to at least try to get a family shot, poor Canna was holding her baby and my camera so we only have one that turned out, but we have ONE! I have said it before and I will say it again...I LOVE my little family so much!

Texas - Day 3 (Thursday)

Minners (also known as minnows to those outside of Texas) were the order of the day today. Grandpa was buying them to stock his ponds, allowing them to get established before stocking with bigger fish, who would need something to eat.

We also visited Gonzales Memorial Museum, to learn a little more about Texas history. Apparently the first shot of the Texas revolution was shot there. Grandma was our tour guide and even bought history books for us to bring home to continue our education.

After lunch, it was back to the ranch to stock the ponds. The kids were fascinated and enjoyed 'helping'.

Highlight of the day, however, had to be Uncle Emmy's arrival with his horse! After I had inquired of the horse's name, I had to re-inquire as I was unsure if the answer was Denny, or Dunny. Arran sensing my confusion, excitedly explained to me that cowboys speak their own language. He 'learned that at school!' Uncle Emmy quickly became Arran's hero. A real-life, good-looking, friendly, member-of-his-family, cowboy.

Other than the horse's name I have actually been very happy to not need a translator on this visit. It would seem, also, that everyone has been able to understand me this time around, progress has been made.