First Haircut

Harlie decided it was finally time to cut off her long locks. No more did she want hair like Rapunzel's--she wanted her hair cut like Grandma's!

Splish Splash

Splurging the extra $15 for a family size Target pool, is totally worth it. Buh-bye, kiddie pool!
 

Now, if only I could hire a pool boy to drain, clean and refill it every day...gotta have dreams, man!
(The ending of this movie kinda cracks me up (she was FINE of course), but you just gotta love home movies!!!)

Three and a Half

You are a firecracker. Bright and beautiful, with a hot temper and no time to waste. Your auntie Keri calls you feisty (with all the love in her heart) and she's right about that. I guess you've always been that way, but as you become a little more comfortable in this big world, your pizazz and zest for life can become a little too much for your 3 1/2 year old body. You love to run with your head down and arms back, causing you to crash into corners and according to Jessica, your little playmates too at times. When you get mad, you sometimes pull my hair or kick me right in the stomach. You have strong legs my girl, and we are trying to work with you on coping with frustration a little bit differently. I have to laugh sometimes when after being scolded, you will softly whisper "I love you mommy." I can see you are mastering your manipulation skills. It may be cute now, but ask me how cute I think it is in 10 years. Lucky for me, the "I love you's" flow freely from your lips and while there was a time when your cuddles were a precious commodity, you have grown into quite an affectionate little lady. This is a trait you inherited from Daddy, and I'm so glad. I don't ever get tired of your hugs and kisses and pets.

You recently had a check-up with your new doctor. She's a nurse practitioner, actually and you really seem to like her and the doctors office. You stroll through the office like you own the place and hop right on the scale and let them poke and prod without complaint. This is a new development, since you used to be so shy around Dr. Wang. I'm hoping this new found courage doesn't fade when you get your next shot. Fingers crossed. I'm always excited when they take your measurements, to see how much you are growing. You weighed 37 pounds (85%) and are 3' 3.5'' (77%).  The doc is happy to see your growth is still proportional and says I should expect you to lean out in the next year. She says 3 and 4 year olds usually become picky eaters and their weight takes a dip. I'll be curious to see if this happens. You are such a good eater, I'm hoping that doesn't change too much.

You are tall and strong and still incredibly clumsy, but brave. You will cry over a three day old scab to garner attention but tripping and falling often doesn't faze you and you'll declare "I'm okay Mommy" as you dust yourself off. Did I mention we're trying to get you to slow down? You love to climb and stand on the tallest surface you can get to. You love ladders and rock walls at the park. Sometimes you ask for help but most times you just want to do it yourself. A lot of things you want to do yourself, but then there are times you still want help from Mommy and Daddy...you want to be SO big and then sometimes you want to be a baby and taken care of...maybe this is how we all feel at times.

Your hair is so long. It's never been cut and I think it might be time to take the plunge. Sometimes you want it cut and other times you want it long like Rapunzel and Mama. I'd love to cut it short because part of me thinks it will make you look a little younger and I can keep you my baby just a little bit longer. Although, I already see the changes in your face and how it's thinning out, and your cheeks are not as full as they used to be. I don't think I can even call you a toddler anymore. Time is flying by. I love your laugh. I love that when you are trying to act serious or annoyed you tilt your head down and furrow your brow. I love how your hands fall together across your belly and you hold them tight as you listen or observe.

Some things are still the same though. Pink is still your favorite color and you are a die-hard princess fanatic. Ariel is your favorite Disney princess and you love to pretend to be her during bath time or in the pool. Your favorite books are the Disney Princess Golden Books, Pinkalicious and Fancy Nancy. Your favorite tv shows are My Little Pony and Bo on the Go. And your favorite pop star is Katy Perry. You know some of her songs by heart from just hearing them on the radio.  Some of your favorite activities are dress-up, setting up make-believe picnics and parties (there is always CAKE!), painting, caring for your babies, and going for a ride in your Cozy Coupe.You love to dance and "Shake your BOOOO-TY!" You are becoming more confident on your balance bike and have started picking your feet up as your cruise. It is fun to watch you figure out how to balance on it.

 

This picture above sums up so much about you. The messy hair, the pink hat Mama makes you wear, the tiny little dimples in your hands, that aren't quite gone yet, the way your fingers are tangled in what once was Horsey's fin. That smile, those lips and those two front teeth. The scratches on your arm...a result of your ultra sensitive fair skin...both beautiful and temperamental....just like you.

Love love love,
Mama

MVP

Austin's end of the season track banquet was last night and it was a pretty proud moment for him (and us!) because he came home with one of two MVP awards handed out for the JV team. It was a fun night and was great to see the cafeteria filled with so many kids and their parents  Florence and I were surprised that 3 different students had urged us at 3 separate times to go to the head of the line to get our food because parents were supposed to go first. We finally made our way up there and a polite young man (how old am I?!) handed us each a plate as we cut in front of him...so courteous! Go Lancers!

Accepting one of his three championship 1st place medals.

Accepting MVP Award

Harlie making friends..

 

The twelve medals that Austin earned this season.

BELOW IS A VIDEO THAT AUSTIN'S AUNT JULIE TOOK OF THE MVP PRESENTATION. PRETTY COOL WORDS FROM MS. COOK ABOUT AUSTIN!

What a difference 8 years make!

Tuesday was our eight year anniversary and we kept it pretty mellow. Mostly to save money. On the actual day, Scott BBQ'd ribs (and burned his arm off), Harlie played in the pool, and then we all sat down to watch the wedding video as a family.  This would be Harlie's first time seeing it and she was pretty exicted. It had probably been a couple years since Austin had seen it last so he was curious to watch it again as well...seeing himself as such a little kid!  I wished I had recorded their commentary...I found it pretty entertaining.

Austin kept being embarrassed of himself.  First it was how his ears stuck out and glowed in the late afternoon sun as he walked down the aisle with Blair. Then he was annoyed with how close he was standing to Scott at the alter, thinking he was too up in our business. I assured him that he was right where we wanted him to be.  For the 80th time he told me how awkward he felt when Scott and I were reciting our vows to him. I'm sure my laughing/crying fest really helped. :-)  And then when it came to the dancing he was very unimpressed with his moves. I thought he had some major talent, but what do I know. Get down with yo' bad self Austinator!

I jotted down Harlie's comments at the suggestion of my mom and Melanie...they were too cute and I wanted to remember.

H: Where was I? Was I at home by myself? Where is Mazzy?

Us: You weren't here yet, you weren't even a baby yet?

H: But where was I? Was I all by myself???

(She still doesn't understand the concept of not being alive...I agree, it's a toughy.)

(Watching Austin and Blair walk down the aisle) 

Me: Who is that, Harlie? 

H: Mazzy? Uncle Josh?

H: Mom’s dress is pretty. But why wasn’t it pink?

Me: Well, most people wear white wedding dresses, but it could have been pink. You can have a pink wedding dress.

(As Scott and I are walking back down the aisle after the service)

H: But Mommy and Daddy didn't get married?!

Us: Yeah, we JUST did! (Who knows what she thinks happens when people get married.)

  

(During 1^st dance)

H: Your dress was sparkley!

Me: Yes it was! I love sparkles! (And thank you SO much for noticing!! :-))

---

We had long planned a weekend trip to visit Mark and Melanie the weekend after our anniversary, and while it wasn't particularly romantic (the boys were away for 6 hours playing golf), it was such a relaxing time and a wonderful way to catch up with one of my favorite people on the planet!

Thanks to Keri and Josh for watching the kiddos! We've got a sweet sitter situation, no?

Mother's Day

I had a pretty great Mother's Day weekend this year. They aren't always as relaxing as I hope they will be, but this year lived up to the hype.  It started out with breakfast in bed on Saturday. This was the second year in a row that I had breakfast delivered to me in bed and I hope it becomes a tradition if only because I get to lounge in bed and listen to someone else cooking in the morning!

This little stinker also made me a special Mother's Day gift at preschool. I love the little survey and I was surprised that she even had some 'right' answers! So cute.

After breakfast we headed to the Charles C.Jensen Botanical Gardens. It had been almost 2 years since we last took Harlie...man does time fly!

To cap off our afternoon we headed to Costco for $1.45 frozen yogurt. Yeah Boy!

Once we got home, we lounged around and and then I headed over to Lush for a haircut and highlight. This is quite an event for me, since I only go about once a year. And this time I got WINE! While I was gone, Harlie and Scott made me a cake. Yum!

Sunday was our annual Mother's Day Brunch up the hill. Scott was able to make it this year, which was especially nice because that meant I was able to kick back a little. Yee haw! It was a lovely day and Mom and Dan prepared a most delicious feast, as always.

 

Finally, to end the weekend, Austin came home from his mom's with a card and orchid for me. So sweet.