Sunday, June 26, 2011

....pride and joy.....

.....it has literally felt like we have been sprinting since this special day occurred.....



.....my girl got all glammed up for her 2s class graduation, held Miss Lauren's hand and walked the red carpet across the room signifying the end of her first year of nursery school and the beginning of what has started out as an adventurous and exciting summer.... 

.....and leading up to her big day, she would refer to it as the celebration.....I'm not sure if they called it that in school or if this was something she made up, but a celebration it was......all of the parents proudly clicked their cameras documenting the day......me doing so and simultaneously balancing Brody over my shoulder, catching his head every so often when it would snap backward as I reached too far to try and capture her happiness......she was so proud.......


.....and all of the parents and children were able to mingle after the red carpet event......we talked about our summer plans, passed Brody around to those who hadn't met him yet, and said our good byes.......all in enough time before the sugar highs kicked in......





....and it seemed we didn't have a lot of time to talk about her achievement or discuss her ceremony because as soon as we got home, we were finishing up the final touches of packing and we were off to Texas.....

....and so our summer had begun.....one exciting event to look forward to after the next.....yes, some of the the events, such as trips and vacations are bigger than others......but we still get giddy and elated at the small adventures too.....



.....a quick day trip to NJ to see old friends and let the babes run wild was exhilarating in itself.....I treasure the anticipation of getting the girls all revved up about the plan for the day......because whether it's explaining a day trip to Jones Beach, our next vacation on a lake in North Carolina or revealing that a drive to NJ will take us over the George Washington Bridge where we can see our city's skyline, it's the same jolly, cheerful reaction every time......they are easy to please and we like that around here.....







....and we sure like our Daddy time....







.....I love to watch the three of them.....at times, I have this out of body experience when I hear myself screaming like a crazy person, Hi Callie....wave Elsie....girls, over here!!!.....having fun on the train with Daddy?.......I vaguely see others in my peripheral vision taking a minute to witness my boisterous manner.....I am jumping to get their attention, hailing their glance with my flailing arms; all while trying to snap the photo I want, actually make eye contact with them outside of my lens and rocking the stroller with one foot so that Brody stays in his rhythmic lull......I know I cause a minor scene, but I am willing to accept the staring and eye rolling because I want to document these sweet and innocent times where everything we do with them is exciting and fun.....and watching that pure and distinct joy they share with us because they're spending time with us gets me in a tizzy every time......

....and when the girls are off with their Daddy and there is a moment of waiting or a pause in the excitement, I am able to relish in the sweetness of my little man.....and lately Brody, or as Elsie has now named him, Honey-honey is all smiles......


.....and it seems we are all enjoying him to the fullest.....Elsie is emerging as my Mommy's helper.....giving me more assistance than she can even fathom when she can hold a bottle for a moment, fetch a burp cloth, reinsert the paci or change a diaper.....and yes, my 3.5 year old can change a wet diaper......it may require me refastening the tabs a bit tighter, but power to her because she is my little Mommy and I appreciate her so much......



....and Callie isn't far behind.....she had a big night on Friday when she and her Daddy both got their box of tools so they could take down the crib side, allowing Callie to have free reign in and out of her bed.....


....happy big girl......no more climbing in and out....no more loud thuds followed by a, I otay.....

......so now it was Callie's turn to show us how proud she was too.....obediently staying in her bed after lights out, just as we had asked her to do.....snoozing comfortably minutes after books and cuddle time......dreaming of the spectacular adventures that would follow for the rest of the weekend......



.....and even then, Elsie stayed close by her side....venturing out of her own bed to sleep next to her little Dootie on her first night without the protection of the crib side......


....savoring the sweet....


....off to find more joyful moments.....