Wordless Wednesday: From this side of the lens

The Purple Camera

Since about January of this year, all Lexy could talk about was wanting "a purple camera."

If I heard it once, I heard it a thousand times.
"I want a purple camera for Christmas."

She didn't quite understand that next Christmas was 11 months away. She had spent the previous 4-5 months saying, "Maybe I could get [x] for Christmas...." We hadn't converted her to the concept of BIRTHDAY presents yet.

So, I went online and did a little research to see if, in fact, a kid-friendly purple camera existed.
Not only did I find a digital camera designed for kids, but JACKPOT!, it was made by Fisher Price. The mother of one of the girls that I tutor is a Mattel employee and can get toys for DEEP discounts. Gotta love that.

So, the birthday came, and we were so excited to give her The Purple Camera (that is actually pink with just a smidge of purple on it).
We captured pictures of her opening it, and they are priceless.

She is gazing up at me while I'm asking her if she remembers what she has been asking for for her birthday.... And then the "I think I know what it is" smile sweeps across her face.

I love the open-mouth awe in the second shot, even though I KNOW she knew what was coming...

And the sweet look of a successful birthday present.

(Sidenote [because we are all about the sidenote]: check out what Tori was up to while the presents were being opened.)

Then we took a family walk to a local bagel shop for her birthday morning breakfast, and lest you be curious to know how it went, our little photographer-in-the-making documented the whole trip.

Daddy in the driveway getting ready to leave. Apparently he is too big to fit into just one picture.

Some bushes! With berries! And me telling her to stop taking pictures of bushes and catch up.

The patio at the bagel shop. And some unsuspecting patrons of the bagel shop.

Scenic long walk home. A Not-To-Be-Missed block wall.

And more of the long walk home.

At this point, we got tired of waiting for her, so we strapped her in the stroller (against her will) for the remainder of the walk.

But let me tell you, what a stroke of genius that turned out to be! We got some MOTION pictures out of it!

I like to call this particular shot "Asphalt".


In all seriousness, though, we are very excited for her to have her own camera! What an adventure it will be to see the world through her eyes. And expect regular blog installments of "Lexy's funniest pictures". I already have some pics in mind for that.... :)

Fit FOUR a Princess

This past weekend, we celebrated Lexy's birthday in style with a Princess Tea Party.

She invited five of her little 4-yr-old friends to come over to her house Saturday morning for a Royal Tea.
For the files: 2 out of the 5 girls were named "Nora". And that's not even a common name! Unfortunately, one of the Noras woke up with a fever that morning as was unable to come. :(
But we had fun regardless!

All of the girls came in princess attire and it was so cute to see them all dressed up.

Lexy requested that Bill be Prince Charming, so he got dressed up (in a shirt and tie), too. :)
She told me that I could be The King, but I just opted for Mom. :)

We made princess crowns....

And jeweled necklaces....

And put Cinderella in her Castle Window (the princess version of "Pin The Tail On The Donkey")....

And of course, we enjoyed a spot of tea, er... juice, scones, fruit, and PB&J sandwiches.

And what party would be complete without cupcakes?

Tori got in on all the action, too, although she didn't quite have the princess costume down.

A good time was had by all of the princesses.

Four

Looking back over the last year, it's hard to believe it's been a year.
And what a wonderful year it has been...
Your language has exploded this year--typical for 3-yr-olds, I'm sure-- and we have LOVED having real conversations with you. My mind is still baffled at the way you take in life, memorizing the details of how mom and dad do [fill-in-the-blank]. And then you turn around two minutes later and reenact the activity, motion, or expression as if it's something you've known all your life.

Or at least "since you were a little girl."

That is actually your favorite thing to say about ANYTHING that has happened past-tense.

"Mom, when I was a little girl, I used to....."

And more often than not, it was something you did just yesterday. You know, back when you were little.

But now you're big.
A big FOUR year old.

As I tucked you in to bed last night, I was telling you that this was the last time I'd tuck my 3-yr-old Lexy in to bed, and was excitedly saying that you'll be 4 tomorrow!!

But you weren't as excited as I had anticipated.
In fact, you cried.
"But, I'll never be three again!" (Insert tears rolling down face)

I couldn't help but laugh at the role-reversal we were having. Me.... smiling from ear to ear about how you get to be FOUR tomorrow.... who should be crying that my baby is not gonna be three anymore. And you.... in tears.... who should be full of glee about your big birthday.

Regardless of the tears, I know you will relish your roll as a big 4 yr old. You are a true "Big Sister" to every little one you encounter, whether friend or stranger. You love to crouch down to their eye level and talk to them in a high-pitched, sing-songy voice that is, apparently, How To Talk To Babies.

You are all about writing these days. Any paper and pen (or pencil, or crayon, or marker) you come across will instantly be put to use. And oh how you love to make notes! For me. For Daddy. For Grandma. For Tori. For your school friends. For the kids you met at the park (who we will probably never see again!). For the mailman. For anyone you meet, really. You are so friendly. I love the way that you've never met a stranger. (Although it also scares me just a teensy bit.)

We had a wonderful year together in AWANA Cubbies, learning about God and memorizing Bible verses. And what a treat it's been to have your ears perk up when you hear those verses quoted in sermons or sung in songs. "Mommy! That's my verse!"

You also love to sing, particularly the songs you have learned from Christian radio, which delights my heart. Your personal favorite is "Mighty To Save", which you have been known to sing at the top of your lungs as we stroll through the aisles of Sam's club or Target. The emotion that sweeps over me when I hear my little girl singing "My God is Mighty to Save, He is Mighty to Save!", proclaiming the truth for all to hear..... Simply breathtaking.



Your ministry continues at home through your outdoor concerts. You've created your own little stage in the backyard from which you belt out whatever song is on your heart. I can't help but smile when I'm in the kitchen preparing dinner and I hear you singing outside for the whole neighborhood to hear. If only we all had such passion and confidence.

We truly have had an incredible year watching you grow and learn. Daddy wants me to make sure that I document that you did your first math problem this year. 1 + 2 = 3. We're starting you early. In fact, you overheard me tutoring someone in Algebra last week, and when I said something like "x divided by 3 equals...", you interjected "I have an X in my name!" Mathematician in the making. :)

We love you and are so excited that God has entrusted us with your little life.
Happy Birthday Lexy Lou.
Four is gonna be a great year.

Stylin' Saturday

My hilarious friend Wendy has a feature on her blog called Stylin' Saturdays, which I have enjoyed reading (and relating to!) for the past couple of months.

Today happens to be Saturday.
A great coincidence considering the following:
Bill let Lexy get dressed all by herself this morning.

Then I ran for the camera.
You probably didn't realize that stripes and floral print match. And cowboy boots are always appropriate. Even when they are on the wrong feet.

What you can't see is the ankle-socks she's got on underneath the boots. Nothing says classy like ankle-socks, ladies.



But I think we'll still keep her.

Happy Mother's Day

BEFORE I WAS A MOM
Author Unknown

Before I was a Mom
I made and ate hot meals.
I had unstained clothing.
I had quiet conversations on the phone.

Before I was a Mom
I slept as late as I wanted
And never worried about how late I got into bed.
I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.

Before I was Mom
I cleaned my house each day.
I never tripped over toys or forgot words of lullabies.

Before I was a Mom
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom
I had never been puked on
Pooped on
Spit on
Chewed on
Peed on
Or pinched by tiny fingers.

Before I was a Mom
I had complete control of
My thoughts
My body
And my mind.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom
I never held down a screaming child
So that doctors could do tests
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got bloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
When I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
Could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a Mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
Could make me feel so important.

Before I was a Mom
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay
I had never known the warmth
The joy
The love
The heartache
The wonder
Or the satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.

Date Night

Babysitter: Free! (Thanks Mom)
Dinner out without kids: $17 (So much cheaper without little mouths to feed!)
Third Day concert (featuring Revive and Brandon Heath): $50 (And worth EVERY PENNY!)
A Night away with my wonderful husband: PRICELESS