A photo shoot before school

My love photo subjects,

I tried to take pictures of you this morning.  You didn't cooperate- at all. The good thing is that our nanny is on it! She got these great shots.

Wow..... I am lucky to be your mom.

Dear Taylor, Anna, and Hudson,

You three are doing so many amazing things every single day, and I want to make sure I take a moment to remember some of them.  So, because my memory is short, and the internet's memory is long, here we go:

Hudson:

1. Buddy, you are so funny. You make us laugh so hard every day and you bring such levity to us.  We couldn't survive without you.

2. You are working so hard on potty training.  

3. You still love to "wook at the wetters."  We love to look at them with you.

4. You love your sisters.  You have been missing them so much since they are back in school.  Yesterday when you woke up from your nap the first thing you said was, "I gotta go.  We get the girls.  Let's get the girls."

Anna:

1. I can barely type words about your success and accomplishment this summer without welling up with tears.  You have worked so incredibly hard with both your PT and OT this summer, and I am in awe.  Your attitude is better than anyone I know.  

2. At OT you spent the better part of the summer making a book.  You wrote the story, illustrated the pictures, made a front cover, back cover and title page.  You brought your book home this week, beaming with pride, and walked me through every single detail.  It is the most incredible book I have ever seen. (more coming on this with pictures)

3. You are in first grade now, and are tackling this with this with the same joy and passion as everything else.  You stay through the full day, will have homework, and are loving every minute.  While these words would never cross your lips, I think it is exhausting.  Last night you easily headed to bed, peeled back your covers, and promptly fell asleep without even adjusting a pillow.

You were so beautiful and peaceful I stopped for a minute to watch you breathe in and out and I felt so happy watching you.  I am so lucky to be your mom Anna.  I hope I can harness the energy you have, share your love of life, and continue to grow and learn with as much excitement as you do every single day.

Taylor:

1. What an exciting year you had last year Taylor.  I am not sure I ever got organized enough to post this, but since I only got some of your work framed yesterday, it is worth remembering.  Your art is detailed, complex and beautiful- exactly like you:) (yours are the two on the right).  We are trying to decide where to hang these pieces, we want them in our room or the family room, you girls want them in your rooms.  Such demand!

2.  You are in third grade now, which means letter grads.  You are nervous and excited, I am too.  You are going to do well no matter what.  You are curious, smart and intuitive.  Nothing can stop you.  

3. You are THE BEST big sister.  Patient, kind, silly, funny.  Anna and Hudson live for you, and you for them.  They are so lucky that you are their example every day.

I am so lucky to be your mom.

xoxo

Last day of summer

Dear Taylor, Anna, and Hudson,

I realize I just posted about your first day of school, so let's back up and wrap up the summer, starting with the last day.  You all had one request- an ice cream sandwich from Cream.  Heaven. Had I done my research, I would have known that it was the street fair this weekend in Palo Alto, and I would have bribed you with ANYTHING to avoid it.  Well, shame on me.

So, we got there, and Daddy LOVES a street fair, so we parked and decided to check the line anyway. The line was loooooooong.  So long that I suggested we bribe the group of nice looking teenage girls at the front to get your treats and we would cover one of theirs in exchange for not waiting in that eternity. Daddy wouldn't do it.... so we walked through the fair.

 You girls were SO super excited.  You loved to see the sculptures and paintings, the jewelry and handmade crafts....Hudson loved to touch the ground, curb, and be carried 

(rubbing his nasty hands on my shirt). 

 I think we are on the same page about street fairs buddy.

We stopped for gelato at a cute little place. Walked to a little open square to play in the fountain, but Hudson of course has a fear of water/outdoor water features/who knows.

Once we got Hudson away from the water, he was much happier so I grabbed this quick picture of my summer bunnies before we headed back to the car.

Goodbye summer.  Time flew by too quickly.

xoxo

First Day

Dear Taylor and Anna,

1st Grade and 3rd Grade!  We are so proud of you two and are so thrilled that another year is starting.

Fresh pencils, fresh paper, fresh crayons (only 24 individually labeled twistable Crayolas).

There is something so exciting about a new school year.  We are thrilled with both of your teachers and think it is going to be a great year:)

New playground in the background!

 Taylor and some of her cute friends.

Taylor, your teacher started with a poem.

Unity

I dreamed I stood in a studio 

and watched the sculptors there. 

The clay they used was a young child's mind, 

and they fashioned it with care.

One was a teacher; 

the tools he used were books, and music, and art. 

One, a parent with a guiding hand, 

and a gentle, loving heart.

Day after day the teacher toiled, 

with touch that was deft and sure, 

While the parents labored by his side 

and polished and smoothed it o'er.

And when at last their task was done, 

they were proud of what they had wrought. 

For this thing they had molded in the child 

could neither be sold nor bought.

And each agreed he would have failed 

if he had worked alone, 

For behind the parent stood the school 

and behind the teacher, the home.

--Author Unknown-

Buckle up kids!  It's going to be a great year.

xoxo

mom

Fore, part 2

Kiddos,

The Wellers party only got better!  After golf, the big kids hit the pool! Six hours of swimming.   Do these look like happy, tired boys and their kids

 Hudson and I spent all of our time either circling the pool.

 Look how cute their decorations were!

 It is like live pinterest!

 If we were not walking around the pool, we were sitting inside playing trucks/toys.

 Or finding Hudson's nose.

Or, back out around the pool.

 Or eating cereal. 

 Watching Taylor swim. Another great way to pass the time.

 Hudson was so so tired.  He looked like he had been electrocuted.

Hudson, I really wish you would swim.  It would be so nice if we could enjoy the pool rather than killing six hours with me following you so I wouldn't worry you would go head first into the pool.

xoxo

mom

A lovely Friday evening

Dear Hudson, Anna and Taylor,

We are getting closer to the time in our lives when we can eat at a restaurant as a family.

Note that I say closer, we are not there yet.  I ate half of an appetizer and spent the rest of the meal outside.  Closer.  I think we are within a few years.... YEARS!

Buddy!  Big progress, you actually ate food.  Way to go.

 Daddy and his mini me.  Looks at my boys.  So handsome together at the table.

 I could not love Daddy more.  I sat at our table of chaos, and saw Daddy at this happiest 

and I realized that we are living the dream.  We have everything we could ask for.  

 Anna!  You are so gorgeous!  You were such amazing dinner company.  

I loved every minute of our time together. 

 Taylor!  We are at such a great stage with you girls and there is nothing better than enjoying an evening with you.  

Me and my guy enjoying the outside while the rest of our party finished dinner.

xoxo

mom

Fore....

Dear Kiddos,

We had the best time at the Wellers.  They hosted a super fun golf tournament- putting for the kiddos and I have no idea what the men did, but all the moms were following the kids back to the pool/sunscreening/making sure Hudson didn't fall in.

Taylor made it to the final four!

 Anna had such a great time!

 Sisters on the golf course.

 I am not sure if anything makes daddy happier than being on the golf course with his girls.

 Four girls on the course out on the golf cart.  10 years flashed before my eyes.  

 Is there a spot more beautiful on earth?

The dads..... 

What a perfect weekend.  More about the party tomorrow.

xoxo

mom

Love

Dear Kids,

One of the best parts of my day is when I get a surprise picture of you from our nanny.  

Nothing makes me happier!

 I especially love to see the two of you getting along. 

While it doesn't happen all the time, it makes me smile. 

Especially on days when you are mean to each other.  All.Day.Long.

xoxox

mom

Crafty Saturday

Dear Anna and Taylor,

We stumbled upon an open craft session at our local toy store.  They gave you a little container with a number of supplies and you could build anything you wanted.  The also had tons of extra supplies and glues, and two lovely women to help you create.

Taylor, you were working so hard to get that handle to attach and you did it!

A cross body bag and a necklace for you Anna girl:)

Finished products:)

Hudson was a little left out, so daddy took him across the street to get a cookie.  

Boy oh boy was he messy..... and ready for a nap.

Such a fun day.

xoxo

mom