My sweet fashionista L has always put her best fashion on since she was about 3 years old. She has her own style and that is what I love about her. She creates the cutest outfits and those particular outfits always included dresses, skirts, tights, leggings, fashion pants but no jeans. She would downright refuse to wear jeans so I gave all her jeans away.

A couple of weeks ago, she said “mommy, I really would like to have a pair of jeans.” As I picked my mouth up off the floor, I happily obliged. We got online at Gymboree as they were having a huge sale with nothing over $15. I purchased her two jean outfits. Now, these were not plain jeans. I had strict orders that the jeans include designs on the legs.

The outfits arrived at our door yesterday, and I was eager to show them to L as soon as she got home from school. She was a happy girl. She told me this morning, “mommy, I really like these jeans because they have designs on them.” I am in no hurry to have her wear jeans everyday as I love her in her dresses and skirts but it will be a nice change for her.

She is just so precious in the jeans and they seem to make her look taller.

I will have to say, we are huge fans of Gymboree. I just love the quality of the clothes and they always have such adorable themes. No, I was not paid to say that.

We have been waiting on a big snow and it is still yet to come, so we will welcome any amount of snow we can get. We were greeted this morning as we awoke with a beautiful winter wonderland. Was it a huge amount of snow? Actually, it was not. Maybe 2 inches? The amount did not seem to matter in the sparkle of M and L’s eyes. Just watching the pure joy escape them as they put on their ever abundance of snow clothes, brought me back to my childhood. There would be no worries in the world, only fun times going down the sledding hill with my brother. Now my two girls are getting to experience the same excitement.

Hearing the laughter, seeing the smiles was pure winter delight. I escaped five minutes before they came in to create a delicious warm drink for a winter snow day. I greeted them at the door with two cups of hot chocolate and we sat and discussed their sledding stories. Now, this is the winter life!

Each Wednesday, we have a tradition. TCBY gives back to it’s community by offering 99 cents waffle cone Wednesday. The girls know when we pick them up from school on Wednesday’s that we are going to go enjoy many different flavors. The girls get all giddy looking through the glass to see which flavor they will enjoy this time. L really takes her cone serious and enjoys every bite. I sat there last week watching my sweet little girl in her own little world with her ice cream cone.

As a mom, you start the journey of motherhood with your kids depending on you for their every need. They wrap their tiny fingers around your fingers and all is well in their world. Being an attachment mother was what I loved and cherished so much during the early stages of motherhood. I miss deeply when the girls were babies as I would always have them close to my chest. I would wear (babywearing sling) them all day and we would be attached at the hip. Pure bliss!

The years are moving so fast though and we have fast forward from the attachment parenting stage to a more independent stage. We are doing our last co-sleeping days but I still see lots of family movie nights of us all cuddled in the bed together… I just wish I could pause time, because we are fast forwarding too fast. How did I wake up one morning and the girls went from depending on me for everything to spreading their wings and taking on the real world.

The girls are back to school for the new year. I am a ball of mixed emotions. This conversation sent my emotions even further all over the place.

L: Mommy, when will I be on my own?

Me: I am not sure. I am assuming when you are 21 and become an adult. But, you could just stay with mommy forever.

L: Mommy, when I am on my own will I have to get a job?

Me: Well honey, we do have to work in order to make a living.

L: Mommy, I want to do whatever I want when I get 21.

Me: Sweetie, that is a good attitude to have. I want you to reach for the stars and let God direct you into a great career.

M pipes in: Why are we talking about growing up for L? I don’t want to grow up, I just want to be a kid.

WOW! L has definitely grown in the last couple of years. She is still a BIG mommy’s girl and needs her mommy close, but she is always engaging in these big grown up conversations. M is not thinking so much about the future and just enjoying the moment. Looking back on the conversation though, I do get a big smile on my face. My girls are growing into independent women and it is all because of the parenting we have done over the last nine years. Who said attachment parenting was so bad? Looks like I have two amazing girls to prove that theory down the drain.

Spread your wings girls but always know mommy is right behind you flying with you. Here’s to a great school year.

Times are changing my friends. There are no more of these nickels and dimes left under pillows. The tooth fairy has hit inflation. Let’s set the stage. L finally has a lose tooth. She is close to 7 so we were beginning to wonder if those baby teeth wanted to just officially hang out full-term. Never fear, L realized a couple weeks ago, that her bottom two front teeth seemed weird. Full freak-out mode was in force.

“Mommy, I am not suppose to lose my teeth. I will not be beautiful anymore.”

“Mommy, this is serious. I cannot lose my teeth.”

“Mommy, please stop this from happening.”

The tears were rushing down her sweet freckled face, but all I could do was sit and rock her. I tried to tell her she would always be beautiful no matter what, but this princess/fashion diva was not having anything to do with my consoling words this time. Over the couple of weeks though, she seemed to be getting adjusted to the idea. I showed her pictures of M when she lost her teeth so she would know, teeth would eventually grow back. The time had come, L bit into her breakfast last Saturday morning and out the tooth came. I was sad because I was at the spa having me time and I missed her milestone. But, I was greeted at the door with my little toothless princess holding her tooth and a note.

Now this was not any ordinary note.

Pretty convincing right? Do you know that the tooth fairy left her $5?! Wow… inflation!

Yesterday as we were driving home, she was eating a happy meal from Mickey D’s on the rare occasion and after two bites, out comes the second bottom tooth. I had to pull over, because the drama was on. She originally thought she had ketch-up all over her hand, but it was actually blood. We get pulled over to a gas station and go in to use the bathroom there to get cleaned up. She talks slowly through her tears, “Mommy, the tooth fairy better leave me $10 this time.”

And that my folks is the fastest inflation that I have ever seen .

Date nights have become such awesome experiences this summer with our girls. Now, ever since we have had kids, my husband and I would do dates with both girls with us. For example, I would take the girls out to lunch and a manicure altogether. Hubby would take the girls out for breakfast. Last month we decided to change up the dates. We started one-on-one dates with our girls. Hubby would take M and go on a special outing. I would take L and go on a special outing. Then the next week, we would switch girls and go on another outing. The girls are enjoying every minute of these dates. The quality time they are getting with each parent is what makes this so special in their eyes. Even hubby and I have to admit, that we are really enjoying it so much as well.

M proclaimed on the last date:

This has been the best day mommy and daddy.

5 dates you can do with your kids this summer

1. Go to the movies. So many great movies are on the big screen now that are suitable for kids and adults. It is a great way to beat the heat too.

2. Visit a local museum. There are so many children’s museums across the country. Pick one and go be a kid for the day. Your child will love you getting on their level for a change.

3. Enjoy an ice cream cone. What child doesn’t love some good ole fashion ice cream cones? If you can’t do dairy then enjoy a smoothie or sno-cone instead. Turning off your cell phones and enjoy a conversation with just you and your child while enjoying a delicious treat.

4. Go to breakfast. The girls love having Dunkin Donut dates with daddy. They get to enjoy a special donut and daddy gets to enjoy a fresh cup of coffee. Win-win for daddy and child.

5. Head to the park. Swinging on the swings, sliding down the slide, chasing the child through the park are all things that will brings lots of smiles to a child face. Just knowing they have your undivided attention will mean the world to them.

Have fun, create special memories and enjoy the quality one-on-one time. The dates will be memories forever in your child’s mind.

Remember the yesteryears when the only technology we had in the house was a black and white television and an old typewriter. Those were the days right? How would our kids survive with so little technology? That is the question of the day parents, but in all seriousness, we are the ones creating technology monsters. Listen, I love technology, I mean… I really love technology, but there comes a point and time that we need to back track a little bit. Especially in these summer months, I will declare, it is no technology time during different parts of the day. The girls will either play a board game, jump rope outside, throw a ball and hopefully not bust a window, or sneak in their room and use their imagination by creating their own play or dance party.

Today was the creation of a dance party. The girls gave hubby and I our invites and told us the time to be there. Hubby and I showed up and were greeted at the girls play room door with the beautiful M. She had our tickets to all the activities at the dance party.

As we took our seats, the food bar was awaiting for us. All we had to do was turn our tickets in and we could have unlimited food the girls had set-up for us.

It was time to get this dance party started.

Of course, they had to pull an audience member, so they decided on mommy.

After so many laughs, smiles and dance moves the show had to come to an end but not before we went on a tour of the room to check out the beautiful dance party decor.

Hubby and I enjoy their little parties so much. We all will treasure these memories forever. Encourage your child’s imagination. It will bring a smile to everyone’s face!

It is the most wonderful time of the year. Well, one of the most wonderful times of the year. My girls are moving on up in their school careers. I will never have another kindergartner and this makes me so sad. How can I be a mom of a 3rd grader? Time you know, you could put the brakes on a little bit. That would be the best thing ok?

Introducing, my newest 1st grader and 3rd grader.

We have so much planned for the Summer and are going to enjoy every single minute of it. I actually have put together a schedule that will keep the “I am bored” comments at bay and will share that tomorrow. In the meantime, take a moment to see these cute End of Year Teacher Gifts I found on the Skip To My Lou craft blog.

Embellished Scissors

Teacher Appreciation Flower Picks

Both crafts were a huge hit with all the teachers. I included a hand written thank you note to each teacher as well detailing how much I appreciate them. Teachers do a very hard job and we need to always remember that they are not definitely in teaching for the money but for the love of the children.

Let the summer memories begin!

My precious and sweet little L hit a huge milestone last weekend, and a part of me is so excited for her but then the other part of me wants to crawl in a closet and have a good cry. You see, L is my youngest and each of these big milestones she hits, means my youngest is not a baby anymore.

Go ahead and say it, I know I am not going to make a good empty nester. I just wish I could stop time on the clock from rushing forward at fierce lightning speed. Let’s set this latest scenario up.

The hubby is out in the drive with his tools acting like he is Mr. Bicycle repairman to M’s bicycle. Much to my surprise, he actually knew what he was doing. I should have known, he is the ultimate Mr. Handyman. Well, over on the side L was really paying attention to his tools and then would look at her training wheels real strongly. After some really close concentration, she popped up and said “Daddy, bring those tools right over here and take off my training wheels.” Say what? L, are you sure and just when did you become boss in this family.

I muttered to my parents who were in town visiting, that we are all going to be surprised if she just takes off on the bicycle when the training wheels are off like she has been riding without training wheels for years. The time has come, it is either make it or break it. Now is time to cue the video. Listen in closely to L’s words.

And folks just like that, she was off. How did you enjoy that little “southern accent” by the mom herself at the beginning of the video? Just keeping it real folks. My baby girl L, has not stopped riding her bicycle all over the community. She proudly tells anyone that will listen that she has no training wheels now. That’s my baby girl.

I am so proud but let’s take a while for the next big milestone accomplishment ok? I need to finish wiping the tears of joy, sadness and the overwhelmed feeling first.

I will go ahead and say it, my husband does not ever celebrate Mother’s Day, My Birthday, Valentine’s Day, or Our Anniversary, it hurts but I have just come to realize that is how he is and keep moving forward.

I do have two little girls that help me celebrate each and every one of these holidays. M and L light up my life so much and I truly thank God for giving me two precious girls.

This past Friday I was greeted with a big hug from L to wake me up and she had a smile on her face that would light up the room. She said: “Mommy, the special day is here. It is Mother’s Day muffins time”

I awaited all day because I knew this was going to be one special day. I walked into the classroom at 2:00pm and L guided me to my seat, pushed me in and then immediately came to greet me with two muffins and a cup of lemonade.

Is that smile not priceless? As I was eating, she was so excited to share her goodies that she made me.

The purple card read:

“Derr Mommy,

Love,

L

The beautiful flower bouquet read:

I will love you forever
And forever you will be
The most wonderful mother
You mean everything to me.

I thought of buying you flowers
In the usual way
But I knew you would prefer
A FOREVER bouquet!

This Mother’s Day was just starting and I was already over-joyed. These are gifts I will cherish forever and ever.

M surprised me last night in the kitchen with this beautiful card!

It caught me by surprise and I cried so hard.

Dear Mommy

You’re the best mommy ever. I think that no other Mom could replace you. I think your amazing just the way you are because you were made the way I wanted you to be because I love how you have glasses and my favorite part about you is you have the same color hair as me. I love you from the heart and I think you are the best m other ever because you give me whatever I need, like, love and me a birthday and thank you for signing me up for softball. I love you Mommy.

M

We hugged each other so tightly and would not let each other go for what seemed like a good five minutes. Tears were just streaming down my face. This is my child, my beautiful child that I am raising, and the card just shows how close of a bond we do have.

L and M had already truly made my Mother’s Day. The best Mother’s Day gifts of all time. I wouldn’t even think of wanting anything else.

Today we started the day in church and then spent time outdoors with no technology attached to us at all. We explored the Natural Science Center

and the Greensboro Children’s Museum.

Seeing the extra bounce in the girls steps, the glee that would escape their mouths and the non-stop smiles as we went about our day. I could not have asked for a better day and it was all because of my girls. They yet again made sure mommy was given the best day. I am truly blessed!