Monday, February 28, 2011

Wind Chimes

Our dear friends the Douglas Family gave Emma a set of paint-your-own wind chimes for her birthday. Both of the girls were super excited to have such a neat project to work on!  They began this project on Friday and finished it today (note the different placemats to tell the different days).
Thanks, friends for choosing such a perfect gift for Em!  Both of the girls loved this project, and I am sure that tomorrow morning when they wake up the first thing they will want to do is find perfect spots for their wind chimes to hang.  Now, we just need spring to get here so we can hang them outside where the passing breezes can make them chime!

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Builders in Pink


We hope that your Sunday was full of wonderful creations, too!

Friday, February 25, 2011

{This Moment}

{This Moment} - A SouleMama Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comment section of the SouleMama blog for all to find and see. Have a blessed weekend, friends!
Photo by Sarah Douglas. 

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Sweet Dreams

Yesterday as we were getting ready for our day (and the morning tea party) Emma made her bed and then decided to tuck all her babies in for a morning nap. 
"Sweet dreams!"

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Breakfast Tea Party

This morning as soon as we were all downstairs and snuggled on the couch, Grace said to me:  "Mama, let's have a tea party today."  We added that to the list of things we wanted to do today and got busy making blueberry muffins and getting ready for our tea party.  

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Birthday Traditions

Yesterday was Emma's third birthday which brought with it lots of lovely new birthday traditions.  Over the course of the last year I had seen so many lovely birthday traditions on various blogs and websites. I had wanted to start some of them on Grace's birthday last year but had not really happened upon them until right before her special day.  Many of them come from the Waldorf philosophy of education, and while we wouldn't describe ourselves as "a Waldorf Family", we certainly have a Waldorf flavor to lots that we do!  

The night before she turned three we read the birthday eve poem (located at the end of this post).  The next morning when the girls joined us in bed, we gave Emma the required three kisses and then placed the birthday crown, that Dave and I made the night before, on her head.  We all headed downstairs where this was discovered:
Later that morning we began the fabulous new tradition of letting the birthday girl decorate her own cake! In years past we always had pre-decorated cakes, but this year Grace had asked if we could make and decorate a cake for Emma.  What a fabulous idea!  So later we headed to the store to buy the requested raspberries and strawberries that would adorn the cake, and upon returning home the girls got to work.  They took such pride in making such a special cake for such a special occasion, that I can easily say we will never have a pre-decorated cake on their birthday day again!
That evening our family of friends came over to celebrate Emma's third trip around the sun!  The house was full of joy, love and excitement as friends played and chatted, pizza and salad were eaten and lots of wonderful memories were made!
Then it was time for the much anticipated cake!  The little girls (and the mamas too) were super excited to see it covered in lovely berries!  Even though it is not nearly berry season around here, it certainly was a lovely prelude of things to come!
The following three photos were taken by Sarah Douglas. 
After everyone headed home we each gave Emma a wish for this next year.  David wished Emma a year full of discovery.  Grace wished Emma a year of seeing lots of stars and the moon.  And I wished Emma a year full of love, joy and wonder.  Before bed we read her birthday story to her (often called the crossing the rainbow bridge story) and more kisses were given and sweet dreams were wished.  As I was tucking the girls in Grace said: "This was the best Emma birthday ever!"  I completely agree!  Sadly, it's going to seem like it's an eternity before July arrives and we get to experience all these wonderful new birthday traditions again!

Birthday Eve Poem
When I have said my evening prayer, 
And my clothes are folded on the chair, 
And mother switches off the light, 
I'll still be __ years old tonight. 

But from the very break of day, 
Before the children rise and play, 
Before the darkness turns to gold, 
Tomorrow, I'll be __ years old. 

__ kisses when I wake. 
__candles on my cake. 
-Anonymous

Monday, February 21, 2011

Happy Third Birthday, Emma Faith!

It was a most fabulous day, filled with wonderful new birthday traditions (more on that tomorrow) and topped off with a celebration with our family of friends.  We are blessed beyond measure and it was the perfect way for Emma to begin her next trip around the sun!  

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Last Night As A Two Year Old

Three years ago this very night, I tucked your sister in for the last time as an only child.  Little did we know that life was about to get even more amazing than it already was.  So, it is only fitting that tonight (like every night) we wish you a good night, sweet daughter.  For when you wake up tomorrow you will be three years old and we just know that the next three years will be even more magical (and amazing) than the last three have been!  Sweet dreams, sweet, joyful girl!  We'll see you in the morning!  There are many more adventures to be had!

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Emma's Family Party

Both sides of our family gathered today in celebration of Emma's birthday this coming Monday!  It's hard to believe she's turning three (but we'll save those thoughts for the post on Monday).  The day started with a trip to the farmer's market (like any other Saturday) and pretty much as soon as we returned home she got dressed in her fabulous birthday dress from my mom. 
Calling Gramma to thank her for her fabulous party dress.
The girls were very excited to see that Dave's parents had arrived. 
This playhouse is way more spectacular than we all expected it to be!
A red feather boa from Aunt Kaitlyn.
Cutting fruit from Aunt Donna and Uncle Peter.
Strawberry Shortcake DVDs from Gramma and Grandpa.
Prism blocks from Uncle Grant and Karen. 
Grandma made a Raggedy Anne cake from Em.  She used to make cakes like these when David and Donna were kids and was so thrilled to get to do this again.
And of course, no celebration in February is complete without a cake for Kaitlyn!
Happy (almost) 3rd Birthday, sweet girl!