Three is a charm!

Happy, happy birthday my Lily love! Where has the time gone? You are a little lady now. There is no baby left in you, baby! You are all girl. And a beautiful girl to be sure. Your beauty is stunning, but your intelligence is what stops me in my tracks. It's the best kind of smart -- smart with charm.

Things are happening for you. Just last week you sat in my lap and we practiced spelling words in a book - you just about did it all by yourself. We were both cheering out loud every time you got it right! I can see it all clicking inside that head of yours and it is so exciting. I asked you how it made you feel to spell those words and you said, "Oh mom, I just can't wait to read!" 

This big ol' world is about to open up wide to you! And you are walking in to it like a confident old soul - and a who-hoo girl that likes to celebrate everything from spelling words to the sun coming up! Gosh, I like you so much. And I love you even more.

Your bright eyes make my day every day. And that just doesn't seem to do it justice. I don't really know how to explain this feeling I have for you - it gets bigger and fuller all the time. Its like an energy inside me that fuels my heart! You are amazing - at birth, at three......I can't even begin to imagine how more amazing you will be as the years go by!

We celebrated your birthday with cupcakes at the beach, Chuck-E-Cheese with friends, cake at home.....and, a visit from the birthday fairy!

Thank you for giving us reason to celebrate everyday! We love you Lily! Happy Birthday.

Back From Boca

This was our sixth year traveling down to Boca Grande. Our first year we were newlyweds. Our third year I was a very pregnant first-time-mom-to-be. Last year I was a few weeks pregnant and didn't have a clue. This year, we had two kiddos and a dog tagging along with us. Seems that it just gets better and better every year!

Fairy Dust

Lily asked that I write the birthday fairy a note to ask her not to sprinkle fairy dust on her tonight when she visits.....it makes her sneeze. But the birthday fairy could not resist a little dust....she left this letter in Lily's room (with just a sprinkle or two if silver dust!).

Sharing

Thanks Angela for sharing these cute pictures with us! We had a great time celebrating E's birthday. Nothing much cuter than kids splashing in the pool, chasing a puppy dog, kickin' up sand, eating birthday cake and cheering on a school of dolphins! Lucky kids! Lucky us to be part of such a fun day.

(Ben chose his fingers over cake!)

(Lily had a blast running from beach to pool and back again)

(caught eating some yummy birthday cake)

(watching a school of dolphins play)

(He is all smiles!)

At Play

The best job in the world is being a mom to Lily and Ben. And one of my greatest pleasures is observing them doing what they do best - playing. I know they have no idea how great it is to be free to invent, pretend, be open, jump high, run fast, make weird noises, talk to random strangers......I envy the freedom that is childhood, but I am so blessed to be at a place in my life where I can appreciate it from a distance. And when they invite me in - to play - I love it more than I can remember as a child! Indulging in that kind of freedom is a treat for adults to relish! 

*Playing with the Peterson boys at airplane park.

Hats Off!

This is Ben's hat - but clearly we all have fun with it! And, not a photo of the little man wearing it. Fourth of July was a wet one. We met grandma and grandpa in Ft. Myers and wished them well on thier cruise to Russia! And, on Sunday we spent many hours in the pool at Mimi's. Lily is turning into a little fish. She loves to swim and gets braver every time she jumps in! 

Summer is hot. It's hectic. So far no signs of slowing down. But we do head to Boca Grande for a week and I am really hoping for some R&R. At the very least I am excepting lots of ice cream, salt water, naps and fresh fish. And, I'll be sure to snap a photo of Benjamin wearing his hat!