“don’t want to miss even one song”

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Stephen Curtis Chapman sings a beautiful song called “Cinderella.” It makes me cry every time I hear it. It’s message is this “Treasure EVERY minute you have with your beautiful little girl.”

I so do – at least I do my best.

Do you know how I GOT TO START MY DAY TODAY?!!? You won’t believe it!! I am SOO Blessed.

After playing and eating and singing and giggling with you, I gave you a kiss goodbye at daycare, and Marlie yells “Me too!” So I got a slimy watermellon kiss on my cheek from Marlie. Then, you guessed it, Olivia says, “Me too!!” ANOTHER slimy watermelon kiss!! And then Kennedy and all the rest of your friends… ending with Natalie.

You ran to the door and gave me one more sweet, slimy watermelon kiss! It doesn’t get any better than this!

watermelon 1

watermelon 2
(These pictures were taken at our home a couple weeks ago, but the watermelon kisses reminded me of them.)

I love being your Mom, Peanut!

(p.s. I told a random guy about the wonderful start to my day at the coffee shop on the way to work, and he gave me an “ewww” look and directed me to the bathroom to wash my cheek. I don’t think he gets how wonderful slimy watermelon kisses can be.)


may 31 – a pretty random family day

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Hey Baby Girl –

I’m trying to play catch-up, so here are some pictures from a pretty random family day.

After church, we all went out to eat at the Cheesecake Factory. Then Madeline joined you and me for “Pinkalicious,” a musical based on the famous book. The actors are professional, off-broadway performers. They are always very good – today was no exception. Before the play started, Madeline re-read the book to you. At intermission, they sold VERY LARGE, VERY PINK cupcakes – neither you nor Madeline could finish yours 🙂 (which was fine with me!)

madeline reads2

cupcakes

cupcakes2

end of play

THEN… we joined up with the guys and headed over to the Strong National Museum of Play – CLEARLY a great time for all!! It was Madeline, Daniel and Daddy Jim’s first time there since the renovation… so none of them had experienced the butterflies before – What a GREAT blessing to have in our town!

you and marlie

We just happened to bump into Marlie and her Mom as they were headed out… just time for one quick ride.

daniel

museum1

museum 2

museum 3

museum 4

museum 6

museum 5

museum 7

museum 8

museum 9

museum 10
You’re dancing with Daddy Jim… can you tell?
Museum 11museum 12
Madeline had hurt her ankle… she’s all better now…
museum 13


Memorial Day weekend – way back in May

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Okay – looking back to Memorial Day weekend (around May 23rd I think) – Daddy, Grandma and Papa took you to a family wedding in Connecticut… Here are some pictures from your time there! It’s clear you had a blast as did they!! Again, you bring JOY everywhere you go!

grandma and papa

daddy and you

the tatro family

wedding3

wedding4

Instead of going to the reception, Daddy, Grandma & Papa took you to the PLAYGROUND!! Do they rock or what?!?!?!

swining you

daddy and me on playground 1

playground2

playground3

grandma swinging

group swinging

playground5

the bridesmaid

And while you were away, we headed to Letchworth Park to watch an amazing thing – a major hot air balloon launch! It was really fascinating…

letchworth2

letchworth3

letchworth5

letchworth4

letchworth1

We really missed you!!


treasuring you…

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“I’m four (holding up four fingers). But I’m about to get five.”
When someone asks you how old you are, this is your standard response.

Four is SUCH a fantastic age! You melt my heart at the most random times. You are unbelievably sincere, crazy passionate, super energetic and wonderfully tender. I can’t possibly predict how, but you surprise me in some wonderful way every time I get to spend some focused time with you- like every night at bedtime. Tonight, after books, you stand up quickly and announce “Tonight I’m going to say my bless-you’s this way” and you walked over and knelt next to your bed and started your prayers, “Dear God, Thank you for Mommi, Daddy Jim… ” ending with “and the whole wide world.” I asked about a sick friend of ours, and you said matter-of-factly, “I did. She is part of my whole world.”

We had the sweetest rocking time, and after having our normal whisper conversation about random things, you fell sound asleep on my lap. That hasn’t happened a while… I continued to rock for a very long time… treasuring the moment, treasuring you.

I so love you Peanut Butter!!

sleeping
I took this picture of you sleeping on my lap tonight… at the end of our day. I love spending my days with you.


camping with madeline and friends

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Wow – What an incredibly fun time we had!! I wasn’t sure whether or not it was the best idea to take you on Madeline’s field tirip that Daddy Jim and I were chaperoning because a) it was supposed to rain both days and be cold; and 2) I wasn’t sure if I would be able to focus on Madeline enough while also making it fun for you… but I knew I REALLY wanted to take you camping and the teachers were very encouraging…. so I gave it a shot – and I am SO GLAD I DID!!!

WE HAD SUCH A FANTASTIC TIME!!

The kids in Madeline’s class – including Madeline – embraced you with big, open arms – including you enthusiastically in so many of the activities, games or crafts, swimming or meals. And we were surprised and blessed with WONDERFUL weather!!

Here are some pictures from our wonderful time!! Thanks God!!

A few times during the 2 days, you stopped what you were doing and said, “Mama? This is such a fun trip!!! Thanks SO MUCH for bringing me!” (I melted each time.)

Excited to be here!
excited

Played many team-building games
games with madeline and kids
games2
girl shot

Some of the games were better for the big kids, so you and I just escaped and played together!!

A first experience with a tire swing!! Wow!
tire swing
tire swing 2

Althea’s Boots
boots
You and Althea became FAST friends – you hung out together a lot over the two days! At one point she said to me, “April? You are SO lucky!! Maya is SO GREAT!” I told her that I totally agree – I feel so grateful for you every single day!

Doing art
doing art

Our Chores – Making Pancakes
making pancakes
strawberries

Best Time at the Lake!!
lake with mad
canoeing

S’mores over a Fire – Of course!
fire smores

Friends, family, fun, sun and God’s beautiful world – it doesn’t get better than that!

Grateful and peaceful
i’m done

We can’t wait to go again!


making collages

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siobhan

Last Sunday, you spent quite a long time making a beautiful collage for your friend Siobhan!! She loved it!!

siobhans collage

Later that day you made one for Daddy Jim, and we mailed it to him at his conference in CA:
maya collage uncle jim1

maya note1
maya note2


the night before….

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…YOUR TRIP WITH DADDY, GRANDMA & PAPA (you’ve been gone just under 4 hours, and I miss you already.)

First – a princess hair cut at a real salon – Hair Cut #2 in your life thus far. Clearly you were not on board (I so love you!!)

2nd haircut1

What a face!


2nd haircut2

Nice fake smile – at least its over!!


2nd haircut3

Daddy – we were wondering if this picture brought back memories:
daddy’s old apt

After seeing a case full of jewelry, you exclaimed, “I can’t believe my eyes!!!” (Where in the world do you learn these phrases?) – We both loved this picture!

wow

Then we bumped into your old babysitter! Hi Genna!!
genna

After shopping and dinner, a quick trip back to our old favorite, Park Avenue Abbott’s! 🙂

Meets your approval!


abotts2

“I am an ice cream MONSTER!!”
ice cream monster

Finally a man started playing his accordion – it was WONDERFUL! You asked how it worked and I gave the explanation my best shot – including the pulling of the accordion to be like our inhale (and I demonstrated) and the pushing to be like our exhale (again, with demo).
musician
You watched him so intently and made pretty loud inhale and exhale noises to match the movement of the instrument!! You are so fun to hang with!!


a quick outing with the siblings

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You LOOOVE the time you get to spend with Madeline and Daniel – it never feels like enough!! I agree.

We had dinner with them at Julie’s last night and then jumped in the pool for a quick family swim before their lessons. What a GREAT time!!

daniel face1

danielface2

mad maya swim1mad maya swim2


our morning

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…started with you taking us out to the deck… first thing! And a wonderful not-quite-awake-yet snuggle in the cool beautiful sunshine. We told God thanks for all the beautiful things we could see from our second floor deck – the lilacs, the GREEN trees, the sunshine… Good morning God indeed!!

Breakfast was watermelon and blackberries, “Mommi, would you like my last blackberry?” What a great sharer!!

Then you helped me water all of the plants in the kitchen and 3-season room, giggling with delight. We decided this would be your new job. The 2 on the ground that you could reach would be yours to do, the hanging one would be mine.

I ran upstairs to grab shoes, and you came running up saying you had something great to show me. Plants were growing in the planters outside that you and I had planted together. So we watered them too! And then you used your spray bottle to water the grass. (I’m sure the grass that received your precious attention was grateful… not so much the plant whose large leaf you yanked out to show me. sigh. we talked again about how plants need their leaves to make their food – they will be hungry if you keep taking off their food-making machines.)

I had accidentally taken Jaydon’s coloring picture b/c his cubby is next to yours. You told me that it was Jaydon’s, so of course we planned to bring it back. I asked you if you wanted to make a copy of it first for you to color (it was a picture of a princess). “What’s a copy, Mommi?” So I introduced you to this machine and showed you how it worked. YOU WERE AMAZED AND DELIGHTED!!!! Giggling, you said, “This is so much fun!!” We made 8 copies for to give your friends at school.

On the drive to school, you decided to try to count cars you saw – and you really tried. You seem to struggle with the four numbers after 13… You say 13, 17. I say 14. You say 13, 14, 17. I say 15. You say 15, 17. I say 16. You say 16, 18. Hmmm… When we got to school, you bumped into Bonnie and the first thing you said to her was, “There are too many cars to count.” (She was a little lost.)

After saying goodbye in the classroom, you crawl into the corner window of the classroom to wave goodbye. I can hear you yell, “Goodbye Mama! I love you!!!” the whole walk to my car. Then I pull the car up and we blow LOTS OF KISSES to each other!! “Have a wonderful day Baby!!!” “You too Mama!!! I love you!!”

school

you

And this morning was typical… It was wonderfully typical!! I am so blessed! (Tears are running down my cheek as I type this.)

I love you Baby!!
*Mommi


Daddy Jim’s new “bow”

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You know Daddy Jim is away at a conference in CA – His friend and student, Dave, sent this email and picture:

“Maya, Daddy Jim looks so nice in the bow you picked out for him!”

daddy jim in ca

“He’s so handsome!!” (you say this about Daddy Jim often. I agree.)

You DID choose this “bow” for him (as you call it) completely out of the blue. Daddy Jim feels very loved – he told me so!! Thanks for spreading your joy to so many, Peanut Butter! Now to the many in California who get to hear the story!!

Couldn’t love you more…

Oh – another cute story. Today you said “Mommi – I was just thinking something happy in my head.” “Yes Sweetie? What was it?”
“I saw two people kissing. And two people smiling at each other. They were getting married. It was you.” “Oh yeah?” “Yes, Mommi. You and Daddy Jim.”
🙂