Long Memorial Day Weekending

The weekend started like this (on Friday after school)



Taken by Anna who was not wearing red, white, and blue. I guess in 8th grade it's not required.



And the weekend ended with pie, apple pie. (because every weekend {even with birthday cake and all kinds of treats} needs to end with a pie for it to feel complete for me)



There was a HUGE birthday party for Abigail in the middle of this weekend. I'll get to that soon.!

End of the Year Viola Solo Recital

It's silent so it's really hard for me to click a photo. Because the only sound in the room is the sound of their viola and the accompanying piano.

It looks so intimidating to me. I can't imagine getting up there in front of an audience {alone} and playing a tough piece.

But they both did an amazing job. And we were very proud of them.

(I do one click at the beginning)



Abigail played Minuet 3 by JS Bach.

(and one click on the very last note so that I don't have to break their focus during the piece)



This is the face of pride and relief that she is done!







Anna told me this was the first time she wasn't nervous.



She played Marcello's Sonata in G Major, first and second movement





The girls have been with this amazing teacher, Mr. Lee since the very beginning.

Mid Week Muffins

I am a 'by habbit' person. 

Every Friday is 'French Toast Friday'.

Every Wednesday is Chicken Pot Pie.

Every Sunday I bake a pie or cookies.

And sometime in the middle of the week I bake muffins.  

There is often more baking in a given week but that is just the bare minimum for me.  

I need to bake.  Really need to.  I love the feeling of getting all of the ingredients out.  I love the process of mixing it all together to make something special that my family can't buy.  

I love the feeling of my little dome bake stand full in the middle of a busy week.  

It makes me feel happy to see my girls and Scott grab a muffin to go with their milk (Anna) or Elecare (Abigail) or tea (Scott).

Baking doesn't take much time but for me it's middle of the week therapy and I can't live without it.  

Her Last Time on the Middle School Stage

There is still another concert at the end of the year.  We're not there yet.

And there are still many more days of school this year.

But last night was the last Beaux Strings and Chorus concert.  This is the select group (auditioned) and they were outstanding.

I had no idea this song was coming.  I don't know why she didn't warn me.  So I didn't get the whole thing.  But seconds in I realized that something special was happening.

Anna plays in the orchestra.  The combination of the orchestra and the singers were wonderful.

I taped with my phone which doesn't do justice to the sound, the quality, the voices and orchestra swelling in the room.

But I don't want to forget.

Mother's Day

We had Mother's Day this weekend. Yes, it was a week late. And that's okay. I'm pretty sure the world went right on spinning even though we had the flowers and the food and the love on the 'wrong' day.

Scott blessed me with a picnic, right in our backyard.



And it made me so so happy.



He made the loveliest lunches and we sat on a quilt under the tree and ate. I opened the girls homemade cards and their sweet presents.









Anna picked out a wonderful children's book for me.



with a beautiful print in the back of the book. So she got me a frame so that when I take out the print I can frame it for our chapter book library.



And my husband gave me this beautiful card with me pushing baby Anna on the swings.







He spoiled me with the new Susan Branch mugs, fine bone china, made in England. I love the size of them.  Perfect for a mug of soup or hot chocolate with whipped cream in the winter.  But tea, of course a big mug of tea.









And this to decorate with from a wonderful garden shoppe near our home.



I didn't need a single gift. (although they were so thoughtful and wonderful) The love from being their mommy is the greatest gift of all.

She Turned 10!!!

Yesterday my baby turned 10. 10!!! And we had a wonderful day, start to finish.

I love my daughters birthdays. Such a happy day for me, reminding me of how blessed I am to be their mama.

I surprised Abigail with a new dress to wear to school on her big day.



With sweet little birds on it. Perfect Abigail dress.



And the very unusual weather called for crazy high temps so up in a bun her hair went.



A few before school pictures of my little girl. She's always willing.



I am quite convinced that Abigail will be twirling in her wedding dress someday.



She's a twirler.



I love the spring in our backyard. The grass so green and the tree leaves so welcoming after a long winter.



I picked up Abigail early from school. The heat was unbearable yesterday, so we came home and I read books to her. (and got her a Belle balloon... right now her favorite princess)





We listened to songs like this and this and this  and this  while I cooked... and danced around the kitchen.





She wrote in her diary (because you just HAVE to write in your diary ON your birthday)



Daddy came home and the "party" started.



She had her all time favorite dinner, chicken pot pie



And then we headed to the patio for cake and opening presents.

Abigail's face. She adores her sister.



Anna's face.



These two.



Isn't there something you just love to capture with each of your children? For me, with Abigail, it's her faces. Of silliness, of delight, of love.



Be still my heart.









A minnie mouse pandora charm (and eyes that sparkle when she opens presents)







The face of a ten year old opening an American Girl doll box.





I don't care how overpriced they are, some things (like the joy on her face) are worth it.



I think I should sell this one to American Girl.











Minnie Mouse and a Hawaiian theme? What could be better for a trip this summer to the Polynesian? That little girl needed jammies!







Anna picked out a fun girl too.











Time to officially turn 10! And eat cake!



We have a little girl party coming next weekend (and grandparents party too). I am looking forward to more celebrating with this not so little, little girl of mine. Oh I love her so.