Mrs. Rothschild

Back in April Abigail had her last ever Kindermusik. It sure was a bittersweet one for me since I've been going to Kindermusik since Anna came home from China. It was the best 'mommy and me' class I've ever found which is why I was there with my girls for a total of nine years! Nine years! Nine years certainly deserves a better, bigger post with pictures dating back all the way to 2004 but I don't have them that organized today. I will soon but I just have to get this years out today.


(spring 2012)

Mrs. Rothschild is the rock to Kindermusik. Strong in her music background she brought so much wisdom to the little class. Yet it was her warmth and kindness over the years that brought me back semester after semester.

Each week I got to PLAY with my girls to music. Scarves, instruments, books, and just a whole lot of fun. The girls cuddled with me, giggled with me, and it filled up my mommy heart each and every week.


(spring 2005)


(spring 2011)

Thank you Mrs. Rothschild for stopping the clock for me if just for a bit each week over the past nine years. Thank you Mrs. Rothschild for reminding me that TIME with my girls was the best part of staying home.


(spring 2008)

It's hard to even think of saying goodbye to this little piece of my 'staying at home' life. So... I won't.

"We love you" was inscribed on a locket we gave her on the last day. And we sure do.

Winding Down

... well sort of!

Around here school doesn't end until June 20th but some of our school-year extra activities begin to wind down a bit.

Of course with some winding down of activities (and we take a deep breath) the crazy 'end of the school year' activities rev up. (like school fairs, field days, preschool graduations, and lots of family birthday parties)

Today was Anna's last group viola class. She still has her once a week private lesson for a few more weeks but her group class ended today.

She's finishing up her fourth year of playing the viola and I'm pleased as can be with some of the things that have come out of her mouth lately about being able to play an instrument and with the viola in particular. Just a few so that I don't forget.

~At prayer time one night, "I'm thankful that I can play an instrument." (I know, not profound but it was in there and it was heartfelt.
~During dinner one evening, "I love the viola. I'm glad that I play that instead of a violin. The viola has such a deep, rich sound. And it's different and special." (I can't remember the exact words but it went something like that.

Here is her group class. They've been together for four years now. Sweet kids.  (Please excuse the iphone picture that someone else took and then emailed to me)



Her teacher, Melinda. She's creative, hard working, patient, gentle and yet it amazes me that she can get such beautiful sound out of these viola players. I love the way that she expects them to be life long music players.  This sazuki program is not for the faint of heart... it's some serious stuff.  And a non musical mom like me is amazed!



So another year of viola under her belt (or should I say bow). Going to the car today she said, "for the first time I feel sad"

And next school year her little sister will be starting. 

She's as ready as ever. She's been to four years of group classes, four years of private lessons, every daily time Anna practices, and the constant sound of the Sazuki viola CD playing in our house. Oh yea, ready for sure!

Planting, Painting, and an Art Show

On Saturday Scott did an amazing amount of spring yard work. He works hard I can tell you and our lush green grass this year, raised flower beds, and curved little gardens are all him... I can't take credit for our pretty yard at all!



It's our spring tradition for the girls to help us plant the annuals out front that line our walkway. And they did a great job!









In the afternoon while Daddy was gardening I got out the paints for the girls to do outside... always a big hit no matter what age you are!



Especially washing the brushes to change paint colors!



It was a relaxing day for the girls. Just what we needed!



On Sunday we headed to Anna's Art Show. She loves art so for the past 5 years she's taken an art class outside of school. Each spring they host an art show. The highlight this year was the face painting.









A fun weekend for sure! We loved the sun; we loved the warm air; we always love our weekends together!

Snapshots of Her Day

I'm lovin my new little teeny tiny Canon Powershot camera. Lighter than my wallet and always with me! Since I don't have an iphone my cell phone camera is just plain old no good. So this works perfect for me! I love getting those moments that I would never carry the heavy camera! Most of the time I had it on auto but sometimes I experimented with manual. So here's my first day carrying it around...

Waking up on her birthday and getting dressed by herself



Breakfast



Cupcakes for school



Preschool



Hands on her hips telling her friends she's 5 today



Birthday crown her teacher gave her



Bible and Prayer time (I should have put it on auto and used the flash... ISO not so hot on a baby camera)



Bedtime



Daddy telling his nightly "make up story" (Abigail picks the characters and he tells a story... beloved night time tradition)

She's 5!

Hard to believe my pint sized, just starting to wear size 4T clothes is five!



But she is! No matter how hard I tired to stop it... 5 came anyway!

And she couldn't be happier about it!

Her birthday was Friday but her family party won't be until next weekend. So we celebrated just the four of us, and we had a lovely party. It was such a beautiful day we decided to have our homemade pizza outside and open presents outside too. She saw the presents wrapped in the living room during the day. It was so hard for her to wait until daddy was home that afternoon. Boy of boy was she ever happy!



She ripped right into the 'big one' and had no idea what it was! So cute though, she was thrilled anyway.





Scott thought of getting her a snow cone machine since we are ALWAYS looking for ways to give her special things to eat due to her severe allergies. Water and sugar syrup are the only two ingredients so it passes the test! :)

Later inside that night we gave it a try, and it was hit! (with both girls)





Her favorite presents were bitty baby clothes. When she ripped off the paper and saw that Bitty Baby box she shouted, "thank you; its just what I wanted!" I love that!





Oh how she loves that doll!



My favorite two pictures of the night are these! She opened a Bitty Baby carrier. Pure birthday joy! (and I love raising future mommies)





Anna gave her lip gloss which she didn't waste any time trying and this amazing card. "You are the everlasting bouquet of my life" Now that's sister love!



We went inside for some cupcakes.






And ended the day with some mommy daddy pictures.



Happy Birthday sweet Abigail Mei... we love you!

Breaking Life Down into Little Moments

There's something about having a blog that I love. Sometime from when the camera goes "click" and I've captured a moment to when it appears on my blog I feel frazzled. Will I remember what that was about? Can I ever be 'caught up with my pictures' as life is speeding by faster than I can stop it? That's not the part I like. But when I take a few minutes every day to take those pictures and "file" our little family moments on this blog I feel relaxed.

When I click "publish" on my blog page I say to myself, "ahh... a moment captured, a moment preserved." I would hate for our family moments to be lost forever as unorganized pictures on phones, camera chips and video clips. I love my blog because it's all here, all organized, all captured.

And although putting a few pictures up each day does not show the "whole" of our little family life it helps me to feel like I'm slowing down their growing up years. I know I can't stop the clock. I know I can't keep them little forever, but keeping my blog helps me to break life down into little moments. And those little moments are forever there along with the feelings that went with them. Life stopped if just for a short time. Life captured.

And I like that.

Favorite Photo Friday ~Caught in the Moment

I love when this happens. Just a pure, simple, lovely sister moment.

Often when Anna brings home books from the school library they are for her sister. This afternoon she came home and said to Abigail who is learning, just learning (and loving) how to read. "Let's give this one a try."



She was like a little first grade teacher telling her to get her reading finger ready. She was enthusiastic and patient as she waited for Abigail to read the word "big" on each page. And I love Anna's expressions!





Gotta love a 'learn to read' Bearinstean bears book!



Gotta love sister love.



I ran to grab my camera and found I had trouble getting the shot because they were half way under the table reading together. But I just couldn't let it go. I know down deep it is these simple moments that are cherished now and forever.

Yeah for sister love!