ballerina bunny

Lil Biker

She's got some personality, right?? 

When you can't find your kid....

....try under the chair!

snow days

 Well, we've been having some fun with this weather.

 I forgot.  Kids like to eat snow.  Lily is no exception.

 Meet Caleb the Snowman.  He is named after Caleb the Student in Lily's class.  I don't want to talk about it.

These girls make my life a brighter place - you can see why!

that's my girl.

Sweet Friends

Our community here is wonderful and includes so many amazing small humans.  Here is a picture of Lily and her buddy Wiley.  He and his brother Bryant are a bit older than Lily (ages 6 & 8) but they are SO sweet to her, as shown in the above picture.  Wiley played dress-up with Lily one day when they came over to play and I couldn't resist snapping a few pictures of his kindness. 

Lily was thrilled.  We are so grateful  for our friends here in East TN and we look forward to watching Lily grow up with these special friends. 

Balentimes Day Hoopla

Who knew Valentine's Day could be so exciting!?! Well, it IS. for four year olds, especially. for four year olds who love pink and purple and hearts and love, ESPECIALLY.


Lily setting up a Balentime's picnic for her dolls on the kitchen floor.

beautiful girl, in beautiful light, with roses.

Her Balentimes box project she made for her preschool valentines!

She is REALLY into arts and crafts right now, so making this was super fun.


Happy about arts and crafts:

The making of the box - a good project to do with Dad while Mom was in class.





Balentime's Day School Outfit.



We tried to make homemade Valentines for her 32 preschool classmates, but 32 is a BIT much for Lily, age 4. Thanks to HaHa and Mimi for helping make them and trying to keep Lily on task!




Every holiday is more fun with a Lily-girl to celebrate with!

Letter to Lily

Dear 4 Year Old Lily,

A while ago, I outlined what this blog was supposed to be about and who it was for. I can't find that post and you know I barely have the time to work on a princess puzzle, much less go through a thousand posts from the last 5 years... but if I remember right, this post explains how this blog is primarily for people to keep up with our little family. I absolutely love that our dear ones that live far away and don't get to see you grow check in here to see the latest. For that reason, I wish I could update more, because you're changing so much every day. Then again, some of the daily stuff is just for mom and dad to enjoy...

Like the other day, when you saw some trash on the ground and said, "Uh-oh, someone GLITTERED!"

Now that's for everyone to enjoy, but those beautiful little alternate interpretations of life make me smile and laugh every day.

Anyways, sometimes I forget that this blog is not only for others to read, but it's a letter, a journal, and a picture book from me to the adult you. (I say "adult" because you probably won't enjoy it until then...) I've noticed that sometimes I abstain from posting things that I want to tell you because I fear that I might make people uncomfortable or cause them to question your dad and I. We both prefer to avoid conflict, sometimes at great cost, as you probably know by now (adult Lily).

But sometimes, I can conquer the fear, especially when I think about how maybe I'll forget to tell you this later, or that I won't say it well. And I remember how you aren't afraid of anything (except maybe scary balls...and fans) or what anyone thinks of you yet. You are solely and simply YOU. Four year old YOU inspires me.

So Lily, I've got something to say to you. In this case, a different mom wrote this letter to her son. It is so beautifully written, full of love, and expresses so perfectly what is in my heart, that I just want you to think of it as from me to you.

What this article refers to specifically may be something we never have to deal with, but I'm sure there will be many, many other things that will require the same acceptance and love and support.

Dada and I are your biggest fans, always.

So, here's the letter - click here. To all my other readers, open your heart and see what happens... if it ruffles your feathers, we still love you too.

31-year-old Mama LOVES you, Lily-girl.