First Sleepover

First Sleepover

Gem and her BFF/cousin had their first sleepover recently.  It was a big rite of passage for both little girls.

First Sleepover

Checking out that awesome tent.

First Sleepover

Puppy snuggles.

The tent was set up so they could see the TV and watch a movie before falling asleep.

First Sleepover

They did eventually get some sleep.

Tomato

Tomato

Summer tastes like a ripe, juicy tomato picked fresh from the garden and shared with your best friend.

tomato

We recently spent a lovely summer evening with family, sitting around their new fire-pit in the back yard. The girls picked a tomato from the garden, and then shared it with each other.

We’re all heading back to school, the weather is changing, and our thoughts are turning to autumn, but it’s so lovely to savor this last little bite of summer.

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Then and Now: Sunglasses

Then and Now: Sunglasses

My little girl, then and now.

Then: 2009

baby sunglasses then and now

Now: 2014

kid in sunglasses then and now

I love that I can see so much of who she is now in the old photos of who she was back then. She has grown so much – but I can see the seeds of her personality and her appearance in her baby pictures.

Considering braces? Maybe it’s time to go wireless

Considering braces? Maybe it’s time to go wireless

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post.

As always, all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

I had braces as a kid, and it wasn’t pretty. As if being twelve wasn’t awkward enough, I had braces for years, and they came with headgear.

My dad used to joke about using me to improve the TV’s reception.judy braces

Up until the point my braces were installed, I was flourishing as a novice clarinetist. I was in fifth grade, but had worked my way up to second chair in the sixth grade band. Then  after my braces were installed, the orthodontist told my mom I would have to stop playing the clarinet. I was not happy.

To make things worse, all those wires and brackets ripped the insides of my cheeks to shreds, and the headgear gave me tear-inducing headaches. (more…)

Sometimes I look at her and my heart explodes

Sometimes I look at her and my heart explodes

I’m 1877 days into this parenting gig, and I still don’t know what I’m doing. I suspect that is probably a good sign. I hope it is, anyway.

I’m so blessed that I get to spend my days with this little ray of light, and guide her as she grows.

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Happy Mother’s Day. Here’s to the moms, and to everyone else who challenges and guides and comforts us as we continue to grow and evolve. And here’s to our charges, who bring light and hope and joy.