"God, please don't let there be rain in the sky."

Dear Em,
Once we finally started to get some non-winter weather, it's been a beautiful Spring in Rhode Island. We've had plenty of beautiful, sunshiney days with no humidity. It's my favorite weather for activities that don't involve the pool or beach. We've also had plenty of rain- which is fine. We need rain for the flowers to bloom & for our grass to be the perfect green that Daddy likes. The unpredictable weather does make it difficult to plan outdoor activities- like using our new kayaks.

We bought them last weekend in the middle of a rain storm (loading kayaks on your car for the first time in the rain is not ideal), & we've been trying to plan a perfect first kayaking outing since. After a week of questionable weather reports, we decided to go for our first outing at Barber's Pond on Sunday.

After breakfast on Sunday, your daddy looked at the weather report. Uh-oh. While the sun was shining at that moment, it looked like rain was headed our way. We rushed to get dressed, pack a picnic, get the kayaks on the car, & load the car with everything else we would need. Just as we finished packing everything into the car, the clouds rolled in.

Should we just unload & try another day? Should we chance it? I quickly ran back into our house to grab some rain jackets as we decided we would still go & hope for the best. I began to pull out of the driveway & heard your little voice behind me. "God, please don't let there be rain in the sky." You were looking out the window at the clouds, a hopeful expression filling your face. It was the sweetest little thing, & my heart swelled. Of course when you're not sure what to do, what can you do but pray?

God answered your prayers. We had perfect weather for our first family kayaking adventure- clouds sprinkled with sunshine. You & I shared the tandem kayak, & I couldn't have been happier with my adorable view.

Not knowing how you would do, we let you take a few toys along on the adventure. Your babies joined in on the fun. You sang "The Wheels on the Bus" as you splashed them in & out of the water. Ultimately, you got a little upset with them for "splashing water" on your pants.

Barber's Pond is small. It was perfect for a first outing. We easily paddled from one end to the other. You put your feet up as you yelled for me to paddle "faster!"

We had a blast on our first outing. You wanted to go swimming, & although it was great weather for kayaking, it wasn't really the weather for swimming. We have plenty of time for that, though. I see lots & lots of kayaking adventures filling our summer- God & weather willing.

I love you so,

Mommy

First Haircut

Dear Em,
We've been trying to talk to you about getting your first haircut for months. I say TRYING because every time we've broached the topic, you started screaming NO, threw yourself down on the floor, & began kicking your feet in the hair. "I'm not saying we're going to get your hair cut right now. I'm just asking you to think about it," I would plead through the screams.

Then, out of the blue, you walked up to me one morning & said, "Mommy, I'm ready to go get my haircut." I think my mouth dropped open in shock. "What made you change your mind," I asked. "Well, Daddy says I can watch TV while I get my haircut," you simply replied with a sweet smile. I silently rejoiced that you had finally agreed to a haircut while simultaneously started stressing out about trying to find a place that has TVs at every station (of course it would be the promise of TV that would change your mind). "MO-OM, are we going? I'm ready to get my haircut right noooooow," you snapped me out of the silent conversation I was having with myself in my head. Once you make up your mind, there's no messing around. You want to do what you want to do now.

That was Mother's Day morning at 8am. For a quick moment I thought about trying to squeeze it in that day. There was just no way. We had a full day planned, & I wasn't sure where I was going to take you. I spent the next couple days thoroughly researching different kids spots. Most don't include on their websites whether or not they have TVs, but I used the images function on Google to find pictures of the insides of each place. I knew that no TV would mean no haircut.

I finally settled on Kidz Adventure Cuts, & as a present to myself I took you for your very first haircut on my birthday. You loved the place the moment you walked in. There was a table with toys to play with in the waiting area, & each staton had its very own colorful TV. You oooohed & awwwed & bounced around until the hairdresser called your name. At that moment I think it sunk in for you what you were about to do. You clung to me & whimpered. I held your hand & promised I would be with you the whole time.

I have to say once got to to the hair-washing sink, I was pretty worried that the whole thing wasn't going to happen. I sat you down in the chair, & you started to throw a fit. The hairdresser (Dawn) was amazing. She talked you through the process calmly & step by step until you were laying your head down, getting your hair washed. "This is so cool mom," you smiled.

I was absolutely amazed by how great Dawn was at cutting hair with a moving child. You claim that you stayed very still & didn't move at all. You were great, as great as I could have expected, but you still moved your head all over. You looked from thing to thing in the sensory filled room & asked to hold every toy in eyesight. She seamlessly handed toy after toy to you while trimming your hair in an even line. This woman was a miracle worker.

Of course, you had to choose to watch Caillou during your first hair cut. I can't stand that whiney kid.

After your haircut, you got your hair blow-dried so that we could see the full look.

Once you finished, you got to pick a prize out of a whole chest full of prizes. Then they gave me a precious little certificate commemorating your first hair cut with a lock of your newly cut hair.

It's not a drastic change. Just a trim off the bottom to get rid of the dead, tangly ends & angled sides so your hair won't be on your face. You love it. There were lots of twirls & smiles as you asked me if I noticed anything different & if you were beautiful. Of course. You are always beautiful.

The next morning you woke up, ran into my room, & said "Mommy, I'm ready for another haircut." "But you just got one yesterday," I said quizzically. "Don't you know Mom?! You get your hair cut & let it grow, & get your hair cut & let it grow, & get your hair cut. I let it grow last night & now I need another hair cut." Oh geeze. I think we created a hair cutting monster.

I love you so,
Mommy

How old should a child be when they start doing chores?

Dear Em,
Daddy says he never really had chores as a child. In my family, we grew up doing chores. There was laundry folding, vacuuming, & dishes. Since there were so many of us, we all rotated in our tasks.  I'm not sure how old we were when we started doing chores, but I remember doing them until I moved out of my parents' house. I think every family probably does things a little differently, & I don't think your daddy & I really decided for sure what the protocol was going to be for our family.

You're at an age where grown-up tasks interest you. If I ask you to clean up your toys, you're about as thrilled as if I asked you to go to bed (sometimes I think you'd rather go to bed). You'll do it, but it's definitely not your favorite. On the other hand, you're eager to help out with our tasks. While I'm cleaning the bathroom, you beg to help. Clorox wipes in your hands make me nervous, but I will give you a paper towel & tell you you can help by "dusting." You dust EVERYTHING- the floors, our beds, the cats- EVERYTHING. You're always underfoot as Daddy sweeps the floors. You smile from ear to ear when Daddy gives you a brush & dustpan outside of the area he's directly sweeping & lets you "sweep." They're not real cleaning activities, as you're still too young to dust or sweep without missing spots or making bigger messes. Mostly they're just tasks to distract you from making bigger messes while we're cleaning up.

A few weeks ago I was putting the groceries away & starting dinner. I gave you the option of playing in the backyard, but you were having one of those moments where you didn't want to play on your own. You whined at my feet & I tried not to trip over you while I rushed around the kitchen. As I looked at the pile of cardboard, bottles, & cans on our kitchen counter, I had an idea. I asked you to take the items out to the recycling bins. You were excited about the task, & since you took each item separately the task distracted you long enough for me to finish the things I needed to get done.

I've often had the question & have been asked the question "how old should the child be when s/he is ready for..." The funny thing about you is more often than not you tell us or show us when you're ready. At six weeks old you showed us you were ready to sleep in your crib by crying until we put you in it. You showed us you were ready to potty train by basically picking it up in a weekend. You showed us you were ready to dress yourself by telling us firmly that you want to dress yourself ("Is it a deal, mom? I can dress myself?" you pleaded). And now, kind of by accident, you've showed us that you're ready to have a chore.

It's now your job to take out the recycling. It's not a task you do quickly (you still mostly take things outside one at a time), but it's still a task that's all your own & one that you look so proud to do. I like that you have a chore of your own. You're learning about the importance of helping out at home & more about the importance of recycling without even realizing it.

I really can't wait until you're old enough to handle the vacuuming & laundry...just kidding...well, kinda kidding.

I love you so,
Mommy

I'm on a Boat

Dear Em,
I turned 32 today. How is that possible?!

This year your daddy has really outdone himself with gifts & planning mother's day & birthday-week (that's right, we celebrate all week long) surprises. I was wicked spoiled with my joint Mother's Day & birthday gift: kayaks for the family. It's crazy pricey when you factor in the car rack, the life jackets, & the paddles on top of buying the kayaks. We're looking at it as an investment. It's an investment in family time & adventures for so many years. I'm so excited about the places we'll explore together & the sunshine & fresh air we'll enjoy with these.

You had one requirement when it came to the purchase: you had to have a pink life jacket. Things got a little dicey when we thought they had run out of pink, but in the end good prevailed over evil & you got your pink wish. You're wicked excited. So far you've only sat in the kayaks on land, but that doesn't stop your giddiness. I don't think I'm going to be able to sit in the kayaks without singing the song, "I'm on a Boat" in my head...& maybe sometimes out loud. Got your flippy floppies?

While it's hard to believe how fast the years are flying by, I'm not sad to celebrate another year gone by. This year brought us too many amazing moments and adventures to name.  I'm beyond excited for the gift of a whole new year. With or without presents & celebrations, please know that you, your daddy, our family, & friends are my greatest treasure. You've all filled the past 32 years with such amazing memories. It may feel a little crazy sometimes, but I love you all & I love our life. So, here's to year 33 & all of the adventures that lay ahead.

I love you so,

Mommy

fire pits & s'more kisses

Dear Em,
On Friday we celebrated Grandma's birthday. She & Grandpa came over to our house for dinner & fun in the backyard. I just love our backyard, especially in the spring & summer. We're so fortunate to have such a wide open, green, & quiet space.

We ate dinner on the back deck. You & Grandma & Papa played an adorable game of t ball. I love your baseball swing. You follow through on every swing like Big Papi does after he's hit a home run. It's so stinkin' cute.

We started a fire in the fire pit. You roasted your first marshmallows for s'mores. I enjoyed watching you eat the s'mores more than eating them myself. The gooey chocolate & marshmallow spread across your sweet little face. You definitely have a sweet tooth.

As the sky grew dark, we used the light of the fire pit & your lantern to play hide & go seek in the backyard. I was amazed & proud of how well you were playing. I couldn't believe you were able to find me every time. That was until halfway through when Daddy told me you hadn't been closing your eyes while I hid & you counted. You're pretty sneaky for a three year old.

We let you stay up way past bedtime, & we paid for it dearly with your grouchiness over the next two days. But it was worth it to watch your big smiles & to get your s'mores kisses.

I love you so,
Mommy

now, that is good fashion

Dear Em,
Here you are, 3 years & 4 months old.

Your fashion choice of the moment? A bathing suit & my brown boots. Oh, how I love you so very much at this exact moment (& every moment). My heart feels like it could burst.

I love you so,

Mommy

we have green thumbs...kinda

Dear Em,
Remember this past fall when you & I planted tulips & hyacinths? I have to confess, I never thought they were actually going to grow. I know I put on a brave face when we planted them, but like I've stated before, I don't really have a very good track record when it comes to green things. I think I was just as surprised as you when we started to see things sprout. The look on your face mirrored the feeling in my heart as we watched our tulips & hyacinths grow & change little by little each day.

It's an exhilarating experience for me to watch flowers grow & bloom & know that we had a part in planting them. You are just tickled to see the different colors come up. It makes us all smile as you "ooooh" & "awww" over each newly discovered flower.

I think dandelions are still your favorite, maybe because we let you pick all the dandelions you want. Maybe it's because you love blowing the dried ones into the air & watching them dance to the ground. I remember making wishes on dried dandelions when I was a girl.

Our little herb garden is not doing as well. We went away for a week & came back to find two of our five herb plants pretty shriveled up. Will they come back with sun, water, & love? No clue. I pretty much have no idea what I'm doing.

At least I know that every spring we have tulips & hyacinths to look forward to. They will always make me think of you, just two years old, & the sunny day in fall that we planted our very first bulbs together.

I love you so,

Mommy