a preschool graduate

It's official! We have a preschool graduate and I truly cannot believe how fast the time has gone. Everdeen loves school, which makes my mama teacher heart so happy! We are gearing up for Kindergarten so this summer we are making sure to have lots of time to read stories, play, and color!  She's going to be so ready come August...me? I'm a blubbering mess just thinking about it.  

These Summer Nights {a little video}

There is just something so magical about summer nights.  The warm air heavy with fragrance.  The golden light filtering through the trees. The feeling that it's okay if we stay up a little bit past bedtime because we will miss these nights when school starts again. Everdeen has been learning how to water the plants/me/Martin/the sidewalks :) She's getting the hang of it.  Last night as she was watering she decided to make it rain from the sky! We let her play, knowing very well it was waaay past her bedtime. We laughed and watched as she was so happy and content playing with the hose. This is what simple, carefree, childhood memories are made of! Happy summer nights everyone!

interview with a 3 1/2 year old {a little video}

A January Walk (a little video)

Today was much warmer than it's been so we took advantage of the time we had together as a family before Martin headed off to work. We found cattails and made wishes to the sky as we watched flocks of geese fly above us.  By the time we began to walk home the weather had already changed back to it's January self with grey clouds hovering in the sky and a brisk wind blowing. A storm is coming and a new blanket of snow will fall.  These winter days really are beautiful, even if they are monochromatic and we just can't seem to ever get warm (I think the other night I had 7 layers on me when I went to bed!). I feel like our days are going so quickly that I'm okay if we get snowed in to help time stand a bit more still...

the night before preschool

I can't believe our baby girl is starting preschool tomorrow.  Next week she'll probably be driving and then heading off to college. How is it possible for time to go so fast?

We took our family walk this evening and talked about all the fun things she'll get to do. She's most excited about playing with her new friends. I reminded her to eat her lunch, take her nap(hopefully without undressing...she's been doing that a lot lately!), and to of course listen to her teacher.  I know she is going to do so well...but there is always a part of me that will worry and hope she has a good day, that the other kids will include her and play with her, that her teacher will like her.  Each of these milestones is so bittersweet- I of course want her to keep growing and moving forward, but at the same time, she is still my little baby and I want her to fit in my arms forever. 

(I love this little girl with every ounce of my being. She already makes me so proud)  

Today we had our district rally...the entire school district comes together and hears inspirational speeches for the new year, waves pom poms, and laughs at jokes only teachers would find remotely funny :)  We always leave feeling excited and ready to tackle a new year.  Since becoming a mother, teaching has taken on a whole different meaning for me.  With Everdeen going off to school I know what it's like to be on the other side of things. Hoping that she's cared for and loved. Hoping that she isn't forgotten about. Hoping that her teachers can see all the wonderful things that Martin and I see. When my new students walk in the door next week I can honestly tell their parents that we will have a great day, that I will take good care of them, and that I will do everything in my power to make sure that they have a beautiful learning experience. 

Tonight I held Everdeen a little closer, sang our repertoire of lullabies (La La Lu, Can't Help falling in Love, Moon River, and La Vie En Rose). She softly sang along and told me again about all her new friends she would play with tomorrow. I think she's going to be just fine :) 

Wish us luck tomorrow morning...three of us having to get out the door on time will be an adventure for sure :)  

{31/52}

"a portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2015."

Everdeen Kate: You have been excitedly practicing your violin alongside your daddy :)

Linking up with Jodi

Everdeen is 3!!!

Oh my sweet girl! I don't think I'm ready for this post.  How did three come so fast? I think if I start to write anything I will become a large puddle of sappy tears...so I made you a sappy video instead...:) 

We had a little celebration last weekend with our families. Everdeen now thinks because she turned "three" last Saturday that today she is turning "four" and all of her friends will be back! :) I'm glad a year doesn't actually go by that fast!

Today is just about spending the day with my little girl.  Today is her day...we'll watch an extra episode of Curious George, tell her all about her special birthday, eat special birthday pancakes for breakfast and most definitely hold her a little tighter :) 

{27/52}

"a portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2015."

Everdeen Kate: Taking your job of collecting eggs very seriously :)

Linking up with Jodi

{26/52}

"a portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2015."

Everdeen Kate: Always taking in your surroundings before you jump in and play

Linking up with Jodi :)

{23/52}

"a portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2015."

Everdeen Kate: One of your all time favorite places to visit is the library...we probably go at least twice a week, per your request. You use the sweetest little whisper voice and always have an idea of what type of books you are looking for. This week it was trains. My sweet girl, a world of endless possibilities, adventures, and wonderment have opened up for you with each book you have read. What a beautiful thing to always want to be learning.

Linking up with Jodi :)

{17/52} and an interview

"a portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2015."

Everdeen Kate: Stuck inside all day because of the rain brings out your sassy side... 

* * *

I can't believe that Everdeen will be three in just three short months! I decided to do a little two year old interview to capture what her personality is like at this moment in time.  I had to bribe her with dried pineapple chunks from the trail mix bag to get her to cooperate...you gotta do what you gotta do :)   

Linking up with Jodi :)

Alexa's video inspiration!

{16/52}

"a portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2015."

Everdeen Kate: You have become obsessed with band-aids and suddenly have the case of the imaginary owie. Part of me wants to go and hide all of the band-aids in the house, but then I think that this is what toddlerhood is about.  Sometimes I have to learn to let go and let you just explore and learn on your own...even if you look a little silly doing it. The best part is that you don't care what you look like and that really makes my heart sing. And if a bright polka-dotted band-aid can make you feel grown up and special at the same time then bring on the band-aids! 

 Linking up with Jodi :)

{15/52}

"a portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2015."

Everdeen Kate: That sweet little smile you have on your face when I wake you up every morning makes my heart sing.  

 Linking up with Jodi :)

{14/52}

"a portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2015."

Everdeen Kate: Easter morning brought many surprises! 

 Linking up with Jodi :)

An Egg Hunt {in pictures}

{13/52}

"a portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2015."

Everdeen Kate: This Springtime weather has filled you with the most contagious energy! 

 Linking up with Jodi :)

{12/52}

"a portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2015."

Everdeen Kate: Exploring Nana and Papa's backyard, Easter egg hunts, cousin love, warm sunshine...I'd say it was a very successful spring weekend! 

 Linking up with Jodi :)

{11/52}

"a portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2015."

Everdeen Kate: A spontaneous after dinner hike. You walked the entire way up the trail until we could see the cityscape below us. You called out every few minutes, "Come on guys!" or "Careful, Mama!" With spring just a few days away I see more perfect evenings just like this one in our very near future!

 Linking up with Jodi :)

Hello Spring Break

I can't wait for 9 more days just like this :)

{5/52} {6/52}

"a portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2015."

Everdeen Kate: You were so tired you didn't even make it upstairs for your afternoon nap.   

"a portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2015."

Everdeen Kate: Exploring new places 

 Linking up with Jodi :)