Layouts: She Blooms

These two layouts were created using papers from Bella Blvd's Illustrated Faith She Blooms collection.

I love the black paired with the bold, bright colors. 

I also love my smiley subject matter, she most definitely blooms.

Layout Inspiration: Over sized photos

Product: pattern paper, vellum, chipboard, tag, heart sequins: Crate Paper, "beautiful": Heidi Swapp, gold washi: unknown

Over sized photos = Awesome! This is an 8x12, printed at Costco for $2.50! These photos make a statement on a layout and while you can be limited in what else you can put on your page they draw your eye in and create a focus point for adding your bits & bobs. 

This is Anna's Kindergarten photo and it makes my heart melt every time I look at it. I know that she will go through the awkward phase in school photos- it's inevitable. She will certainly not want me to blow that awkward photo up- that is also inevitable but how great would it be to have an album full of school photos / layouts for the next 12 years! I'll tell you.... it would be so great!

Happy 5th Birthday!

 

Where does the time go!

Today you turn 5 and I could not be more excited for you and your future.

You came into our lives and added so much happiness, magic & love. 

I had no idea how much a tiny baby could turn a world upside down. There are bad days, good days, medium days & amazing days and I am grateful for all of it. Not a day goes by where I don't thank the Universe for choosing us to be your parents. 

Here today:

 - you love playing Mom's & Babies

- you can negotiate with the best of them

- you are SO funny

- you ask to go to Starbucks when you're having a bad day "that will make me feel better"

 - you love magic, fairies and believing when others choose not to

- you love potty talk and the words poop, bum and fart are quite possible the funniest words in the     English language.

- your smile turns heads and lights up a room

- you are compassionate, caring and kind

- you are forgiving

- you encourage others to keep going

- you have a temper and can stomp a serious foot

- your favorite show is Wild Kratts 

- your favorite foods include fries, chicken nuggets, tomatoes, cucumbers, apples, anything chocolate, popcorn, corn & grapes. Some days you insist that you no longer like whatever I am feeding you, which your Dad & I enjoy immensely. ;-]

- you love the outdoors & animals 

Happy Birthday Anna!

You make me so happy and being your Momma is the greatest joy.

Have a magical day Sweet Girl.

xoxo

Momma

First Day of Kindergarten

Dear Anna,

Yesterday was your first day of Kindergarten & you were so excited! I was both excited and sad. Sad because my sidekick is growing up much too fast. Excited because you are so ready for this next adventure and school can give you so much that I can not. 

Your teacher Mrs. M seems wonderful and you can tell that she is in this job with her whole heart and that she will not stop until she succeeds in teaching all of you the ropes. 

You stiffened up as we approached the classroom door but we hugged and I assured you that you were safe. That you were brave and that it is ok to be nervous. Mommy was nervous. Mommy gets nervous all the time when I do something new. The important thing to remember is that you can't let that stop you from trying. 

You are meant for greatness my girl. With a heart as kind and as compassionate as yours I know that you will make a difference in other's lives. It is a beautiful thing. 

I wish you an amazing school year. May you learn, make new friendships and soak it all in like a sponge.

I love you more & more each day and I am so very proud of you.

xoxo, Momma

Preschool Graduation: I can't handle the cuteness

Tomorrow this girl starts Kindergarten and the my emotions are high. How is it time already? She was just born... no? I am equal parts excited, nervous, sad, happy.... it should be interesting after drop off. She is all parts excited. 

Back in June her preschool had a graduation ceremony. They received "Graduating to Kindergarten" diplomas & sang songs no one could understand. I then made her pose for what she must of thought was a million photos. It was great and I am so grateful that the school does this little tradition. I mean come on... tiny cap & gowns! Too cute!

Seriously! I can't handle it.

Her sweet gang. Friendship is beautiful. 

Being Anna Rae: 4.5 years old

Anna Rae

Age: 4.5

- you go to playschool 3 days a week, play soccer twice and go to hip hop on Tuesdays

- you love mashed potatoes & veggie meatballs

- you told me you have a boyfriend and his name is Kristoff

- you got very upset when I told you you couldn't marry Daddy

- you love animals and nature

- you have the kindest heart

- you wear a skirt or dress everyday

- you give the very best morning snuggles

- you love to draw pictures of people

- you love to collect rocks

- you want to be a princess when you grow up

- you have slept through the night for a month now (finally!)

- your favorite show on TV is Wild Kratts

- your play friends: Jenna, Lizzy, Lucy, Evelyn, Alex, Scarlett

- your room is always messy

- you get frustrated easy & are quick to stomp

- you love Lego

- you are already asking when we are going camping

- you tell me: "I love you 99." or "I love you more than Cinderella."

- you always ask Daddy what color jersey he is cheering for so you can cheer for them too

- you asked me just yesterday how babies get into tummies (sigh)

- you have the best laugh

- sometimes I feel like you & I have a secret club

- I thought you might pass out from laughter when I made a play dough butt

- If I sleep in you come & tell me "I'll let you have coffee if you get up." 

- you amaze me every day and teach me so much about kindness

♥

He is in my heart.

I wanted to share a story here that I shared yesterday on my Instagram account. I shared it because it spoke to a piece of my heart that needs healing, that needs some sense of understanding. My story seemed to resonate with my followers and touch them as it did me.

Today my Dad has been gone for 4 months. 4 heartbreaking months. I struggle to understand, how am I suppose to explain to Anna, an innocent 4 year old, when I don't understand this all myself. Some days wrapping my head around his absence is too much, I just can't believe it. I just want to wake up from a really terrible dream. 

I purchased this globe yesterday so that I could spray paint it gold. When we got it home Anna & I started talking about how amazing our planet is, who lives where, what the oceans are, etc. She asked all kinds of questions and kept saying "Wow". 

She then asked me where Heaven was.

I froze and immediately started to cry.

I told her Heaven wasn't a place on the Earth. That we couldn't go there. I then realized I needed to try and make sense of that for her. I talk about Heaven all the time, I talk about it like it's a place, Papa went to Heaven. To her, if Papa went to Heaven then we should be able to go see him.

She asked where it was then.

I walked her to the window and pointed to the sky. 

Heaven is up there somewhere. Somewhere up there, far away with the moon & the stars & the sun. We all see the same ones. They are the same moon & stars & sun that Papa sees from Heaven. That we can't go see Papa but that he can come see us in our dreams.

She looked at me as I spoke through tears and told me not to worry. 

Don't worry. I keep Papa in my heart. That's where he is.

And just like that she was off to go play. 

My heart is broken right now and I struggle to see inside it. I am put together on the outside but inside I am raw.

I speak to the stars constantly, I feel a sense of peace when I look up to them. I feel closer to him, that maybe he is there with me as I talk to him and take in the night sky. 

Yesterday I was left at the window sobbing realizing that maybe she is the one teaching me and not the other way around.

Happy Birthday Anna

Among all the sadness something wonderful happened- this gorgeous spirit turned 4! Cory and I headed home from my parents so that we could be here for Anna's birthday on November 12. I, as usual, went overboard with decorations and it was totally worth it! I made a "Frozen" cake & cupcakes and they were delicious. There were presents & more presents & there were even more balloons and Miss Anna was over the moon! All those little details never go unnoticed with her and I love that about her. 

In the afternoon we headed to Auntie Karen's for a little birthday party and it was wonderful. When Cory got home from work we ate Anna's meal choice- fries & chicken nuggets and then we ate cake. It was a wonderful day full of joy and I am so grateful for her and that we were able to make her day all about her.

Happy Birthday my sweet girl. Here is to many, many more magical birthdays.

We love you.

Chore Chart

I had been noticing various people posting about their children's chores, things that they did each day like make the bed, empty the dishwasher and setting the table at meal time. I wasn't sure how old these children were or if there was a "right" age to begin chores but I decided that Anna was ready. That she could be responsible for small things that made a big difference. Things that helped me out and taught her about routine, responsibility and reward. 

Her chores include make the bed, open the blind, feed the cats, put away her dishes, tidy her bedroom at bedtime & make sure her dirty cloths are picked up and put in the laundry. She gets a sticker for every completed chore. When the chart is full, after a two week period, she receives a reward. 

For the first week I had to remind her each day to "remember your chores" but then one morning I heard her in her bedroom and peeked in to find her making her bed. I was so proud. She woke up and instantly made the bed- I can not say the same about me- perhaps I  need a chore chart. 

She filled her chart and then received a reward, this time was a Frozen poster that I had hoarded in the back of my closet. I tend to buy things when I see them and I haven't seen them any where before and when they're on sale. I love a good deal!

I am not sure how long this system will last or for how long it will be effective but for now it works. It also takes these things off my daily list and for that I am grateful!

Big Girl Bike

Last Sunday was a big day around here, we surprised Anna with a Big Girl Bike. We were going to get her one for her birthday but I found the one I wanted on sale and though "What good is a new bike in November in Alberta?". The bike came home with me and I am so glad that it did. She was so surprised and over the moon happy! She came into the living room and froze! Then she looked at us, then back at the bike, then exclaimed "It's just what I always wanted!". After a few dozen hugs for us and the bike we headed outside- she was a pro and she has been riding every day since. 

Riding off to the park with her BFF. 

Adventures in Gardening

I have been planting tomatoes & herbs for as long as I can remember being on my own and having a balcony. When we moved to a place with a yard it was a no brainer to build a garden. This year though we Cory built a raised garden by simply boxing in the existing piece of dirt we already had with some wood and filling that with dirt.  It has made such a difference in the growth and success of our plants.

This year we planted carrots seeds, a strawberry plant, 6 or 7 tomato plants (they're so full and wild that I can't tell anymore), herbs, onion and a celery. The celery is an experiment, I took the bottom of an existing celery, soaked the bottom to get roots and then planted it. So far the only thing that has come of it is a plant with lovely leaves. The strawberry plant needs to be picked everyday and Anna loves that! We picked our first carrots this past week and Anna cheered that it was "The Best Day Ever!". Man do I love that kid's enthusiasm!

I planted a variety of tomatoes this year and they are all doing great! I have some very big fruit coming in and I am excited to sit down, cut them up, add some salt and dig in. Garden tomatoes are my favourite. 

We have also dedicated a section of our yard for Anna's garden and her side is doing so great! She checks on it everyday and gets so excited to show you any new developments. Her greatest success has been this pumpkin.I bought it for Anna, she broke it off and basically killed it. I went to throw it away but she insisted she plant it. I told her it probably won't make it but she did not care. Boy was I wrong! This thing has taken off and over! Every morning it is bigger and grown out further! It has pumpkins started and that is so exciting around here! Way to go Anna!

As you can see her tomato is also thriving! We pick from it every day as well. I think my sweet girl has a green thumb that rivals her Momma's.

Layout Love Tuesday

Product from the Treasured Memories June Month Kit.

Layout Love Tuesday

Product: pattern paper: Pink Paislee & My Mind's Eye, glassine bag: Studio Calico, frame overlay: Crate Paper, paper & transparent embellishments: Pink Paislee, wood veneers: Studio Calico, alphas: American Crafts, star stencil: Memory Box, teal & black spray: Heidi Swapp Color Shine, date stamp: Staples

Being Anna Rae. Age: 3.5

 - you love to make new friends
- your favourite word seems to be "no"
- you turn everything into a competition and are not ok to come in second
- you "read" me & dad stories and they're always elaborate and wonderful
- you love to sing
- you love to play "I Spy"
- you are stubborn and have a will so mighty it can not be broke. I pray you keep this when faced with   peer pressure.

- you are all about Momma, and always need to know where I am or where I am going
- you love to come to work with me and pretend to have customers
- you tell me you love me at least 20 times a day and tell me you could give me kisses all day long
- you LOVE princesses and Cinderella is your favourite
- your vocabulary is astounding! Some days you say things and I have to ask you where you heard that   and you always tell me that Papa told you.
- you often use Papa as a scapegoat when you get in trouble. "Papa said I could do that."
- you always tell me you got your dance moves from Daddy

- you love to dress up
- you want to be involved... in everything.
- your feelings are easily hurt
- your heart is gigantic and you are incredibly compassionate
- you love to be outside, especially if the neighbour friends are outside playing and you love to invite         them over
- you struggle with listening to me, I know you hear me but you choose not to acknowledge. This can   be very frustrating.
- you love to talk and talk and talk and ask question after question after question
- you are very curious about how a baby gets out of a momma, I tend to switch the subject
- you hold my hand and stroke my arm and my heart swoons
- your favourite colours are pink and purple

- you love your cousins and talk about Brayden & Morgan all the time
- you love the Frozen soundtrack and can sing the songs without it playing
- you practice snapping your fingers often and are getting really good
- you love to paint your fingernails and anyone else that will let you, you're actually really good at it
- you love to write your name and are curious about how things are spelled
- you love to craft and make cards and then pretend to mail them
- you tell me daily that I am beautiful
- you are a constant inspiration and I learn from you daily.

3.5 can be so very challenging but it is also pretty amazing. I am so grateful that you're mine.
xoxo
Momma

Rainy Days = Puddle Jumping

Children learn from their parents every day but some of the best days are when the parent can learn from the child. Anna is constantly inspiring me to just be happy, to see the good side to things, to just do something, to smile and be carefree. We had a very soggy, rainy day last week and I was inclined to lay around and be cozy, not a bad thing but not at all what Anna had in mind. She saw that rain and instantly thought- PUDDLES! As if I could hear the gears turning in her head I jumped off the couch, got her rain gear and sent her outside. I watched for a few minutes and thought- Wow, look how much fun she is having! I got dressed up and joined her, she squealed and that was pretty much worth it right there. We went exploring, followed the rain as it ran down the street & watched it pour into the drains. We looked for the biggest and best puddles and then we jumped in them. I felt great! Wet, but so great. The air smells so wonderful with the rain and everything feels fresh. I am so glad I chose to play that day. Thank you Anna.

Around Here: Easter

This past Easter weekend was lovely, it was one of those weekends that I crave but don't often experience. It was full without being overwhelming. I was surrounded by friends and family and got my fill of snuggles. We ate delicious food made by my Mom & Dad. We told my Mom that this was the best carrot cake she ever made and she laughed because we always say that but we mean it each time. The weather was wonderful. It was beautiful & relaxing and I am grateful! 

Morgan is the sweetest and loved to chat with me. I could just eat her up! Brayden is playing hard to get and I had to force a snuggle out of him. My Dad is back at work and better than new and man is that AMAZING. My Mom is pretty happy to have "normal" back.

I drove away on Sunday and thought to myself how blessed we all are. We got home and the Easter Bunny had left Anna a little something here too. She saw a basket and a hidden egg and exclaimed "The Easter Bunny came to Edmonton too!!". It was pretty much awesome and the perfect end to the weekend.