I want to remember rocking Clair to sleep at bedtime.

One of the absolute best feelings in all the world is the one where my child lays her head on my shoulder at the end of the day, snuggles in close, her warm body fitting perfectly up against a mine, feeling her breathing softly, snuggling into me as I rock her to sleep while I sing softly to her and breath in the smell of her soft skin and her feel her soft little curls rub against my face. It is heaven!  

When I'm really lucky, she rubs my arms with her little fingers as she holds into my shoulders. 

So often bedtime is rushed and a fight because she wants to play or crawl around or just keep going. But once in a while she will relax for this peaceful snuggle. These are the moments I would relive for eternity if I could. Knowing they are slipping away saddens me. I know it's the right thing as they grow into little people, but if I could bottle these times, I would. 

I love you little Clair bear. 

Ellie Bean starts first grade

Ellie has been looking forward to the start of school for a few weeks now. I am happy that she enjoys school. I am glad that she was looking forward to the day. Starting first grade was so much easier on her and me. The comparison of the roller coaster ride last year compared to this year is night and day. This year we both knew what we were getting into. And this year, we were both happy because Ellie was looking forward to it.

She says she had a good day. It has been hard to get many details from her. She is happy to see friends she hadn't seen all summer.

Haven't gotten much information from her teacher. So hopefully more will come soon.

Max and Clair were sad to see Ellie go off on the bus. Claire was particularly confused as she waved bye-bye as the bus pulled away. I think she was wondering why mommy allowed Ellie to get on the big yellow bus and drive away without mommy or daddy with her.

I knew they would miss their big sister. Although, Max tells me it was okay because he likes playing with Clair too. 

When I got Ellie off the bus she gave me a big hug and told me she had a good day. One of the neighbors brought cupcakes and there was a welcome home party at the bus stop. The kids all seem quite happy. Hope this goodwill and happiness will continue.

Tea party for one, hidden in the corner please?

Yesterday afternoon, Clair was discovered hiding behind the big red chair in the corner of the living room. We looked over to see what was going on she was having her own little tea party back there. I thought it was adorable. It was surely a nice quiet place to get away.

As I tried to capture the moment before it faded, monkey see monkey do also thought they should join in the fun. When that much space for the three of them back there and private tea party for one was disbanded day quickly.

Sisterly love

Max was sent to time out. Clair followed him. I asked her to leave him alone. As he sat there Solomly in time out, she quietly turned around, backed into the corner, and planted herself silently beside him to serve out the rest of his sentence with him. 

First Movie

Sunday I took Max out to the movie theater for the first time. It was a Date!

I had promised a really long time. So that was finally a movie seen appropriate opportunity to go with it. We went to see planes which was a Disney Pixar animation film. It was cute and write up Max is Allie. There's not a theater masterpiece, but it was a great first movie.

If I were to guess there were two highlight neither of which was the movie. First it was the treats in the theater. We shared a hot pretzel, which Max refers to as a pencil. And then we shared some milk duds. He thought it was heavenly being able to take into those things.

The second highlight was when he realized that he could walk up steps behind us and go to the top of the movie theater and look down on all the other people watching the movie in the screen. He thought that was fantastic.

We enjoyed the morning, and was tired when it was all done. My little four-year-old boy still needs his naps.

I'm glad we were able to spend this time together. I took a few photos to remember the event. Being my date, and my little boy intently watching the screen, and looking just like his daddy.