Don't forget the keys (another example of Everlee's brillance)

Everlee and I decided to go on a little shopping trip before hitting Kaia's 2nd birthday party. Everlee decided we must take along Elmo and her green baseball bat (plastic of course). So I grabbed Everlee, the diaper bag, the bag of items to return, Elmo, and the baseball bat and proceeded out the door. I didn't occur to me to make things easier and take two trips. I am SuperMom and I have arms of steel. Once I had Everlee, Elmo, and the baseball bat strapped into the car I went back to turn on the house alarm. Alarm was set, I was in the car, and we were ready to hit the road. I turned to Everlee triumphant and said, "Are we ready to shop?" She starred at me, pointed to the house door and said, "Key, Key, Key." It took a moment before I realized what she meant. I had forgotten the keys to the car. I was so busy it never donned on me to grab the keys. I'm glad my quick thinking almost two year old was on the ball. Glad she didn't forget the keys.

Hot Pants and Belly Shirts

This week (May 25, 2010) Everlee decided for the first time to pick out her own clothes. We were getting ready for school and I was attempting to dress her in the perfectly coordinated ensemble which I picked out the night before. Adorable purple leggings, a matching purple top, with socks to match. I have always been one to match everything. I love being matchy, matchy. It caught me by surprise when Everlee started saying, "Off, Off" the minute I tried to put on her leggings. Did she have something against purple? Was this outfit not cute enough? After several minutes of battling over the perfectly matching purple leggings I gave in and let her pick out an outfit knowing it would perfectly match like all the other outfits I had put together in the past. Boy was I wrong. Her choice consisted of a pink and white denim shirt (too heavy for the 80' weather but who was I to argue), hot pink shorts ( the pinks did not match), lace white socks, and Elmo crocs. She was quite the vision and I loved everything she picked out. It may not have been matchy, matchy but at least her outfit didn't consist of Hot Pants and a Belly Shirt. Maybe in a few years!

Not the best but hard to beat!

When Shane and I went on our Honeymoon to Maui, Hawaii we decided to be huge tourists and take the bus tour of the island. Our tour guide explained how almost every view in Hawaii was gorgeous, breathtaking, indescribable ( all true!) and it was difficult to choose a favorite. He advised us since they were all equally beautiful to simply say, "Not the best but hard to beat!" You may never find a better view but there is always a chance. Just enjoy the moment and enjoy each portion of paradise. This is a phrase Shane and I will often recite to each other and giggle.

This quote came to mind on Sunday, May 23, 2010 when we planned a fun filled pool day with a few close friends. How perfect it would be to sit by the pool, bask in the sun, heat up the HOT BBQ......quickly, we learned not everything goes as planned. Our sunny day quickly turned into drizzle, overcast, and cool breezes. Luckily, this didn't stop us from enjoying our BBQ and it surely didn't stop Everlee from her perfect day in the sun.

Everlee jumped head first into the little blow up pool we placed next to the adult pool. Hoping her own little pool would deter her from gravitating towards the larger pool. It worked. Everlee spent the next few hours splashing in the water, throwing dirt into the water creating a mud pool. Despite the mess she had her own portion of paradise. She loved having the pool to herself, playing with the toys, playing with the sand. The weather never once hindered her experience. Although, covered in goose bumps she never skipped a beat. The weather may not have been the best but watching Everlee covered in mud for a few short hours is truly hard to beat.

Watching Everlee covered in dirt reminds me of how my father would always say, "A child dirty is a child having fun!" This always reminds me to let her get dirty, no matter what, her having fun is more important than a few small stains

Independence Day (Not the 4th of July)

When I think of Independence Day I always think of fire works, the American Flag, the Declaration of Independence, hot dogs, white and red checkered tablecloths. It wasn't until today, May 20, 2010, that I witnessed an entirely new type of Independence Day. I picked up Everlee from school eager to take her home and get a little mommy and me time. She was playing outside on the playground and as we entered her classroom she went straight to the sink. Everlee turned on the water, washed her hands, turned the water off, grabbed a paper towel, and then proceeded to throw the towel in the trash. All without being prompted or reminded by her mother. I was in awe that she was able to do this all on her own. Crushed that she no longer needed me to help wash her hands unless to lift her to a sink out of reach. I don't know how long she has been doing this little routine but this is the first day I stopped and watched with my own two eyes. It is just a little reminder to always remember to slow down, step back, and allow our children a little independence. You never know what type of fire works you'll see that day.