Zadie's dance recital

Zadie had her first dance recital this weekend, and let me tell you, nothing compares to 3 and 4 year old ballerinas.  I was amazed when she got up on that stage in front of hundreds of people and danced her little heart out.  

Zadie with Grandpa Big walking to the recital

Thats my girl, arms stretched high

It was chaos backstage.  A year ago, this would have sent Z into a full meltdown.  Now that she's BIG she stayed calm and danced on.

We were, of course, not there in time to get good seats.  These pictures would be better if we hadn't been a mile away in the balcony.

Really, the biggest surprise of the night was Rosie.  She sat for 2 hours captivated by the dancers.  She watched every routine and tried to follow along with the dancers.  I see a pas de deux in their future!

Of course every star needs a bouquet of flowers to celebrate their performance.  Zadie loved her roses and daisies.  She is such a little ray of sunshine.  Can't wait for many more performances to come.

The first berries of the year

One of my favorite days of the year.  Our first trip the the Strawberry patch of the season.  We never miss strawberry picking- even when there isn't a patch for 100 miles, we make the drive.  The photos we've taken over the years are some of my favorites, you really should check out last year's!  I can't believe how we've all changed in just one year.  

Zadie says this year's berries "are so good, they're life changing."  It made me laugh, but then it made me think.

There is something spiritual for me about strawberry picking.  We've just emerged from the fasting of lent and the world is waking up from it's winter nap.  We always see frogs and butterflies among the rows of red berries and it reminds me that we are Easter people.

We get to taste God's bounty and reap fruit we didn't even sow.  So much like God's grace.

This year there is a new patch only miles from our home.  Talk about an unexpected blessing!  I know the girls and I will go weekly while Andy is in school.

But not for the first trip.  We had to do that together.

Now, I'm sure you're wondering what we'll do with so many strawberries.  Well, I think Rosie had eaten at least a quart before we even got home.

But spring in our house means strawberry shortcake for breakfast.  Strawberry salad for lunch and mom, can you please melt us some chocolate for a strawberry snack.  Of course I will.

It also means extra baths.  A lot of extra baths.

I should mention that the human members of the household are not the only ones who love strawberry picking season.

{p,h,f,r} Easter edition

I wasn't sure if I had the energy for a {p,h,f,r} this evening, and then I realized how many fabulous Easter pictures I still have to share!

Okay, so not exactly posed by the Azaleas, but it makes me so {Happy} to see how much they love each other!

And I know you're wondering why I included this one.  It is the only picture I got of Zadie in her Easter dress.  She's my church-is-over-don't-get-between-me-and-my-playclothes child.  But here it is, evidence that she was in a dress WITH a ribbon in her hair.  So {Pretty}.

Backing up to holy Saturday, here we are dyeing eggs.  A tradition that we always make sure to make time for even in the mayhem that is Holy Week at the parsonage.

What follows is the joy of having Daddy back after Holy Week has passed.

And finally, {Real}.  Here is a topographical map of my cornea.  AKA, what a cornea is not supposed to look like.  On the bright side, we finally know what has been causing my recent vision loss.  Now the question is, can it be repaired, or at least the remaining vision saved.  I have seen two specialists so far and I see the surgeon in May.  I remain optimistic and I'll keep you posted.

Head over to Like Mother, Like Daughter for more {p,h,f,r}!

wordless Wednesday

Rose 22 months

Spring Break pictures and Why I choose not to spank my children

You may have noticed, I am no writer.  I fill this blog with the pictures I take in hopes that it will be a sort of scrapbook for my family, both near and far, in the years to come when sleep is in greater supply and I have time to look back at the precious beginning of my children's lives.

But, I feel led to share with those of you who keep up with us here a few of my thoughts about the choices Dave and I are making when it comes to parenting our children.  Specifically why we choose not to spank.  These are really my thoughts, but I would venture to say Dave's reasons are at least similar to my own.  I'll throw in some spring break pictures for good measure so you don't get too bored.

1.  I believe in non-violence.  I would not hit another adult no matter how angry, frustrated, or desperate I became.  Not even if I was trying to teach them something really, really important.  Why wouldn't I treat my precious children with the same kindness and respect.

2.  Most of the time when I'm at the end of my rope with my children's behavior, if I walk away for a few minutes and get a fresh perspective on the situation, I realize that that either (a) I haven't properly explained my expectations, (b) I have let the children become too tired or hungry to be at their best or (c) I'm just upset about something else and I'm taking it out on them.

3.  Those times when my kids have really misbehaved, I have often realized shortly thereafter that they are getting sick.  I can't imagine how badly I would feel if I spanked a child who was acting out due to an illness.

4.  The American Academy of Pediatrics has spoken out against corporal punishment of any kind.  I trust my doctors advice about their physical health, and I trust it about their mental health as well.

5.  I want my children to know that they can come to me with any problem, or to confess any wrong without fear and know that, no matter what, their home and family is a safe place.

6.  Children are like mirrors.  They absorb everything around them.  I believe that children imitate our behavior for better or worse.  My children know that there is never, ever an excuse for hitting.

7.  There is always a consequence for bad behavior that will better teach good behavior than a spanking.  A spanking leaves an impression, to be sure, but writing a letter of apology to a friend your child has wronged is more likely to mend a broken relationship and teach important life skills that will carry them into adulthood.

8.  If I am ever mistaken, and falsely accuse one of my children of wrongdoing, I'm sure it will be easier  for them to forgive me if I have asked them to perform an act of service than if I were to administer a spanking.  After all, doesn't God ask us to be in service whenever possible?  You can't go wrong by asking your child to perform an extra act of kindness.  

9.  Being little is hard.  My toddler is simultaneously learning how to communicate, how to get around, what dangers lie in her world, and what is expected of her in many different situations.  Even climbing onto the couch to sit by her sister is a challenge.  I know that she wants to please me, and that she will learn the things I am trying to teach her if I'll only remain patient.  I also know that it will be easier for her to remain clam through the difficulty if I do.

Let me add, if you're still with me, that these are simply my thoughts on the matter.  I know so many amazing parents of amazing children who have made different decisions than I have.  Parenting is hard.  I am making mistakes every day and trying hard to learn from them.  Feel free to leave me your thoughts on the matter, but please be kind and respectful.   I know that this is a sensitive issue and I do not wish to hurt anyone's feelings or be overly critical of others' opinions.

Church Egg hunt

I have lots of pictures and a few blog posts brewing, but for tonight, I thought I'd just throw up the photos from our church egg hunt on Palm Sunday.  We're in full Holy Week mania, so I'm afraid that's all I can manage tonight.

waiting to charge

Gorgia and Zadie

Love all the parents and grandparents with cameras ready

Andy with Georgia and Elizabeth

Rosie was totally robbing Zadie's Easter basket while she was distracted posing for a picture with Hannah.