some days it's all about the hair...

last week i followed behind the boy with the ever-growing feet...wading through the leaves gathered on the surface...discovering an artist's hidden work...waiting (so patiently) as his mama wondered at the yellow hearts that danced above their heads and at the sunset colored grass beneath their feet...thinking he wasn't seen as he took his first steps on the tree that stretches across the stream...knowing that yes, actually, he was.

visiting the county fair...remembering its fun to venture out in dark ...watching happy faces each choose a ride...strapping one in, watching the other do it on his own...holding my breath until the rides are finished...knowing daddy is doing the same...sitting in the middle on the ferris wheel..holding on tight...not wanting to let go.

this evening...in the moment between the arrival of a fast approaching storm and the setting of the summer sun the world turned the most wonderful shade of orangey-purplish-pink...with my camera in one hand and his ever growing seven year old hand in the other we snuck outside to pretend we were walking on an alien planet...little sisters not allowed.

you've worked really hard...and you're really very proud...there's only one more thing left to do...

a twirly dance in celebration...of course.  

a certain little girl loves to wear her nightgown in the morning...thinking its a fancy way to dress when you rock your babies...laughing as she walks with bare feet on the cold floors..a certain mama loves these mornings thinking its a perfect way to ease into the day...laughing with her little girl.

she runs now...a funny, full speed ahead run...usually towards something hard and/or pointy so there is that all at once emotional mix of wow! look at her go and eek! look where she's going...but she manages...to keep her balance...to somehow stop just in time...to turn and look back with that silly, glowing smile and it is in that moment that i realize that life, it seems, is running the same way...funny, full speed ahead and all i could do is keep my balance...and my smile.

the day she found her little pink buuny, mama found a vintage toy too...a "new" doll house...and right away her dolls moved in...and she was so happy they fit so nicely there and they seemed happy too...after all, what else is a doll house for if not for dolls...

6.21.11...the first day of summer...the longest day of the year...a perfect day for a birthday...

walking through a grassy field...pregnant with my son, i reached down and plucked some grass...not for any particular reason than other than to have something to fiddle with...there in my hand was a four leaf clover...my first ever, now tucked away and saved for him...fast forward about six years to friday...sitting outside enjoying a nice morning when i thought that i haven't found one for my daughter yet...now with two, i am finding the need for such things to be equal...i reached out and plucked some grass and this is what i found...for you, my sweet little girl.

last week, he was excited when i came home with a "new" book and studied it intently for quite some time...last night, the baby toppled over and bumped her chin...always wanting to help, he quickly found the "perfect" technique...

nothing like a big brother to help you out...may he always be there for her...with or without his circa 1958 first aid book in hand...