because i love her . . .

. . . and, because she's FOUR today!

She was ONE in the picture above. It's hard to believe how fast the time has gone. And, that I am going back here with her this week. Other princesses and daddy to accompany, of course. Details forthcoming . . . .
May 2006

it's a bonbon life

I have such talented friends. My lovely friend Margaret, a gifted writer, spends her time playing with two darling children in the Palo Alto sun while her husband studies. She has turned that precious play time into an inspiring website for mothers: Bonbon!

M's hip mama website offers an abundance of mothering tips in the style of a mini-magazine. Oh, how this girl can write! And unlike other ultra-chic sites, Bonbon allows me to feel happy about who I am as a mother, yet inspired to put a little more of the joie de vivre into it. Sometimes with the mundane I neglect to savor the aspects of mothering that I'm truly passionate about: art, play, literature, food, love, good quality time. {Yes, that includes lazy mornings in jammies.}

Take time to savor Bonbon this week! You can thank me later.

dirt

I love the smell of dirt. The realization hit me this weekend as I dug around in my garden. I was thinking about growing up in sunny New Mexico and how I still love the dry dusty smell of desert mountains. I thought about the beach and digging my toes into sun-warmed sand and inhaling the scent of ocean and earth. And I realized I also love the musty, foresty smell of the rich black dirt in our cozy garden. Who knew dirt had so many fragrances?

As we dug & planted, Anna told me, "This is my favorite thing ever!"

post edit: Wednesday is Earth Day, people! So go hug yourself some dirt. Or smell it, lie down in it, and roll in it. Just, as Kara said, please don't eat it. I know it's tempting. Especially if you're pregnant. {And check out the Disney Earth movie released tomorrow. I can't wait to watch it with the girls!}

i have a family tree

My lovely friend Jennie has started selling her gorgeous quilted family trees on Etsy! They are so beautiful and I'm in complete awe of her quilting abilities {if you may recall, one of my lifelong goals}. Go take a peek at her Etsy shop, you won't regret it. Mother's Day is coming up . . . .

one last cookie

I have a confession. Please don't judge me.

I make my husband hide the Trader Joe cookies from me. {Or chocolate-covered raisins. Or salty chips. Or . . .ahem.} I beg him on my knees to save me from myself. So into the little pantry he goes and finds a verysecrethidingplace. I have never found it. Believe me, I've tried. {Should I have confessed that?}

Today I was reading Frog and Toad Together with the girls and came to the story titled "Cookies." Read it to your child. You'll see why I couldn't stop giggling.

"You know, Toad," said Frog with his mouth full, "I think we should stop eating. We will soon be sick." "You are right," said Toad. "Let us eat one last cookie, and then we will stop."

"We must stop eating!" cried Toad as he ate another. "Yes," said Frog, reaching for a cookie, "we need willpower."
"There, now we will not eat any more cookies."
"But we can open the box," said Toad.

"There, now we will not eat any more cookies."
"But we can climb the ladder and take the box down from the shelf," said Toad.

Will they ever find the willpower?

easter sweethearts

Easter Sunday

Easter Saturday

He is not here, for He is risen

Garden Tomb

Garden of Gesthemane

Old City Jerusalem

Hot Israeli soldier? How'd that sneak in there . . . .