baby pack

Andrew has taken a liking to a little backpack that Morgan received for her birthday full of card games. Still scratching my head on this one: itty-bitty, toddler-sized backpack containing card games for mature preschoolers. Hmm.

four years

Dear Morgan,

Today you are four years old. And you know it. You've spent weeks anticipating your birthday, looking at the interactive wooden calendar hanging on the kitchen wall, asking when March will come, and then watching day by day until we reached 24. Four years ago I felt the exact same way, studying the calendar for weeks, excitedly awaiting your arrival into our lives, wondering when we would actually get to meet you.

This last year has been a very transitional one for you in many regards. We've spent the last several months attempting to move you - our superstar sleeper - out of a daily nap. You spend time each day after lunch in your bed with a pile of books, but often I peek into your room after 45 minutes and find you fast asleep, eyes closed, book in hand. And as much as I'd like you to keep sleeping, I gently stroke your hair until you wake up, knowing that this will help us avoid a bedtime catastrophe.

Sadly, you have also left the toddler clothing department and moved ahead to girls sizes. I look back at those darling outfits, seeing the innocence of the styles, and wish I would have cared more. In a strange way, I never bothered to say good-bye and now I am mourning the loss of that era. Your awareness of clothing has started to increase as you recognize trademarked characters, relate colors and patterns to outfits, and become more selective in your own choices as you dress each day. Shopping for age-appropriate clothing is proving to be much more difficult, and I wonder if there will be more sewing for you in my future

Preschool has made it obvious just how tall you really are and how much you have grown. It's also there that we have become more aware of your "public personality", the one grabs hold of your comfort level and and sucks it back inside to be safely guarded. I want so badly to pinpoint your fears, to know what it is that causes you to retreat. There are times when I observe you missing out on the fun, but I also know that forcing you into those situations prematurely would hardly be enjoyable. And so, Morgan, my prayer for you is about the process, not the result. In this way, you forever remind me that the journey matters most, not the milestone.

While most of your friends are simply playmates, there is someone special you have allowed into your circle. Marah is a favorite friend to you, and her family is a favorite to ours. While you don't realize it, your connection is more meaningful than just your shared interest in pink, princesses and preschool. With nearly a year that separates you, it's hard to say how long this friendship will thrive, but I am very thankful for Marah, for the dimension she brings to your life right now, and the family from which she comes.

Loving others is not difficult for you at all, especially Andrew. As you pull off his hat and mittens and unzip his coat, I watch how he smiles at you, knowing that he is being cared for by his big sister. You enjoy that role. So much so that you become a little too responsible for his choices. I remind you at times that I am Andrew's mother and quickly you retort, "I'm a Mommy, too. For all my kids." Meaning your babies, and golf club holder, and George, and whomever else you deem a child of yours. You do have a natural ability to nurture and I enjoy seeing that unfold with the special people in your life.

At random times I'll catch your eye and tell you how much I love you. When I buckle your seat belt, when I help you with your socks, when we're playing Chutes & Ladders. I want you to hear those words unassociated with your behavior, good or bad. I want you to know in your heart that the love I have for you is unconditional. Just as randomly, your response to my profession is, "But I love Daddy, too." In those moments, I agree out loud with you, stating that I also love him. Daddy is special to you in ways I cannot be special. And knowing that the design of your relationship with him is a part of God's plan, knowing that your heart swoons for him the way that He intended, is amazing to witness.

As I write you a birthday letter each year, I can't help but think about the years that are still to come and what observations I might be reflecting on in the future. Will your passion for music land you a solo in the school Christmas program? Will your eagerness to learn put you at the top of the class? Will your quiet personality select friends carefully? Will you always choose fruit first?

Whatever path you take, wherever God leads your life, Morgan, know that Daddy and I love you. That we trust in Him to be your ultimate care giver. "A man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9.

Happy birthday, my sweet Morgan Grace.

Always,

Mom

salty and sweet

I managed to convince Morgan that chocolate-covered pretzels would be a great birthday treat for preschool. And so tonight afer dinner, on the eve of her special day, we got to work. Morgan selected the pink white-chocolate discs from our local cake and candy supply store, and I decided the mini-rods were ideal size pretzels for preschoolers. With leftover sprinkles in the pantry, we were all set.

"Oooooh.... what do we have here!?"

caught in the act

I took another cooking adventure this week after seeing this recipe in one of my Real Simple magazines for chipotle beef tacos with cabbage and radish slaw. The photo of the finished food looked so appetizing and basic enough for our family to handle. And I thought I could easily shred cabbage to look like shredded iceberg lettuce. Until Scott got a hold of the recipe I mistakenly left out on the counter. Oops.

No matter. I forged ahead with the cabbage slaw (shredded cabbage, lime juice and cilantro), omitting the radishes. Scott put up a stink when he realized I was going ahead with the recipe, but obliged and ate one of the cabbage slaw tacos anyways. I thought they were tasty and had two. He opted to make his remaining tacos with lettuce, cheddar cheese and tomatoes.

The kids, who don't eat lettuce yet anyways, were completely happy with the shredded beef filling and some cheddar cheese. Applesauce on the side and good to go.

picture perfect

At our house, so much of the kids' personal library is in constant disarray, piled into a bin in the living room or spine-only display on the basement bookcase. Surface space is limited in their bedrooms, too. So when I stumbled across this blog a while back, I knew the concept was perfect for us. The idea for book display was smart, efficient and enticing for young readers.

Knowing that there was still some real estate available on Morgan's bedroom walls, I got to work measuring and configuring, and found the ideal home for some new IKEA Ribba picture ledges. These now house library books, High Five magazines and other stories from our own collection. And the shelves are two-fold: they keep the books off of Morgan's dresser top and also serve as changeable artwork on a wall that has been screaming for attention. Now that is my kind of decor. Practical and pleasing to the eye.