for mother's day

Although a day early (Saturday), for Mother's Day this year...

...we hopped in our car to escape the black flies and spend the day as a family.

...we went to Cape Elizabeth, Maine, a small town south of Portland, where you can go to Fort Williams Park to see sights like this...

the Portland Headlight Lighthouse, Cape Elizabeth, Maine

and take your shoes and socks off to walk in grass that feels like carpet! 

...we spent time at the playground where we enjoyed seeing the kids have a blast without shooing away those pesky black flies and where...

Ivy swung on the swings until she reached the clouds...

Letty discovered anything and everything there was to do there...

and Owen enjoyed being the captain of his pirate ship.

...we saw a "dog show," as Owen liked to call it.  (The dog show was a field where dogs were permitted to be off of their leashes...we saw a half a dozen dogs there as we walked from the playground.)

...we enjoyed a picnic right beside the ocean where you didn't have to swat at any black flies (can you tell how much we like black flies?)...

Doesn't Owen look like a miniature old man sitting there in his chair???

but we did have to watch out for the seagulls!

...we got to kick the ball around.  (There's no better sight for me than to see Daddy playing with his kids!) 

...we went on "adventures" but we had to hold on to our hats some as there was a nice breeze blowing, and we enjoyed watching the kites fly in the air.

...we stopped to pose for some pictures!

...and we enjoyed walks around the park looking at the lighthouse and all of the old fort remains.

Then, we left Fort Williams Park and headed to Kettle Cove, just a few miles away, where...

...Daddy surprised the kids with an ice cream treat on the way!  (oops!  forgot to take pictures!)  While we were there though, an older couple made a point to compliment us on how well behaved our kids were!  A great encouragement to us as parents and to the kids to receive such a great remark from perfect strangers!

...we got to explore the beach at Kettle Cove.

...but soon exploring turned into splashing around in the FREEZING COLD ocean water!

We drove home in a very quiet car as all of the kiddos fell asleep on the way home!

Once we got home, we got a pizza, had a family bike ride, got ready for bed, and watched a movie!

What a day - a day full of no real agendas - just spending quality time together as a family!

Who could ask for anything more????  I am so blessed to have a loving family and to be the Mommy to 3 beautiful and wonderful children.

BUT, there was more (if that's even possible!)...

The next day (Sunday), I got to enjoy a breakfast made by my wonderful husband with Ivy being my waitress, and this huge sign that Ivy worked so hard making...

together with some precious and adorable homemade cards by the kids!

 *************************************

Ivy, Owen and Letty,
I love being your Mommy!  You bring so much joy, love, fun, and happiness into my life!  You teach me so much more than I think I will ever teach you!  I simply cannot imagine living life without the three of you in my life!  Thank you for the patience, the love, and the grace you show to me day in and day out!  I love you!
Love, Mom

hiding

now you see her...

now you don't...

A certain little girl was helping herself to a snack today.  She wasn't sure if she should have been having one so she decided to hide from us.  Do you love how she hides?  (I guess she thought that if she couldn't see us, we couldn't see her!)  :)

letty's birthday - TWO!

Today, our baby turned TWO years old!  How did that happen???

Here's how she spent some of her day!

 She talked on the phone to her grandparents with all sorts of stories to tell, especially the one about her birthday.  "Happy to you.  Love You.  Hello.  Happy to you.  Love you.  Hello. (*repeat over and over and over again!*)"

She decorated her own cupcakes.

She loved hearing us sing "Happy Birthday" to her.

BUT, she still needed a little help getting the candle blown out.

She, unknowing to us, grabbed a birthday gift off of the kitchen counter and unwrapped it herself all while we were cleaning up the toys, and when we discovered what she did, she gave us this face, "What?  Did I do something wrong?"

She loved her new umbrella!  With all the rain we've been getting, she's been getting to use it quite a bit!

She loved the little girl and boy and birthday cake toys that Ivy and Owen picked out for her.

And, she feels pretty stylish in her new sunglasses.

Happy Birthday, Letty!

 

You are a joy, a delight, a lovebug, a jelly belly, a copycat, a smiley girl, a chatty patty, a cuddle bug, a little one who knows what she wants, and a one-of-a-kind.  We love you!