ELDEST BABE'S BIRTHDAY WEEKEND

Charlotte Harlow Laine, my dear eldest babe, celebrated her 6th rotation around the sun a couple weeks ago.  It is amazing to see how much she has grown.  From the tiniest of babes to the vocal, funny girl that frolics about so freely.  With her birth, I instantly became a mother.  She has brought me so much joy through her existence.  To watch your babe grow and transform is sheer magic.

The little hands are a bit bigger.  Her teeth that took so long to emerge are now starting to wiggle.  Her feet sometimes make her clumsy but they are so cute with her sparkly blue polish.  The hair that once was a single curly cue is now luscious.  She wouldn't have it any other way.

My daughter is her own little person with own ideas and thoughts.  I want nothing to dress her in black.  She wants nothing but blue.  I would love her to join a sports team.  She wants to sit in her room and make 100 necklaces and finger knit.  I would love for her to start reading.  She wants us to read to her and decide for herself when she will pick it up.  I want to live on a farm.  She wants me to live on that farm.

Time truly passes by in the blink of an eye.  But I have been fortunate to spend almost every day of her existence with her.  I have had the distinct pleasure of watching her grow and having her shape me into a better person.  Her sensitive nature has allowed me to become more sensitive and patient.  Her smile has lightened my day and load.  Her old soul has grounded me.  

Dear girl, you truly are a gift in our lives.  I can't wait to spend each moment with you.  

My birthday wishes for you:

1.  To explore the world carefree and unafraid.  

2.  To have hope.

3.  To impart your loveliness onto all those you encounter.

4.  To grow strong in yourself, physically, in your heart and in your head.

5.  To remember you are always loved and cherished.

6.  To dance like you don't care.

7.  To care for your sisters and teach them kindness.

Our Easter

Easter for us isn't a religious holiday but one that focuses on getting together with the family and friends.  We have an amazing and delicious brunch and just hang out with each other.  The morning is filled with a hunt prepared by the Easter Bunny.  Throughout the year the Babes get very few treats.  They are limited to holidays and birthdays.  Even on our celebrated holidays, the gifts are few but well thought out by the gift giver.

I get a special kick out of Easter especially because it also represents new life, colour, and endless crafts!  The girls and I blew up balloons and covered them with glue and tissue paper.  Once dried we popped them to create giant stain-glassed eggs to leave on the couch to possibly be filled with treats.

The morning of the hunt was awesome.  The Eldest Babe had a blast discovering eggs on her first hunt and was kind enough to share with her sister, who was more concerned with eating as much chocolate as possible.  Each girl received a craft or puzzle, a stuffy, a kaleidoscope stamper and a finger puppet.  It was simply fun and appreciated!  It is nice to see the excitement in your children's eyes.

CHRISTMAS DAY

The eve of Christmas Day, Eldest Babe fell asleep at a decent hour. Littlest Babe fell asleep in a chair at 5:30 ish and awoke as the Eldest Babe entered slumber. She was up until close to 11. Santa was not impressed and must have been really tired waiting for this little to drift away and dream of sugar plums again.

The morning arrived. The Papa and I were woken by a very excited Eldest Babe. We were unsure if she was going to begin to open the gifts without the rest of us, but her instinct was to wake us up and inform us of the present delivery. Her first instinct was to share the experience with us.

And oh what a magical experience it was. Although sleeping bags were the first to be noticed, the wrapped presents were the icing on our Christmas fruit cake. The eldest babe opened a book with polar bears on the cover and was over the moon. She continued to open another paper wrapped gift with the babe's initials marked on it. It was Horton Hears a Who and she stated that "Santa knows we love elephants!" Santa was a real hit and got them all of the few things they were hoping for: a toy wagon to match the Mama, a book, a purse for gathering nature stuff, and lollipops.

The Papa and I exchanged records. I received She & Him. I had been hinting at it for a period of time. I had given him Hollerado - a local successful indie band. We were both pleased with ourselves and instantly hit the record player to begin our Christmas song listening: a new tradition in this little mess.

The day was calm and full of a flow and rhythm that was not stressful at all. After a quick breakfast, we all dressed. The CBC and little ones were playing in the background, as this Mama prepared part of a vegan feast, our traditional vegan menu. The Babes ventured outside for a sled ride as the Mama rested. The G-units arrived with gifts, love and food in hand. It was amazing to welcome them into our home, the place that is most comfortable to us and the space that is so warm in our hearts.

We ate, drank, chatted and anticipated the arrival of our sister, brother and niece. Their arrival marked such a happy time. Seeing my niece always warms me. She "makes my heart happy". It was simply a day of amazingness. It ended with a walk in a fluffy winter wonderland, a visit to the Papa's job site of restoring an old courthouse in town and the most amazing hugs from my niece. The celebration has ended for this year, but the smiles, memories and love lingers.

xoxox

The Mama

P.S. I so desperately wished to be with all other special people who we love. I miss my lovely sister and her family, my niece and nephew, who we were unable to connect with. I love my Hayles. I love my T, Zip and Deuce. I miss my friends who are sharing this day with their family. Missing you and love you.

CHRISTMAS EVE-EVE

The night is late and I sit on our couch, with tired eyes, while the rest of my Babes sleep soundly in our bed. I keep thinking about the day when they get to awake to find gifts have been magically placed by Old Nick under our tree. Some parents no longer believe in this man...but deep in my core this Mama believes that there is a person who anonymously makes magic come into the lives of littles.

Eldest Babe, sat down to watch a video that Santa had sent her. It just filled me with warmth to see her eyes twinkle and a smile instantly emerge when the old man told her of her accomplishments in the year and the special wagon that would be arriving under our tree. Looking at her you can feel the importance of imagination and belief. Innocence and acceptance in both those. As a parent, you must harness it. You will do nothing but marvel in its awe-full-ness. Your heart will flutter. Happy tears fill your eyes.

Tonight, the joy invaded the Babes' tiny, but open hearts. We sat around together, eating popcorn and watching the classic Mary Poppins. The imagination flourishes. It must never end.

xoxox The Mama

The Beginnings of a Christmas Celebration: The Tree

It is official! Christmas has emerged in our house. The Papa had an amazing idea to go night time searching for our Christmas Tree. This Mama does not like the cold, but am always open to experiencing things with the Babes without complaint. I would have rather spent my time in the exceptionally warm cabin by the fire eating chocolate chip cookies but that was not going to happen. We went to a magical Christmas Tree Farm. The history of the farm is amazing and is something straight out of the 1820s (when the farm was first inhabited by the ancestors of the family who runs the operation today). There are winding hills, a covered bridge over a stream, a white turn of the century house and endless space. While cutting our tree...wait I'm getting to the tree part eventually...we could hear coyotes in the woods. I simply found it awesome.

Now the tree part, THE TREE!!!:

The Mama, is meager and thought that a 9 ft tall tree with a decent base of 4 feet would be substantial. Well the Papa drifted off and found a colossal 9 ft tree with almost a 9 ft base. Yes he did! The trunk of this tree when cut was almost half a foot in diameter. Each year I cut a piece of the trunk to turn into a Christmas ornament. Well, this year I guess I will be making a celebratory wall clock! The tree would also not fit into the mesh contraption so we had to place this crazy tree (well the Papa did) on top of the car with no restraint of needles.

When we got home close to 10 in the evening, the Babes were asleep, but the Papa had to get the tree up the stairs of the apartment. It came after much struggle, but would not fit through the door. Eventually it pulled through, however the Papa had to prune it to make sure it would fit into our new tree base. It did and when standing erect, I must say was beautiful (that is of course minus the melting ice and floor covered with pine needles).

So now I not only am responsible for two little ones and a bunny but watering a massive tree every hour. Ah! The joys of a Griswald - I mean Grier Christmas!

Love to all

The Mama