My daughter circa 2013

(From a draft I started 3 years ago). I could not love her more. Some days - or some moments in the day - she does make me a little crazy, and I wonder, "Who is this child?!"

One Sunday in March (2013) after her nap, she requested (as usual) a snack. Specifically, "Tea, cake, M&Ms, raisins, and popcorn. OkAY, Mom?" I go to the kitchen to boil water. Just in case I've forgotten, she pokes her head around the corner, "Popcorn, Momma,"

Naomi giving me an allotment out of her HUGE bowl: six pieces in a cupcake holder. 

Today I came across a letter Mom to Moesa (my grandma) that explained a lot. I was five at the time. "I just gave Christine a little spanking. I heard her go into the living room and say to Job [my dad], "Why did you ever marry that woman?"" Maybe that explains it all...

 

  Excerpt from a Longfellow poem that further explains my sentiments:

THERE was a little girl,
And she had a little curl
Right in the middle of her forehead.
When she was good
She was very, very good,
And when she was bad she was horrid.

I love love love this girl.

Kindergarten app submitted. Tests completed. All that remains is a parent interview. I'll miss having her all to myself come fall. Providing Phil and I pass our part of the process.  

Easter weekend was beautiful! We enjoyed Phil being home and having precious little we had to do. 

So, we went to a park every day,

including a picnic lunch at a park walking distance from our new house and Easter egg hunt in our backyard.

Quick trip

Last month when "our house" was going to be inspected, we asked Mom to come be a second set of eyes.  

Here is Naomi watching for Grandma to come (she plopped down at 9:30, however, and Grandma had left her house thirty minutes ago, so I had to persuade her to come do other things for three hours).

 

 Leif thinks Naomi's "no more monkeys jumping on the bed" is hysterical.

 

Naomi likes Leif in close proximity to her coloring/sticker station. He doesn't seem to mind.

When our Easter egg hunt was cancelled due to inclement weather, we went to Plan B: donuts.

We also took a walk in the cool spring weather.

We were wondering if a break was still on with the stroller only to learn Naomi had her socked feet resting on the wheels and burning holes in her socks. Channeling her Uncle Neil, I guess.

Leif continues to add a cheerful presence to the house.

Especially when food is involved.

Spring Shenanigans

 We saw my parents and Kami while in Houston for the weekend, watching the CCA boys play soccer to state championship status. Phil also cooked up a storm (pictured with a marinating pot roast).

 

 We went house hunting (yet again) over spring break. Leif and our realtor's son had seen enough houses.  Naomi, however, enjoys visiting houses, especially those that come with toys.

Beautiful weather over spring break!

 

 Lunch time has gotten exciting now that Leif is joining us.  Naomi likes to help when possible.

 

 Here's to more beautiful days to swing before it gets sweltering outside!

Boerne, birthdays, and beyond

We made a whirlwind trip to Boerne to go to Phil's grandmother funeral. She was a kind, godly woman, and it was good to see everyone. (Jonathan was there too, but no pictures!).

Phil's birthday was Tuesday. Naomi cried real tears in the morning to learn it was not her birthday. We came to terms with it eventually when I said she could help blowing out candles and unwrapping presents, "if Daddy needs it." He did.

When we opened ours eyes after praying, I found Leif had discovered his spoon.

Chores! Vidalia chopper: so easy, a 27-month old can use it. Also, Naomi actually helps wash dishes now! (Please don't see this as a deterrent to coming over and eating off dishes washed by a two year old). Okay, Leif doesn't help actually with folding, but Naomi does a stellar job on washcloths and burp cloths.

Naomi pulled up a chair to a window to wait for Daddy. When that took too long, she grabbed the WSJ to brush up on the financials.

So wrong, it has to be right

Naomi dressed herself today:
Mismatched socks
Jeans on backwards
Dress on backwards
Undershirt: on top, backwards, and inside out
Headband necklace
And Leif attempting to feed himself.
Ah, youthful independence.