A mother's love is so much and means so many different things, like the sweet snuggles and kisses and the un-fun love of discipline and rules. Love is also loving yourself and doing for you so you can take care of the others. The guilty un-fun side of love is tough and is what makes being a parent so hard, but it all seems to be made up with the fun side- the giggles, grins, snuggles, and big hugs.
Mary Eloise has begun with big hugs (well has been for a while, but really understands now) and will run up so happy to give a hug. Mostly to Mama (*proud*), sneaks them in for others, especially if you have something she wants. One of her new funnies is when asked for a hug or kiss, she will sweetly reply "No", with a clever grin and giggle. Mary Eloise has also begun to love school and her school friends and teachers. When we say our prayers (another FAV) before bed, we will say them together and I lay her in bed afterwards and then she will begin another litany of prayers for her Elmo, Elmo Hop-Hop (when he becomes a rabbit in one of her videos), Tucker (sweetly pronounced "Tucka") one of her little classmates, and then Mama, Dada, and there is no telling who else she will pick out. We pray with her at meals, but we love that her class does also, which I think has further solidified her love for prayer. I love watching her grow into such a sweet girl with a big heart and love for praying and love for Jesus.
It amazes me each day how much she does or says or points out in observation. The other morning, Jason went to wake her for school, and she tells him with her eyes closed, "No Daddy, "sweep"". Jason said her further began to coax her out of bed and she said, "No, "sweepy"", he then told her she could slide at school and he said she said (still with her eyes closed) "Swide?". Nothing like the bargaining factor of a slide to get out of bed, hopefully it will continue to be so simple.
For the day of Love, Valentine's Day, I made ME some sweet Valentine's cards for her classmates and attached some goldfish and took cupcakes for her class to have for snack. Fish are another thing she adores, so I thought what better way and I know her classmates can enjoy them. Jason said when he picked her up from school, all she could talk about was the "ca-cake". We got ME a little book with flaps she can lift to look at pictures, a play camera that she loves to play with, although, does not really enjoy being photographed, and *shock* a new Elmo dvd. Jason and I don't celebrate Valentine's Day for each other, we generally get each other a card, but having worked in my friends' Dad's pharmacy each year making baskets and arranging flowers, I told him years ago he was best suited to save his money for something else unless what he was giving sparkled or had keys to it. We do however, eat a traditional Valentine's dinner of pizza. It is a silly tradition, but I love that we have kept it.
This week was so full of things, however the biggest celebration of Love was started on Ash Wednesday. The season of Lent begins and my heart is so full with love of my family and knowing God's love for all of us. Although this is a time of penance and deep reflection, I cannot help but feel more full and blessed and eager to participate because of Jesus' ultimate sacrifice given to each of us because of His love.
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| Laissez les Bon Temps Rouler! Joyeux Mardi Gras! |
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| Valentines for her classmates |
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| Our second favorite at Pet Smart- the "Tuh-tles" |
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| "There she is!" Is what she says when she's playing peek-a-boo |
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| Major static |
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| Filling my heart and soul |
