My dear sweet baby is now four. It happened in an instant, yet the last four years have been so full of adventure.

(I created the crown for her special day!)

Becca is the most resilient little girl. Enduring endless moving, good byes, making new friends, saying good bye to her cherished pet, creating new places to call home, all with grace. She amazes me everyday and I am honoured to be her mom.

(Becca had a party at a local playground)

This year has been particularly difficult. Being three is hard, in itself, without the other nonsense. Yet Becca has turned four and blossomed. She is curious, exciting and adventurous. She rides her bike, climbs, jumps, looks at her books, loves a good story and adores her friends. Swimming, hikes, nature and dinosaurs all rank top in her world. Cats, butterflies and fairies have captured her attention. She is learning her letters and numbers at her own pace, enjoying the process of recognition. She takes great pride in all that she can achieve.

(Becca about to blow out the candles)

She played soccer this year, although she now tells me that rather than soccer she would like to take ballet! She has become smitten with dresses and all things that are girly. Yet still gets down and dirty to play (gosh how I love her!) When we went on vacation she had the opportunity to reconnect with her best friend, who she misses dearly.

(Becca waited till her birthday to open the gifts from her Grandparents and Auntie)

Becca has fallen in love with her brother. Ethan, although “Mr Destructor Man” is also quickly becoming a faithful companion. She introduces him to others, and ensures that Ethan is included in play with others. She gives him random drive by hugs and enjoys wrestling him ot the ground (little does she know it will not be long till the table turn).

(We found this wooden kitchen for an amazing deal, Becca loves to pretend!)

Becca truly is an amazing little girl. She forever has changed me, becoming her mom was one of the greatest moments in my life. Making me, and all that surround her better people, just by knowing her.

Happy Birthday Boo. We love you!

(I hope to upload some photos on Flickr later today)

So I thought I was being all witty yesterday with my Lemon reference. Yeah turns out I am just a big MIMIC, because Damselfly already used that incredible wit earlier this week. When I finally caught up on blogs last night and read her fabulous bathroom renovation post I was mortified. So embarrassing.

I went swimming the other night. My endurance was freaking unreal. This running has really changed my body. Now if I could just stay away from the snack food just a little more, and keep at it, I may just start feeling better about my body.

Sadly, I chose shopping over running last night. I needed to find some supplies for Becca’s birthday, before our vacation. Why can there not be just a few more hours in each day? I will be running tonight, no matter what!

I am not getting enough sleep. I try to go to bed earlier, but with all that I am trying to do, I find myself talking to J late, then we do not get to bed early enough. Hopefully our vacation will provide enough time that we get sick of each other and no longer need to talk so much (joking!)

I am so exited. This is our first real vacation. We are not touring the region because we will be moving, we are not delivering anything or visiting the folks. I hope to do a whole lot of nothing, with a side of nothing and nothing. With a little hiking, swimming, touring … but mostly just kick back, enjoy our friends, the scenery and NOTHING.

I am still buried in my to do list. I have emails to respond to, cleaning of the house, washing, packing, organizing. Becca and i have appointments for haircuts this afternoon. She is all Cousin ITT with her hair dangling in her face all the time. It drives me bonkers. However last summer, the bangs drove me crazy. I am more bafffled by her hair than my own.

What are your plans for the weekend? Are you uber busy or kicking back?

Make Lemonade … Isn’t that the old saying?

I have been working on a pair of shorts for Ethan. I had seen a pair of groovy plaid, patched shorts at the Gap and thought it would be easy to sew up a pair.I learned a few things not only about sewing, but my own process and organization.

• I need to sew up a “practice” item first. My second attempts are always better than the first.
• If I want to sew nice looking clothes, I must sew more to perfect the process.
• Sewing a project over a matter of months does not work for me, I need set aside time and just get it done in shorter periods of time (I finished the aprons for Becca & I over a weekend).
• Measure, Measure, Measure again.
• Look BEFORE you cut.
• When placing pockets on … Make sure you are holding the shorts right side up *blush*.
• When tackling a project don’t make it impossibly harder than it is, just because. Try it out, then modify.

Without further ado I present my models ….

As you can see the same pair of shorts fits them both. *sigh*

The shorts did not come out as I had visioned, however they are still on the cute side and fit Becca fabulously. How I managed to turn a pair of shorts from a pattern for a one year old boy into shorts for an almost four year old, I cannot say.

Lemonade!

I will try again after our vacation to sew up another pair. I also want to sew a skirt for  Becca, then I have a long list of potential sewing projects.

I am insanely behind on everything. I need to get prepared for our vacation, Becca’s birthday, read blogs, finish up some projects and clean the house. AHHHH! Ok deep breath … Mantra *it will all get done, it will all get done, it will all get done* Phew ok I feel better …

Have you ever worked on something, and the end result turned out to be nothing like you had imagined?

Hello Again! So sorry to have slipped away. I was off enjoying company with my Grandmother and Dad. We had such a lovely visit. It was marvelous.

I have to admit that this was the first visit (with any family really) that I did not feel like that shy, broken 7 year old girl I once was. I felt like an adult, with a family of my own. That I was sharing my world (which in fact I was). Did you ever feel that way with your parents/family? Like you finally were grown up?

We were so busy! We toured about Halifax with a vengeance the first few days. Then slowed our pace over the weekend, chilling out at home, watching the children play and chatting. My 86 year old Grandmother rocked the touring, playing and socializing! It was so fantastic to see her with the kids and enjoying our new home town!

The children were so lovely. Becca immediately ran to my Dad & Grandma and hugged them. Ethan a little shy at first, completely warmed up to both of them. He most of all, enjoyed performing for them. He would hide under blankets, dance, and chatter away. It was so beautiful watching him interact with them both. I do believe that Ethan is going to be a little lost today without them!

I miss my Dad and Grandma already. I had the opportunity to show off my newly found culinary skills, my crafts and share my world with them both. My Dad will be returning in the Fall for another visit, so I will have to hold out till then. Gosh, seeing my children with their Grandparents (and Great Grandmother!) brings me such joy. That connection to history and family is so amazing.

Now I have a mere week, to tidy up, play, reorganize and prepare for our trip to Maine! I am absoluting buzzing about that trip too. Life is grand.

Not a Mommy.

Not a Wife.

A Girl. With a Friend. At the Movies.

It was fabulous. The movie was funny (Sex and the City, the ultimate chic flick). The popcorn was ok. The company was awesome. The laughter was wonderful.

Groggy, tired but still glowing from my transformation last night, I will go back to walks to the library, preparing dinners, cleaning and entertaining, with a lighter step. Refreshed.