Small Style :: A Style Her Own

She has always had her own sense of style.  No matter what I said, did, or encouraged, as soon as she could talk, she knew what she wanted.

Her style has blossomed and changed through the years, but has always been so very adventurous.

Mixing accessories, patterns and colors in ways I never would have thought of.

The brighter the colors, the bolder the look, the more she liked it.

I never said no.  I never told her it didn't match, or it didn't look good.  I let her do it hoping that one day, her sense of style would really come into it's own.  

I think it has.

Last two photos:
Shirt - Target

Skirt - Target

Shoes - Target

Necklace - Allora Handmade

Sass - all hers :)

Linking up (a day late) with Mama Loves Papa Small Style.

First Day

I always loved the first day of school.  The smell of glue and markers and fresh crayons in the morning.  Finding out who was in my class, making new friends, doing new things.

It is no different for these two.

Best Friends

With 10 Kindergarten classes and 9 First Grade classes, this was about 1/3 of all the students in the Cafeteria for the K/1st morning assembly.  This school is HUGE!

 

They both went in without so much as a goodbye to their Mama and sister.  Libby asked, "Where is Melia? We need to go get her! She will be too sad and will miss us too much!"

Oh no baby girl, it is not she who will miss us, it is US who will miss her and your brother.

When we went to pick up the kids, Amelia was so tired, but had a fabulous day.  She didn't play with anyone at recess, still trying to figure out friends and where she fits - I know this because she is so much like me.  She loves her Teacher and even picked her flowers on the way home.

Seth, well, Seth had a Seth day at school.  This boy thrives on structure and routine.  Anyone who has ever had a first week of school knows that structure and routine are not what happen right away.  He is feeling pretty lousy right now, but he has a FABULOUS Teacher this year, she even called him tonight to chat with him after I shared some of my concerns with her in an email.

It is Teachers like this that will make this year so great for my kids.

How about you guys?  Have your kids started school?  What was the first day like for them?  I want to hear from everyone; public and homeschool Mamas, tell me your experiences!

Letters to my Babies

Dear Elliott,

Oh boy how I love you.  You are such a sweet baby 

(but really, aren't all babies sweet? Wait, no. Your brother wasn't).

I am so grateful to be your Mama.  Your smiles, your laid back personality,

your patience with your brother and sisters...

You are a wonderful baby.

 

But kiddo, you really need to start sleeping somewhere other than the swing.  Because as cute as you are all bundled up in that swing, it is killing me a bit that you will only sleep there.

I love you baby boy...

Mama

*****

Dear Libby,

Oh my darling girl.  You are growing up so fast and are SO hilarious these days.  Just today you helped me make cookies, and it was so much fun.

You love to swim and will "dive" (belly flop) into the water over and over and over.  

You love to sing and dance and do so quite frequently.

You are more in love with your binkie everyday, and I find this quite interesting since you never took one as a baby.  Also, what is up with you playing with your bellybutton when you're tired?

You are so cute that it almost makes up for the fact that you come into my bed every single night and then wail and scream and cry when Daddy takes you back to your bed.

Will you stop doing that please?

Also, please, please, please, please stop pooping in your underwear. You were doing SO good wearing undies, and now not so much.

Also, thanks for being such a great big sister to Elliott.  You pretty much rock his little world.

I love you baby girl...

Mama

*****

My darling dearest Amelia Bedilia,

I love your freckles.  

You hate when I tell you that and then tell me that you don't have any freckles, but you do and they are darling.  It is the one thing you got from me, so I really like that.

You are such a great singer and I love that you have enough confidence to think you 

could go on America's Got Talent and win!  Never lose that ambition sweetie.

You are starting Kindergarten in about a month and I can't imagine what my life is going to be like when you are gone all day long.  Libby and I will be so lonely for you.

But you are so excited. 

So I pretend to be excited too.

I love that you are so creative and talented and have a flair for the dramatics.

This will serve you well in life.

Trust me.

I know.

BUT, right now, you make me a little crazy with your crying over every single little thing.

Makes me not look forward to your teenage years at all.

Regardless, you are my sweet princess and I love you.

Mama.

*****

Bubs,

I am going to call you that for the rest of your life, you know that don't you?

You are such an amazing big brother to your siblings.

I know it is hard being the biggest kid, but you do it so well and really like responsibility.

You are such a huge helper, with laundry, cleaning, playing with the kids, and dinner clean up.

I love how you love your Lego's, putting posters up in your room, and swimming.

You are so competitive and someday that is really going to come in handy.

But right now, when you are in swim lessons and you beat another kid in a race,

it is not so nice to say "I WON I WON I WON!!!!"

No one likes that kid.

You are starting 2nd grade so soon.

Kid, I remember 2nd grade.  I met my 1st real best friend in 2nd grade.  We're still friends.

I can't believe you are that old.

I bet some boy crazy girl is going to fall head over heels for you.

When she does, please be nice and not growl at her.

I love you to the moon and back,

Mama

My Amelia Bedelia

 Dearest Amelia Bedelia, Missy Mae Mae, Suzie Quzie, Sweet Girl,

You have so many names with Mama, but there is only one Amelia that I love, and that is you.

5 years ago today you came into this world.

  

Yours was such a beautiful and peaceful entrance.  The labor was full of energy and love.  You took your time though, which was very indicative of your personality.

I was so scared to have another girl, but also so excited.  I couldn't wait to put your sister's clothes on you and do bows and bracelets once again.

You are such a light in our family.

So kind to your sister and brothers, sweet and sensitive.

You are also so funny and creative.

I love to sit and listen to you create stories while you draw your pictures.  

You have always had a strong opinion on what you wear, and I love your fashion sense.

I love to listen to you make up songs and watch your dances.

You are SASSY 100% and always have been.

You are just as comfortable playing Bionacles as you are Princesses and often will do both at the same time.

You are my sweet girl and I am so glad you are mine.

Happy Birthday baby.

Love,

Mama

Someone Take Away the Scissors

I've gotten a little cutting happy this weekend.  It started with Libby on Sunday.  I was sick of her hair always being in her face.

When I did put it up in a Whale Spout, as I did most days, it just naturally wanted to go forward, so it looked like a horn or something like that.  So...I did it.  I made my baby look like a Toddler with one cut of the scissors.

That was on Sunday.  As you all know, I got Amelia's hair cut about a month ago.  I was tired of the constant fight of doing her hair, so I took her to get it cut short.

But guess what? We were still fighting.  She wouldn't keep her clips in her hair and now it is too short to put in a pony tail.  Note to self: Do NOT cut your daughter's hair short again, do not do this.  Listen to your husband.  Instead, give her bangs.

Totally cute and her hair is out of her face now.  She also might look a little like Ramona Quimby when you do this.  Awesome!

P.S.  Just because I know how much you all LOVE Amelia's fashion sense...here you go.  You're welcome.

And yes, I absolutely let her out in public like this.  What other time in your life can you dress like this and have it be okay?