Dear Rachel,
You are growing up in such amazing ways and crack me up with all of your little Rachelisms lately.
On the way home from school today, you and Cordelia were pretending to talk to each other on the phone. You asked me what that 'S' word was, again. Suburbs. Yes!
"Cordelia, let's go to the SUBURBS today!"
"No, I want to pretend we're in the city."
"No, the SUBURBS are so much better! We get to go there. I'm going there now. We get to LIVE there!!"
Last night was Halloween. Kingsley was a pirate in his pirate ship, you and Cordelia were mermaids. Whenever I asked to get a picture of you with King in it, you wanted to lie on the ground and pretend to be swimming by his ship.
It rained all last night. We went Malloweening at Masonville and then planned on trick or treating up and down the street. You got very bored, very quickly and we ended up just doing one half of the street, then walking up the other and skipping all of the houses on the way to Mason's and the special Halloween house.
If I ask you what you're full of, you will say AWESOME and BEANS, specifically you like to be full of the Opera Bean. Nana loves your opera bean, so you tell me. You like to sing like you think an opera singer sounds... in your head anyway. In reality, it's more like yodeling. It's hilarious. Tonight you showed me that you also had the lower register. I can't help laughing, you just crack me up.
Tomorrow your school is having a Big Crunch to teach about healthy eating. You all get to wear red or green instead of your uniform and you're going to eat an apple all at the same time to make a big crunch sound. You told me that you'd rather not wear red or green, you are going to wear your uniform. I asked why and you said that you're a little picky about what colours you're going to wear on non-uniform day: pinks, purples, and some shades of green like turquoise only. You really don't want to wear red or green.
I love you, so much.
Love Mommy
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
First Day of School
Dear Rachie,
Today was your first day of grade one. Not your first day of school, but your first day of all day school and your first day at the new school. I was such a jumble of emotions! So excited for you. Confident that you would make friends easily, like you always do. Sure that you would have fun. So desperate for your teacher to be wonderful and to see what an amazing child you are. Worried that you would be scared or anxious.
You have mostly been excited about school. You had a few sad weeks when SK ended, knowing that you wouldn't see your kindergarten friends again. When we went to visit your new school last week, you got a stomach ache. You said it had nothing to do with school and that you weren't nervous, but you always get tummy aches when you're anxious, even if you don't want to admit it.
This morning, you raced through getting ready, were smiling ear to ear for pictures, and nearly bounced your way into the van. Neither you nor Cor said much of anything on the way to school, you were so quiet. It took a while to find out who your teacher is and where your class is, but we finally managed to do that. We ran into Mason's mom and Rowan and you seemed so happy to see people you knew.
Once we found your teacher, I told you I had to go with Cordelia. You told me you were fine, knew to stay with your teacher and said you'd have fun. You gave me your biggest, bravest smile, as if you were trying to reassure me that you'd be fine and not the other way around. Sometimes, I think you're growing up too fast.
You make friends so easily and are the most likable child I have ever met. I know you will excel in grade one. I can't wait to hear all about your day.
Love you so much, Mommy.
Today was your first day of grade one. Not your first day of school, but your first day of all day school and your first day at the new school. I was such a jumble of emotions! So excited for you. Confident that you would make friends easily, like you always do. Sure that you would have fun. So desperate for your teacher to be wonderful and to see what an amazing child you are. Worried that you would be scared or anxious.
You have mostly been excited about school. You had a few sad weeks when SK ended, knowing that you wouldn't see your kindergarten friends again. When we went to visit your new school last week, you got a stomach ache. You said it had nothing to do with school and that you weren't nervous, but you always get tummy aches when you're anxious, even if you don't want to admit it.
This morning, you raced through getting ready, were smiling ear to ear for pictures, and nearly bounced your way into the van. Neither you nor Cor said much of anything on the way to school, you were so quiet. It took a while to find out who your teacher is and where your class is, but we finally managed to do that. We ran into Mason's mom and Rowan and you seemed so happy to see people you knew.
Once we found your teacher, I told you I had to go with Cordelia. You told me you were fine, knew to stay with your teacher and said you'd have fun. You gave me your biggest, bravest smile, as if you were trying to reassure me that you'd be fine and not the other way around. Sometimes, I think you're growing up too fast.
You make friends so easily and are the most likable child I have ever met. I know you will excel in grade one. I can't wait to hear all about your day.
Love you so much, Mommy.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Restaurant
Dear Rachy,
The past few weeks you have gotten it in your head that you want to open a restaurant. I can't remember exactly what spurred this idea, but you have been slowly working away at it. You think up things to serve and spent many days creating a menu. You had a shopping list and were so upset one day when I said we weren't actually going shopping for your items. In the end, I let you add your items to my grocery list last Friday and we picked up the red peppers, strawberries, blueberries, cucumber, carrots, and raspberries (I distracted you from realizing that I was not buying a watermelon). Once we had the items, you were gung ho.
Yesterday, you made signs and moved the playroom all around to allow for two tables with chairs and a blanket underneath in case anything dropped.
This is the point where I realized that you actually thought you were opening a restaurant. Up until then, I thought we were both on the same page with this one - that this was a 'pretend' restaurant. You asked me if we could go for a walk to put up your signs in the neighbourhood, just from our house to the mailbox and then maybe knock on a few doors to invite people over personally. I hesitated and in that split second we both stared at each other. I saw the pleading look in your eyes: please don't ruin this dream for me, Mom.
I distracted you for a bit by reminding you that we were going to the library after Kingsley's nap, so the signs would have to wait. Besides, it was going to rain, so how about you just post them on our windows? You did just that while I frantically wondered how I was going to break your heart and tell you that no one was going to be coming to The Bell Restrote.
I don't know how long I can distract you before you finally realize the sad truth, but in the meantime Cordelia and I were your first customers and I gave you a four quarter tip for your excellent service. If you remember that I had mentioned it, you might also have a lemonade sale tomorrow (or in your words, have an outside restaurant). I will definitely buy whatever you're selling.
Love Mommy
The past few weeks you have gotten it in your head that you want to open a restaurant. I can't remember exactly what spurred this idea, but you have been slowly working away at it. You think up things to serve and spent many days creating a menu. You had a shopping list and were so upset one day when I said we weren't actually going shopping for your items. In the end, I let you add your items to my grocery list last Friday and we picked up the red peppers, strawberries, blueberries, cucumber, carrots, and raspberries (I distracted you from realizing that I was not buying a watermelon). Once we had the items, you were gung ho.
Yesterday, you made signs and moved the playroom all around to allow for two tables with chairs and a blanket underneath in case anything dropped.
This is the point where I realized that you actually thought you were opening a restaurant. Up until then, I thought we were both on the same page with this one - that this was a 'pretend' restaurant. You asked me if we could go for a walk to put up your signs in the neighbourhood, just from our house to the mailbox and then maybe knock on a few doors to invite people over personally. I hesitated and in that split second we both stared at each other. I saw the pleading look in your eyes: please don't ruin this dream for me, Mom.
I distracted you for a bit by reminding you that we were going to the library after Kingsley's nap, so the signs would have to wait. Besides, it was going to rain, so how about you just post them on our windows? You did just that while I frantically wondered how I was going to break your heart and tell you that no one was going to be coming to The Bell Restrote.
I don't know how long I can distract you before you finally realize the sad truth, but in the meantime Cordelia and I were your first customers and I gave you a four quarter tip for your excellent service. If you remember that I had mentioned it, you might also have a lemonade sale tomorrow (or in your words, have an outside restaurant). I will definitely buy whatever you're selling.
Love Mommy
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Little Mama
Hey Sweets,
You are in Mamamode lately. You play with your baby (a big My Little Pony named Cheerie Lee or something) all day long. You feed her, dress her, play with her, read her stories and you sleep with her every night just like you saw me sleep with King and Cor. You are so cute with her. You've played with dolls before, obviously, but you haven't gone through a real baby-craze phase like this in a while. Yesterday you told me that all you want to do is be a mommy. We'll see. ;)
Love Mommy
You are in Mamamode lately. You play with your baby (a big My Little Pony named Cheerie Lee or something) all day long. You feed her, dress her, play with her, read her stories and you sleep with her every night just like you saw me sleep with King and Cor. You are so cute with her. You've played with dolls before, obviously, but you haven't gone through a real baby-craze phase like this in a while. Yesterday you told me that all you want to do is be a mommy. We'll see. ;)
Love Mommy
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Imagination
Dear Rachie,
One thing that I have absolutely loved over the past few months is the way that you and Cordelia play together now. At any given moment you or Cor will yell out: "Wanna play..." and the suggestion can be any number of your favourite imaginative play games. You love most to play Jungle (where you are animals in the jungle), Sweetie (where one of you is a mom and the other is the little Sweetie baby), and Cafe (your new fave where you both run a cafe that serves everything from mashed potatoes to lemonade).
You have such amazing imagination. And even more amazing is the way you and Cordelia get along and interact. I know this won't last forever, so I am enjoying every second of it... while I sip my lemonade and dodge the stampeding rhino's.
Love Mommy
One thing that I have absolutely loved over the past few months is the way that you and Cordelia play together now. At any given moment you or Cor will yell out: "Wanna play..." and the suggestion can be any number of your favourite imaginative play games. You love most to play Jungle (where you are animals in the jungle), Sweetie (where one of you is a mom and the other is the little Sweetie baby), and Cafe (your new fave where you both run a cafe that serves everything from mashed potatoes to lemonade).
You have such amazing imagination. And even more amazing is the way you and Cordelia get along and interact. I know this won't last forever, so I am enjoying every second of it... while I sip my lemonade and dodge the stampeding rhino's.
Love Mommy
Monday, November 14, 2011
Believer
Rachel, you are still such a believer in all things make-believe. Sometimes I am baffled by the lack of logic, but mostly I'm impressed with your willingness to not care if things make sense.
A couple of weeks ago, I took you and Cordelia to see Sesame Street Live. Cordelia was stone faced the entire time. She just stared. You enjoyed every minute of it, singing and dancing and yelling out answers. When we came home, I chatted with Cordelia a bit. She admitted that she had been scared. The monsters were so much bigger than she had thought they were. I was surprised to find out that she thought Elmo and his friends were real. I explained to her that they were people in costumes, which was why they were so big. On TV they are puppets and here they are grown ups . We discussed how they saw, where their heads were, and how they took them off. She was very relieved.
We went downstairs and I told Daddy what had just happened. I told them how she had thought the monsters were real, but they were just people in costumes. Behind me, I heard you making a strangled sound. I looked over and you just said, "Moooom..." and looked, I don't know, upset and shocked. Like I had just said something really offensive. It turns out, you also had not realized that the monsters were people in costume. You had thought they were real. You were so mad at me for telling you otherwise. You kept asking, "Is that true?" just begging me to change my answer and say that they were not people in costumes.
You often ask, even before the Sesame Street incident, if things are real or not. Things such as mermaids, fairies, goblins, unicorns, monsters, dragons, various animals... you always want to know if they're real. Mostly, I have just started asking you if you think they're real or not. You've decided that mermaids are not real, nor are unicorns, but fairies are.
We are now in the Christmas season. On the weekend, we went to the Santa Claus parade. You loved every minute of it. Your belief in Santa Claus is 100% in tact. When we woke up in the morning, Buddy the Elf had returned. You and Cordelia were ecstatic. You've been talking to Buddy, whispering to him, dancing for him. It's adorable. While I was making dinner, you came in to the kitchen with an odd look on your face. A frozen smile. I asked what was up and you said, nothing. But you had that smile that you were fighting to keep on, even as your face dissolved into tears. The whole story came tumbling out: you had been putting a puzzle away on the shelf when Buddy had gotten jostled and he fell over. You were just beside yourself, sobbing. I assured you that things would be okay and we went to check on Buddy. I assured you that grown ups were allowed to touch elves. I picked him up and leaned in to hear what he had to say. PHEW! Don't worry, Rach, Buddy was just fine. I settled him down and had you run and get a cold thing (ice pack). I put it on Buddy's head for a few minutes and then he was fine.
Today, you raced into school and caught up with Adrianna on the way. From the road I heard you exclaiming in excitement about the REAL ELF that was in your house. My heart froze a bit. Please, please, please don't let anyone ruin this for you. When Mason came over today after school, you grabbed him and ran him into the kitchen where Buddy was hanging out today. I wasn't sure - he looked up and saw Buddy. Did he see an elf? Did he see a doll? Either way, he didn't say anything. He thought it was cool and told his mom all about it when she got here.
Rachel, you make my heart burst with your imagination and trust. I hope a part of this never leaves you.
Love Mommy
A couple of weeks ago, I took you and Cordelia to see Sesame Street Live. Cordelia was stone faced the entire time. She just stared. You enjoyed every minute of it, singing and dancing and yelling out answers. When we came home, I chatted with Cordelia a bit. She admitted that she had been scared. The monsters were so much bigger than she had thought they were. I was surprised to find out that she thought Elmo and his friends were real. I explained to her that they were people in costumes, which was why they were so big. On TV they are puppets and here they are grown ups . We discussed how they saw, where their heads were, and how they took them off. She was very relieved.
We went downstairs and I told Daddy what had just happened. I told them how she had thought the monsters were real, but they were just people in costumes. Behind me, I heard you making a strangled sound. I looked over and you just said, "Moooom..." and looked, I don't know, upset and shocked. Like I had just said something really offensive. It turns out, you also had not realized that the monsters were people in costume. You had thought they were real. You were so mad at me for telling you otherwise. You kept asking, "Is that true?" just begging me to change my answer and say that they were not people in costumes.
You often ask, even before the Sesame Street incident, if things are real or not. Things such as mermaids, fairies, goblins, unicorns, monsters, dragons, various animals... you always want to know if they're real. Mostly, I have just started asking you if you think they're real or not. You've decided that mermaids are not real, nor are unicorns, but fairies are.
We are now in the Christmas season. On the weekend, we went to the Santa Claus parade. You loved every minute of it. Your belief in Santa Claus is 100% in tact. When we woke up in the morning, Buddy the Elf had returned. You and Cordelia were ecstatic. You've been talking to Buddy, whispering to him, dancing for him. It's adorable. While I was making dinner, you came in to the kitchen with an odd look on your face. A frozen smile. I asked what was up and you said, nothing. But you had that smile that you were fighting to keep on, even as your face dissolved into tears. The whole story came tumbling out: you had been putting a puzzle away on the shelf when Buddy had gotten jostled and he fell over. You were just beside yourself, sobbing. I assured you that things would be okay and we went to check on Buddy. I assured you that grown ups were allowed to touch elves. I picked him up and leaned in to hear what he had to say. PHEW! Don't worry, Rach, Buddy was just fine. I settled him down and had you run and get a cold thing (ice pack). I put it on Buddy's head for a few minutes and then he was fine.
Today, you raced into school and caught up with Adrianna on the way. From the road I heard you exclaiming in excitement about the REAL ELF that was in your house. My heart froze a bit. Please, please, please don't let anyone ruin this for you. When Mason came over today after school, you grabbed him and ran him into the kitchen where Buddy was hanging out today. I wasn't sure - he looked up and saw Buddy. Did he see an elf? Did he see a doll? Either way, he didn't say anything. He thought it was cool and told his mom all about it when she got here.
Rachel, you make my heart burst with your imagination and trust. I hope a part of this never leaves you.
Love Mommy
Saturday, August 13, 2011
My Little Mermaid
Sweet Rachie,
We just spent a week at a cottage in Port Franks. You had a fabulous time. While we were there, you discovered the story of the Little Mermaid. You were intrigued, to say the least. The cottage had the Disney DVD version of the story as well as the original Hans Christian Anderson version of the tale. Nana was up visiting us one day and without realizing how far off the original was from the Disney story, read the whole thing to you.
The stories somehow spiraled into you creating mermaid tales out of paper for you and Kingsley and your cousin Hailey, then water to swim in, shell bra's, and finally on our last day at the beach you spent half the time lying in the water singing like Ariel does.
You are so adorable and so creative. Your drawings of mermaids are awesome. Since we've been home, you've raided the basement for any Little Mermaid books that were tossed down there from lack of interest. You've been begging me to find the movie for you.
You make me smile everyday.
Love Mommy
We just spent a week at a cottage in Port Franks. You had a fabulous time. While we were there, you discovered the story of the Little Mermaid. You were intrigued, to say the least. The cottage had the Disney DVD version of the story as well as the original Hans Christian Anderson version of the tale. Nana was up visiting us one day and without realizing how far off the original was from the Disney story, read the whole thing to you.
The stories somehow spiraled into you creating mermaid tales out of paper for you and Kingsley and your cousin Hailey, then water to swim in, shell bra's, and finally on our last day at the beach you spent half the time lying in the water singing like Ariel does.
You are so adorable and so creative. Your drawings of mermaids are awesome. Since we've been home, you've raided the basement for any Little Mermaid books that were tossed down there from lack of interest. You've been begging me to find the movie for you.
You make me smile everyday.
Love Mommy
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Santa Claus and Minnie Mouse
A few weeks ago, I was reading a Junie B. book to you. Junie B. was deciding what to dress up as for career day. Someone said they were going to be Minnie Mouse and Junie B. said she's not a real person, just a costume. There was a pause and you made a sort of huffy sound.
I asked what you said and you said: "That's not true."
"What's not true?"
"Minnie Mouse. She's a real person. She isn't a costume."
"Oh."
"Psssht. She lives in Disney World."
"Oh."
"She's just silly." Pointing to the book.
"Yeah..."
I know there's not a lot of time left before you realize what's real and what is not real. I love that you are so gullible though. It's going to make Christmas that much more awesome again this year when I have all three of you excited about Santa Claus. The Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, Rudolph, and even Mickey Mouse. You are so awesomely a believer in all things about childhood.
I asked what you said and you said: "That's not true."
"What's not true?"
"Minnie Mouse. She's a real person. She isn't a costume."
"Oh."
"Psssht. She lives in Disney World."
"Oh."
"She's just silly." Pointing to the book.
"Yeah..."
I know there's not a lot of time left before you realize what's real and what is not real. I love that you are so gullible though. It's going to make Christmas that much more awesome again this year when I have all three of you excited about Santa Claus. The Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, Rudolph, and even Mickey Mouse. You are so awesomely a believer in all things about childhood.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Style World
My Dear Rachie,
You are so unique. So confident and sure of yourself. So individual and proud of it. I LOVE this about you. Your style cracks me up. I have spent a lot of time discussing with Nana and Daddy about whether or not I should be trying to tame your style a bit. I have chosen not to, which has led to some interesting outifts and hairstyles. You don't care, I don't care. You are so beautiful in whatever you wear, however you wear it.
One day, you might realize that your hair or clothes are a bit odd and change to match your peers. Or maybe you won't and you'll always be this awesomely unique. Either way, I hope you still run into the room yelling: "STYLE WORLD!!!" with each fabulous ensemble you put together. You are fashion, baby.
Love Mommy
You are so unique. So confident and sure of yourself. So individual and proud of it. I LOVE this about you. Your style cracks me up. I have spent a lot of time discussing with Nana and Daddy about whether or not I should be trying to tame your style a bit. I have chosen not to, which has led to some interesting outifts and hairstyles. You don't care, I don't care. You are so beautiful in whatever you wear, however you wear it.
You even ask to do my hair all the time now.
Love Mommy
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Fairies
Dear Rachel,
You are so in love with fairies right now. Mostly the Disney Tinkerbell fairies, but you don't discriminate. You know them by name and what they do and the different ways they help things in nature. You've also learnt all about the seasons from the fairies, but you're not 100% on the order the seasons go in.
There is a book series of chapter books that are all about two girls named Rachel and Kirsty. I thought we could take a break from Ramona and read some of these. Predictably, you love them. We've only read one about Pet Fairies and already I want to rip my eyes out when I read it to you. It's horrendous. I can't wait until you can read on your own. I see now why my own mother pushed her favourite books on me. ;)
Speaking of reading on your own, you are getting really good at it. I'm so impressed with how well you sound out words. You have a whole list of words you know by sight and the rest you are usually able to figure out. Short reading books are no problem for you. I don't remember reading until I was in at least grade one, but there you are, starting to read already. I'm so proud.
Love, Mommy
You are so in love with fairies right now. Mostly the Disney Tinkerbell fairies, but you don't discriminate. You know them by name and what they do and the different ways they help things in nature. You've also learnt all about the seasons from the fairies, but you're not 100% on the order the seasons go in.
There is a book series of chapter books that are all about two girls named Rachel and Kirsty. I thought we could take a break from Ramona and read some of these. Predictably, you love them. We've only read one about Pet Fairies and already I want to rip my eyes out when I read it to you. It's horrendous. I can't wait until you can read on your own. I see now why my own mother pushed her favourite books on me. ;)
Speaking of reading on your own, you are getting really good at it. I'm so impressed with how well you sound out words. You have a whole list of words you know by sight and the rest you are usually able to figure out. Short reading books are no problem for you. I don't remember reading until I was in at least grade one, but there you are, starting to read already. I'm so proud.
Love, Mommy
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Five
My Dear Rachel B,
You turned five!
You had the best fifth birthday you could possibly imagine. I don't think it could have gone any better unless Tinkerbell herself had flown in for a visit.
It started bright and early in the morning. I'm not sure how or where, but you got this idea in your head that you wanted breakfast in bed. You talked about last month and asked me randomly to bring it to you. It never happened. But I tucked that in my mind and even wrote it on the calendar so I'd remember. On your birthday, I brought up a plate of mini waffles, syrup, juice and your presents. All five of us sat on your bed and ate together. You were over the moon.
After we ate, you opened your presents. We gave you an umbrella (which you are in love with), a digital piggy bank that totals how much money you've put in it, the book Deep Snow by Robert Munsch, and a necklace with a little girl holding a teddy bear.
Following breakfast and presents, there was a scurry to get ready for your party! You had picked out your dress at Winner's and decided that Cordelia should have the same dress as you, so she did. They'll be your Easter dresses this year as well, probably. We curled your hair and you looked perfect.
The day was gloomy, so I let you stand on the porch with your umbrella to test it out. You even shared with Cordelia, which was sweet of you.
Grandma arrived at 10:30 and helped with the last minute stuff before your guests started to arrive. She brought you a pink rose, which she always does on your birthday.
Your party started at 11am. It had a Tinkerbell/Fairy theme as that is your favourite thing right now. You invited four friends from school (Mia, Laura, Adrianna, and Mason) and three others (Molly, Eric, and Scarlet). The first activity when they arrived was painting terra cotta flower pots. This activity kept getting interrupted by you running upstairs to show your guests your bedroom. Then Cordelia would want to show everyone her room. While you guys painted, I made pizza's for lunch.
While the pizza's cooked, we started playing games. First was Musical Books. Once everyone realized you got a prize when you lost, there was some definite internal conflict happening with your friends trying to decide whether to win or lose. Eventually, Adrianna won. The prizes were Tinkerbell things.
Next, you played Pin the Heart on the Tiara. The prizes were pixie stix. We had to stall a bit because the pizza's weren't done yet. You all had a dance party in the playroom which turned into the Freeze Dance game. It was hilarious and awesome to see all of your friends and you showing off your best moves. No inhibition is a great thing.
Pizza followed games. I'm not sure who started it, but lunchtime entertainment was all of you telling jokes. Jokes that were not remotely funny. Knock-knock jokes, riddles, one-liners. You thought you were a bunch of stand up comedians! Each joker attempting to top the previous, certain that your joke was the absolute funniest thing ever. Grandma and I were almost in tears at how unfunny you all were.
In true Meyer-Party form, I took pictures of all of you making your funniest faces.
Grandpa did the same at all of our parties growing up. It only seemed right that Aunt Kristi and I continue with the tradition!
After pizza was a treasure hunt where clues that had been left by Rosetta the Garden Fairy led you around the main floor, ending at a silver box with 9 jars of purple Pixie Dust and a note that this very special dust was only to go in a garden where it would help flowers grow. There was great excitement over this pixie dust!
Cake followed this game. We had two for you - Nana made a white rainbow chip Tinkerbell cake. I made chocolate cupcakes with pink, purple and green butter cream icing and mini fairy figurines on top. Both were your picks.
After cake came more dancing and then I managed to get you all gathered for one last game: Pass the Parcel. The prizes were glow stick bracelets.
Last, were presents. You got a lot of nice toys and clothes from your friends.
As they were leaving, they enthusiastically declared that this had been one amazing party. Mia even shouted that it was WAY better than hers had been last month at Adventures on Wonderland. They were bouncing around, eager to tell their parents all about it and show off their pixie dust and hand painted pots. As they left, you gave them a thank you note that you had made on purple fairy paper and a packet of seeds for their flower pots.
After the party, we had a bit of quiet time. Cordelia went down for her nap, Kingsley (who slept through most of your party) was up. We took all your toys out of the packaging and you got to start playing.
Just after 3pm, Nana, Grandpa and Grandma Marilynn all came over. More cake and more presents!
Nana and Grandpa gave you a raincoat, rain boots and rain hat that you got very excited about once you realized you looked just like Lizzie, the girl in Tinkerbell and the Great Fairy Rescue. Between that and the umbrella, you've been pretty much begging for rainy days since your birthday.
For dinner, I made you macaroni and cheese (your favourite) and we had even more cake. At the end of the day, you were exhausted, elated and five.
I am so proud of the big girl you've grown into. You are so sweet, charming, adorable, kind, brilliant, funny and all around incredible. I hope all of your birthdays are as wonderful as this one was!
Love Mommy
You turned five!
You had the best fifth birthday you could possibly imagine. I don't think it could have gone any better unless Tinkerbell herself had flown in for a visit.
It started bright and early in the morning. I'm not sure how or where, but you got this idea in your head that you wanted breakfast in bed. You talked about last month and asked me randomly to bring it to you. It never happened. But I tucked that in my mind and even wrote it on the calendar so I'd remember. On your birthday, I brought up a plate of mini waffles, syrup, juice and your presents. All five of us sat on your bed and ate together. You were over the moon.
After we ate, you opened your presents. We gave you an umbrella (which you are in love with), a digital piggy bank that totals how much money you've put in it, the book Deep Snow by Robert Munsch, and a necklace with a little girl holding a teddy bear.
Following breakfast and presents, there was a scurry to get ready for your party! You had picked out your dress at Winner's and decided that Cordelia should have the same dress as you, so she did. They'll be your Easter dresses this year as well, probably. We curled your hair and you looked perfect.
The day was gloomy, so I let you stand on the porch with your umbrella to test it out. You even shared with Cordelia, which was sweet of you.
Grandma arrived at 10:30 and helped with the last minute stuff before your guests started to arrive. She brought you a pink rose, which she always does on your birthday.
Your party started at 11am. It had a Tinkerbell/Fairy theme as that is your favourite thing right now. You invited four friends from school (Mia, Laura, Adrianna, and Mason) and three others (Molly, Eric, and Scarlet). The first activity when they arrived was painting terra cotta flower pots. This activity kept getting interrupted by you running upstairs to show your guests your bedroom. Then Cordelia would want to show everyone her room. While you guys painted, I made pizza's for lunch.
While the pizza's cooked, we started playing games. First was Musical Books. Once everyone realized you got a prize when you lost, there was some definite internal conflict happening with your friends trying to decide whether to win or lose. Eventually, Adrianna won. The prizes were Tinkerbell things.
Next, you played Pin the Heart on the Tiara. The prizes were pixie stix. We had to stall a bit because the pizza's weren't done yet. You all had a dance party in the playroom which turned into the Freeze Dance game. It was hilarious and awesome to see all of your friends and you showing off your best moves. No inhibition is a great thing.
Pizza followed games. I'm not sure who started it, but lunchtime entertainment was all of you telling jokes. Jokes that were not remotely funny. Knock-knock jokes, riddles, one-liners. You thought you were a bunch of stand up comedians! Each joker attempting to top the previous, certain that your joke was the absolute funniest thing ever. Grandma and I were almost in tears at how unfunny you all were.
In true Meyer-Party form, I took pictures of all of you making your funniest faces.
Grandpa did the same at all of our parties growing up. It only seemed right that Aunt Kristi and I continue with the tradition!
After pizza was a treasure hunt where clues that had been left by Rosetta the Garden Fairy led you around the main floor, ending at a silver box with 9 jars of purple Pixie Dust and a note that this very special dust was only to go in a garden where it would help flowers grow. There was great excitement over this pixie dust!
Cake followed this game. We had two for you - Nana made a white rainbow chip Tinkerbell cake. I made chocolate cupcakes with pink, purple and green butter cream icing and mini fairy figurines on top. Both were your picks.
After cake came more dancing and then I managed to get you all gathered for one last game: Pass the Parcel. The prizes were glow stick bracelets.
Last, were presents. You got a lot of nice toys and clothes from your friends.
As they were leaving, they enthusiastically declared that this had been one amazing party. Mia even shouted that it was WAY better than hers had been last month at Adventures on Wonderland. They were bouncing around, eager to tell their parents all about it and show off their pixie dust and hand painted pots. As they left, you gave them a thank you note that you had made on purple fairy paper and a packet of seeds for their flower pots.
After the party, we had a bit of quiet time. Cordelia went down for her nap, Kingsley (who slept through most of your party) was up. We took all your toys out of the packaging and you got to start playing.
Just after 3pm, Nana, Grandpa and Grandma Marilynn all came over. More cake and more presents!
Nana and Grandpa gave you a raincoat, rain boots and rain hat that you got very excited about once you realized you looked just like Lizzie, the girl in Tinkerbell and the Great Fairy Rescue. Between that and the umbrella, you've been pretty much begging for rainy days since your birthday.
For dinner, I made you macaroni and cheese (your favourite) and we had even more cake. At the end of the day, you were exhausted, elated and five.
I am so proud of the big girl you've grown into. You are so sweet, charming, adorable, kind, brilliant, funny and all around incredible. I hope all of your birthdays are as wonderful as this one was!
Love Mommy
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Hi Sweet Turtle,
You've had such a big winter. You are growing up before my eyes and I can't believe the changes that are happening. Every day I look at you in absolute wonder. I see the little baby I once held so tightly and I see the woman you will be. You are so beautiful.
Christmas was fantastic. You were so over-the-moon excited about the whole season and jumped in with two feet. You had letters to Santa, decorations and carols being produced at every moment of every day. You lived and breathed the Holiday and I wanted to just keep you this age forever so that it could always be this much fun.
In January, you went to your first birthday party without me. It was for a girl named Hayley from your class. Really though, Cordelia and I went on a date to the place where the party was so that I could keep an eye on you. I was so proud of how grown up you acted.
You dress yourself every morning. You are quite the eccentric dresser. Stripes, polka dots, prints, layers, you do it all. All at the same time. You are also getting creative with your hair. Grandpa thinks I must do it to you, but really I have to restrain myself from fixing it before we go out in public. I am torn between fixing you up so that no one makes fun of you and not wanting to stifle your creativity. For some reason you are insistent that you should always have three clips in your hair - one on each side and one at the dead centre, front of your hairline. Cordelia has started to copy you. She wants clips in the middle of her head, just like you do.
Kingsley had to spend some time in the hospital twice this winter - once in November for 9 days and again at the start of February for 7 days. I was really worried about how you would cope with me and Kingsley in the hospital and not around for that length of time. You had some trouble last year when Kingsley was born, but this time was very different. I think it's likely because you had school to keep the routine going. Whatever the reason, you took it in stride. Mornings at school, afternoons/evenings with Grandma or Nana and Grandpa. Your only complaint was when I showed you the video I made of Kingsley's hospital stay: there were not enough pictures of you. That's my girl ;)
A few more things are awesome about you right now. The first is Ramona. When I was a little girl, I loved Ramona books. I read them over and over. For Christmas, you got a box set of Ramona books and we have been going through them. You cuddle up in my lap in the afternoon when Cordelia and Kingsley are napping and I read you a chapter. I'm amazed at how well you sit and listen, even without pictures. We've gone through three of them right now and your love for Ramona is still going strong. There are five more books and already I'm thinking of what book series I want to read with you next. You're starting to read a bit on your own, but chapter books are still a ways off. I can't wait for the day you're old enough to start reading Harry Potter with me.
Last Wednesday, I picked you up from school and you were full of smiles and giggles. You delightedly told me that Mason had KISSED you! Could I believe it?? Just before school let out, he had kissed you on the tummy. I think you like Mason a little bit, but you don't really say it like that. You still don't understand the boy/girl stuff and I'm in no hurry to push you into thinking you need a boyfriend or anything silly like that. Either way, you were giggling all afternoon about it. Your first kiss. On the tummy.
Right now, you are sick. It's the second time you have had the flu and you're taking it pretty rough. You threw up for days and in less than a week have lost 4 pounds. You're skin and bones and it makes me sad to see. You are absolutely miserable.
Despite being sick, you are very excited about your upcoming birthday. You will be five, which is a big deal according to you. You're having your first friend party and inviting Molly, Eric, Scarlet and the three girls in your 'Girls Club' at school. It is going to be a Tinkerbell party since she is your current favourite thing in the world. I bought a necklace for you for your birthday present. I'm so excited for you to get it.
I love you so much my little Turtle. I can't wait until you are feeling better and back to your usual cheerful self.
Love Mommy
You've had such a big winter. You are growing up before my eyes and I can't believe the changes that are happening. Every day I look at you in absolute wonder. I see the little baby I once held so tightly and I see the woman you will be. You are so beautiful.
Christmas was fantastic. You were so over-the-moon excited about the whole season and jumped in with two feet. You had letters to Santa, decorations and carols being produced at every moment of every day. You lived and breathed the Holiday and I wanted to just keep you this age forever so that it could always be this much fun.
In January, you went to your first birthday party without me. It was for a girl named Hayley from your class. Really though, Cordelia and I went on a date to the place where the party was so that I could keep an eye on you. I was so proud of how grown up you acted.
You dress yourself every morning. You are quite the eccentric dresser. Stripes, polka dots, prints, layers, you do it all. All at the same time. You are also getting creative with your hair. Grandpa thinks I must do it to you, but really I have to restrain myself from fixing it before we go out in public. I am torn between fixing you up so that no one makes fun of you and not wanting to stifle your creativity. For some reason you are insistent that you should always have three clips in your hair - one on each side and one at the dead centre, front of your hairline. Cordelia has started to copy you. She wants clips in the middle of her head, just like you do.
Kingsley had to spend some time in the hospital twice this winter - once in November for 9 days and again at the start of February for 7 days. I was really worried about how you would cope with me and Kingsley in the hospital and not around for that length of time. You had some trouble last year when Kingsley was born, but this time was very different. I think it's likely because you had school to keep the routine going. Whatever the reason, you took it in stride. Mornings at school, afternoons/evenings with Grandma or Nana and Grandpa. Your only complaint was when I showed you the video I made of Kingsley's hospital stay: there were not enough pictures of you. That's my girl ;)
A few more things are awesome about you right now. The first is Ramona. When I was a little girl, I loved Ramona books. I read them over and over. For Christmas, you got a box set of Ramona books and we have been going through them. You cuddle up in my lap in the afternoon when Cordelia and Kingsley are napping and I read you a chapter. I'm amazed at how well you sit and listen, even without pictures. We've gone through three of them right now and your love for Ramona is still going strong. There are five more books and already I'm thinking of what book series I want to read with you next. You're starting to read a bit on your own, but chapter books are still a ways off. I can't wait for the day you're old enough to start reading Harry Potter with me.
Last Wednesday, I picked you up from school and you were full of smiles and giggles. You delightedly told me that Mason had KISSED you! Could I believe it?? Just before school let out, he had kissed you on the tummy. I think you like Mason a little bit, but you don't really say it like that. You still don't understand the boy/girl stuff and I'm in no hurry to push you into thinking you need a boyfriend or anything silly like that. Either way, you were giggling all afternoon about it. Your first kiss. On the tummy.
Right now, you are sick. It's the second time you have had the flu and you're taking it pretty rough. You threw up for days and in less than a week have lost 4 pounds. You're skin and bones and it makes me sad to see. You are absolutely miserable.
Despite being sick, you are very excited about your upcoming birthday. You will be five, which is a big deal according to you. You're having your first friend party and inviting Molly, Eric, Scarlet and the three girls in your 'Girls Club' at school. It is going to be a Tinkerbell party since she is your current favourite thing in the world. I bought a necklace for you for your birthday present. I'm so excited for you to get it.
I love you so much my little Turtle. I can't wait until you are feeling better and back to your usual cheerful self.
Love Mommy
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Simon
Dear Rachel,
A couple of weeks ago, you and I were playing with stacking cups that have numbers written in English, French and Spanish on the side. I was trying to explain to you about different languages and was speaking in French a bit to you. You started speaking jibberish back, which was kind of cute. I thought you were trying to speak French, but you politely informed me that you were speaking Simon.
Since then, Simon has become an actual language to you. You speak it to your babies and you speak it to me. If I ever catch you mumbling and tell you I didn't understand what you said, you tell me it's because you were speaking Simon. I think you honestly think it is a real language, not just something you made up. It sounds almost real when I listen to it. You are so funny.
Love, Mommy
A couple of weeks ago, you and I were playing with stacking cups that have numbers written in English, French and Spanish on the side. I was trying to explain to you about different languages and was speaking in French a bit to you. You started speaking jibberish back, which was kind of cute. I thought you were trying to speak French, but you politely informed me that you were speaking Simon.
Since then, Simon has become an actual language to you. You speak it to your babies and you speak it to me. If I ever catch you mumbling and tell you I didn't understand what you said, you tell me it's because you were speaking Simon. I think you honestly think it is a real language, not just something you made up. It sounds almost real when I listen to it. You are so funny.
Love, Mommy
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Halloween
Hey Rachie,
You had a great Halloween, again. You are so into the holidays at this age and I love it. I think dressing up + candy is probably your idea of heaven. Add in the crafts that come with Halloween, and I'm sure this was up there with your favourite times of year.
This was your fifth Halloween. So far, you have been a bug, a unicorn, a princess, Abby Cadabby (a fairy in training) and this year you were an angel. Nana made your costume, but she didn't get it done in time for the church party, so you wore one of your costumes from your costume bin. You were a unicorn with wings.
Halloween was on a Sunday this year. You and I and Kingsley all went to Malloween at Westmount on Saturday while Cordelia was napping. We met Molly and my friend Dawn and her kids Kaitlyn and Liam. You did a craft, got candy and loved every minute of it. Later that day, we went to Malloween at Masonville where we met Grandma, Scarlet and Eric. You and Cordelia were great Trick or Treat'ers. It was packed, but you were polite.
On Halloween, Nana came over and we went trick or treating with you and Cordelia while Daddy and Kingsley stayed home to hand out candy. You didn't even notice how cold it was outside. I was freezing and Nana was ready to be done long before you and Cordelia were. I had to insist that you wore hats but you refused to wear your mitts. You insisted that you were fine!
I love sharing holidays with you.
Love Mommy
You had a great Halloween, again. You are so into the holidays at this age and I love it. I think dressing up + candy is probably your idea of heaven. Add in the crafts that come with Halloween, and I'm sure this was up there with your favourite times of year.
This was your fifth Halloween. So far, you have been a bug, a unicorn, a princess, Abby Cadabby (a fairy in training) and this year you were an angel. Nana made your costume, but she didn't get it done in time for the church party, so you wore one of your costumes from your costume bin. You were a unicorn with wings.
Halloween was on a Sunday this year. You and I and Kingsley all went to Malloween at Westmount on Saturday while Cordelia was napping. We met Molly and my friend Dawn and her kids Kaitlyn and Liam. You did a craft, got candy and loved every minute of it. Later that day, we went to Malloween at Masonville where we met Grandma, Scarlet and Eric. You and Cordelia were great Trick or Treat'ers. It was packed, but you were polite.
On Halloween, Nana came over and we went trick or treating with you and Cordelia while Daddy and Kingsley stayed home to hand out candy. You didn't even notice how cold it was outside. I was freezing and Nana was ready to be done long before you and Cordelia were. I had to insist that you wore hats but you refused to wear your mitts. You insisted that you were fine!
I love sharing holidays with you.
Love Mommy
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
School Girl
Hi Sweetness,
This month you started school! You are in Junior Kindergarten at St. Jude - the same school I went to! So far, you love it.
We started prepping you for the idea of school in August. Whenever we drove past, we'd point out your school and tell you that you'd be going there in September. We talked about what the day would be like (you go 5 mornings a week) and what sort of things you would do.
On September 9, 2010, the five of us all went to meet your teacher and see your classroom. Her name is Mrs. Elgie. Your JK classroom is the same as mine. It was a bit odd to be in it again. Mrs. Elgie showed you all of the different centres, where your hook was, where you'd put your snack bag, and then we went on a tour of the school. We saw the library (you were thrilled that there was a whole library IN your school), the computer room, and the gym. You tested out the gym and declared that it was the biggest room you'd ever seen. After your visit, you told me that you weren't nervous about starting school anymore. You were ready to go!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010 was your first official real school day. The whole class was there. You were very excited to go and very happy at the end of the morning as well. You love to draw (they have markers at school) and paint and build with the blocks. You claim that you never get in trouble and you always listen.
This month you started school! You are in Junior Kindergarten at St. Jude - the same school I went to! So far, you love it.
We started prepping you for the idea of school in August. Whenever we drove past, we'd point out your school and tell you that you'd be going there in September. We talked about what the day would be like (you go 5 mornings a week) and what sort of things you would do.
On September 9, 2010, the five of us all went to meet your teacher and see your classroom. Her name is Mrs. Elgie. Your JK classroom is the same as mine. It was a bit odd to be in it again. Mrs. Elgie showed you all of the different centres, where your hook was, where you'd put your snack bag, and then we went on a tour of the school. We saw the library (you were thrilled that there was a whole library IN your school), the computer room, and the gym. You tested out the gym and declared that it was the biggest room you'd ever seen. After your visit, you told me that you weren't nervous about starting school anymore. You were ready to go!
On Monday, September 13, 2010, you had your first day of school with a smaller class. Only 4 other children were there. One was a girl named Hailey who has blond (you insist it's yellow) curly hair. You and Hailey still play together, but you tell me that she gets in trouble a lot for not listening. You enjoyed this first day.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010 was your first official real school day. The whole class was there. You were very excited to go and very happy at the end of the morning as well. You love to draw (they have markers at school) and paint and build with the blocks. You claim that you never get in trouble and you always listen.
Last week, there was a meet the teacher night. All five of us went and saw your classroom again. You immediately sat down and started drawing with the markers. Cordelia took off to the house centre and started playing with the babies. You talked with a boy named Mason who, we found out, lives on our street. Mrs. Elgie told us that you were very creative and loved telling stories and drawing pictures. We saw your artwork on the wall. You were supposed to draw pictures of yourself and your picture was the only one that had a full body, four limbs, a head, hair, eyelashes, ears, a sun, clouds and grass. You really are quite the artist.
We are so proud of you Rachel and are so happy that you are enjoying school. I hope you continue to enjoy school for many years to come.
Love, Mommy
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Happiness is Not Real...
Dear Rachel,
There is a terrible movie that your Auntie Kristi made me watch once called Into The Wild. I won't horrify you with the storyline, but the moral of the story is summed up in the quote, "Happiness is not real unless shared." I repeat this line to myself at least a dozen times a day relating to you.
You are a joy and I want more than anything for you to be happy. Most of the time, you are happy. So delightfully happy! Thrilled with every new thing you see, do, think and feel, and you want to share it. Mostly you want to share it with me, which is lovely, but exhausting. At least a hundred times an hour (give or take) I hear your sweet little voice calling out, "Mommy! Come see this!" "Mommy! Look at me!" "Mommy, I just want to tell you something," "Mommy! Look! Mommy! Moooooommmy!! Look!!"
I would love to give you all of the attention that you crave, but the reality of having three children and a house to maintain is that I can't always drop everything to look, see, feel, read, listen, nod or do whatever it is you want of me. I do try though. I pause. I remind myself that happiness is not real unless shared and you are wanting to share something with me. Sharing your happy thing will make you happier. And that's what I want.
Weeds will always be in the garden. Dishes will always be dirty. Your brother and sister will often need my help. There will always be something interesting online. But you will not always be four. And you will not always be happy. While you are though, I want to share it with you.
Love Mommy
There is a terrible movie that your Auntie Kristi made me watch once called Into The Wild. I won't horrify you with the storyline, but the moral of the story is summed up in the quote, "Happiness is not real unless shared." I repeat this line to myself at least a dozen times a day relating to you.
You are a joy and I want more than anything for you to be happy. Most of the time, you are happy. So delightfully happy! Thrilled with every new thing you see, do, think and feel, and you want to share it. Mostly you want to share it with me, which is lovely, but exhausting. At least a hundred times an hour (give or take) I hear your sweet little voice calling out, "Mommy! Come see this!" "Mommy! Look at me!" "Mommy, I just want to tell you something," "Mommy! Look! Mommy! Moooooommmy!! Look!!"
I would love to give you all of the attention that you crave, but the reality of having three children and a house to maintain is that I can't always drop everything to look, see, feel, read, listen, nod or do whatever it is you want of me. I do try though. I pause. I remind myself that happiness is not real unless shared and you are wanting to share something with me. Sharing your happy thing will make you happier. And that's what I want.
Weeds will always be in the garden. Dishes will always be dirty. Your brother and sister will often need my help. There will always be something interesting online. But you will not always be four. And you will not always be happy. While you are though, I want to share it with you.
Love Mommy
Monday, July 19, 2010
Little Swimmer
Hi Sweetheart,
So much has been going on lately, but while I have a minute I wanted to let you know that today you started swimming lessons. You're supposed to be in a beginner class, but they didn't have one at Southcrest, just the second level up. And then that level was combined with the level above it because of low enrollment. As a result, you are one of three kids in your class and you are more interested in showing your teacher what you can do than doing what she's asking you to do. You are adorable. You loved every minute of it, even when you started to turn blue.
Love Mommy
So much has been going on lately, but while I have a minute I wanted to let you know that today you started swimming lessons. You're supposed to be in a beginner class, but they didn't have one at Southcrest, just the second level up. And then that level was combined with the level above it because of low enrollment. As a result, you are one of three kids in your class and you are more interested in showing your teacher what you can do than doing what she's asking you to do. You are adorable. You loved every minute of it, even when you started to turn blue.
Love Mommy
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Neighbours
Dear Rachel
Today you and I were flying a Buzz Lightyear kite on the driveway when a little girl and her mom appeared and said that they were lured by the kite to come meet us. The girls name is Sarah and she's 6 years old. Her brother, Andrew, showed up a bit later. You all took turns flying the kite and then Sarah's mom and brother went home and left Sarah to play here with you. You guys rode bikes on the driveway (Sarah doesn't have training wheels anymore) and flew the kite some more before deciding to go in the backyard. There, you showed Sarah all of the things you like to play with: your swings, the slide, your water table, your pool, your garden.
I tried to stay out of the way. I didn't want to cramp your style while you were making a new friend. It was so adorable to hear you talk to her and play. You were a great friend! You took turns climbing the flag pole and playing on the monkey bar. You were so eager. You played tag (she was better at it than you, so you gave up after awhile) and hide and seek (neither of you were very good at hiding), and showed her how you play Bumble Bee on your swings.
I don't know if you and Sarah will be come lifelong BFF's or total enemies, but it was pretty neat that you now have someone to play with in the neighbourhood.
Love Mommy
Today you and I were flying a Buzz Lightyear kite on the driveway when a little girl and her mom appeared and said that they were lured by the kite to come meet us. The girls name is Sarah and she's 6 years old. Her brother, Andrew, showed up a bit later. You all took turns flying the kite and then Sarah's mom and brother went home and left Sarah to play here with you. You guys rode bikes on the driveway (Sarah doesn't have training wheels anymore) and flew the kite some more before deciding to go in the backyard. There, you showed Sarah all of the things you like to play with: your swings, the slide, your water table, your pool, your garden.
I tried to stay out of the way. I didn't want to cramp your style while you were making a new friend. It was so adorable to hear you talk to her and play. You were a great friend! You took turns climbing the flag pole and playing on the monkey bar. You were so eager. You played tag (she was better at it than you, so you gave up after awhile) and hide and seek (neither of you were very good at hiding), and showed her how you play Bumble Bee on your swings.
I don't know if you and Sarah will be come lifelong BFF's or total enemies, but it was pretty neat that you now have someone to play with in the neighbourhood.
Love Mommy
Thursday, June 3, 2010
We are the Dancers...
Dear Rachie,
You are a superstar!! Today was the day of your Preschool year end show. The theme was the Jungle. You wore your Easter dress and had your ballerina slipper hair clips in because you were doing a solo dance. Your teacher, Teacher Evelyn, asked me last month if I thought you would be interested in doing one. During class one day they were playing Tchaikovsky and you had ignored the instructions and just danced. You did a whole dance for your class! Well, your teachers were so impressed. So, today you danced for all of us. Without any hesitation or sign of nerves, you jumped, twirled and swayed to the music.
There were four solo moments. Bella Hayman did a magic show, Eric played the violin, and the studio's owner's daughter also did a dance. But yours was the highlight by far! I was smiling ear to ear and so proud of my girl. When the dance was over, you smiled and bowed so gracefully.
After the performance, I was putting Kingsley in his bucket carseat and I overheard another mom talking to Teacher Evelyn and telling her that your dance was so beautiful it brought tears to her eyes.
You are one in a million, Rachel! I love you so much.
Love Mommy
You are a superstar!! Today was the day of your Preschool year end show. The theme was the Jungle. You wore your Easter dress and had your ballerina slipper hair clips in because you were doing a solo dance. Your teacher, Teacher Evelyn, asked me last month if I thought you would be interested in doing one. During class one day they were playing Tchaikovsky and you had ignored the instructions and just danced. You did a whole dance for your class! Well, your teachers were so impressed. So, today you danced for all of us. Without any hesitation or sign of nerves, you jumped, twirled and swayed to the music.
There were four solo moments. Bella Hayman did a magic show, Eric played the violin, and the studio's owner's daughter also did a dance. But yours was the highlight by far! I was smiling ear to ear and so proud of my girl. When the dance was over, you smiled and bowed so gracefully.
After the performance, I was putting Kingsley in his bucket carseat and I overheard another mom talking to Teacher Evelyn and telling her that your dance was so beautiful it brought tears to her eyes.
You are one in a million, Rachel! I love you so much.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Your Name
Dear Rachel,
Daddy and I didn't find out that you were a girl until I was about 31 weeks pregnant. We had to accept that we may not find out until you were born and so get crackin on finding a name for you, boy or girl. Until I got pregnant, I always believed that you couldn't really pick a name for a baby until you looked them in the face and saw if it fit. I think Nana told me that. Anyway, once I was pregnant with you I realized that was wrong. I knew you. I could feel you, talk to you, play with you. I felt like we were already communicating. So, when it came to picking names, I knew when we found the right one, I would be able to tell.
Daddy and I did not agree on any names though, unfortunately. We must have gone through nearly a dozen baby name books. I read credits after movies, on TV shows, scanned headlines and magazines. Thought of every book I ever read and all the names in them. We would lie in bed and just toss out names randomly. Every name would be responded to immediately - with: "no", "as if", "you're kidding, right?" or "veto."
One morning we were lying in bed feeling you move (must've been a weekend) and I said, "Rachel." And Daddy paused, then said, "Yeah." And I said, "Yeah? Really?" I had to think about it for a moment. I had been tossing out names for months and never once had your Dad said anything even close to a 'maybe' so this caught me off guard. I wasn't even sure if I liked it!
Turned out, I did. I didn't have any clients named Rachel (still haven't) and never met a Rachel I didn't like. It was classic, not too trendy, but not too out there. It fit.
Renee was always going to be your middle name. My Nana's name was Irene, but people called her Rene (ree-nee). I wanted to name you in her honour, but not 'after' her necessarily. Old names are making a comeback, but Irene... not so much. I adored my Nana and had a special relationship with her.
Once Rachel Renee was decided on, I called you it in my head all the time. When I talked to you when no one was around, I used your name and it was right. I could tell that you were Rachel. When I was in labour with you at the hospital, the nurse asked what your name was going to be. We hesitated and said, "Rachel Renee... maybe?" because I was still stuck on having to see you to be certain. What if I was wrong? What if my mom was right and you didn't look anything like a Rachel? Obviously, you were. :)
And that's how you got your name.
Love Mommy
Daddy and I didn't find out that you were a girl until I was about 31 weeks pregnant. We had to accept that we may not find out until you were born and so get crackin on finding a name for you, boy or girl. Until I got pregnant, I always believed that you couldn't really pick a name for a baby until you looked them in the face and saw if it fit. I think Nana told me that. Anyway, once I was pregnant with you I realized that was wrong. I knew you. I could feel you, talk to you, play with you. I felt like we were already communicating. So, when it came to picking names, I knew when we found the right one, I would be able to tell.
Daddy and I did not agree on any names though, unfortunately. We must have gone through nearly a dozen baby name books. I read credits after movies, on TV shows, scanned headlines and magazines. Thought of every book I ever read and all the names in them. We would lie in bed and just toss out names randomly. Every name would be responded to immediately - with: "no", "as if", "you're kidding, right?" or "veto."
One morning we were lying in bed feeling you move (must've been a weekend) and I said, "Rachel." And Daddy paused, then said, "Yeah." And I said, "Yeah? Really?" I had to think about it for a moment. I had been tossing out names for months and never once had your Dad said anything even close to a 'maybe' so this caught me off guard. I wasn't even sure if I liked it!
Turned out, I did. I didn't have any clients named Rachel (still haven't) and never met a Rachel I didn't like. It was classic, not too trendy, but not too out there. It fit.
Renee was always going to be your middle name. My Nana's name was Irene, but people called her Rene (ree-nee). I wanted to name you in her honour, but not 'after' her necessarily. Old names are making a comeback, but Irene... not so much. I adored my Nana and had a special relationship with her.
Once Rachel Renee was decided on, I called you it in my head all the time. When I talked to you when no one was around, I used your name and it was right. I could tell that you were Rachel. When I was in labour with you at the hospital, the nurse asked what your name was going to be. We hesitated and said, "Rachel Renee... maybe?" because I was still stuck on having to see you to be certain. What if I was wrong? What if my mom was right and you didn't look anything like a Rachel? Obviously, you were. :)
And that's how you got your name.
Love Mommy
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