…she’s probably going to cry to wear them.

…and if she cries to wear them, she’s going to want to go outside to show them off.

…and if she goes outside, she’s probably going to want the hose turned on.

…and if she wants the hose turned on, she’s going to want her bathing suit on to play in the hose.

…and if you put her bathing suit on, she’s going to want a cute hat to go with it.

…and if she has a cute hat on, her mama’s gunna have to take some pictures.

…and if her mama takes some pictures, she’s going to have to blog about it.

it ain’t no mouse & a cookie…it’s better.
dancing with our shadows in frog boots…in a bathing suit. in january. yup. that’s pretty fabulous.

thank you, aunt amy, for my super cute froggy boots. see what you did? xoxo

…enjoying the playful things. ~k

just like that…she’s big. and wants to do everything by herself.

and i’m learning to let go.

…because i really want to do it for her…when she’s frustrated. when she doesn’t know how. when she’s doing it “wrong.” i want to swoop in and fix it…help her clumsy little fingers pull the straps down on her hot pink tennis shoes when she can’t quite get it. grasp the fork from her hands and aim the misguided heap of eggs into her mouth. save her from the let-down of just not being quite experienced enough for the task at hand.

…but i don’t.

i let my little butterfly free. and i’m finding it doesn’t take long at all before she nails it. figures it all out on her own.

she’s independent. and doesn’t need me quite as much. and i’m okay with that.
little wings have emerged…just like that.

…enjoying the it’s-okay-not-to-be-needed things. ~k

cubby is still overcoming a cold and, while we were sad to miss out on a couple wonderful invitations for some guaranteed new year’s fun, we decided to keep her home and bunker down…

…and it was wonderful.

of all the new years we’ve spent fabulously dressed, shakin’ and shimmyin’ amid horn-blowing and confetti…this was my favorite.

spent in the quiet of our home…in our jammies.

fabulous, it still was with a lovely stash of fruit, brie with toasted candied pecans (props to sister) and bagel chips stacked high with smoked salmon, dill dip, boiled egg, onion and capers.

…and some bubbly.

after a few fireworks, we settled inside.

she fell asleep, runny nose and all, in my arms on the couch next to a fire.

and then i laid with her in bed, listened to the ball drop and thought about just how wonderful this beautiful moment was. and, of course…my first kiss of the new year was to the little wonder breathing in my ear.

there will be years for dancing. for horn-blowing. for confetti.

…but this one belongs to her.

cheers to beginning a new year in the happiest place of all.