Travelingjenny

Navigating the hilly terrain of motherhood

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    To my sunshine,

    You have been so excited to turn five. You have been saying, "When I'm five, I'm going to be able to reach that without standing on my tippy toes," or "I won't need your help carrying this when I'm five." Of course, I am in no hurry for you to grow older, because I thoroughly enjoy you just the way you are this very minute. You are sweet, kind, and helpful. You are encouraging and cheerful, and you have a smile that makes my heart do flip-flops. You freely give me hugs and kisses, and never want me to leave at bedtime. You love your sister — she's your favorite playmate — and whenever you get a special treat, you are sure to save one for her, too. You pay attention and remember everything, like what we need to buy at the grocery store (I am very grateful for this). You are my little buddy, and you say that even when you are grown up and can live by yourself, you'll still want to live with me. You have suddenly grown very tough, and when you fall down, you pick yourself back up again and keep going. You like to be with your school friends, and to follow all of the rules. You love to swim, scooter, and ride your bike and dance and put on shows. You have really good ideas about things, like wondering why the road below us is still called a highway if we're driving above it. I know that soon enough you'll be running headfirst into the world around you, and I'm very glad that for now, you still like to hold my hand.

    For all of this, thank you. Happy Birthday.

    I love you with all of my heart,
    Mommy

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    Tess, at bedtime on her 5th birthday: "Mom, I'm probably not going to sleep this whole night because I am so excited my birthday has come. I'm just going to think about all of the lovely things I'm going to do tomorrow and all of the lovely presents I got."

    It's good to be five.

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    Yes, my friends, it's that time of year again. And we have been there 3 out of the 5 days it's been open so far. YAHOO!!!

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    Did you know that Grace is an amazing hula-hooper? She can do it on one foot, or with her eyes closed, or while signing the alphabet, or while wearing legwarmers and a self-made flower headband at a fairy festival. I wonder if there are any college scholarships available for hula-hoopers…

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    After months of not visiting our favorite state park, it's so comforting to know that the girls still want to play "grumpy old troll" at every single bridge we encounter. It may impede our progress, but the funky dancing and silly riddles still make me smile every time. Spring is good. Spring makes us happy.

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    Grateful for these crazy, beautiful little souls who have made me a mother.