Ani-girl Dancer-girl

She had her spring recital Friday night. She danced beautifully. This girl just loves to be on stage. When she was little, she would announce dramatically, "Welcome to Ani's dah-foh-mance!!" I'm looking forward to many more beautiful dah-foh-mances to come.

After school special

I feel so lucky that I can be here when my girls get home from school. It's a very special time. We sit. We talk. We laugh. How was your day? What happened at school? Do you have any homework? Just a few minutes that mean so much as we begin each evening. Again I'm reminded that these are the good old days.

Soccer Girl

Gooooooo Beannnniieee!

Charm

I just adore the blossoms on the crab apple tree in our back yard. So old-fashioned, delicate, charming. After a long, gray Montana winter, they sure do make me smile.

My. Girl.

We didn't know that she would be leading the tuning of this huge group at her orchestra concert the other night. She didn't tell us. Probably didn't think it was a big deal. So, when she hopped up there and started doing it, I was surprised and so so proud. My. Girl.

The reward-to-work ratio really skyrockets once kiddos pass about 2nd grade, doesn't it? I've put a lot of myself into these little gals, thought it might just about kill me at times. But wow, to see them now doing their thing, being brave, leading others? It is intensely rewarding. Fabulously gratifying. Amazingly affirming. Just wonderful.

A Saturday Morning Stroll

A Saturday morning stroll around our Farmers Market with my love. Not much produce yet, but still lots to see. A community event filled with scents, sights, and hellos from friendly folks. And check out the sign in the middle on the left: POP WATER KIDS DRINKS 50 cents. Kids for 50 cents? Such a bargain! :)

Buh - Loom!

Everything is buh-looming around here! It's just lovely.

Tick Tock

Something about these three empty swings charms me and breaks my heart all at the same time.

Tick tock.

My girls will leave home before I know it. And even before that, they'll think they're too old to sit and swing and giggle with their sisters.

Tick tock.

Mom

I love her so so much.

This place about to blow-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh!

It finally feels like spring in our back yard, and I'm really enjoying seeing it all come to life again!