Besties

Sun hats

It's Belle's first day of camp!

Chilling

Bubbles = Joy

Emily's joyful reaction to bubbles could make even the grumpiest curmudgeon smile.
Soap + water + air = best outdoor toy ever.

Belle swings

Belle is pumping instead of being pushed!

Toddlers mesmerized by Frozen

Walking Mom kiddos (L Aaron, Emily, Gemma, Jenny, Belle, Marc, Daniel R)

Serious Emily

Belle and Grandpa Richard's Rye Playland Adventure

Is there an award for the most helpful big sister?

Belle voluntarily put Emily's shoes on Emily's feet.

Belle: Mommy, is this the right foot? Emily, put your foot on my knee.

Play date with twins Lyla and Kara

Grocery shopping is exhausting

Bittersweet

I think I put my finger on one of the most heart-breaking aspects of motherhood.

When Belle was born, I was hit by the truck of the fact that she relied on me for everything.  Of course I nursed her and changed her diaper, but I also removed the dandruff (cradle cap) from her scalp, cut her nails, and even sucked the snot from her nose.  The concept of motherhood as a 24-hour/7-day job and the reality that my baby needed me for everything nearly all of the time was blow of a concept. 

Just when I accepted, and even embraced, the idea of being fully needed, that’s just when Belle began to become independent.  Belle feeds and dresses herself, and she’s even potty trained. (And she’s not even four years old!)

And I think this will be the story of the rest of motherhood, for a while anyway.  I shifted my life paradigm to reflect my new all-encompassing responsibilities.  For so many months (from conception, through gestation and the first year of life), I did/ ate/ thought everything with the baby in mind.  But now, the baby is a child and needs me less and less every day.  Each new skill I teach or responsibility I bestow ironically makes me less needed. 

I realize that, in theory, this is the goal of parenthood: to raise my child to function- even succeed- independently.  It’s just a little bittersweet.  

Belle and Grandpa Richard's day of adventure!

Grandpa Richard took Belle to Rye Playland yesterday! They had a wonderful day. Belle especially loved the Ferris Wheel, the chocolate ice cream, and spending time with Grandpa Richard.

Sharing Big Sister Belle

We went to a birthday today that featured a magician who also made ballon figures. Belle excitedly showed me a magic wand she received. I suggested that we get one for Emily, but Belle said, "Emily can share mine."
Later, when Emily asked the magician to make her a balloon butterfly, she also requested a flower "for my little sister Emily."

Grandpa Leon feeds Emily a milkshake

Two very happy campers.

Funny bath hair Emily

Group goodnight story time

Conan reads Eva, Belle,  Josh,  Emma,  Emily night night books. 

Matching "I am the best sister" PJs

Silly bedtime fun

Peek-a- boo!

Avon friends

Rylea, Charlie, Belle & Emily

Sister love

Holding hands in the wagon and in the car, and hugging. I LOVE that Belle and Emily are so affectionate toward each other.

"Bird!"

Emily likes birds. At least she likes to identify birds. Pretty much any animal is a bird according to Emily. But her big sister Belle is trying to teach her:
Emily: Bird!!!
Belle: That's not a bird. That's a squirrel. Emily, everything is not a bird.

Sun protection is important to Emily

Swimming

Emily loves bubbles!

Happy pink little girls

It's Belle's last day of school in the "3's"

Hide and Seek and more!

Belle's friend Margeaux came over to play. They decided together (on their own; between themselves) to play hide and seek. They actually played! They took turns hiding and counting to ten and then searching for the other. Emily hid with whoever was hiding and shrieked with glee when she and the older girl were found.

They played with the doll house and wig Mr. Potato Head and other activities together. And they welcome Emily, too, which was sweet.

It wasn't that long ago when play dates were really for the moms. Now Belle has her own opinion about whom she likes to play with, and even plays WITH her friends (rather than merely engaging in parallel play).

Belle plays like a big girl! And she plays quite nicely.

Craig loves his girls

And his girls love him!

Girls!

We had fun at Mia first birthday

Belle & Noah

First cousins and best friends!