Happy Birthday Uncle Dave!

LP helped me create a special celebration for Uncle Dave's birthday today. It was small, just the three of us for dinner, but it took the two of us most of the day to prepare.

Uncle Dave has been talking for months about a coconut doughnut that he is craving but can't find anymore. So LP and I set out to make a coconut cake to hopefully fill that craving for him. LP has been trying to keep the surprise a secret for him for two days, and didn't actually tell him that it was a cake until this morning (although she did keep telling him that there was a surprise for him, we have to work on surprises I think).

She was a great helper in the kitchen, cracking eggs, measuring sugar, and using the mixer, we had a great time working on it and I think the cake came out pretty good. I hope that Uncle Dave really enjoyed it, he has become an important part of our family and deserves a special birthday celebration.

Trike-a-Thon Success

The trike-a-thon was a big success. LP happened to be snack helper and leader that day, so she got to start of the event as the first rider. Miss Marianne was smart about it, she waited until LP and Mackenzie got the hang of staying outside the cones and going in a circle before letting in a few more kids at a time, and they were pretty good about following the rules. There were definitely a few collisions and even a couple of tumbles off some of the tricycles, but the kids enjoyed every minute. They rode for the full 30 minutes, I lost count of LP's laps but she never stopped riding (except to pose for pictures with Marianna). After the ride she was very proud of having worked hard to raise money to give to sick kids. And I was very proud of her.

A Very Special Flower

On Thursday, LP brought home a special Mother's Day present she made in preschool. I finally got to open it this morning and I love it. She made the card herself, painted the flower and added the stickers. This is one flower I will definitely keep forever.

My Mom

My mom, my best friend. She has always been there for me, everyday as a little kid, as my excuse to not do something I was afraid to say no to in high school, to help me get ready to leave for college, to take my panicked phone call from Australia, to move me into my first apartment and my first condo, to take care of me when I had my wisdom teeth out, to stand up for me at my wedding, and to be by my side while I was in labor. I would be the woman or the mother I have become without her influence guiding me along the way.



She is just as amazing a grandmother as she is a mother. She has infinite patience with LP, reading the same story over and over, playing the same imaginary game, or tolerating LP's first ever temper tantrum (over a dress of course). She strives to make every moment with LP memorable, whether it's a special trip to a museum or zoo or reading her a story over the computer. LP has a wonderful role model to watch and learn from as she grows.

Happy Mother's Day Mom, we cannot wait to see you next week!

Happy Mother's Day!

Wishing all moms a very happy Mother's Day. Have a wonderful day with your family, playing, relaxing, visiting and anything else you choose to do on your day!

Lilypad Princess and I want to send special Mother's Day hugs, kisses, and wishes to Eka, Nannie, Auntie Diane, and LP's godmother, Auntie La. We will see all of you this week to celebrate.

Trike-a-Thon

The trike-a-thon was a big success today. Photos and story to follow later, but here is a short video.

Almost as Good as Mom

Reading and Listening
Originally uploaded by erika8602

LP was in a reading mood the other day. After we had finished a bunch of stories I had to leave her to her books by herself so I could make dinner. I heard a little banging around in her toy bins, then all was quiet. I walked back in to find her comfy on the couch with a substitute reader, her books on cd. I have transferred some of the stories onto her Fisher Price FP3 player from Eka and she loves being able to do it by herself. She looked so old sitting there with her headphones on.

First Cookout of the Season

Last week Alessandro and his mom came for a playdate. The weather was beautiful and LP Dad was home for the day, so that playdate turned into the first cookout of the season. Burgers, lamb steaks, yellow squash, and corn cooked perfectly on the grill, while the kids helped LP Dad and Uncle Dave get the firepit ready. The kids were both great helpers, carrying armfuls of kindling and small logs.



After dinner was done the fire was lit and we pulled out the marshmallows, chocolate bars, and graham crackers. The kids had more fun toasting the marshmallows than anything else, Alessandro toasted all of LP Dad's for him and LP set her marshmallows on fire, made a s'more, took a bite, then passed it off to someone else to eat while she made another. We had a great night and can't wait to do it again throughout the summer.

Stop to Smell the Flowers

But watch out for that pollen in your nose!

Gifts for Mom

Just a little reminder that Mother's Day is this weekend. I'm a little late with my post this year, but if you have already taken care of a Mother's Day gift, you can tuck this idea away for another time. Even though you don't have time to get the finished necklace before Sunday, it would still make a wonderful gift as a kit or a gift certificate. I am glad that I was involved in the actual process, LP Dad gave me the kit and we did the cast together as a family. Everytime I look at my necklace I remember sitting with my husband and my daughter, laughing at our practice attempts.

I have had my fingerprint necklace from Tina Steinberg for over a year now and still receive compliments on it all the time. A little silver polish is all it takes to keep it looking brand new, and I love having a little bit of LP with me even when she's at school. I find myself feeling her tiny little print when she isn't with me, almost as a subsitute for holding her hand. She loves to put her finger back in the print to see how much she has grown.

One of the most common questions (after where it is from) is whether she has options for moms with more than one child. She now has many different options for multiple fingerprints, whether you want one charm with all the prints on it, or individual prints put together in one piece of jewelry.




She other has other types of mom jewelry now, my favorites is the round glass pendant with your children's names.



All photos in this post are the property of Tina Steinberg and are posted with permission.