And then....you were three

 Dearest Lena, You are three. Happy birthday to our sweet spit fire, to our little sprite. You are our darling girl and we can't really believe you are three, especially because you're still so petite. You are strong and beautiful, tender hearted and fierce. You are opinionated and loving. Right now you love pretending you are a Mama. You still love meat, cheese, berries, olives and avocado. You're not interested in sweet things. You love books now and music. You did not like ballet but love to romp and frolic. You are so sensitive- wind, wet, sand, dirt, sounds, bugs, other children crying all upset you deeply. But you're learning to keep on in spite of those fears. You are starting to really sing hymns and you know your first 6 catechism questions. You can't really sit still and are uninterested in art projects or quiet playing. Dear girl, may you grow in the grace of the Lord in this coming year.

Of green and golden splendor

Spring is here in all of it's golden and bright green glory. Our allergies are crazy, and the leaves almost completely in bloom. (Do leaves bloom?) When it is not raining we've spent time planting our sunflowers and zinnias, gathering flowers and nature bits for our Nature Pal Exchange, making floral light catchers and bird watching at the bird blind.  Emmeline is reading full books and she's pleased as punch. Tonight she chose one, sat down with Lena and read it out loud to her. Looks like the beginning of a very exciting reading season.  Lena is two for only a few more weeks and is suddenly singing all sorts of hymns and reciting her ABC's and catechism questions.  

The colors of spring

The way spring comes is kind of sneaky. But the hope it brings is real and the colors are vibrant after long grey and brown winter days. We've been spending a good bit of time on the Perkiomen Trail, catching the bluebell bloom and the wild flowering trees. We've been enjoying farm romps with friends and picnics, pressing flowers for future projects and relishing the warm sunshine. Spring signals new life, a fresh start, given by the Creator each year, reminding us of redemption. Oh, how we've missed you fresh greens to eat and living plants!