We’re still fighting the bug around here. Fever is gone but throw up has now entered the equation. This morning, after Ellie had thrown up all over the bed, we were greeted by throw up all over the couch and floor from the dogs as well. Gah! We’ve been doing a lot of resting, too much movie watching and Mama has been doing plenty of laundry and mopping. I thought instead of talking anymore about virus’ and throw up, I’d tell you about last week’s visit to the Botanical Garden. This garden is only a couple of miles away from my parent’s home, but for some reason, none of us had ever been there before. We couldn’t believe we hadn’t either. It was so beautiful! Tucked up behind the hills, a path winds around native plants as well as desert plant life. At the very top of the hill, there is quite a nice view of the Conejo Valley and beyond. A lovely visit. They even have a Kids Adventure Garden. Unfortunately we were there on a day it wasn’t open (I believe its only open on Sundays). We will definitely be back to check it out though.

Memorial Day weekend. It has been kind of a bummer. Friday we got out of the house to the beach for a bike ride and walk. Then that same night, Ellie came down with a fever. We’ve been home-bound ever since. Her fever is finally gone today, but everyone is still very tired from lots of nursing, not much sleep and crabby, sickie kids. I’m not feeling too well myself. Hoping the week turns around though. Looking forward to enjoying the nice weather we are having and preparing for summer time! I can’t believe the solstice it’s only a few weeks away! Wishing you all a wonderful Memorial Day and hoping your weekend was a little more fun than mine. 😉

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eloise: this photo sums up our days to a tea. You, hair disheveled, wearing something pink, scissors in hand, scratched up nose and elbow, sitting ON TOP of the table doing your “work”. Every day is a wild ride with you my dear.

-joining Jodi for the 52 project!

It was a really nice weekend besides a few bumps and bruises along the way. We spent Saturday at Rincon beach, exploring the tide pools and looking for sea glass. We didn’t find much sea glass, but we did find all sorts of neat creatures. Ellie wasn’t too fond of the “sea enemies”. She was afraid they were all over the ocean ready to “squirt her hands” and needed some extra Mama love to feel comfortable walking on the beach again. Oh, that 2-year-old mind.

Then on Sunday we spent a long morning at the Banjo/Fiddle competition and folk festival. It was so much fun! We enjoyed great music and great fun! Ellie loved seeing The Hollow Trees and getting her very own kazoo. We did have a very big fall at the playground though to end the weekend. Poor little girl, scraped up her nose and knees and elbow after tumbling feet over head. She seems to be just fine though. Her same spirited, spunky self. Wishing you a lovely week!!

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eloise: You got yourself a kazoo at the Banjo Festival this weekend. It was the highlight of your weekend. It warmed your Dada’s heart watching you enjoy his favorite kind of music. It warmed my heart watching the two of you enjoy the festival so much.

-joining Jodi in the 52 project!

We’ve had some tough weeks around these parts lately. Almost 3 is challenging. The big emotions, the “whys”, the “no’s”, the tantrums, the meltdowns, the emotional ups and downs throughout the day. It’s hard. It’s hard on Ellie and it’s hard on Mama. It’s funny that my years of working in early childhood  education and my masters degree in ECE, don’t seem to make much difference with my own child. She throws me for a loop most every day. 

Yesterday, we were at the park and I was talking to a new mama friend who really gave me (unknowingly) a great piece of advice . As I was telling her my woes of trying to gently parent a strong willed, very sensitive and smart almost 3 year old, she said,” but doesn’t her strong personality and sensitivity make her just that much more vibrant? She’s really feeling life. The ups and downs. The fact that she’s so sensitive to the world will most likely make her very empathetic to the world later on and how exciting to really FEEL your emotions that strongly whilst walking through life.” 

Exciting? Vibrant? Empathetic? This Mama (who by the way has a young 9 month old who my daughter has frequently yelled at), was finding the joy in her new intense behaviors. Her words have stayed with me and I’m seeing these tantrums and emotions in a different light. An adjusted light, if you will. 

Today we struggled a bit this morning and here and there throughout the day, but I saw the struggles differently. I was able to push past them with relative ease and I think Ellie felt my changed demeanor. We figured things out quicker today. Less tears. We enjoyed each other’s company immensely. We made granola. We laughed. I read a few chapters of Twig aloud (a sweet book i was reading as homework for a custom peg doll and mat order). She kept asking for more. We watched the rain fall and then we went outside and splashed in the puddles. She was excited, vibrant and empathetic today. Traits I myself knew she possessed, but needed to be reminded of. Today was a rather ordinary day. But, I saw it in all it’s joy and splendor. This mama business is tough work, but it’s also the stuff of life. Real, true, challenging, wonderful life.  

Mother’s Day weekend. It was lovely and it was challenging. (Kind of like motherhood).
We spent Saturday morning up in Carpinteria for their annual Art studio tour. It was really neat to meet this artists up close and personal and see their studios and art. It was a walking tour which made it a bit hard with our two-year old, but overall, it was a really nice day trip.
Sunday we spent the morning with my parents. My wonderful Mama, made a lovely breakfast/brunch for everyone. Our ride home was tough, with an epic meltdown and tantrum. But I guess that’s how Mother’s Day goes with a two-year old. 😉 I was surprised with TWO bouquets of flowers, which is always so very nice. And some wonderful handmade art from Ellie. We ended the night with books and a movie (Totoro has been the popular one lately).

Even with all the challenging moments and days, I am so thankful I am Ellie’s Mama and I am also so very thankful for my own Mama. A woman who taught me how to be a patient, gentle, loving parent by her own example.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of you Mama’s out there! You are doing hard, important work!

19/52

eloise: You are very particular about some things. One thing in particular is receiving stickers in dance class (or anywhere). You do not like them touching your skin. Since the first day, you’ve politely asked the dance instructor to put them on your shirt. Every time. Except for this past week. You some how forgot and so did Miss Codi and you came over to me beaming and showing me the little mouse sticker on your hand. “I got it on my hand Mama. It so cute.” You were so proud of yourself and wore that sticker till it fell off later that night. “Don’t take it off Mama”, you warned me. “I won’t. I promise.”

Funny enough, your Uncle Tyler sent you a package full of stickers that day. So you spent the afternoon pulling them off and sticking them onto paper. Your concentration in this photo shows you mean business. Stickers are serious business.
-joining jodi for the 52 project!

This weekend we finally got around to tidying up our garden spaces (however, I didn’t get a chance to take any photos yet). We had fun celebrating a bit for May Day with new peg dolls and flowers for the garden.
We took Ellie to her first live performance. A local bunch of travelling fairy tale performers. They did their own version of The Little Mermaid and to our surprise, Ellie sat through the whole hour! She really seemed to enjoy it. So we will definitely be going to their production of Peter Pan next month.
I was very busy washing and drying alpaca fiber. I was given a huge stash of alpaca seconds from a friend’s mother who owns an alpaca farm. It was the highlight of me weekend. What an incredibly fun fiber to work with! I’m excited to be able to stuff my softies now with this super soft and cuddly fiber.

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eloise: You’re three months shy of 3. You go from loving me, to stomping away from me within seconds. You are joyful and frustrating. Your back molars are coming in and it’s made for some tough nights sleep. You are ridiculously silly and dramatic. You lay your head on my shoulder and tell me that I’m your favorite. And my goodness, you are mine as well.
-joining Jodi for The 52 project!