[after the storm] | newburyport, ma

Heat's up, tea's brewed

Clothes strewn around the room

Looks like a wind swept through

{c. simon}

I walk Annie to school every morning. Right up until the moment we head out the door we are in full morning frenzy. A teeth brushing, hair brushing, backpack  packing, lunch making, shoe finding, coat buttoning, hat hunting frenzy.  Upon my return, when I close the door from the early morning chill, the house immediately feels so empty. I look around at the breakfast dishes, the crayons on the floor, the shoes in the middle of the room just waiting for me to trip over, the book opened to the page she was just a moment ago reading. I miss her. I know it’s silly; she’ll be back in 6 and a half hours. Still. The quiet is so loud. Everywhere I turn, there she is. Now don’t get me wrong, there is many a day I cherish this quiet. Many a day six and a half hours goes by in a flash. Many a day I get to breathe – just for me.

But there is many a day I miss that girl.

Like  today.

In the calm. After the storm, that is Annie. xoxo.

[miss annie goes to kindy] | newburyport, ma.

"Promise me you'll always remember:  You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.

{Christopher Robin to Pooh}

it was a very slow entrance into kindergarten this week. day one was only an hour - yep, an hour open house in the classroom with parents. bil and i took her out for an early lunch afterwards. day two was a half day and day three, today, was finally a full day. and it's been raining all week here so the perfect planned outfits were put on hold. i didn't cry by the way, no kleenex were necessary as warned. perhaps because annie has been in pre-school since she was two and a half. we're old pros and she loves school. she is entering kindergarten having accomplished a great deal. she is a fantastic reader, loves to write and draw, is obsessed with whistling, is always announcing what time it is - {her new nickname is "little big ben"} and can be heard singing either miranda cosgrove, big time rush, victoria justice or any song from mama mia!  she has such a big heart and an eagerness to learn and we know  her year will be filled with many more accomplishments and experiences that will continue to mold and shape her growth and potential. she's shining and forever blooming. our sweet gal. xo

day one. one hour.

day two - half day

day three finally a full day!

[a lime slice]. dance of the sugar plum fairy. | newburyport - ma.

she twirled and twirled and we loved every minute of watching our gal dance. the sugar plum fairy. she had been living and breathing all sugar plum fairy for weeks. and her performance - well it did not disappoint. the room was packed with parents and friends to watch the adorables present the nutcracker - knoll edge does such a great job with their shows and of course the tireless efforts of her teachers shelley and jonathan cannot go unmentioned -. to coordinate 20+ 4 and 5 year olds is a huge feat. the show was a delight. but of course i must show off my annie. here she is...........{super quick photos sooc/mini tweaks}






look at her on those toes. miss schuster (my former ballet teacher) would be so proud.






the adorables in action.

[a lime slice]. wish

The world will pardon my mush
Cause I've got a crush, my baby, on you [g. gershwin]

it's no secret that i have a crush on  my daughter. i adore her. she is my beginning and my end and the very best part of me. even when she's cranky and doesn't want her photo taken she has my heart. even when i feel at times i am speaking to her through clenched teeth she is the moon. she calls me momma and my heart beats faster. she makes me laugh like no other. i have sat on her bed watching her sleep crying my heart out because i can't believe she is mine. she sings and dances with such feeling it's amazing to watch[ but only when she doesn't know.] i'll be honest she can drive me absolutely batty when i'm trying so desperately to finish a task. but she twirls and giggles and smiles and adores me. even when i don't deserve it. her heart is brighter than the sun and her honesty and love for the world and all in it teaches me lessons on a daily basis.  it's quite simple. i have no more wishes because she is my wish come true.




























obviously this is her glazed over i'm done look.