You're Amazing

Yesterday, my kindergartner won a pocket radio at her school for reading. This morning, I was helping her tune it.

I put an ear bud in each of our ears, turned it on and the song which was playing was, "Just the Way You Are."

And I think both of us needed that.



Oh, her eyes, her eyes, make the stars look like they're not shining.
Her hair, her hair, falls perfectly without her trying.
She's so beautiful, and I tell her every day.

Yeah, I know, I know, when I compliment her she won't believe me.
And it's so, it's so, sad to think that she don't see what I see.
But every time she asks me do I look ok, I say,

When I see your face, there's not a thing that I would change,
Cause you're amazing, just the way you are.
And when you smile, the whole world stops and stares for a while,
Because girl you're amazing, just the way you are.

Her lips, her lips, I could kiss them all day if she let me.
Her laugh, her laugh, she hates but I think it's so sexy.
She's so beautiful, and I tell her every day.

Oh, you know, you know, you know, I'd never ask you to change.
If perfect's what you're searching for then just stay the same.
So, don't even bother asking if you look ok, you know I'll say.

When I see your face, there's not a thing that I would change,
Cause you're amazing, just the way you are.
And when you smile, the whole world stops and stares for a while,
Because girl you're amazing, just the way you are.
The way you are, the way you are.
Girl you're amazing, just the way you are.

When I see your face, there's not a thing that I would change,
Cause you're amazing, just the way you are.
And when you smile, the whole world stops and stares for a while,
Cause girl you're amazing, just the way you are.

Scared

I was busy in the kitchen while my daughters watched a movie. It was called "Spooky Buddies" which is not a movie I would normally have shown to them, but it was a gift, and harmless if more than a little cheesy. About part of the way through, Ria comes in.

"Mommy, I scared."

"You're scared? Of the movie?"

"Uh-huh."

"Oooh, that's alright, you can stay in here with mommy and help me make dinner."

"Okay, mommy!"

And she did.

Picking Pecks of Peppers

I love working in the garden, pulling peppers and beans. Smelling and feeling the earth and growing things around me.

I love storms. I love working in the garden in storms (provided my coat is warm enough.)

I love the sound of my daughter laughing with her new found friends, and even the grumbles when they suddenly cease to get along.

But most of all, I love cuddling my girls, one in each arm, and smelling their sweet hair.

Bands and Bonds

Ria has begun to think about her looks. She believes she is old enough to wear headbands like her big sister. When I strap her into the car, she touches my hair and says, "pretty hair!"

This morning when I woke her, she tickled my back and giggled. When I screeched a little and said, "You're tickling me!" she laughed and gave me a hug. She gives the best hugs ever.

Ely starts kindergarten in only three short days. She is a woman of the world in her own eyes. Very seriously, she explained to her Oma and Opa that she is going to a big school. We bought her a new dress for her first day, and she proudly showed it off.

I hope I can help these precious, delightful spirits navigate the morass that is the world around them. They are so beautiful, bright and strong!

The Stubbornness of Youth

This morning as I was getting the girls ready, Ria stood in the doorway and watched me do her sister's hair. I said, "go get your shoes and coat!" and she toddled off. When she returned, she brought her new shoes, a size and a half too big for her feet, with Little Miss Sunshine on them. Unlike the black shoes that fit her, they are bright and cheerful. I thought about telling her to get the others when I looked in her eyes. Plain as day, her big blue eyes held a stark challenge. She wanted to wear those shoes and was waiting for me to tell her no!

Well, with determination like that, who am I to get in the way?

X's and O's

Yesterday, I took Ria, my nearly-one-year-old daughter, to Burlington to look for coats for next year. I pulled out several sized 3T coats (because big coats mean at least two years of usage) and let her choose. I was glad she chose green and not Pepto-Bismol pink (which most of the girls' coats are) because it is a lot easier on my eyes. Though I would have supported the pink had she wanted it.

After choosing one for her sister, we went up to the front to pay. I let her carry her coat. When it was time to ring out, I told her to bring her coat so we could buy it. She toddled over with the world's largest grin on her face. I swooped her up and put the coat on the counter so the girl behind the desk could ring it up while I searched for my card.

Suddenly, Ria began covering me with kisses and hugs, her little body straining against my arm. She was jumping up and down and wound her little arms around my neck, squeezing with every ounce of energy in her. She was kissing and hugging so much that I couldn't swipe my card.

It was the absolute best feeling in the world. Totally made my day.