Letters to Our Children: August 2014

This is the eighth in a 12 month series of letters written to my children. I'm so excited (and honored) to be a part of this great project with a group of fellow photographers and moms. The next up in our circle is Seattle Family Photographer Yi Li Photography. Just click on the link to read my friend Carrie's letter.

Liam and Fiona-

My littlest ones. This last week both of your big sisters visited Grandma Donna and Grandpa John in Cleveland, leaving us a family of four at home for a week. It was strangely easy. Daddy trained Liam to sleep in his crib, we had time after you guys went down at night to catch up on True Blood, I got up early to run. But even more important, it gave us some time to spend with you. Daddy took you, Fiona, out to a movie night, just the two of you. (He tried to take you to the pool but got rained out). And I got to take the two of you to the Hands On Museum and go to the preschool area. Your sisters are too big for that now. You guys spend a lot of time having to follow others leads, it's nice to let you dictate the agenda every now and then.

Next week school starts, and it will be the two of you at home with me all day long, five days a week. Liam, you turn one year old in two weeks. ONE! I have savored it, having a baby in the house for the last time. And judging from the time you now spend standing up, just balanced there on your own two feet, any day now you will walk and that will be that. You will be a toddler. And Fiona, this coming year will be your last year at home full-time. This time next year we will be buying you a new backpack and lunchbox, and getting ready to send you off with your sisters in the morning. I will miss you, I know that. You are so much fun to be around. So my plan for the school year at home with you guys is this: Story hours with Miss Laura, classes at the Nature Center, more days at the Museum, ballet and soccer and swimming (not all at once) for Fiona, reading and letters while the baby naps, lots of snuggling and time in the rocking chair, and occasionally watching Dancing with the Stars together. (Or Dancing in the Stars, as you say it, Fiona, which sounds way cooler). Let's have an awesome year, okay?

Love always, Mama