Lady Fingers

Sarah loves lady fingers.
Grant will only eat them if I call them soldier lady fingers.

You are good at doing hard things.

For a while I've been telling Sarah that she is good at doing hard things. I want her to know that life has challenges, but that she has the ability to face them and figure them out. She recently has started piano lessons and I find myself saying "you are good at doing hard things" a lot as she figures out where her fingers go and how to read the notes. I must be saying it a lot because the other day Sarah came to me with a book of paper dolls that had to be cut out. I had been avoiding the book for weeks because I knew it would take me hours to cut all the dolls, hats, dresses, etc. out. But then Sarah brought me a pair of scissors, rubbed my arm, looked in my eyes, and said, "Mama, you are good at doing hard things. I know you can cut these out." How could I say no to that?

Butterbug

Grant has always loved giving and receiving butterfly kisses. About a week ago as I was tucking him in at night he kept saying something I couldn't understand. He kept saying, "Butterbug. Butterbug." He could tell I obviously had no idea what he was talking about and so he kept explaining, "On my eyes....on my cheek." Then I realized he wanted a butterfly kiss. Now we all call it a butterbug.

Independance Day

We went to Greenfield Village for the 4th of July this year. We brought a picnic dinner, laid out a blanket and enjoyed a relaxing night together. The Detroit Symphony Orchestra played a variety of patriotic music and it was such a unique way to remember our country's history. One of the most poignant moments of the night for me was when the conductor invited each different branch of the military stand up while the orchestra played its theme. It was really touching to see all those who have actively fought for and given their time for the freedoms that we all enjoy. There was one gentleman who was in the Air Force standing about 15 feet from our family. I loved watching his face as his theme was played. He was full of humility and pride....an interesting and appropriate emotion. When it got dark, the orchestra played all the classic patriotic songs as an incredible fireworks show went off. It truly was a night to remember.