A Sister Honors Her Sister

Last week Marissa saw a set of bracelets she liked at Kohl's. Three beaded bracelets were attached together for purchase.
We brought them home and decided the smallest would be Marissa's. Next, Mama got one. One was left. We decided it would have been Jaime's had she been with us.
Marissa said it wasn't too late and honored her sister by taking the bracelet to her bedroom to drape it over the picture of the two of them together. This photo sits on the table beside Marissa's bed. She also found a necklace she likes and draped it over the frame, too. She said that now Jaime had matching jewelery with us.
Jaime would have been touched. I know I was.

Attitude

I love my daughter's attitude.

Another Bathtub Post

Why is it that kids and art and baths just go together? At least they do at our house. The first letter Marissa wrote and the first self-portrait she ever drew were done in the bathtub! There was no way to keep the cherished artwork.
Last night in the bathtub Marissa drew on the tub wall and when I asked her why she was scribbling (I expected to hear that she just wanted to see the colors or something like that) she told me "I'm not scribbling."
"What is it?" I asked.
"This is the wind," she told me very seriously.
"I love it," I told her. And I really did. I know my daughter. I know her spirit. I understand her sensitivities.
I could feel the wind.
I'm so honored and blessed that she is here to blow the wind in my face and sing music to my ears.

Bath Fun

I had a group of pictures from a few weeks ago that I never posted. This is one of them. I just thought Marissa looked so cute with this washcloth on her head while she bathed.
No, she hasn't been sitting in the bathtub too long, and the water isn't cold...the purple lip is from a mishap she had with the Leapster!! But don't worry...it's all healed now.

The Many Poses

Marissa is always dancing and posing. It's just what she likes to do.

No, these photos are not unique. This is an everyday occurance (many times a day) as Marissa makes up new dances.

Think she was born to dance?

A Wonderful Day

By Saturday night, Marissa was walking around the house saying "This was a wonderful day!" She had gone to an Easter egg hunt in the morning, got her playset assembled (after waiting several weeks) in the afternoon, went out for a chocolate dip cone, and colored Easter eggs all in one day. In the eyes and mind of a four and a half year old, the day was pretty fabulous and the only way it could have been improved would have been to spend even more time outside playing on the new playset!

"This was a wonderful day!"

Yes, it was, and even more so to have her in it.

Happy Easter!

He is risen!!
We are thankful.

Have A Good Day, Todd

Since Marissa's friend, Todd likes to read her blog and see her videos, she made this short clip just for him at breakfast this morning. Enjoy, Todd! Thanks for being a "faithful blog follower."

Life On A Mountain

Yesterday we were listening to "God On A Mountain" on the Lynda Randle CD (I think it's a Gaither's Gospel CD) in the car. You can check the song (and Lynda's beautiful voice) out on You Tube.
Marissa was singing most of the song, then stopped and remarked, "When Jaime died it was a valley day. Today is a mountain day."
She is right.
Life is full. We are thankful!

A Little Princess Pampering

Marissa has always loved polished nails. On Monday, Mama had a hair appointment for a trim, so Marissa asked to have her hair brushed afterwards. Our stylist obliged and brushed and braided Marissa's lopsided pig tails (we had just finished at gymnastics).

Next, Marissa got her nails done. When the manicurist told me she'd only charge $5.00 for Marissa, it was a done deal. She's wanted her nails done at the salon for quite a while...ironic since Mama's never done it! After quickly choosing the hot pink nail shade, Marissa asked if it would be hot on her nails. The manicurist assured her it was only the shade name, not the temperature of the polish, and Marissa was ready to begin! Unfortunately, the photos don't show the true color, or the cute "sparkles" applied over the pink. A princess has to have sparkles on her nails.

Mama didn't have the camera, so these pictures were taken when we got home. You can also see that the salon treated our princess to a sucker, too. Life was exciting for our four and a half year old that afternoon!

Another Recital!

As you know, Marissa loves to dance. Each time a recital comes along, she is more than ready to perform. Today we were at a community church where they hosted an International Fair. Miss Lily's dancers were among the chosen performers.
Today the girls performed the bee dance, the butterfly dance, the umbrella dance, and the ribbon dance. Since the bee dance is always a favorite, I'll post that one. If you have a preference and want to see one of the others, let us know!
P.S. Marissa starts out fourth from the left, then is first on the left after the swarm moves.

Let's Skate!

Anyone who has read this blog for a while knows that Marissa had a skating party on her fourth birthday...well, today her good friend, Zoe had a skating party for her fifth birthday! Yea!! More skating!

Marissa had so much fun...and guess what? This time she skated all by herself. Mama and Daddy watched from the sidelines. On the way to the skating rink we were discussing which of us was going to skate with her this time when Marissa announced that neither one of us needed to. She wanted to skate alone like a big girl.

Wipe the tears from our eyes. Our baby is growing up!

Peter Pan

"I'm Flying!" This morning Marissa and Mommy joined friends at the Culture House production of "Peter Pan."

This was Marissa's first exposure to a full play and she loved it. Though not spellbound enough to stay glued to her seat, since she was able to go between sitting on Mommy's lap, sitting on her own chair, and standing next to a friend, she loved seeing the show.

Tinkerbell was definitely her favorite character, and the young girl playing her did a fabulous job. Marissa decided she would be the next Tinkerbell cast for the production and wanted Mommy to go out and get a costume today! Thankfully, I was able to stall that purchase for a while.

Marissa also got pictures taken with Peter Pan (who also did a great job and has a fabulous voice), Nana (the dog), and the crocodile. All the kids were awesome in their roles and so polite to all of us who came to watch their talents.

It was a morning well spent!