Matchy, matchy

Dear Biscuit & Sparkly Watermelon,

It's been an artful week here at Chez Maignan. Take a look:

Those are ankle bracelets, just like you always wear. You also told me you have a stuffy nose in this self-portrait (you have a cold like Mama).

You made these awesome permanent marker & rubbing alcohol T-shirts. 

We tried a new art class on Friday at Abrakadoodle. This masterpiece is based on an artist "named Fred who liked to use bright colors and shapes."  You said your painting is you (L), Mama, and Sparkly (R). I loved how they framed the piece for you, and I was so impressed by your confidence in the class. If they open up some afternoon classes, we'll go back!

Finally, sculpture: play-doh mixed with silly putty. This is your preferred medium at the moment. You designed this dress for Cinderella to match your own. You also stuck some yarn and glass beads into the play-doh and stuck it on the windows.  You are a creative genius just as you should be. 

As your art starts to look a bit more like it's intended subject, and your clothing starts to look a bit more like your friends,  I hope you hold on to a little of your imaginative, eclectic, spirited self. 

All my love,

Mama

Friends

Dear Biscuit & Sparkly Watermelon, 

We're so fortunate to have our friends; friends from so many places and stages of life.  Our friends make us feel loved and special, just by a knowing smile, a friendly phone call or an unexpected visit.  Friends bring out the absolute best parts of us, allowing you to be your best self.  At the same time, you are making your friends feel loved and special, and helping to bring out the best and most unique parts of their personalities. Our friends tell us and teach us about who we are.  A friendship is somewhat like a plant that two people tend to:  you plant the seed, you nurture it, and it grows.  Sometimes it grows quickly and sometimes it grows slowly over many years.  Sometimes you recognize it immediately, and sometimes it's right in front of you without you even seeing it.   It is difficult to explain, but friendship is something you cannot make happen no matter how hard you try.  There is a bit of magic or fate to it that you cannot control.  I've been blessed with a week of giving and receiving, where friends have gone above and beyond (two baby "sprinkles," overnight guests, play dates with Biscuit while I was sick, Skyping with my best friend).  The week has made me reflect on how lucky we all are to have even one friend in this world.  

My wish for you both is to have and celebrate many friendships that nourish your soul, to bravely end the relationships that don't "feel right," and to be confident in knowing the difference.

All my love, 

Mama

A special moment

Here are some more special moments from our week:

Awesome crafting at the Margolis house while I was sick

The Pied Piper at our slumber party

Random shot of one of our crepe myrtles- they are finally blooming this week!

Girls being silly and chatting WAY TOO LATE

A borrowed outfit 

Dancing with friends

Always something new

Dear Biscuit & Sparkly Watermelon,

Papa and I are always blown away by your development and the new things you are able to do.  This week, your dexterity improved, and you were so proud to show off how you sign "I love you."  This is something my mom signed to me, and I've been signing to you, since birth. You've been practicing, and now you've done it!

The pictures aren't the best, but you were signing "I love you" from your house you built yourself. 

Additionally this week, on your way to the mailbox, you decided you'd like to improve your pronunciation of the combo "th." I love how you say:

Anudder: another

Leadder: leather

Mudder: mother

Udder: other

Feadder: feather

This is you practicing. We are so proud! 

All my love,

Mama

Projects, projects

Dear Biscuit & Sparkly Watermelon,

Our To-Do list is never ending, especially with Sparkly Watermelon joining us soon. Here's a few things we've been working on this summer:

Pakka is building you this FANTASTIC play house. 

New light fixture and decorations in Sparkly Watermelon's room. 

Hanging a few of your sea-themed art projects in your bathroom. 

Decluttering Mama & Papa's bedroom and (finally) hanging our television. 

Planting sunflowers. 

Cooking, cooking, and more cooking. 

Finishing up your chalkboard coat rack area with some fun pictures. 

Hanging great-grandma's spice rack. 

Cleaning out the garage (for the fourth time this year), adding a chest freezer (which included running electricity to the East side of the garage) and selling our extra washer & dryer. 

Installing a closet in Sparkly's room. 

Making a mud pie station out of free pallets. 

And donating lots of clothes

Luckily, we've had lots of rain this year = plenty of indoor time to get things done. 

Neighbors yard down the street- YIKES. 

Did I mention LOTS of rain?

All my love,

Mama