Raising Daughters & Fashion

As a mother of three beautiful daughters I am blessed with the daily joys of watching them grow into little women. From learning how to dress themselves to picking out their own outfits.

Throwback! Our oldest when she was younger.

One of the things that has stuck out lately to me while raising our daughters is that fashion starts when your roughly 2 years old. The more our daughters mature the more they love fashion. Whether or not they know it by the name fashion just yet. To them it may be just clothes in a closet and shoes on the floor. But to me I can see their creativity rolling when they are putting that outfit together for the next morning. Matching colors, patterns and of course which shoes goes best with the outfit.

last night as our four year old daughter walks into our bedroom she noticed I had purchased a new necklace that I had already hung nicely on my jewelery stand. She turns and says to me in such a posh voice, "mom I love your new necklace. I am loving the strips." She then noticed my new sweater from H&M and proceeded to tell me that she loved the color. It then struck me that I was having a fashion conversation with my four year old and I loved it.

As I sit here this morning writing this I am partially listening to all three of them playing barbies in the other room. It stands out when I hear them saying, "the fashion show is over here." As a mother of three daughters who loves fashion herself, I feel blessed that I am able to share these moments and talk fashion with my daughters. I will continue to enjoy listening to them talk fashion as they mature. Most of all I will embrace our fashion conversation and someday allow them into my very own closet. Which right now when they look into it, I can see in their eyes it's like a glowing paradise of fashion they cannot wait to get their hands on. Soon my little loves soon.

 Our youngest is still working on her sense of style. Then again her older sisters do have a couple years on her.

50 Things I Want My Daughters To Learns From Me

As a mother of three daughters there are so many things I want them to learn from me. Here I put a list that I put together of the first 50 things that came to my mind. Enjoy.

My dear daughters, what I hope you someday learn from me,

1.Your Daddy will be your first true love. He loves you more than you will probably understand.
2.Beauty comes from within your heart and soul, not from the outside of your body.
3.Don't let other people or magazines make you feel you should a certain size.
4.There is always going to be that "mean" girl in your life. Whether at school or at work when your older. Do not run and hide from her.
5. Hard work eventually pays off. Whether you think so or not in that exact moment.
6. You may seem small in this big world, but trust me, you are not small, you can make a big difference.
7. Always make up with your sisters. Having a sister is like God blessing you with a built in best friend.
8. Drink plenty of water. I know this may sound weird, but you can never drink too much water. it's great for your body and healthy.
9. The universe needs to hear what you have to say on your point of view.
10. You are always welcome to share my shoes.
11. You can ALWAYS tell me anything, I mean anything.
12. I will be your shoulder to cry on when a boy breaks your heart.
13. Learn to understand math, it can truly be fun.
14. Learn to like drinking tea.
15. Don't drink a lot of pop..please.
16. Keep watching me in the kitchen. Don't ever think it annoys me. I love it.
17. Challenge yourself.
18. Please know being a women may not always be easy.
19. We are partners in this together, that being said, I am the mother I am today because of you. <3
20. We are not enemies or at war. We have a loving mother and daughter relationship and will always work at it.
21. We will have our differences, please know that does not mean we dislike each other.
22. Food is bliss.
23. We will cry during movies.
24. Do not use school for socializing, please take advantage of it for learning.
25. When you get angry and need to scream, please scream into your pillow. It's great therapy.
26. Playing in the snow is always fun when you live in Michigan, even when your close to 30 years old.
27. Ice cream and creme brule is the best desserts invented.
28. Try stepping out of your comfort zone once in a while.
29. Stay up late in bed and read a great book. Maybe an old classic like Mobby Dick.
30. If you choose to wear make up some day, let me have the joy in teaching you how to apply it correctly.(apparently I didn't explain that correctly.)
31. Don't chase the bad boys.
32. The color red can help boost your mood.
33. Proper table manners is a must. Napkins on your nap. Pinkies out with tea.
34. Try to experience culture.
35. You do NOT have to learn the hard way, you can learn from me. When I speak this I am meaning; School, marriage, babies. Not the order of babies, marriage and then school, please.
36. It's okay to stay in and have movie nights with your mom.
37. It's okay to go to the thrift stores, whether you need to or not. Sometimes it's just an fun adventure.
38. Never judge a book by its cover.
39. Fairy tales are fake. It's better now that you learn that. Although they are fun to read and dream about.
40. When you are older be a wife not his mother. He already has a mother. 
41. Watch me and listen when I teach you housework. It will benefit you in the real world.
42. Learn to be creative, life will be so much more fun!
43. Be silly.
44. Don't let others bring you down. Easier said then done sometimes.
45. Never settle.
46. Get good grades in high school.
47. Have fun.
48. Life will through you curves, learn to swerve or hit them head on.
49. Play a sport. Even if it's just once.
50. Most importantly, be yourself.

Our Christmas Preview!

I am determined this year to mail out family Christmas cards. I mean it. I really really mean it. Pinky promise. Call me old fashion, but I would much rather receive a hand written letter in my mail box than a typed out letter through e-mail. I get it, technology has made it so much faster and easier for all of us. Let alone it can even save us money. For example how often do we even buy stamps now? I know I barely but stamps now a days. I can pay all my bills on the Internet now. That part is convenient don't get me wrong. But call me old fashion. I get all giddy when I receive a letter, a thank you card or some sort of fun mail that is not junk mail.

So after life seemed to settled down after the Thanksgiving festivities, we had to take a gander up to the cabin to fetch my migraine RX that I had left up there the previous weekend. Of course I had the brilliant idea of squeezing in a quick Christmas photo shoot of the girls with a fun idea I had in mind. When ever I get an idea my brain it just won't stop. My poor husband right? Kind of like my writing. You know your a true writer when you literally can't sleep at night when you have all these ideas popping into your mind. Do you sleep with a a pen and paper next your bed? I'm guilty as charged. Ha ha.

Therefore I figured I would share some of the photos that I will be making our family photo Christmas cards with. I still can't decides if I want to get crafty and make the cards and inset the pictures. Or save myself time and just print it all together? They did great for the most part. But as a photographer it always seems that my own children do not cooperate as well as well as children clients who are not my own. Weird!

 Always have to try to get a normal one in of all three girls.

This is what happens when your the baby sister. You are overly loved. But is there such thing as over loved? I don't think so at all. She may not always enjoy the kisses. But she does love to dish them out as well.

 The two oldest. The picture pretty much sums it up. They do love each other believe it or not. Yet they may not want to show it right now. They are best friends too. Maybe when they get older they will show it more. At least that's my hope for them. 

 lastly, I will always and forever be thankful and cherish the gift of my three daughters that God has gave me. I will cherish every moment and challenge as a mother of three daughters.

Mommy Braging Rights

Is it possible for a 2 year old to make her bed? It sure is! 

Every morning my youngest loves to help me make my bed. We always have a little fun with it by shaking the comforter out when we lay it out on the bed. She has always been my littlest helper around the house. 

let me catch you up a little bit with her development skills. At her recent 2 year check up in August her pediatrician mentioned that she is pretty advanced for her age. Since her appointment I kind of just shrugged it off and kept parenting the same way I have been. After all she does have two older sisters to learn from as well. That was till she started to dress herself completely head to toe. I'm talking about putting on her own shirts without a problem down to her socks and shoes with velcro. She can count have have conversations with adults too. 

Back to this morning. We continued our morning routine with playing. Later on I went into her bedroom and noticed her bed was made. Let me mention, both sisters were at school. I look at her and say, "Helen did you make your bed?" She replies, "Yup mama!" She was so excited when she told me. I was surprised to be completely honest. Then again, should I have been? After all she has been proving to us that she is advanced for her age. She did a pretty neat job for s freshly turned 2 year old.

I think I deserve bragging rights for that! Let's see if it repeats itself. 

She Has learned She Has A Voice

As I stood at the end of the driveway watching her in her friends yard with her arms tense I could tell she was having a stern conversation. At that same moment I felt a sense of proudness. I did it! I have finally made progress with my shy and quiet Ev who wouldn't speak up for herself in the past.

She then rides her bike back down to our house with her clipboard where I am still standing and says, "If she's not going to be nice I'm not going to want to play with her tomorrow or much anymore." Their friendship started out really great and soon grew to become a bump in the road. Her friend started to become very bossy and kind of the "mean girl" thing going on. They are still good friends and play together for the most part but it started getting to the point when Ev would come to me. It then clicked to me, this is a perfect time for her to learn that she has a voice and it's okay to let others know. Also that it's not okay to let friends boss you around all the time. Rather than to have me butt in and most likely embarrass her friend and ruin their friendship completely and end all play dates. Therefore I knew it was time I start to teach her just like my own mother taught me to stand up for myself and what I believe.

I am so proud of her and feel a sense of accomplishment knowing that she is starting to use her voice in certain situation rather than being pushed in the corner.

Evalyn's First Dental Appointment

Evalyn had her first dentist appointment this week. Or was it one of my first parenting tests? Yes, I know, a couple years later than they say the first appointment should be. No judging allowed. But really, when should the our children's first dental appointment be? I hear so many different ages. I have heard as soon as they start getting their baby  teeth in. Or once their baby teeth are all grown in place. Sometimes I even hear at two years of age. I was confirmed three years is a good age for their first dental visit. Okay, so I was off by three years, once again please don't judge me. It not like I wasn't going to take her.
I have to admit, I, myself enjoy going to the dentist. There is just something about the dentist that I tend to find relaxing. I was hoping the same would rub off onto my daughter. I will also admit, I was nervous this time, being it was for my daughter and not me. I felt like I was being tested as a parent. I could tell she was a little nervous as well. Although she has always been good at hiding it. As we were called back to the exam room and she sat in the cool motorized chair, my head started spinning with the "parent test". As I'm sitting in the chair next to her, I start thinking to myself, "Did I teach her how to brush her teeth well enough? Did I teach her how to floss correctly? Oh gosh I sure hope she has no cavities!! If she has a cavity I've failed the parent dentist test!"
I have to say she did terrific and did not freak out at all. And no cavities. Yay! She does have her first medium wiggly tooth so far. We are excited about that! They were actually impressed with her teeth brushing. I think she walked out of the office feeling pretty proud, and I gained an A+ on the "parental dentist test" with one child so far anyways.

It's Raining Leaves!

It's raining leaves, as my three year old daughter calls it! As October fades away the leaves are now falling off the trees. As I have become an adult, enjoying the color of  leaves changing doesn't seem to last long! Before I know it, it's raining leaves and the trees are becoming bare. As a parent, I feel I can get caught in our hectic schedule's easily. Therefore this year I made sure we were more involved as a family and enjoyed the fall season. Of course, trying to make it last as long as possible.

Our lovely backyard. Well part!

Thursday we hit in the high 70 degree temperatures. We took advantage and enjoyed a nice walk. That's not normal for Michigan. We were then quickly reminded that it's the end of October with high of 49 degrees the next day, eek! Although, us Michiganders are not surprised. We joke that our weather can change in a snap of a finger. 

With our sudden change in temperature, we started off our chilly Saturday making pumpkin shaped rice krispie treats. As I mentioned in previous posts, we love baking in the kitchen. 

Picture does not do justice. 

Rice Krispie Treats

Ingredients

6 cups of rice krispie cereal

1 10 0z. bag of the big marshmallows. You may use 4 cups of small marshmallows too!

3 Tablespoons of butter.

A pumpkin cookie cutter.

Directions

1. Melt the butter in a pan, add marshmallows and slowly melt.

2. In a separate bowl ad the rice krispies and the marshmallow mix together and stir. 

3.Put into any size pan you choose, I usually use a 13x9

4. I use wax paper to evenly flatten out the treats, then start cutting them out with the pumpkin cookie cutter!

Have a blessed weekend!!

Homemade Applesauce

Lately the Weather seems to be either breezy or raining. Therefore we decided to do one of the things we love; cooking. This morning Vivian and I made homemade applesauce. Her job mainly entails taste testing and watching because there's a lot of chopping and heat involved.  I do not believe in store bought applesauce, sorry again. Homemade applesauce is actually pretty easy to make. My girls love it!

  I have never used a recipe and have been making it for a couple years now. So this morning while making it I tried my best to see what measurements I used with the ingredients. I'm sure there are many different ways to make homemade applesauce out there, mine is pretty simple!

My Homemade Applesauce

 

 Ingredients( Take in consideration I am not a professional cook, and this is how I make mine, you can change your up to your taste)

• 1 (3lb) bag of Jonathan apples. (You may use other kinds of cooking apples, we like these ones the best for our applesauce.)
• 1 cup of sugar (You may use less or more. I think it all depends on every one's individual taste buds)
• 3-6 Cinnamon sticks.OR ground cinnamon (I prefer to use cinnamon sticks while its boiling the whole time instead of ground cinnamon. If you choose to use ground cinnamon I recommend adding it slowly to your own liking.)
• 1.5 cups of water. ( I don't like a lot of water in mine. I hate having to drain how steamy applesauce, plus we like ours a little thick.You may add more water in once you have mashed them if you would like.)

Directions

1. Peel the apples. I use an apple cuter then I chop them into smaller cubes. 
2. In a big enough pot add the apples, 1.5 cups of water, and cinnamon sticks.
3. Let it boil, and enjoy the smell. Keep and eye on it
4. Once it start getting soft enough, start mashing it. This is where you can add more water if you don't like yours thick.
5. Once their all mashed, add sugar. Once again, you may add more if you would like. We don't like our really sweet.
6. Add cinnamon if you didn't use the sticks. Again, to your taste!
7. Enjoy.

Baking Memories

Since it's fall now, one of our favorite things to do is bake. I remember growing up baking with my mother, and want to pass the tradition on with my own daughters. There are so many positives about baking with your children. You can get a little bit of math, science and of course memory making out of it too! Not to mention it warms your home up with the sweet aroma of homemade baking!
 This past weekend we made our favorite; homemade banana bread! I do not believe in banana bread from a box, sorry. The girls each take turns pouring in the ingredients. Evalyn is now learning how to the eggs. I made sure there were no egg shells, he he! We usually take turns mixing as well, but my kitchen aid mixer did the job this time. Once it's in the oven the girls are impatient. So we check how it's rising periodically, so they can see the progress. It saves me from the question, "is it ready yet?!"  I'm sure those of you who bake with young kids who don't understand it takes a little time in the oven, know what I mean! With the built up anticipation, it's ready! We all enjoy our warm, homemade, banana bread before bedtime!