Monkey bars

Every childhood has its rite of passage...first steps, first words, potty training (yippee!), the first day of school.

But there are other childhood milesstones I've watched Alexis navigate toward on her way to self-sufficiency:
- Riding her bike (still with training wheels) with no fear.
- Belly flopping and dog-paddling in the pool (we're still working on technique).
- Pumping on the swings. Now she can soar to heaven on her own.
- Reading to her baby brother.
- Writing her name so more than one person can recognize it.
- And, the big one...crossing the monkey bars at school today! I waited at the bus stop and she was pressed against the glass shouting something to me. She tumbled down the steps. "Mommy, mommy, I crossed the monkey bars all by myself today!"

How much longer before she's doing everything all by herself? Will she always need her mom?

I hope so.

Because I'll always need her.

BTW, I'm not sure if she really got all the way across the monkey bars, because she still couldn't do it at home tonight. But she kept trying. And that's all that counts! :-)

Musings on My Birthday Eve

I'm not ashamed to admit it. I'll be 37 tomorrow. But I have a huge question. Will I still in my mid-30s, or is 37 considered my late 30s?

An even bigger question: Is there life after 40 which is, after all, in three more years! Gulp!

But I still feel 21. And I have so many blessings: a fabulous hubby, two wonderful kids, a great job, the gospel, and now....beautiful bloggers to hang out with!

I guess that's all that really matters.

Good night.

Awww, shucks...part 2

Mahina is so sweet for nominating me for the nice bloggers award! Back at you, Mahina! Except for posting the pictures of the snake on your blog, you are a true friend! You are always so happy and cheerful and you let me play with your baby! :-) Plus, it's great to have a friend I can just run over and visit. I'm so happy I moved into your neighborhood.

I'd also have to nominate Bridget. She devotes so much time to helping others through her church callings and volunteering at the preschool and elementary school and just because! She also knows how to make lovely PDF files for me. And her blogs keep me in stitches!

I also nominate Rachael. She is the BEST mom ever. Her kids are fabulous; she is fabulous. I'm always asking Samantha how her mom does this or that. Plus, she's so cheerful and funny. I can't talk to Rachael without having a much better day.