Of Straws and Camels backs....

Of Cabbages and Kings.... Of Potting training and Poopy Pants......

Yep. No photo on this post. Its my letter to you Little Annie- You who come by your little temper so honestly- straight from your mother... Whom I hope some day you will forgive... For the days I couldn't keep it together when just ONE more thing went wrong- and I lost my temper.
And that I'm so sorry.... for not being patient when I really needed to give you a hug... and letting my own dissapointment at having to follow through with discipline... and leave someplace fun.....and everyone is sad. And everyone yells. And even though we hug at the end- well I want you to know the saddest one was me after I closed the door for the night on your dear dear heart. Happy to close the door- sad that the day ended in chaos.
And I think about my own Mom- who lost her patience with me growing up- and know now- that she didn't have a mother nearby either. And she didn't have a friend to give her a break- and that she didn't have a husband who's hours let him come home to help out. And that some days- that one last straw... and well..... then there we are.
So one day Annie love- when you are 36- you'll understand too. And Until. Gosh you need to know. NO one is more upset at Mama than Mama.

And Little Heart. Even when all our stuffing falls out- and you and I butt our heads (our identical heads with identical temperaments- oh what a pair we are)
Even when our stuffing is all over the carpet- our mantra to one another remains true.

I Love you from Your Head to your Toes.
And I Love You Inside Outside Upside Down.
And I Love You from One to a Million.
Forever and Ever. No Matter. What.

Fridge

Some things to always have on hand for instant spontaneous delicious fun with kids.

Pudding mix

Jello

Frozen fruit for smoothies

Pie shells

muffin mix

cake mix

And if you happen to have some lemons on a Sunday morning..... and you happen to boil some water... and put in some sugar..... and you happen to squeeeeeeze in the lemons...... and it makes lemonade..... and you freeze some......

well then you not only have pops- to get icky sticky licky on your tummy..... well then. You have a memory.

And you know how some memories have a smell? Well this one smells delightful.