Mommy when can I play the harp?

If you remember we went to our friends harp recital last year and that is where Hayden discovered her love of the harp.  She was immediately drawn to the music and loved watching Gracie and Madi play. 
Well another year has passed and we went to watch their end of the year recital about 2 weeks ago and again Hayden was mesmerized by the beautiful harps lining the stage and the peaceful music everyone played. 
As soon as we got in the car she asked me "mommy when can I play the harp"?

What she doesn't know yet is we are storing a small harp for our friends while they build a house and soon I will surprise my pippa with sitting down and playing the harp that both Madi and Gracie started learning on. 

Wedding, Birthday, Baptism all in one day!!

Yes you heard me right, all of these important events happened on the same day, at the same location with the same family.  We like to multi-task as well as be overachievers.

We traveled to Houston this holiday weekend to visit family as well as witness David's sister marry(where Hayden was the most beautiful flower girl) celebrate his mom's 80th birthday and happily had Hayden baptized last minute while the priest was there(been meaning to get this done for 2 years)  We also saw friends, spent a ton of time with the uncles(Hayden's now god-parents) Aunt Louise, saw family that we never get to see(Hi Aunt Bron if you are reading)and met some new friends.  We had a great time, it was a LONG, exhausting weekend and we are glad to be home, but couldn't have asked for a better weekend.....or more mexican food!!LOL
So please enjoy the array of pictures, we took a ton and I am still bummed that I didn't grab a few other shots, hoping someone sends me some that might be ones I meant to take.

BTW if you are in the Houston area visiting I HIGHLY suggest the Children's museum.  Great place, GREAT fun!!!

Houston Childrens Museum

Waterflow outside with Aunt Louise

Hayden driving us in the tuktuk

look at that happy face!!

learing about atoms and molecules

The vet clinic where she would have spent the entire day!!

Thinking about climbing into the sink??

Daddy helping her put her scrubs on

I think he needs a little brushing

a little blow dry

this one needs a bath and then a cone collar

High Tea at the St. Regis with the uncles

Prettiest flower ever

down the aisle she goes

Still doing good

annnnnnnd we are done and in tears!!!

The happy couple tying the knot.

The fabulous uncle Rick and now official godfather

Hayden could not be more blessed than to have Uncle Jay and Rick as her godparents.  They love her like no other<3 and vice versa

David and his mom(yes she is 80)

sprinkling the water on her head

love this picture....this child is simply adored and loved by so many people

and not only is she now baptized....she is a moviestar as well:)

feeding daddy some wedding cake

let's get this party started!!!

uncle rick and aunt louise.....WE LOVE THESE TWO!!

ummmmm Hayden shot this picture of her daddy!!  Her skills are improving

Hayden's FAVORITE book

Hayden has loved this book from the very first time I read it to her. She picks it out almost EVERY night and clearly has it memorized(she was actually a little forgetful this night) but I had to capture her sweet voice reading this amazing book.
If you do not have Motherbridge of Love and you have adopted....I recommend that you go straight from here to Amazon and order it.
We love this book!!! We are going to need to order a new copy because she has worn it out!! The illustrations are beautiful too.

Last day of school......

Wow it seems like yesterday, but yet ages ago that Hayden started school.  Everyone knows the fret I put into where she went, how she transitioned, being challenged....but mostly being LOVED.  I wanted her to love school and her teachers.  Looking back I should have known that between Hayden and I she would end up at the PERFECT place.  If you remember the school we chose was the perfect location, had a great reputation, more importantly an opening.......but I would not say it was the one I walked away feeling the warm and fuzzies that I was hoping for; but Hayden sure did.  It is the only school visit that we had where she wanted to get down and explore, she walked away with the Asst. director and looked around for a bit.  She felt completely at ease.  I should have known that Hayden would find the perfect place!!  Now I would say all of the other school's we looked at pale in comparison to the school Hayden attends.  To say we were blessed with the two best teacher's is a complete understatement.  I was not at all worried about Hayden academically, but did want her to learn and be challenged(she can get into mischief if she is not busy)but I wanted her to be SO LOVED by her teachers and for Hayden to LOVE school and her teachers.  WELL let's just say we hit the lottery when we walked into the Giraffes class.  Two EXCEPTIONAL teachers who seem to work so well together, who keep their class completely under control, who knew exactly how to keep Hayden under control and challenged.  But more importantly they love their kids tremendously, they hug them, they kiss them, they tell them they love them.  Oh it just makes my heart melt.  Hayden ADORED her teachers and I am pleased to know that we will still see them next year, but hopefully will see them this summer!!  We hope they will always be a part of our lives.  They are two VERY special people!!!  We love them and will miss them terribly.  I know Hayden will ALWAYS remember Miss Starr and Miss Dianna!!

***they gave us the cutest shutterfly book of the school year.  Even though Hayden was only there part of the year, it is as though she was there the whole year:)  A wonderful way to remember the year!!!

Let the summer begin.......

Hayden and her AWESOME teachers!!

They had partied so hard on the last day that half the class was still sleeping when I arrived for pick up:)

Trevi and Lucas with their beach balls the teachers gave them

Hayden plays with Ronan a lot at school.  Hayden shot this picture of her sweet friend.

Goldie

We don't have a lot going on here, but yet we are incredibly busy....does that even make sense??
Hayden finishes the school year this week(teachers gifts, treats for class) we have started swimming lessons again, and we are actively trying to map out our busy summer, we have several recitals to attend of special friends, a party, a wedding that Hayden is the flower girl, and D's mom celebrates her 80th birthday(big party planned) So I guess there is a lot going on around here.
I have officially 2 days left to get everything on my list accomplished before there is no more 10 hours a week of Hayden at school time.  So gotta make the most of these last 10 hours this week:)(yes this is the same mommy who was crying a few months ago about my baby starting school)LOL hair appt is top of that list!!!

Haven't taken many pictures lately, but here are a few from today.  We met friends for lunch and Hayden was the talk of the town in her "goldie" outfit as she called it.  She is OBSESSED with these gold shoes, and believe it when I say we made it through lunch and errands with not much of any stains on the white pants or shirt(what in the heck was I thinking???)LOL  Anyway, enjoy the pics, and will share end of the year party pictures with you at the end of the week.  So sad that we have to move to new teachers.....oh we love Miss Starr and Miss Dianna and will miss them so!!

BTW I have had several family members ask Hayden's current sizes and I have not gotten back to anyone with that info....sorry to be so impersonal.  She is wearing mostly 18-24 months and 2T, she weighs approx 23-24 lbs(we gained back some of what she lost while she was sick) and she is 35 inches tall.  She is currently wearing a 5.5 or 6 shoe.  Her waist is tiny, so adjustable waist lines in things are our best friend.    Hope that helps!! 

are you seeing those gold lame espadrilles??

oh the love between these two&lt;3

.....and here is my garden

mommy can I pleeeeease take a picture??

Happy Mother's day

Happy Mother's day to all of the amazing mommy's out there that I have the honor to know and learn from....  I had a great day and weekend!!


Mommy......the sweetest words you will ever hear(and I hear them A LOT:) poem borrowed from my dear friend A!!


Once upon a time, there was a child ready to be born.


The child asked God,


"Tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow,


but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"


God replied,


"Among the many angels, I chose one for you.


She will be waiting for you and will take care of you."




"But tell me, here in heaven, I don't do anything but sing."
He said,


"Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you


every day,


and you will feel your angel's love and be happy."




"And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me, if I don't know the language that men talk?"


"Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear,


and with much patience your angel will teach you to speak."




"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you, " the little child asked.




God said,


"Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."


"I've heard on earth there are bad people. Who will protect me?"




"Your angel will defend you even if it means risking it's life,"


God promised.


"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore," the child said.


"Your angel will always talk to you about me,


and will teach you the way to come back to me,


even though I will always be next to you."




At that moment, there was so much peace in heaven,


but voices from earth could be heard, and the child, in a hurry, asked softly,


"Oh God, if I am about to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."


God silenced all fear when He said,


"Your angel's name is of no importance.




You will simply call her...


Mommy."

This is pretty much the best we can get at this point with sassy pants:)

yes, that is actually a smile.....I am not pinching her LOL I promise

Hayden our budding photographer