She's My Terrific Kid!!

Earlier today I sat on a school cafeteria bleacher with tears puddling in the corners of my eyes. Not tears of sadness but tears of pride. In front of me sat my baby girl waiting patiently for her name to be called so she could be recognized. 

It was her turn to stand on the stage and be recognized as a Terrific Kid!  My heart was so full of emotion, happiness, and joy as I watched that baby girl stand beside her principal! 

The words spoken about Wylie could not have been more dead on! Her love for school and learning are apparent. She is a writer and just might be the next budding author! She is a smiler. Rarely does she not crack a smile ! As her mom, i couldnt have agreed more! i think Wylie has a contagious happiness about her! Thankfully, she uses this happiness to show others her caring and nurturing spirit! 

My sweet Wylie girl... You just don't really realize how much you are loved!!! 

Big Brother Charlie was previous as he gave Wylie a hug once we got into the hall! Melted my bones!!! He and Wylie truly do have a twin sibling bond. While there are days it is more difficult to deal with than others, I can say that they genuinely care for one another on a special level !! 

And an added bonus to being Terrifuc Kid this month was that she shared the recognition with her bestie Mary-Elex!! These two smiley faces are going to see this photo again one day as their graduation slide shows play!! 

Seeing my baby in school, being honored for good manners, hard work and a positive attitude is a blessing! I am so thankful for her experiences in school so far that have shown her how important these life lessons are.  

I feel like today makes me realize (yet again) that time is zooming past us! The innocence of the infant years are slipping further away! If nothing more, I want my babies to know that I am proud... Proud to be by their side on days like today, proud to hear of their successes and proud to the one that gets to hug them and say Good Job!  

Wylie, we are so thankful for the examples you set! You are a leader and a nurturer. You try to do what is right and make every effort to show your sweet spirit to others! May you always know we love you lots and lots! 

The Many Seasons Are Wrapping Up!

The countdown to summer means the ending for the many seasons the Bailey Bunch has had going on this spring!  Ballet, Soccer, Baseball, … everyone got to use their talents and athletic qualities this spring except Bennie Boo!! 

First, ballet came to a close!  After the incredible recital, Bess was eager and anxious to go to dance the following week for her trophy!   When the doors parted and the child appeared - her smile was worth a million bucks!  She was so proud of herself and proud doesn't begin to describe her emotions over the trophy!  And what could be better to accompany a trophy than a butterfly face painting!  The child was practically on cloud 9! 

I am so thankful Bess has enjoyed dance this year!  Music and rhythm are in the child's bones!  Seeing her use her personality and gift in a way that she enjoys makes my heart smile! 

Saturday mornings won't be the same for us this summer without having to get up bright and early to be on the soccer field!  After a successful year on a team together, Charlie and Bess ended their season on high notes!

For Charlie, the high note was he soccer several goals and learned even more this season that he loves soccer.  He learned how to be aggressive and how kicking the ball to the moon is not always the best plan of attack.  He learned what good competition can be like and realized that there are players out there who are really, really good and playing against them is tough!  He learned lessons.  Lessons that everyone has to learn!  It's just hard to believe some of the lessons he is learning it is time to learn! 

For Bess, the highlight was much different.  She ended the season excited that she would NOT be signing up for another season as she had played all the games she was required to play after telling us she wanted to be on the team.  In fact this experience, taught Bess she is not the soccer star in the making!  While I still believe she is a bit made for this sport, she did everything but really play on the field during games! Bless her bones!  She was very into the crowd, snacks and the team players.  The ball and aiming to get the ball in the goal just wasn't what she viewed as important!  

But now we know!  

Baseball Season began with cooler weather and bit of rain but ended in true baseball fashion - HOT!  Charlie's cheeks were so red as he played his last game!  The child was into the moment but he looked like he might stroke out at any given moment!  

This year having his daddy for a coach made games and practice extra special.  Together these 2 have worked on pitches, catches, hitting, stances and elbow placement!  

Charlie just loves sports!  Which I am so thankful for!  He loved baseball when he was on the field.  He has watched the Gamecocks play and is becoming more aware of teams and colors and mascots.  Just like Bess having rhythm in her bones, Charlie has athletics, particularly baseball, in his bones!  

I was so proud to see my baby boy hitting the ball and running with all his might to the bases!  My baby is growing up and seeing him in this uniform reminds me of it in a BIG way! 

Now, I couldn't leave the other love of my life out!  Yes friends, Bubs himself as the coach had to pose for his very own baseball picture!  I just  giggle each time I see this photo.  I know before kids and as we have watched the boys grow up, Bubba has been eager to coach his son's baseball teams.  This season he was given the chance.  I know it meant a great deal to Charlie but I am pretty sure it meant an even greater deal to him!  He was a proud papa on the field.  

Can't wait to blow this bad boy up into a 5x7 for my desk at work!!!  

It's been a busy few weeks.  The Bailey Bus has driven a lot of miles and chauffeured a lot of little bodies to and from events!  But never in a hundred million billion years would I trade it for anything! This is exactly what Bubs and I wanted.  Wish prayed and wished for this hecticeness and we got it!  We have started looking at each other and reminding each other that this is "only the beginning"!  

Busy or not, I am still thankful for the blessing of this life!  

Here's to the many more miles, seasons, recitals, and sidelines we will find ourselves at in the future! 

Can't Promise They Won't Return

Back in the day when this little love just had a few sprigs of curls on his head, we had NO IDEA… 

No Idea that one day, those few sprigs would be a full out head of curly hair!  

A head of hair , that not just the momma, but others would come to love.  Curls that others would comment on often.   Curls that would be so fitting for a child's personality.  Curls that we wondered if they would return if cut off!  Curls that would be LOVED by many!!   

Ben is just Ben.  He is stubborn, a cuddlier, feisty, comical, a heart string puller and an instigator all in one!!  While I am not sure how, it just seems that the curls match his personality.  They 2 just go together!  Those curls can make people melt.  Those same curls can be blamed for his temper and attitude at time!  

But no matter his mood, at the end of the day…  I LOVE HIS CURLS! 

When convinced that he needed a "big boy" haircut, I caved.  I gave in and did what had been requested and discussed.  I cried.  He cried.  We all cried.  

Ben is suppose to have curls.  End of Story.  And when I looked at him without them, it was just not right.  

Then a year later, I let the notion go through my brain that a "little ol trim" could be done by anyone.  

And Disaster Strikes!!  

The "little ol trim" resulted in a 2nd "little ol trim" to fix up the first "little ol trim" and before you knew it, an hour in a haircut chair had passed and my baby with his head full of curls was leaving with none of them attached to his head.  They all were laying on the floor around our feet! 

Again, I cried.  Him, not so much!  He had a red sucker.  Life was good! 

Mine, my life, my life with Ben's curls was currently experiencing a serious heart wrenching!! 

Ummmm!  Hello, that is NOT my "Baby Ben".  That my friends is a big boy and this momma's heart just can't quite deal with this!!!  It's all too much really!  

So what's a momma to do?  

I'm not promising and I'm not committing Ben's hair decisions to anything.  I might just add that it is summer time.  Things in many areas seem to become a little bit more lax during the summer months.  Haircuts might be one of those too!  

I am having a hard time with these curls being gone.  I think Ben is fine.  He is clearly not the one having the issues.  And yes it is his hair!  BUT… when you think of Ben bet you think of those beautiful blonde curls!!!   

Just don't be surprised if you see Mr. Ben and he seems to have a shaggier look this summer.  This Curl Lover just might have "forgotten" to make his next hair appointment!  

The Girl's Got Stage Presence!

After much anticipation, the big recital day finally arrived!!  For a few weeks, Bess has been itching to get into her costume and play!  Although she would probably say she the days crawled by, I am here to say that every day for the past few weeks has been so jam packed it has practically flown by!

Dress rehearsal went off without a hitch!  Despite the raining weather, Taylor and Bess did a remarkable job preparing for their big weekend debut!  They were pretty much the most adorable little things in their big button up shirts with fancy hair and rain boots as we entered into Byrnes Auditorium. 

Thankful that rehearsal was a success, we headed home to rest up for the big day!  I am not sure what Bess was more excited about the actual concert or wearing "make up"!!  The child would NOT stop talking about me asking Lacey to bring her lip gloss because I didn't have any!!  Sadly, yes, my children are growing up in a house without a single tube of lip stick!!  

In preparation for Bess' recital, Lacey and I found it fitting to take the girls to see the local production of Snow White!  The afternoon performance was incredible and I totally thought it would motivate Wy to want to become a dancer, but no such luck!  The child is hook line and sinker set she is meant to be a gymnast!  We shall see about that!!  

Sunday arrived and with every ounce of my being, I attempted to get this little ballerina to sleep that afternoon but had No Such Luck!!  My child was so eager to put on her costume and make up and show her brothers and sisters her stuff!  Sleeping was the last thing on her mind! But never fear, this momma got a few minutes of shut eye in for her!  What else do people do on rainy Sunday afternoons anyway! 

By 3 o'clock, the children were loaded in the Bailey Bus , all dressed and ready to see sweet Bessie Boo dance her little heart out!  

The girls looked gorgeous waiting in line to enter!  I love that these 2 are little ballerinas together!  Can't wait to whip these precious pictures out in years to come as we prepare graduation slide shows!  

The entrance we had all been waiting for finally arrived.  The Bear Necessities Dance was about to begin!   Of course, this momma's eyes were puddling as my little love entered onto stage!  She walked with such confidence, which is totally Bessie.  Why should I have thought she would do anything but that!!  

Move by move, my love was into her performance.  No stage fright from this one!  She was eager and prepared!  I guess it is only fitting because she is a Bailey, and the Bailey name is known to enjoy a dance floor!!!! So, she gets it honest! 

I couldn't handle this move though!  I died laughing!  This move was SO HER!!  Her little knees bobbing and her fingers pointing.  It was such a "her" move!  Adorable.  That is just about all I can say to sum it up! 

Grande Finale move of first dance !!!  

Later in the show, Bess' group performed again.  This time it was her ballet performance.  The entire number was precious.  Every little girl on that stage had melted our hearts so I am not sure it could have been any better!  

As the number ended, each ballerina was to come to the front line on stage and get down into their pose for the final move!  Bess often talks about having a "Giraffe Neck" and how important it is for dancers to have this.  I will also add, the child took this part of the dance recital very seriously.  

This is what the first shot of her "ending pose" looked like.  Precious isn't it!  Please take note, she is was one of the first (if not the first) to assume her position!  Which, if you can't tell, she was very serious about!!  Again, melts my heart!  

Now skip forward about 10 clicks on my camera.  The others around her either had already let down their pose or had never quite gotten there.  But not my Bessie Boo… she was still just a holding on!!  

Never did her face or giraffe neck let down!  She was going to hold that pose!  

And she did so until only 2 other children remained on stage making her one of the last ballerinas to exit the stage!  I know, it was one of those, you had to be there moments, but seriously, I hope I always remember how focused and deliberate she was in her posing and posture!  It was heart warming!  

The girl couldn't have been more proud of herself!  And neither could we!  

My sweetness had completed her first dance recital and done so with passion, attitude and definitely stage presence!   She was so excited to have everyone pooh and ahhh over  her!  I am pretty sure she felt like she was the queen for the afternoon!  

Oh how my heart is so thankful for these little loves!  

So…. until next May when we grace the stage of the next auditorium… 

Here's to Groovy Girls Dance Camp this summer and more Ballet and Tap this fall!! 

We love Ballerina Bessie Boo!  We are so proud of you for being the confident and vibrant child that you are!  

Lots and Lots!  

Pampered and Proud

For as long as I live, I will be so thankful for Mother's Day.  

I am pretty sure I will never forget the indescribable feelings of emptiness and total sadness I once felt on the Mother's Days when I so badly wanted to be a mommy but for some unknown reason was unable to have it happen!  I thought it was the lowest of the low of days.  Miserable.  

But my how miraculous life turns out when you just trust the Lord to follow His plan not yours!! 

While it was fabulous being woken up to a hot coffee and my favorite omelette, my Mother's Day was so much more!  So many times throughout the day, I kept reminding myself that this really wasn't a day when I should be celebrated or pampered.  Actually, it was a day when I should be constantly thanking the Lord that I was ever able to have these sweet babies.  And even still, a day when I should have been saying "thank you" to my 4 little loves because they are the reason I am a mommy.  

The heartfelt presents made by their little hands will forever be timeless and priceless to me.  The stories about me, what I like to do and what they consider "fun" things we do brought tears to my eyes and smiles to my face!  

This year, I "guided" Bubs to do something I had read about.  The article I read was called "No More Mother's Day Cards".  The idea behind this idea was that from this moment on, there would be no more mother's day cards.  Instead, there would be a Mother's Day Journal.  Each year, the children write in their own handwriting sweet notes and pictures instead of buying cards to give me.  

While I am pretty sure he thinks that having him do this was the silliest thing ever, Bubs came through and helped the kids all write me a sweet Mother's Day note for 2014.  

Each note melted my heart in a different way!  I treasure the innocent handwriting, the invented spellings and the flares of personality that came out in each note!   

My No More Mother's Day Card Journal has begun and I can't wait to go back and  reread it each year on this day!  

I had already prepped the kids for the fact that we would be taking special pictures for mom on this day!  No one was thrilled, except me!  Hence the 2 photos that are the best I got!!  

The amount of thankfulness in my heart for the chance to be a mommy is so large and so immense, no words will ever do it justice.  Each day is another experience in this journey.  

Not every day is smiles and giggles.  There are days of frustration, exhaustion and chaos.  Those are the days I beat myself up for not doing things as a mom better.  But, after a while, I remember I am human.  Everyone has to sleep every once in a while.  Everyone has to sit down every now and then!  I have to remind myself, that being a good mommy is more than having a spic and span floor.  Some days it is about the soccer cleat prints that are covering it.  I have to remind myself that laundry won't walk away but the day when I am asked to play hair dresser  or hide in a tent with a three year old will.  

These crazy moments and moments of chaos are what I prayed.  

And for all the money and riches in the world, I wouldn't change a day of it!  

To my sweet babies,  I hope you know that with every fiber of my being I love you unconditionally.  My world revolves around your happiness and joy.  You are blessings, my greatest blessings.  I pray that you one day realize how your being in my life is a gift and a miracle.  I pray that you always feel loved and in the arms of safety when you are with me.  You are my world.  My days are brightened by your sweet faces, hugs and words!  Forever and ever amen, you are my babies to love, cherish and nourish!  You can rest assured, with every ounce of your soul, I will always love you! 

Lots and Lots! 

Mommy 

A Paint Date!

Immediately when I read about the idea of a Mommy and Me painting session, I was on board!!! Both my girls crave artisticy adventures and I don't mind them myself!!  Plus, a wise girl once helped me realize "experiences are the best gifts"!  

I couldn't have agreed more for this occasion! The Experience that went along with this Gift was by far priceless, perfect and 100% enjoyed by us all!! 

Wy, B and I took Rah Rah along for this Mother's Day Mommy and Me painting session. We were slated to paint pink butterfly paintings which was totally up the girls alley!! 

We arrived to find aprons for us all to wear and then located our name tags on the canvases!! The excitement was contagious! 

Within minutes we were painting like pros!! Step 1 was to do a gradient pink background which they walked us through step by step!! 

While waiting for our pink to dry there were a few games to entertain and stall our anxious paintbrush fingers!! But after that, it was painting like you have never seen before!! 

From the sketching with chalk of our butterflies, to the filling in with white paints and colors all the way to decorating the background... These ladies walked you through this step by step!! And when I say it was fun I MEAN IT 150%!!!  

Wylie was totally in her element. She only became frustrated because the instructor moved a bit fast. Wylie wanted her picture up be identical to the instructor.  She was very conscious of every move she made. She was thoughtful in her color choices and looked at every aspect of her painting before she applied the brush. She was the perfectionist I know her to be!  

I could not have been more thankful for her asking my opinion or for her asking me to help her! She was in the zone and just wanted to leave with a piece she was proud of!!  And that she did!! 

I should have known it ... Bess is just Bess!  Bess doesn't ,and has never , cared about others opinions of her. She is who she is and she likes it. She is confident, independent, stubborn yet a child that typically gives everything her all that matters to her. She doesn't require much direction , or rather, in situations like this, guided direction will be acknowledged but not fully regarded!  Bess like most days wanted to be Bess! She wanted her painting to be what she had in her mind and by golly it was!!! 

Each time I glanced over at Bess she was light years ahead if us all!!  She could have painted 2 by the time we were at the half way point!!  She was an artist in her own world!!! 

But in the end, my baby girl had created a masterpiece she was so proud of !! Her excitement was radiating and infectious!  

Yes her name is upside down and she drew tic tac toe boards on her picture. Yes she painted that butterfly at least 3 times and added every model of possible background decor to her photo. And yes, tonight it is propped up against her bed twisted sideways because "That's how I like it Momma!"  My baby girl... My independent and confident baby girl! Makes me so proud to see her shine like this!! 

All our painting reflected individual personalities! I wanted mine simple and a bit plain Jane with enough spice but not too much. Wylie wanted perfection. Bess wanted as much on the canvas as she could get. And RahRah-- well RahRah works in the medical field and oddly enough her picture looks as though medical influences may be present!  HA!! I thought they looked like apostrophes or cherries, mom's subconscious nursing brain painted them a bit differently!! 

My favorite phrase "Experinces make the best gifts" held true!! Spending the afternoon together was memorable and special. We laughed at each other, we giggled at our artistic talents and we enjoyed the day as family!  Plus, we capped our day off with these... 

And that makes for the perfect ending to a perfect day! 

RahRah and my little loves, I am so thankful for the time we shared today. Being with my mom on this holiday was special but sharing it with my two babies made it even better!! I am blessed beyond measure to have all 3 of you in my life! Our experiences, memories and laughs are invaluable to me!! 

I am grateful for you and for this beautiful life to share days like this with you!! 

Lots and lots!!