Wordless Wednesday: Tooth Fairy Finally Visited.

Wordless Wednesday: Re-connect. Starring Kinder Major, Bug, and Little Blonde.

The one where she gets all teary...

My baby starts kindergarten in the morning. I am busily gathering together the last minute necessities - re-packaging her peaches so she can open them up, chilling her apple juice, making sure her jacket and backpack and lunch box are labeled, jotting down the things I need to remind her teacher of when I meet her tomorrow.

I can't believe she's this old. I can't believe five years has gone by so quickly. My beautiful baby has morphed into my beautiful little girl, and in the next blink of my eyes she will be my beautiful big girl and eventually my beautiful adult daughter.

I don't want the time to go. I want to hold her close to me while she's still small enough to fit on my lap, and whisper in her ear for ever how much I love her more than life. I want to always keep her safe in the same way I did when she was tucked away inside of me, nurtured by the very essence of my being.

I can't, though. I must put away my tears and nostalgia and my fear of change and instead dust off my confident smile. I must soothe her trepidations with assurances that I will be there the moment the bell rings to scoop her into my arms and tell her how proud I am of her for being herself.

I don't want her to go.

Saturday Satisfaction: Questions for my readers!

So, I'd like to get to know you guys.  There's 64 of you who think that I write well enough/interestingly enough that you publicly follow me, and often comment.

Do you have kids?  Are they yours biologically?  Were they planned or unplanned?  For those of you who are new, I'll answer my own questions.

I have two children.  Kinder Major is five and will start kindergarten in a week.  Bug just turned nine months.  Both of them are my biological children.  I have not ever had step children or adopted children, nor have I had foster kids.  Someday, I'll be happy to welcome any of the three.  Kinder Major and Bug were surprise babies.  I was on birth control (perfect use,) with both of them.  Kinder Major is a DepoProvera baby, and Bug is an Ortho Tri-Cyclen baby.

What about you?  If you don't have children, do you want some eventually, or are you contentedly child-free?

So this is growing up.

You know, I've spouted often that part of being a parent is growing from the rebirth that occurs when you give birth.  I was smacked upside the head today with a reminder of the things I've spouted.

Just when you become complacent in your ideas and your grudges and your loves, the foundation is shaken, reminding you to never, ever be complacent.

Apologies can be given at the most unexpected times, and so can they be acknowledged, and even granted.  The day we stop surprising ourselves is the day we must sit down and realize that we are no longer truly living.

Be well, my darlings.

iHappy Monday

Because, damnit, it is three hours and seven minutes into Monday.  It is already a "Monday" kind of Monday.  And also, because I damn well need a happy.  Have for weeks, and it's finally beginning to culminate into a palpable presence.

Poltergeists are not the manifestation of the energy left behind by the others, IMO.  They are instead the manifestation of all of one's stress and worry and anxiety and even to an extent, sometimes, the sadness that has been left to fester under a facade of smiles and super-mama feats of incredible strength.

Why the hell am I talking about Poltergeists on iHappy Monday, you ask?  Because, as I was taking my iHappy photo, a distinctly humanoid-profile white spot appeared on my otherwise lovely shot of my art in progress.

So, I will leave you with a different iHappy instead.

Behold, the mock-up for my newest tattoo:

And one more, because I'm feeling vain.  New hairs and *gasp* make-up!

FlogYoBlog Friday!

FlogYoBlog time again!  Some of you know the drill.  For those who don't, here it is!

1. Follow Brenda's blog. (if you haven't already done so.  And perhaps follow mine, as well.  Again, if you haven't already done so.)
2. Grab the FlogYoBlog bubbly button and post it on your sidebar. 
3. Link your First Name and/or Blog Name and URL (not your homepage) below. 
4. Add a short description (max of 125 chars). It could be a description of yourself, your blog or a teaser to your latest post.
5. Follow at least 1 linkyer/blogger (Pay it forward is the name of the game).
6. The list will be open for linkyers on Fridays (Brenda has extended the linky for us non-aussies).
7. A new and fresh link list will open every Friday. And you will have to link up AGAIN. The previous link list does not carry over to the following week.
8. And lastly, have lotsa fun.  (And wine.  Let's totally have lotsa wine.  And chocolate this week, too.  Maybe some cheese.)