3rd day of 4th grade

The third day of school was even cuter than the first! We signed (an invisible) contract this summer that says I get to do her hair again. I so missed doing it when I was working last year. I'm sure we'll quickly have less time to spend on hairdos and outfits, but for now it's fun. I thought for sure the bandana would be off by midday, but she kept it on all day.

Her shorts are from Zara  |  tee shirt from H&M  | shoes from Nine West  |  vintage bandana 

Unfortunately for her fourth day of school, and Labor Day for that matter, she caught a case of the sickies. But somehow that afforded me time to work on a second blog post in two days. 

Here's to wellness and a great fourth grade year. 

souvenirs from china

I wrote about this on Instagram a few weeks back, that Chloe doesn't always let me take her photo anymore.  Not at the drop of a hat, or at my request, unless I'm lucky these days. She is, however, okay with scheduling these things. I wanted to get some pictures of her in the really cool dress her Uncle Scott brought back from China. It fits her perfectly--another growth spurt and we would miss our window of opportunity.  Then Geoff went on an unexpected trip to China, and brought back this fan that she is crazy about. With her new favorite thing doubling as a perfect prop for the dress, she agreed to schedule some picture time. With three days notice. 

This is what Chloe looks like when I don't reign-in her posing. (next two shots from my iphone) 

The changes are small, but huge these days.  This morning she lost her front tooth, and her smile will never be the same as it was yesterday.  And so, I will never stop taking her picture, or looking back at them fondly with this little ache in my heart.  

This year

I want to be better. At all of it.

I want to be a better Mom. I'm going to start by reading Buddhism for Mothers. 

I want to document more and actually get in the pictures; use my real camera more and actually read the book  I bought to get better at it. 

Dance more. Eat healthier. Drink more water. Share more, blog more. Spend more time with people, be more social. Do a little more for me. 

I just want to be better.  

happy new year.