It's like riding a bike ...

You never forget.  Sure, you might be scared at first, but once you trust in yourself enough to give it a try, you're usually surprised that you can still do it ... no matter how long it has been!

We all know that, but what we all forget is what it actually FELT like to LEARN to ride that bike in the first place.  The nerves, the excitement, the fear ... the exhilaration when you finally DO IT all by yourself!

Thankfully, when you have children, you get to be reminded of every one of those emotions that you felt "way back when" ... only this time, your nerves, excitement, fear and exhilaration are all for someone else.  In this case, my baby girl Kara who learned to ride a 2-wheeler on her very first day at the tender age of 5.  Way to go Kara ... mommy is so proud of you for giving it a try, and for trusting me when I told you that I would never let go until you were ready.  I'm proud of you, but I kind of wish you didn't tell me to let go so soon.

Sales Pitch

I think that someone may be trying to tell us something.  She's growing up, and getting more interested in technology and computers.  She loves playing games, looking at websites, and creating art on the computer.  If only she had a laptop of her very own ...

Well played, Jenna.  Well played.

A few of my FAVORITE things

One of my favorite things about spring is watching this tree bloom in front of our house.

It's amazing how one day, you see tiny little dark pink buds forming ... and practically the next day, it's in full bloom.  Millions of tiny flowers bud, first pink, then white.  Ever-changing, leaving us wondering what the next day will bring.

You can't beat the view from below, when you take the time to stop, sit a while, and really notice what's happening in front of you.

I only wish that spring could go on forever, and that this tree would stay frozen in time.

Kind of reminds me of something else ....

Growing, blooming, ever-changing, always leaving us to wonder what the next day will bring ...

... and wishing that this particular season could last just a little bit longer.

Something that is also best enjoyed when you take the time to sit back and really pay attention.

Happy Birthday, Kara!

It's hard to believe, but today my baby girl celebrated her 5th birthday!

Grandma and Pa came down the night before to spend the night, so that they could be here for Kara's special day.  And special it was!

We probably won't believe it in years to come, but on this particular year April 15th saw temperatures in the mid-80s!

We invited some of Kara's old preschool friends over for a birthday playdate ... outside!

The celebration continued inside, where our house and cake were decorated with the "Princess and the Frog" theme that Kara had chosen.

After a beautiful day outdoors, we headed to Pizza Hut for Kara's birthday dinner, then out for ice cream at Carl's.

When we got back home, the weather was STILL so nice that we were able to enjoy some more time outside before bedtime.

I hope that Kara had as much fun as I did, celebrating her special day. 

Happy 5th birthday to my baby girl!

Signs of Spring

A backyard picnic on a warm APRIL day. 

April?  Seriously?

I can't believe what nice weather we're having!

Sometimes ...

you've just gotta take off your shoes and feel the grass on your feet!  (even if they do resemble Fred Flintstone's)

And check out that lush, green lawn!  Just early April, and it's looking beautiful already.  I'm loving this early spring and warm temperatures!

RIP Goldie

Muehleck, Goldie Margaret.  Born March 7, 2010, entered eternal life after a brief life on April 10, 2010.  Survived by her mother, Jenna Margaret Muehleck, aunt Kara Lynn Muehleck, and uncle Jack Muehleck.  Also leaves behind her grandparents, Mark and Denise Muehleck, and housemate Dakota Muehleck.  Funeral services took place in the back yard of Goldie's home, and were private.

May she rest in peace.  Amen.

New Kicks

You know you've gotten good use out of a pair of shoes when they end up looking like this after 7 months of use ...

Thanks for the new shoes, Grandma and Pa!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Jack!

Dear Jack,

Happy 3rd birthday, big boy!  We're so happy that your special day has finally arrived!
You were up at the crack of dawn, ready to get dressed in your Easter clothes and start your big day.

You even kind of learned how to hold up 3 fingers, just in time for the occasion : )

Having a birthday on the same day as Easter was kind of tricky, but we managed to have fun celebrating both in one day.

We hunted for eggs and baskets first thing in the morning, then sang "Happy Birthday" at breakfast and opened birthday presents before church.

Daddy handed out your birthday spankings before we headed out to Uncle Danny's and Aunt Ann's for Easter.

Uncle Danny and Aunt Ann made sure that we celebrated your birthday along with Easter at their house this year.  They even decorated with table cloths and balloons for you!

Grandma and Pa were there to celebrate with you too.

And after Easter dinner, we had birthday cake for desert.

We hope that you had a very happy birthday, buddy!  We love you so much!

'Twas the Night Before Easter ...

...and so much to do!
Eggs to decorate,
and cookies too!

 

Big Boy!

With only 48 hours left until he turns the "big 3", Jack declared that today was the day ...

UNDERWEAR!

(if you think that he looks proud, you should see his mommy!)

Cooperation

No, this isn't an April Fool's joke ... it really happened!

(sure, it only lasted for about 4.6 seconds ... but I got it on film!)