Crayons...very serious business :)

Just a couple shots of my little one, Defne, coloring. I liked the light coming in through the kitchen doors across from her and the reflection on the table top...

Letters to Our Children (February 2013 edition)

''Two roads diverged in a wood and I-I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all of the difference.'' (excerpt from The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost). The photo brings to mind the poem, and the poem brings to mind my daughter.

Dear Alexa,

Congratulations honey, you are the first victim of my monthly ''Letters to My Children'' blog entry :). I chose you first because...in a couple short weeks now, you legally won't be a child anymore! I can't believe my baby is going to be 18! You grew up so fast. And I am so proud of you. When I try to think of words that describe you, these are the ones that come to mind: Honest. Moral. Trustworthy. Intelligent. Funny. Creative. Hard-working. How many parents can honestly describe their 17-year-old daughter with those words? Not many, I suspect. I remember when you were about 2, your daycare teacher told me you said to one of the other kids (quoting from a Disney movie I think),''You have to be faithful and loyal and true!''. Well I guess you took your own advice.

I feel very blessed and fortunate to have you as my daughter. I admire you in so many ways. You have figured out at a young age some pretty important things about life that many people never learn, and others (myself included) only after years of trial and error. You are not only a great kid, but also a wonderful influence and voice of reason for your younger brother and sisters. A loyal friend. Did I mention funny? I love the way you can laugh at your little faux pas. Like the time you put the frozen pizza in the oven still wrapped in plastic - and fortunately also forgot to turn the oven on (and joked that two wrongs really do make a right :). Haha! You are just a fantastic all-around person. In six months or so, you are going to be going to college. I know you are going to do just fine because you always do your best to conquer every challenge that comes your way - and that is the key to success in college and in life. Which ever college you chose to go to will be lucky to have you there, and the choice will certainly be yours, but I secretly hope you will choose to go to school locally--because if you choose to go away to school, this family is going to have a great big hole in it without you here every day!! 

In closing, I just want to say thanks. Thanks for being YOU! Thanks for all the positive aspects you bring to our family. And thanks for going along with our little impromptu photo shoot the other day hehe...I know its not your thing necessarily but every mom needs photos of their kids, even their grown up kids, and they turned out great. Love you SO much babe!!

Love,

Mom

and P.S.: Happy 18th Birthday on 03/04/13!! :)

"Please follow our “Letters to Our Children” blog circle onto the next letter by David Villano by clicking the link:
http://lettersdv.blogspot.com/2013/02/February.html

A little late for Valentines Day

My 11-year old...thank goodness she's not too old yet for silly stuff like Valentines and face painting....