I have been participating in a blog circle with some wonderful photographers who are also mothers of girls. Each month (more or less), we write a letter to our daughters to preserve thoughts and memories of this time in our lives. I treasure being able to do this for my girls and I love the chance to see the messages that my friends leave for their own daughters. You can access all the letters by clicking HERE. Once you have read my letter, please follow continue on to see what my friend Jennifer Vititoe wrote by clicking HERE.

Dear Avery and Alexa,

My babies, my monkeys, my little loves, my trouble-makers.  I love you both more than words can say.

In last month’s letter I promised to try to photograph your everyday more, and I have been doing a little better I think.  I worried that you would run from my camera, and at times you have, but at other times you’ve been willing participants.  Like this one above, which makes me laugh so much.  Grandma and Abaji were visiting, so we’d gone for lunch down the street at The Hi Spot.  And on our way back, you discovered this new bike rack that has been installed by one of the new buildings.  You were happy to be goofballs for me!  You love to be silly – you’re such happy kids.

You were willing to be photographed for the 90 second challenge for Let Them Be Little, too.  These pictures below are outtakes from that.  You just wanted to be able to choose your outfits and accessories.  I was hoping for hats, boas and sunglasses, but you have your own ideas now.  I wouldn’t mind if you were a bit more agreeable to my ideas at times, but I am glad that you make your own decisions and speak your minds.

You’ve been getting more and more grown-up lately.  Last month, Alexa, you were on skis for the first time.  You didn’t love going to ski school each morning, but you were so proud of yourself and your new skills.  You told us that you know how to ski, that you did it all by yourself.  Your dad and I skied up and hid so we could watch you.  We saw you – going up the magic carpet, turning both directions, slowing to a stop – and I don’t know if I’ve ever been more proud of you.  You could have asked for a puppy at that moment and I would have said ok.  😉

Avery, you are in your last year of preschool and I am starting to get really sentimental about that.  Next year, you are going to be in kindergarten, 5 days a week, for 6 hours a day.  I am going to miss you so much.  We have been looking at a lot of schools for you and for one you had to go to the school for an assessment, essentially an interview.  I was so nervous about it, but you were just excited to be there.  You wanted to check out the playground, see the bunnies and chickens – you were just immediately comfortable.  I love that you love school – that learning is fun and that you have this wonderful, curious mind.  I also love that you have this kind, caring personality.  You take care of the younger kids at preschool, and you are drawn to all sorts of creatures, great and small.  You like learning about great white sharks, but you also like collecting worms.  Just yesterday at the playground you came crying to me that a boy had stepped on your worm and hurt it.  You are a kind soul and I am so proud of you for it.

I love you both so much!

love,
Mama