Sakura Bloom Sling Diaries Vol. IV: Adventure

Dear Ava,

"To live would be an awfully big adventure." -- J.M. Barrie

You should read that in an English accent, because that brilliant author is English and I think it sounds more beautiful that way. ;) Aves, I love that quote, it's simple but powerful. I interpret it as saying that truly living and appreciating each day and each experience makes for an adventurous life!

Your adventures and life experiences do not have to be perfect or go just as planned to be wonderful. Sometimes the ones that have uncomfortable bumps or unexpected left turns are the ones we treasure and never want to forget! They shape and mold us. I'd say being a mother has been one of those adventures for me. You and Brooks are my greatest adventures yet, and I know your Dad agrees. We've felt a rainbow of emotions because each of you have stolen our hearts--the highest of highs, moments of pure peace, and lows that are hard to describe. But you are allowing us to live life more richly! And loving you gives your Dad and I a taste of how much our Heavenly Parents love us. Being able to experience and see life through your ever-learning eyes has been such a gift.  

You have turned mundane moments into pure magic. I can only hope that you continue to soak up and appreciate life's little and big adventures...

Dance in the kitchen--it's our favorite dance floor. ;)

Pick funky ice-cream flavors.

Be brave and be kind to those whom others are not. And introduce yourself to the "new kid" at school.

Go on trips and talk to strangers along the way.

Never take a sunset for granted. Or cool sheets in the summer time. A warm house in the winter time. Or true friends that will always have your back.

Be weird. I promise, everyone else is too. :)

After you find your other half and get married, keep dating him.

Rock your babies to sleep.

Soak up nature! On short walks take your shoes off to feel the grass on your feet. And on multi-day backpacking trips take time to be still and pray to God out loud in His creations.

Laugh when you feel like it, and even when you don't.

Cry when you're sad, and when you're happy.

Write down spiritual experiences you have.

Add as many stamps to your passport as possible.

If you get to visit Niagra Falls and you take the 'Maid of the Mist' tour, stick your tongue out when you're getting sprayed by the water's mist. It's kind of gross, but kind of awesome. Trust me. ;)

Forgive. Yourself and others. It can be insanely hard, but is insanely liberating too.

And wear your babies Ava. Being able to wear you in our slings, at home or on our travels, has made for some of my most treasured motherhood moments.

I love you. And I love our adventures together.

Love,

Mom

PS - These photos are from last night's adventures into the city--the Salt Lake City Capitol sure is gorgeous! Loved wearing you for a bit, and I'm grateful Dad took the photos he did. I treasure them. :) It was such a lovely spring evening with you guys, my favorites.

*** In all of these photos I am wearing Ava in our Simple Silk Sakura Bloom sling, in Bittersweet.

Finding the Birthday boy's "Magic Tower"

Last Friday was Brooks' birthday! That sweet boy turned 4. Where did the time go?? Well, while Daddy was at work, I knew the littles and I needed a birthday adventure. So after seeing my friend Caroline post about the Great Salt Lake Shorelands Reserve, I knew we needed to explore that gorgeous place! It did not disapoint. We walked on a wooden path way through golden grass as far as the eye could see, with snowy mountains to the east, and a "magic tower" to the south. Brooks was so excited to get to it! Upon walking to the top of the tower, we (as in I;) sang "Happy Birthday" to our new 4 year old. I wish I could've bottled up that moment! On the way back, Ava had a bit of a melt down (haha oh girl), but for the most part the afternoon was pretty perfect. Love my little explorers. And we're excited to go back through out the summer and look for birds, as it's a reserve for some amazing species!

^^ They're hard to see, but there are two ducks in the water by the grass, to the right of Ava's head. The kids loved when we spotted them! ^^

^^ Kisses for my birthday boy! ^^

^^ The lookout from the tower. ^^

Tulip Festival

Early this month we were lucky enough to enjoy a gorgeous evening at Thanksgiving Point's Tulip Festival. We went two years ago, when Brooks was Ava's age. It was so fun taking a toddling little one year-old again, and a rambunctious three year old who couldn't get enough of it all up! Brooks would point out different colored "fowers and too-wips" and loved "frowing woks so high into da wadoo!" Ava loved exploring and being thrown high into the sky by her sweet Daddy. And I just loved being there with said sweet Daddy, and our two littles. A lovely pre-Mother's Day outing indeed!

Felt so, so blessed.

^^ CHEESE. ;) ^^

^^ Love my girl. ^^

^^ Stopping to smell the tulips. ^^

^^ Happy Brooks! ^^

^^ We may or may not have bribed him with the gum he has in his mouth to smile. Yea, that didn't work. haha ^^

^^ There were concessions and OH those little, feshly made donuts were SO GOOD. ^^

^^ Love him. Forever and ever. ^^

A Good Day at Liberty Park

It was sunny out, but still cool enough for jackets and holding hands extra tight.

We fed bread (and some Sonic french fries) to nice ducks, and feisty geese.

We cheered on Ava as she toddled around on her sweet little legs.

We chased Brooks around the playground and made a little family band.

We had a good day at Liberty Park. A very good day. :)

And that maxi skirt was perfect for the day out. :) My incredible seamstress cousin made it! Kristen sews them, custom to your shape and size, for only $15-30 (depending on the design--solid, stripes, chevron or diagonal striped). If you're interested, let me know and I can give you her contact info. :)