Your dad might be an editor if...

...you discuss pages in terms of spreads and (at 6!) already feel the NEED to "fix" spelling.

Somehow related to grumpy cat

Dear Henry,

Your grumpy mouth is so extreme that it often makes me laugh. That is probably the opposite effect that you are going for but I cannot help it because IT IS SO CRAZY FUNNY.

And depending on what you do with your eyebrows, it reminds me of several other wonderfully grumpy faces I know.

Frown with eyebrows up reminds me of... 

...our zoo's grumpy gorilla

Frown with eyebrows-level reminds me of...

...Grumpy Cat

Frown with eyebrows down reminds me of...

...Maximus

All together, I am impressed that we gave you the magical genetic combination of the orneriest facial traits of the family: Papa's deadly stink-eye and B's dramatic frown. Using advanced age progression photoshop, I imagine someday your frowny face will look something like this.

And how can I not smile at that?

Xoxo,
Mama

A time to drop off and a time to sew

Dresses for a doll:

And a dress for a girl:

Oh so SEW wonderful to have time to make you something!
Mama

Lucy is 6! Our "Igvenchrs" continue

Happy 6th birthday Lucy B!

She is 6!

Right now, there are around 7 billion people on the planet.

One in 7 billion

But there isn't a single one of them just like you.

Making Snowman Soup during the Portland snowpocolypse

And no one that I would prefer to have as my daughter.

Snorkling in puddles by the river

I am so proud of you!

Showing her colors

You are interesting, adventurous, and creative.

Reading!

Fun, friendly, and intelligent.

Interpretive dancing on the stairs

Brave and determined.

Warning off solicitors

More and more, I realize Papa named you "Strong Woman" for a reason.

Wonder Lucy

There is strength in you that goes beyond what I ever imagined.

Winter fox

You have grown so much this year!

Swedish wear at Småland

Both inside and out.

Making pizza

It is mostly exciting, but sometimes difficult, to watch you change so much.

A lover of fancy face paint

Your kindergarten teacher, Ms. Miles, has been teaching you more about being flexible and problem solving.

Mustache Day at School

It hasn't been easy, but you have adapted to a big school and big classroom (29 classmates!).

Your class lined up at the curb

You have become a bucket filler!

Fancy Day at School

And you have made some lovely friends.

Dressed up like "working girls" with Luka

Your artistic talents are growing.

Mermaid fun

You continue to make amazing things.

Creating magic at Art Ala Carte

You even made $21 at your first art sale!

You made fairy gardens to sell at your first show

You aren't in school with Henry anymore.

In a tipi fort in Idaho

But after school hours are full of pretending and games.

Ready for sledding

And, unfortunately, a fair amount of arguing.

Breakfast with Santa

But, you clearly love each other. 

FiveCrows Island

And I am so grateful that you have each other.

Bikes!

 And that we have you both.

Garden superheroes 

 Your parents might be exhausted half the time - but we are happy.

Zoo day

And life with you two is never boring.

Church-going lions

So, happy birthday my Lucy B.

Princess Lucy and Princess Sophie

I am such a lucky mama.

Thank you for another year of wonderful "igvenchrs."

xoxoxo,
Mama

Our little mermaid

Good swimmer - check.
Loves fish - check.
Knows a lot about oceans - check.
Has the right outfit - check.

Sings like Arial - um...close enough.

Note: costume by Aunt Millie, photography by Grandma Crow

Mi tortugita

I am loving these school photos from Escuela Viva.

And the fact that you stand out in your class photos as the only one wearing JAMMIES and having the CRAZY FACE.

¡Te amo hijo mio! Oh so very much.