Our kids, growing up

I've noticed so much lately how quickly both Dane and Aria are growing up, and it's a total mixture of joy and sadness. I'm thrilled with every new skill, word, activity they gain, but am finally also at a point where I can recognize the little things that I'm missing as they pass into memory. I love how Dane is so imaginative and yet so literal at the same time. When we ask him if he's a squirrel during playtime, he'll say,  "No, I'm Dane!" Yet, at the same time, his cars can fly, his cups are telescopes, and he's constantly on a race track "going crazy!" as he zooms through life. Aria can suddenly follow directions, make friends with strangers by greeting them with a big "Hi!" and a wave and is moving from walking to running faster than we can believe. I've realized how special each night, each time their eyes light up can be. Aria's immediate smile when she sees Miss Mousie, Dane's enthusiasm for showing us the different faces he can make. All of these things and so many more...I want to keep them fresh in my mind forever. I know that we can't freeze time, but I'm so thankful that God has shown me beauty and contentment in what I assumed would be a dark and dismal period of our lives, and I'm holding tight to those things while I can.

 This is how Dane helps me mow the lawn.

 Ari sporting her 8 1/2 teeth and Missoni ballet flats which she trashed the first time she wore to childcare at the gym:)

 A favorite pastime: sitting and bouncing on mom while I'm doing anything on the floor.

 Picking up skateboarding. First walking, now this...she's growing up so fast!

Dane showing Ari his "tricks".

"Dane, what are you doing?" "I makin' her a princess mom."