Last public post

This will be my last public post on 3 peanuts.  My new blog Quiet Elegance is up but not quite running nor elegant yet.  I have posted one recipe.  I am really enjoying summer with the kids so I do not expect to post a lot here or there.  I will close this in a few days, so please bookmark

Quiet Elegance

if you wish to follow it.  I will be slowly inviting people I know to the private blog 3 peanuts. Please be patient as I slowly sort through the e-mails and get it all set.   I have appreciated all of the beautiful stories and comments from everyone over the past few weeks as to how this blog has touched you.  I wish you all the very best.

Kim

quick update

Thank you for the amazing comments and e-mail since I announced I was going private. It was incredibly heartwarming to read how this blog has touched people in so many different ways.  I truly had no idea. Several of your stories brought me to tears.  I am so glad that our family has had a positive impact on so many people.  

Several people did not leave an e-mail address in their comment.  Even if I know you, even if you are my Mom or best friend...please leave it.  I will NOT publish it but it will make it 1000 times easier to set up the private blog.

So many people asked me to continue to post about photography, decorating, cooking, health, parenting, style etc. or expressed concern about how to find me down the road that I have decided to set up a public blog called Quiet Elegance.  It will not be ready until next week. Several of you asked for the recipes or a photo of Kate's 1st birthday cake.  I will post them on the new public blog.  This blog will not be as personal and I ask that you do not use my children's names on it at all.  Also, I will not post to it as frequently as part of my goal is to blog less and live more:)  But I will post snippets here and there on the above topics.  

I hope y'all are happy and enjoying this glorious summer:)

Kim

Going private for a while

My children have reached an age where I think it is best if I change my blog to private for now. I feel like it is the safe thing to do.  Also, while I adore the blogging community, lately I am so busy with my real life friends and family that I have not been able to reciprocate the wonderful relationships here in blogland. I love most being a good wife, mother, family member, friend etc. and sometimes having a blog can get in the way of that. Nothing bad has happened, I just feel like this is the right thing to do right now.  I have prayed about this for a long time.

I might have another blog in the Fall once all 3 peanuts are in school but it would be far less personal (more recipes, spiritual inspiration, decor etc). Or I might find more time on my hands down the road and open this up again someday finding a way to be more protective of my children.

I want to thank every single person who has ever left a kind comment or good wish here.  You all have been so kind and supportive of our family for the past 2 years.  You have prayed for us, offered advice, shared funny stories, sent quilt squares and gifts and for all of that, I am so thankful.

If I know you in real life or have come to "know" you through the blog and you would like to be included on the private blog, please leave your e-mail in the comments (even if I KNOW it).  I will not publish them but it will make it A LOT easier to cut and paste them.  It will take me a few weeks to do this and I am not sure how many people blogger will allow me to have.  Please do not take it personally if I cannot include you. I have a large circle of friends and family and last time I checked the limit was 100.  HH~ if you can let me know how to get around that I sure would appreciate it:)

Happy Birthday Big Girl!

Sweet Kate,

Every year on your birthday I like to write you a letter.  This year has been full of change and transition.  Shortly after your birthday last year, Dad was offered a job in Texas and we decided to move.  I think the move was really tough on you (me too;).  We were in  a corporate apartment and you slept in a pack and play in a large closet for a few months.  We had to flee a hurricane and you had a lot of illness this year. I think you demonstrated your displeasure with all of this transition through typical 2 year old behavior~tantrums. Once we settled into our new house, things got a little better.

You also started pre-school two mornings a week this year.  You were hesitant at first but eventually you came to love it.  In the Spring, we moved you to the three morning a week class and you adapted beautifully.  You took ballet and tap and had your first recital.  You are a natural on the stage and you LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to dance.

You have never been a big fan of toys and you still don't really wander off and play (although I am trying to teach you this skill).  But you ADORE the Disney princesses and all things girly. You will watch Cinderella or Princess sing alongs and you love to dress up like the princesses. Speaking of dress-up, you also wear tutus and ballet slippers constantly.  Give you a tiara and a tutu and you are one happy little girl.  You also have recently discovered the love of having your fingernails and toenails painted.

Other things you love include cupcakes and books.  Your favorite books are Fancy Nancy and Green Eggs and Ham.  You also like Pinkalicious and Arthur books.  You will sit on your floor and "read" the books you have memorized.

You have become such a big girl this year....you started school, potty trained and for the first time last night, you slept in a big girl bed (you did fall out though).  We are hoping to put that crib away for good next week.  You also became comfortable swimming independently with your bubble and having babysitters (woo-hoo!).  Unfortunately, you have pretty much said goodbye to nap time too. I am so proud of all of your accomplishments (except that last one).

You definitely pushed my buttons more this year than ever as you asserted your independence. You have a very strong will and while I know one day it will serve you well, it makes for a challenging two year old.  You know what you like and what you don't like and you are not shy about letting others know too.  You might just get that from me;)

Kate, you have such sweet manners.  You say please and thank you.  When people wish you a happy birthday...you respond by saying "happy birthday" in return.  You share with your friends and get sad when your brothers are upset.  Your heart is full of love and compassion.

You absolutely adore your Daddy.  You refer to yourself as a princess and him as the King.  You run to him when he gets home from work and he reads to you and puts you to sleep every single night.  I love watching your relationship.  It is simply beautiful.

Similarly, you look up to your big brothers.  They have taught you all sorts of silly things (pound it, knock knock jokes, and other things).  You wrestle with them and play all kinds of made up games (ghostie ghosite, pink burrito, and hide and seek).

One thing you started to do recently really touches my soul.  Every night at dinner we go around the table and share our favorite part of the day (or other positive item).  We have been doing this for years.  When you came home from China as a baby we always asked you about your favorite part of the day.  Dad thought I was being silly but I insisted that we ask every single night.  When you finally started answering, you said the same thing every day. You would tell us your favorite part of the day was "getting a haircut." You said it all the time whether you got a haircut or not.  But in the last few months, you actually began to answer us accurately. And a few weeks ago, YOU started asking each of us what our favorite part of the day was.  

I get teary eyed as I see how you have seamlessly worked into our family and our hearts Kate. You are such a gift to us and I love you to the depths of my soul.  I could go on and on about all the things I love about you.  But mostly I just love YOU!  Happy 3rd birthday Kate Emerson.

Love,

Mom

On your first birthday

Your 2nd birthday

And today on your 3rd birthday

We celebrated as a family today and I will post those photos soon.

(Kate's dress is from Old Navy for those who have inquired)