Let your life be a painting

Dear Maisie, 

I feel the need to tell you, in writing... that you are magic.  On Christmas morning I read you "Have You Filled a Bucket Today.  A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids." It's a very sweet book that is so great.  In it, it explains that everyone in the world has an invisible bucket.  Throughout the day that bucket can be filled or emptied.  When your bucket is full, you are happy.  A bucket full of happiness.  If your bucket is empty... not so happy.  We talked about it, read it.  You loved it.  You whispered to me "Let's try it out on daddy."   Then looked at your dad and said "you're a good and handsome daddy."  He smiled big and said "aw, why thank you sweetheart."  
"Mom!  It worked"  You said proudly.  My heart was instantly happier.

A few hours later we were at your grandma and papas.  Great Grannie Goodheart was there too.  88 years young.  Everyone was chatting away, checking out presents and out of nowhere you whisper to me "watch this mom.  I'm going to fill up Great Grandmas bucket."  

"Great Grandma you have a sweet heart."  

Big smile from her, big smile from you.  My own heart melted.   

You can do many things with your life Maisie.  You will likely possess many qualities.  You could be strong willed, passionate, independent, smart, wise, charming, sassy, talented or wild.  But the one thing I will always feel most proud of is when you are kind.  When your soul shines with love and compassion.  Nothing makes me feel better, makes my bucket more full.  Your soul is shiny Maisie.  Sparkly.  May you carry on filling buckets wherever you go.  Making magic, spreading yours.  It is your life my darling girls.  You choose what your life will be.  You can make your life the most magnificent painting you can imagine.  Today you asked me to wear your "wedding dress" from our wedding.  We made these photos in about 10 minutes in our kitchen, with love.

So much love, 

oxox mom

“When I say be creative I don't mean that you should all go and become great painters and great poets. I simply mean let your life be a painting, let your life be a poem.” ~Osho

And then she was 4.

Dear Maisie, 

On Saturday you turn four.

Sometimes I wonder how I am, as a parent.  If I'm good.  If I'm teaching you enough, sharing enough, loving enough.  And then, as though on cue you'll say "this is the best day ever mom".  or "I love my family" or "I have a lot of love for Avery" (your bff) and my soul feels full.  You see, I hope that the most beautiful gift we will ever be able to give you is a good attitude.  A positive outlook.  The ability to choose to see beauty when all signs may point to yucky.  When I see you dance around in the sunlight, run around in scooby doo boy "panties" and gumboots, hug your dad unprompted and say "you are the best dad ever", or kiss your baby brother on the head... it makes me smile.  You are wild, free, loving and kind.  You have your moments.  The meltdowns.  We have our moments, our power struggles.  But, I can see you shine.  I can see that you know that every day really is the best day ever or at least could be.  I see that, and know that your life will be filled with love and adventure.  Four years in this life Maisie.  Four lucky, fabulous years.  What a marvel you are.  You are joy.  You are miraculous, miles from ordinary.  I hope you always are able to see the potential for the best day, in every day.  I love you sweet girl, 

Happy fourth birthday, 

xoox  Love mom.

Ballerina in the snow

Dear Maisie, 

You asked to watch the "real ballet Swan Lake" on the snowiest day of the year on Vancouver Island.  "I am the one with the crown mom, I'm the one on my tippy toes.  Come one dad, dance with me."  Your jammies were quickly exchanged for your ballet clothes.  Watching you dance around the living room, periodically kissing baby Elliots head and instructing your dad how to be "more beautiful" and more like a "real ballerina".  Your dad tried to ask you something about the performance and you whispered "shhhhh, ballerinas never talk on stage dad".  I kept watching you and noticing the snow falling gently outside.  Before I knew it, I had carried you and my camera outside and popped you on your new "stage" outside in the snow of our front yard.  You laughed, danced and within about 2 minutes were done and ready for your promised 'dora snacks'.  I posted one photo on my Facebook page and it got a whole lot of attention.  I guess people think my little ballerina in the snow is pretty cute.  I know I sure do.  

Maisie, I hope you will always take time to be spontaneous, be wild, do something different, be yourself and follow your heart.  Dance in the snow, live passionately and creatively.  You are a masterpiece.  I love you sweet girl. xoxo