Just because everything is different doesn't mean anything has changed. ~Irene Peter
I've been thinking a lot about milestones these days. For me, its not big milestones - the first word spoken - that gets me. Its not the first lost tooth or even the first day of kindergarten that brings on the tears. Its the quiet milestones, that might get overlooked if I'm not paying attention, that hit me straight in the soft mama heart. It is watching one of the older boys read for the first time to their little brother. Its bike ramps and crashes and tears being forced to stay in their eyes now, when before they would have cried like a baby. Those are the milestones that just move me to pray that time stand still.
Earlier this week the boys and I went to a local JV baseball game. There is this great kid, named Zach, who volunteers in the older boys' Sunday school class. And well, my boys think he is the coolest thing since sliced bread! Zach invited us to watch him play ball sometime. And it just worked out that on Tuesday, after homework was done, we were able to make it. After a quick stop for necessities - sunflower seeds, Bubble Yum bubble gum and drinks - we were at the ball park.
And the boys were in heaven. They couldn't help but wave to Zach each and every time he entered the dugout. And bless his heart, Zach shyly waved right back each time...trying not to look too glad to see his littlest fans. Watching them spit sunflower seeds and blow bubbles as they stared at the batter made them age right before my eyes.
They watched intently and asked a gazillion questions.
"What does a foul mean?"
"But mama, where is fourth base?"
"Why do they call it stealing second?"
"You mean you are really going to let us spit...in front of all these people?"
And then on the way home, it came.
"Mama, can we play baseball too?"
Of course you can.
It is an amazing thing to be truly inspired by someone else, some one older, someone cool as all get out. Inspired by an experience, a scene played out before you that seems bigger than life.
I hope you don't mind much Zach ( I know you don't). But you've got three little people who are making bets as I speak that you will win the World Series next year.
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And not to switch gears on you too quickly.
But, speaking of milestones.
I don't know if you have noticed, but the Vintage Chica blog has hit a few smilestone of her own. She's growing up too. There is now a new fancy navigation bar just under the header to help organize some of the information (and most popular) pages, along with a nice easy way to contact me.
Also, I have been asked a few times about what chapter books we read aloud to our boys. And I get it. Boys are toughies when it comes to a longer book that will hold their attention. So, I have added the list of books we have read aloud so far about half way down on the right sidebar. I hope you find one that you think your little guy (or gal) will enjoy.
And finally, after much (much, much) thought, I have decided to open the blog up to sponsorships. This was a hard decision. So much of what I write about in this space has to do with our family and our little life here. And making a buck off of that just didn't seem right. That is until I talked to a small business owner a few months back. She told me about how it is becoming increasingly difficult for small cottage industries to make it. How they are getting overlooked and bypassed by much larger companies with more advertising power.
At that moment, my answer was very clear. I decided to welcome the opportunity to help out some of my favorite small child friendly, mama friendly, eco friendly, etsy friendly businesses. And who knows, maybe I'll make a little egg money in the process.
And please know, that you will never see a product or site advertised here that I do not support myself. So, at the beginning of each month we'll be introducing our new sponsors and having a little giveaway.
Sound fun? I think so too!
This month's giveaway is sponsored by Beebee Mod, who happens to be owned by one of my favorite photobloggers, Jen. The Beebee Mod shop has some of the coolest, hippest things for little people you'll find on the web.
You know how much we are loving birds these days, and well...I about flipped when I saw these little birdie doodle notebooks. And these Colors and Critters coloring books...I've already ordered three of the of them along with some crayon rocks for the boys Easter baskets. Ssshhh!
To be entered in the drawing for a $25 gift certificate to the Beebee Mod shop, just pop on over to Beebee Mod, poke around a bit and then come back here to leave a comment telling me just what you plan to buy with your $25... should you win.
Entries will be accepted until Friday evening and I will post the winner on Monday morning.
Good luck everyone.
And here's to milestones!