A Mother's Song

This poem is read by Jennifer Garner on the Disney Channel. While it's being read, cartoon clips of mommies and babies are being shown (from Dumbo, Bambie, etc.). Anyway, I think it's a really sweet poem, and I didn't want to forget about it, so I thought posting it on here would be a good way to 'keep' it. Please enjoy:

A Mother's Song
a Traditional Lullaby

My heart is like a fountain true
That flows and flows with love to you.
As chirps the lark unto the tree
...So chirps my pretty babe to me.

There's not a rose where'er I seek,
As comely as my baby's cheek.
There's not a comb of honey-bee,
So full of sweets as babe to me.

There's not a star that shines on high,
Is brighter than my baby's eye.
There's not a boat upon the sea,
Can dance as baby does to me.

No silk was ever spun so fine
As is the hair of baby mine.
My baby smells more sweet to me
Than smells in spring the elder tree.

A little fish swims in the well,
So in my heart does baby dwell.
A little flower blows on the tree,
My baby is the flower to me.

The Queen has sceptre, crown and ball,
You are my sceptre, crown and all.
For all her robes of royal silk,
More fair your skin, as white as milk.

Ten thousand parks where deer do run,
Ten thousand roses in the sun,
Ten thousand pearls beneath the sea,
My babe more precious is to me.

The Florida Keys

The Florida Keys and Sanibel are probably the two best reasons to live in South Florida. Six years ago, Richard and I got married in the Keys (Islamorada, specifically). We dressed casually, ate casually, and only invited about a dozen people. It was an amazing weekend with close friends and family! Then we took our honeymoon in Sanibel on the west coast of Florida. While the Keys are kinda low-budget and chill...Sanibel is a bit more high-end, but still equally as relaxing and beautiful. Both areas have amazing restaurants, fun stores to visit, and beaches. I haven't been to Sanibel in several years, but we go to the Keys two to three times a year, even if it's just a day trip. Last Saturday, we went for the day.

Some highlights: my sister caught a starfish and Lydia tried to eat it, we had a delicious meal at our favorite restaurant down there (Lazy Days), we saw dolphins at Hawk's Cay (a really nice resort), went swimming, visited Anne's Beach, and watched the sunset. It was a beautiful day outdoors with my family! I love creating such awesome memories.

Spring is here!

Unfortunately, this was a very short-lived winter in Florida. I love the cooler weather - 50s every day would be lovely. I was just thinking about how I bought Lydia lots of cute sweaters/hoodies back in November thinking it would be colder, and she never even got a chance to wear them. I guess I should be thankful as so many other states experienced blizzards recently...while this past weekend we got to go to the beach. Lydia showed off her new bathing suit from Grandma Barbara. It's so cute!

Have I mentioned how much Lydia loves playgrounds recently?? This beach had a playground, and she had a blast going down the slides and on the swing. With the warm(er) weather coming and baby #2 on the way, I think it's time for us to invest swing sets for kids for our backyard. I would want to get something durable that can grow with our family, but is still appropriate for little ones, and obviously reasonably-priced. In Florida, I feel like it's hard to get a wooden set because there is so much moisture in the air and metal gets so hot in the sun, so I would probably lean toward plastic. I'd also love to purchase an outdoor playhouse. Anyone have any suggestions?