Five has been my favorite number since I can remember. It is always my lucky number when I have to pick one; It is always the number I pick when someone says “choose a number between one and ten!”  It is the number I picked for every sport I played. But today, it has a different meaning.

Today, my sweet baby boy, turns 5 years old. F.I.V.E. How in the world did that happen!? I know every parent says time flies by once you have kids, and I know that that is the case, except today I actually feel it passing too quickly. Up until today, I could still refer to Jackson as ‘my little man,’ or ‘my little dude,’ but now, he is totally a big kid! His next school year is going to be when he starts elementary school! That is just crazy to me – there doesn’t seem to be enough time that has past since the first time I held him that he should be going to kindergarten in the fall! On the other hand, days like yesterday when that sweet baby boy reminds me he can be a clone of ‘Denise the Menace’ I believe he is in fact, a big kid! But I’ll take it. All of it. I don’t care how old he is, he will always be my sweet baby boy. I guess all those hundreds of children’s books are right – once mommys baby, always mommys baby.

Jackson David -

Happy Happy Birthday! I cannot believe you are already 5 years old! You have been waiting for this birthday your whole life (so far!) You often remind me, you can have gum ‘when you’re five,’ you can have friends sleepover ‘when you’re five,’ you can have ‘two treats instead of just one ‘when you’re five.’ Well, here you are.  You are five! You have grown up so quickly and I have seen your smiling face everyday become more and more fascinated with everything you do. You greet everyday with such curiosity. You are always searching to figure things out, move things, switch things.  The way you translate concepts amazes me. The way you put things together and make connections completely blows me away. Your smile is killer! Your giggle is infectious. You heart is without boundaries.  You are one of the funniest little guys I have ever met, I adore your sense of humor!  You are just like Mommy when you love to laugh! I love watching you play with your sister who adores you and wants to be your very best friend. Youre kind and gentle (except when she wants a turn before you’re finished!) and you are very considerate of all your friends.  Your family loves you so much and we have loved watching you grow every day of your five years so far!  Thank you for teaching me so much as your Mommy.  You have taught me things I never would have dreamed.  I cannot wait to see what’s waiting for you in this next year.  You are my sunshine and I love you with all my heart and soul.

You are and always will be, my I love you.

Love,
Mom

Yesterday I packed up the kiddos and we headed out to a local park… and I actually brought my camera for my own kids!  I feel like I haven’t photographed my own kids doing what they love without any rules and (or bribery!!) in a long time.  So yesterday I decided that’s what I was going to do.  I took off my ‘photographers’ hat and put on my ‘mom’ hat and took photographs so I remember. Imperfect. Average outfits. Bright sunshine. Happy.

I want to remember their giggles. Their silly sunglasses. The way Molly’s pigtails dance in the wind when she’s on the swing. The way Jackson climbs through tunnels and forts. The way Molly loves to play peek-a-boo anywhere. The way Jackson is venturing into things that previously had scared him. The way they cling on to me when I asked them to sit with me. I just want to remember.

So these? These are for me. Me the Mom; not me the photographer.

Climbing through tunnels.

Peek-a-boo, Molly!

Those sunglasses just kill me!

Jumping bean!

My greatest blessings

I love you both to the moon and back. Thanks for picking me to be your mom.

You are the very best thing I’ve ever done in my life,

I love you forever.

Mom

from my little love bugs to yours.

happy valentine’s day.

<3

handsome little man.

sweet little ladybug girl.

little sibling love!

lovebugs.

Much Love,

From these Crazies to yours! Merry Christmas.

I hope your Christmas is filled with love, joy, laughter and most of all peace…

Much Love to you and yours,

just like that, in a blink of an eye, i have a 4 year old and an almost 2 year old. How.Did.That.Happen?

This year was a big first day of school in the Schimpf house – Not only was it the first day for Jackson who is the one of the ‘big kids’ of the school (the oldest class!) but Ms. Molly got a spot in the ‘little kids’ room.  She was wait-listed and at the very last minute got a spot and we couldn’t be more excited! I really believe she is going to thrive there and its exactly what she needs.  That and she pitched a fit everytime we had to leave Jackson but she couldn’t stay there last year

Jackson – As you go into the last year of preschool, I hope you learn new things everyday. Make friends. Help others. Listen to your teachers. Speak up when you need help. Take care of people that are sad or hurt. Giggle when things are silly and always remember how very much I love you.  I’m so proud of you. You are growing up to be such a special little boy, just as I knew you would be.  I can’t wait to see all that you learn this year.

the classic 'first day of school' shot!

When I look at this picture, I will always smile when I look at your crooked little haircut  and your cut on your chin (from a ‘faceplant’ at the park the day before!)  just the way you were on your first day of school.. perfectly you.

Molly – As you go into the first year of preschool, I hope you learn new things everyday too. I hope you discover the world is an amazing place with so much for you to take in.  I hope you learn how to share (you little stinker aren’t so great at that, yet!) Enjoy the girlie toys and know you don’t have to stick to just trains, planes, and cars like you play with your brother at home (unless you want to of course.)  Sing and dance at the end of every day. Let your new friends hear your sweet laughter.  Keep reading all the books you love so much. I can’t wait to see how much you will grow this year.  I know you are going to be great.  Don’t forget, no matter how big you get, you will always be my little girl.

Someone's excited for school!!

I will always giggle when I see your little pebbles hairstyle and think of the way you yelled ‘bump-kin’ all morning – since you are in the PUMPKIN class!

Some of the two together that make me realize just how fast time is going…

All Smiles!

That little dude cracks me up!

Backpacks in hand - ready to roll

This is the look you get when your child suffers from PCS (Photographer Child Syndrome!) - it was also the first shot of the day... Rascle!

First day with Ms. Jill!

Big girl in her chair at the table ready to play!

Thanks for bringing me on this incredible ride..

I love you both,

Love, Mom