mother's day at the isle of capri.

disclaimer alert:

too many pictures in this post but seriously, can you ever really have too many photos and, the second disclaimer, i'm often sentimental about things like this, so be prepared for the mush ball i am about to become. i'm sorry. okay, i said it.

i awoke to find him next to my bed with a handmade card that he had carefully traced letters on to spell, happy mother's day.

here mama...

i forced my eyes open, quickly remembering that today was...my special day. i talked the exhaustion out of my

voice and squealed with delight as my baby boy handed me the treasure he created for me the night before.

i love his proud little face.

and this is how the most perfect mother's day started.

with tickle tortures, singing, and dancing in the big bed...

"i love you, mama." i heard over and over again.

my sleepy head finally made it in as well. cuddles that i have been missing from my big girl, returned for the morning and i was sucking

the life out of them. not wanting to miss a drop. so we, my girl and i stayed in bed a little bit longer than the boys

and i thought this is what being a mama is about. these are the moments that make the sleepless nights, the worry,

the vulnerable love, the guilt, the doubt, the work- so worth it. every moment, happy and sad, seem clearer to me on mother's day

morning when i finally hear, i love you, mama!

they are saying thank you. thank you for loving me as you do. the way you do and as much as you do.

happy mother's day to all the mother's in my life, but especially to my mom, my grandma irvine, and my mother-in-law.

i love each of you very much. i am lucky to have such wonderful women in my life.

to my babies, thank you for making me a mama, a role i cherish each. and. every. day. of. my. life. from moment one,

peyton when you heard mesay, 'hi, baby girl' and you grabbed my index finger and turned your head in my direction.

i knew you were the miracle that had taken me from girl to woman. both you and your brother, are the most beautiful

people i have ever known inside and out. thank you for making me a mama. xoxo

and then off to isle of capri or a little part of heaven on earth. it may or not be the most beautiful place,

but to us, it's bright, salty skies, and mature beachside tiki huts welcome us warmly as we round the corner,

past the boat attic and into the familiar fish house parking lot.

usually it is pretty quiet, but today, it was bustling with people with whom i assume were celebrating with the mamas in their lives.

kelle, thank you for making it your personal mission to get some photos of me and my little ones! xoxo

the air was hot, but the breeze made it a perfectly beautiful afternoon and i knew it was going to be a really good day!

we entertained our children...

and our husbands too.

took pictures...

cuddled a sick little boy with sad eyes until he fell asleep under a colorful umbrella, listening the ocean,

and repeatedly saying, "i want to stay at the beach, mama."...

dug our toes in the sand and shells.

and me and my glamorous bestie...

we played and posed and did cartwheels (well, i just watched because a cartwheel i have never done.

i'm a bit afraid of them and it didn't help when kelle said innocently,

"i hope you don't crack your neck or break something."

ha. well, today was not the day to try but it was pretty funny watching

her do them while a pile of kayaks about knocked me out when i fell into

them while trying to get the perfect cartwheel shot. i'll stick to the irish jig thank you very much.

our girls looked for sea hares and jellyfish and only god knows what else and then the magic light happened

...as it always does.

we wait for it, not talking about it, but knowing it is coming. it's golden and beautiful

and at a time in the day when we are happily loose and feelin' free and relaxed,

we watch as the light changes and repeat over and over how lucky we are to live where we do.

actually, we sound like broken records, but what can you do?! ha.

peyton and i chatted it up most of the evening and can i just say, i really, really like her.

i'm so glad we get to share each other's time.

katie, you rock for getting so many beautiful shots of my girl (and me). love ya.

then, forced to go into the hut because of the skeeters, the girls danced it up while we drank coffee and played the IF game. laughing, crying...you know, a typical night at the ioc!

and the most important part of today was just being. just being me with my girl and my little

guy. loving on them and just being...a family trying to make memories and show our little ones

how to enjoy the little sandy things and appreciate this place we call home.

twirling girl.

happy mother's day to all the mama's out there being the best they can be for the little loves in their lives. with lots of love,

goodnight. i will post some new recipes in a few days and quite possibly even have them organized

by then too!

xoxo

heidi