Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Caterpillar in 'da twee"...


So, this is one of those posts that I just wish could stay at the top of my blog forever...LOL.   It's a bit long, but if I can put a smile on your face today while I am feeling all warm and fuzzy just typing this...then I'll be thrilled.


{{{Before I go on, PLEASE scroll down for another Earth LOVE Feature and also for Mercy's Tuesday Sketch challenge today!  THANK YOU SO MUCH for sticking with me! }}}


One of the games my kids and I always play is "Im the Peanut Butter, You're the Jelly"...ok , so I don't really think that's the actual NAME of this game...or if it even is a game?  But, it's something that we've done since my first was a wee tot.  Basically we just say things that go together to let each other know how much we love each other and how much one needs the other to do what we're supposed to!  Plus, it's also a really good exercise for the kids to have to come up with things that go together.    Here are some favorites:

Madelynn:  "I'm the milk and  you're the cookies"...."I'm the notebook, you're the pen"

Jack: "I'm the pirate, you're the ship" (lol!)..."I'm the pancake, you're the syrup"
Nicky: "I'm the butter, you're the popcorn"..."I'm the webkin, you're the computer" (I kid you not )...well, THEN there's Ava.


For a while, it was a bit harder for my then 2 year old (who is now almost 4) to comprehend this game, so we'd get things like "You're the pizza, I'm the french fry"....or, "you're the makeup, I'm the cherries".  SO random.  OMG I am cracking up just writing this.   Well, as time went on, my little baby wasn't such a baby anymore and  she started to get it..."I'm the cupcake...you're  the frosting".   There is something both happy and sad about the moment that a child "gets it".  It means there will be no more silly sayings like "I'm the blanket and you're the grapes" (true story, haha)...but it also means they're growing up and gaining sooo much insight and knowledge and it makes you feel good too...


Anyway, close to a year ago, we were sitting at Chili's.   It's ALWAYS a good time to play this game while the kids are waiting for their food...  However, the BEST part about this story was that we actually weren't playing it...when OUT of the blue, she SHOUTS (and I mean, shouts!)  "MOMMY!!!!!!!"  Shhhhhh!  lol "Yes Ava?"  


"I'm the Caterpillar...and you're the BUTTERFLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"


Clearly this was her LIGHT BULB moment.  She totally got it.  And um, HELLO could the kid have chosen anything more perfect?  Surely she knows how much I LOVE butterflies.  


From that point on, it stuck...we've been referring to her as "Caterpillar" ever since.   

When the Hannah Montana soundtrack came out (from the movie), my 9 year old said "Mom, you have to hear this song!  It's about a caterpillar turning into a butterfly and getting older and stuff"...that kid's insight AMAZES me, but that's a whole 'nother story....  The song makes me BAWL every time I hear it because as much as I know it's going to happen, I can't stand the thought of my babies not being babies anymore sometimes...  Here's one of my favorite lines of the song:

 "Caterpillar in the tree, how you wonder what you'll be, can't go far but you can always dream...."

Ok, sniff, enough....and if you're wondering about the title of this post, well..that's how little Miss Ave pronounces the song :)  LOVE that...another sign she's still my baby, right???

Anyway, I'm sure by now you can only IMAGINE how it took me all of oh, 30 SECONDS from when I saw this digistamp from Inktegrity on my friend Heather's blog to go buy it!  My friend and fellow Club Anya Guest DT Joni Wilson is actually the owner and illustrator of this image and she is awesome!


Today also happens to be the DieCuts R Us Challenge to create an "Earth Friendly and/or themed project."  Can you say PERFECT?     We would LOVE for you to play along this week, so be sure to check out the details HERE.  

I used Cosmo Cricket's awesome "Earth Love" DP paired with a Chipboard sticker of theirs and created this card on 70% recycled Kraft paper.  The caterpillar CRAWLS in the ground/earth..so that counts too, right?  ;)  The layout is from Jen Del Muro's SFYTT this week.  Click HERE to see it-its a great sketch!



I had to print out the verse from the song because...well, by now, if you've stuck with me, you know EXACTLY why.


Hope this makes you smile...have a good day, everyone...~Jess :)

38 comments:

Jennifer Love said...

What a sweet story!

And what a FABULOUS OMG FABULOUS OMG FABULOUS card! Love!

kris said...

OMGosh Jess, that was a sweet story... it amazes me what the kiddies say out of the blue... moment in time you're wondering to yourself, "where did that come from?!" and that caterpillar card, OMG, LOVE IT!!!! that is soooo cute! i think you just have to keep it posted on your sidebar... =D hugs, Kris

Pam Varnell said...

That was so sweet Jess. Love that story!! I love it when lots of your posts are about your kids. What a great Mom you are. Feel like I'm gonna cry now. Your card is just adorable and the meaning behind it is even better.

Have missed talking to you. Hugs!!

Anonymous said...

OMGosh that is the most adorable story, i do love hearing about your family, especially when it's obviously something which means so much :) Loving your card too.
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful family with us, it brightens my day :)
Have a wonderful day
Suzi
xxx

Marley said...

What a sweet story!! It definitly puts a smile on my face.. your a great mom!! and you made a lovely card.. xxx hugs Marley

Marley said...

What a sweet story!! It definitly puts a smile on my face.. your a great mom!! and you made a lovely card.. xxx hugs Marley

Peggy said...

Ahhh...the little things that mean the most to us moms!! Super sweet story. Think it would be a good idea to take the blog posts that you do like this (plus your special accomplishments) and make a book out of them for your children? Kind of a "blog scrapbook".
Your card is absolutely adorable!!

queen-of-nostalgia said...

You just made my day. I have twin boys (4 yrs) and they would love this game :)

Have a great day, Butterfly!

Cheers!
Kristen

Ann Kranitz said...

OMG how terrific!!! Jodi and I were just talking about how everyone in blogland (including you) has used the Earth Love paper so well and I just cant seem to get it to work for me but you have inspired me to whip it out and give it another try!!! HUGS!!!

Julie said...

OH WHAT A CUTE STORY! :) It made me smile...cute card, Jess!

Heather said...

Your card is fabulous. I cry everytime we listen to that song too (which is everyday, lol).

Jackie Pedro said...

I'm crackin' up here!!! What a darling story!! And your card is just the cutest!!! I hated when my kids started saying things correctly!! LOL!

Sabrina Jackson said...

What a heartwarming story!! I can relate, I have a 4 y.o. and it always amazes me when that ahaa moment comes but yet other times they still are little babes. Mine can't say for the life of her "three" she says what sounds like "free" :D:D:D. Gorgeous card by the way and oh so fitting for this story. TFS. Hugs and blessings, Sabrina

Claudia said...

Love your card, and love the story even more! Might have to try that with my boys. They love "thinking" games.

Claudia (DCRU)

Kim said...

What an adorable, infinitely memorable story and a drop dead, gorgeous card.

WickedPixie said...

Hi Jess! First I have to say I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this card! The colors, the dimension, the theme...total love!! And your story made me cry. Not kidding! Don't do that!! (ok, go ahead, it was very sweet!) :-)Traci

Sparkplug17 said...

Such a cute and sweet story! Your card is darling.

Kelly Schelske said...

Love that song Jessica, my daughter quite likes the HM movie soundtrack! Lovely card to go with such a great story!

Hugs, Kelly

Amy said...

Awwww... your story just tugs at my heart Jess, so sweet! And that card captures it all perfectly, I love it!

Amy Sheffer said...

Awesome, sweet, precious story, Jessica! Just the other day I was adding to my list of non sequiturs and other random stuff my kids say and wondering how much longer I'll have to enjoy them. Fabulous card, too. Love everything about it - the papers, colors, composition - adorable!!

Jodi Collins said...

AWWW! this totally makes me smile Jess! How FAB is this!!

Denise Marzec said...

Awwwwwww, what a GREAT story and I love *the game*....I need to start playing that with my 4-year-old. Wonder how she'd do? Hee, I need to find out!

Your card is phoenomenal!! Soooo adorable, so beautifully done, and I'm lovin' how you showcased so many of the patterns in the Earth Love papers!

Bumbles and Fairy-Tales said...

Awww, what an adorable story! I think that my boys would love that game! and I know what you mean, I don't want my babies to grow up! I tear up everytime we hit even the smallest milestones... 5yo was talking about all the things he's going to get to do when he's 10! eek! ;)
Beautiful and heartwarming card!
Thanks for sharing it all with us :*)
~ margie

Gwen's Busy Little Hands said...

Jessica,

Thanks for sharing that very sweet moment in your baby's life. It is so bitter sweet watching them grow and learn and get independant of you. We do our best to raise these capable little people and when they want to be capable all by themselves...it can really break your heart. There is nothing like being a mother, so gratifying and so many rewards but it can really take a toll on you when it comes time to let go of those little hands...NEVER the little hearts.

Your card is so ADorABle! Loved it the moment I saw it. So glad you gave the info on where to find the digi 'cause I'm gonna have to have it.

Smiles to your friend!
Gwen

Gwen's Busy Little Hands said...

uh...Jess...I meant smiles to YOU! It is just way too late for me to be doing any kind of typing...or thinking for that matter...LOL!

Nighty night!
Gwen

Danni said...

What a truly wonderful story. I'm all teary eyed! Kids are great, aren't they?
Love your card too but it takes a backseat to the story.

~*Joni said...

Okay, totally not fair! I am sitting here at 7am crying at the computer. There must be a way to keep the lambs and caterpillars of this world little!! Yes they will make beautiful sheep and butterflies, but we need to come up with a way to slow it all down. I love love love your story Jessica!! It's so sweet and one that you will never ever forget. The lightbulb moment is too precious, what a true sweetie - just like her mommy!!!! TY for the shout out, you are awesome!

Charmaine (CharmWarm) said...

AWWWWWW, you made me cry! I, too, don't want my babies to grow up. sniff It just happens too fast! LOVE your card and I LOVE that game!

Kelly Booth said...

Such a great story Jess...It is so hard to see them grow up!! LOVE LOVE that card...to flipin CUTE!!
Thanks for the smiles and happy tears....

Cara said...

Awww, beautiful card and such a warm and fuzzy story. Kids are the best!!
Cara

Sheri Gilson said...

Fabulous card Jess!! I love how you designed the card with the little Caterpillar in the flower!!

LORi said...

Just ADORABLE Jess!!!!! Too cute Really!!! Hugs ~ Lori

Elena said...

I'm really sorry that I am so late with the comment, Jessica...
Your story is so heartfelt and touchful... and I am so glad that this card was inspired by this. That is what makes our crafting so special!
You are a very kind person, Jessica with a very beauitful heart!

Beth aka BR-T said...

I loved this entire blurb it really made my heart happy and your card is so sweet! Beth aka BR-T

Mary Kay said...

That was a really sweet story, and I love that game!!

Mary Giles said...

Awww Jess. Thank you sooo much for sharing your life and love of your children and family with us. This is a story that will forever be so precious. Your need to print this post out and put it with the card and give it to your daughter when she "grows up". I know what you mean about all the cute silly things. Daddy, mommy, and daughter (3yo) will each take turn telling a story before bedtime and we will get names for people like Strawberry Blueberry or Princess Fuzzy toe.

YOUR CARD IS AMAZING! The layers outr just out of this world and that yummy paper...oh my.

Kim R. said...

That's a cute story!

WOW! WOW! WOW! This is one of my favorite cards you did. I can't stop looking at it. The layers are gorgeous!!!!!!

Lisa Hjulberg said...

Such a wonderful story... made me smile...and an awesome card to behold! Yes, it's hard to see them grow up. Mine are now 24, 21, 16 and 13, but all the memories of when they were small are so precious. We reminisce frequently. Except for the teenage years. Brace yourself. God gives us the teenage years so that we CAN one day let them go!

Hugs,
Lisa