My Little Girl

My little girl, Heather, is having a birthday March 4th.  Her Dad used to say that March 4th was the most commanding day of the year---------March Forth!!!  And she certainly did, and has become a lovely, intelligent and compassionate woman.  The following are some precious memories of her childhood.

 

I always have to include this picture, which, to me, was amazing.

 

 

Before I got married, Heather's Dad got me a hope chest, which promptly became a toy box when Heather was little.  She used it in a variety of ways.

 

 

I tried to make time each day to read to Heather, and she loved her books, as do her own children now.  I think she still has some of the books she had as a child.  She has said that her favorite book is "Make Way for Ducklings", which was certainly a favorite of mine too.

 

 

Heather was often comical and would make us laugh at her antics.  Two of the funny things I remember are when she would sing "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town", only she would sing, Santa Claus is Coming Two Times.  The other was when she was in Kindergarten, and was asked who her favorite actor and actress were.  We must have sheltered her too much because her answer was, "Fredis Dare and Ginger Rogers".  Our love of old movies was evident.

 

 

When we would visit my parents in Indiana, Heather loved playing their organ.  Of course I thought she was a budding Liberace, and gave her piano lessons (that she hated) for a couple of years.

 

 

Ever a fan of balloons.

 

 

Mom loves you a whole bunch, dance on!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Darlene

I was overjoyed on February 25, 1956 when my baby sister was born and I finally had a sibling.  I immediately became the "little mother" and helped with her care warming bottles, changing diapers, and getting things for my mother who was bedridden for a time after Darlene's birth.

 

Here we are at an outing in a park.  She was like my little doll.

 

 

This is one of my favorite pictures of Darlene as a little girl.  Always loved sailor collars.

 

 

She was very angelic at her First Communion.

 

 

Christmas was always special----guess we must have gotten a TV that year.

 

 

After I got married Darlene moved with our parents to a farm in Koleen, Indiana.

 

 

Here I am with Heather and Darlene's daughter Chantelle at the farm.  The girls are only a few days apart in age.  Here they are about 18 months old.

 

 

As the years went on, Darlene went on a fitness kick and entered many triathlons. 

 

 

She's always been an animal lover---here with our dog, Mugs.

 

 

We were both so lucky in the year 2000 to meet two wonderful guys and get married only 4 months apart.  Here she is with her husband, Robert or 'Ole Boy as we call him.

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARLENE!  YOU ARE LOVED!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Easters Past

Easter has always had special memories for me.  It is one of my favorite holidays, for many reasons.

 

It was very important when I was a girl to dress up for church in your new Easter outfit.  Hats were a must, also new shoes---white or black patent leather----and a matching purse.  I can't tell if I have gloves on in this photo, but if not, I'm sure they were in my purse.  By the way, my Mom made my coat and my dress.

 

 

I'm about 5 years old in this picture.  A big part of Easter always involved getting live ducks or chicks.  Strange pets for a Chicago girl.

 

 

This is a photo of an unknown relative who was undoubtedly getting ready to stroll in the Easter Parade.  The more ornate the hat, the better, and a parasol was so chic.

 

 

A beautiful Easter day in McHenry with Mom and sister Darlene.

 

 

Although this photo was not taken at Easter, it shows the fashion of the day when my Paternal Grandparents---Anton and Pearl----left my parent's wedding.  Straw hats were immensely popular with the men, white shoes for both men and women.

 

 

Little girls still dress in their Easter best, but the Easter Egg Hunt is the highlight of the day.

 

 

And every child should get an Easter Bunny!

 

 

But, it's amazing that Straw hats are still the thing!