I knew that the fall would bring many changes to our lives, London would begin Kindergarten and Zoe would start preschool. Our lazy mornings would suddenly take shape around a clock and lunches would be packed in Hello Kitty and the Littlest Pet Shop bags. We savored our beach days and readily accepted pool date offers from friends in an effort to stockpile the fun and sunshine into our very beings. As we transitioned into our new schedules, we discovered exciting new things, people and opportunities.
London met a great friend the very first day of school, Keira. They began talking outside the classroom while hanging up their backpacks. It was a sweet moment as I watched my daughter make her first new school friend and I was proud of how she introduced herself and took on this unknown territory with a shy confidence and strength. Kindergarten turned out to be her total cup of tea. London loves the wheel program that teaches her computers, sports and music. She comes home with stories about her teachers and classmates, as well as tons of facts and figures that she learned. It's exciting for me to experience with her in so many ways.
Helping out in London's classroom gave me a better idea of what her day is like and what she is learning. Pre-reading, beginning addition and subtraction, and sorting of patterns were some of the items being taught. I particularly enjoyed working with small groups and helping the students fill in their word sheets with silly games and crayons. These five year old's are magical, funny, and endearing. One of my favorite moments was when London walked up to her class in the morning and a group of girls came up, said hello to her and gave her good morning hugs. She had a big smile and it made me so content for her.
Zoe began preschool and found herself at home with the cinnamon play dough and art supplies. She was a little quiet and careful about investigating her environment and the children around her. Zoe wasn't going to dive in and be her zany self right off the bat, it would require some acclimation. As the weeks went by, she found her comfort zone. One day when I arrived a few minutes early to pick her up, I watched from the door while crouching down and to the side to avoid being spotted by her. I was not the only mom doing this. She was holding hands with two other girls and jumping up and down laughing her head off as they played a game together of "dance to red light green light". That's the Zoe we know and love!
To be continued...
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Family
The green trees, a lighter shade of green with lots of yellow in it instead of forest green, stays on my mind. The soft grasses, large space between houses and a feeling of openness are what I keep remembering about going to Boston. A suburb just outside of the city was our destination and it felt like I was 3,000 miles from home. Part of me feels at home on the East Coast because I spent a great deal of time growing up there, in various states, and it is familiar in little ways. The accents, the city life, and the landscape stay with me.
The purpose of the trip was to see my 95 year-old grandmother and to introduce her to Zoe for the first time. Gramma had only met London once on her first birthday and we hadn’t seen her since. I cannot imagine having a great granddaughter and not meeting her. We had to fix that. Gramma fell in love in the first three minutes as soon as the girls both ran up to her and gave her a hug of their own accord. It was a sweet moment. The city is charming as expected. Historical brownstone buildings covered in ivy, intricate ironwork on the stairs outside, and gardens that rest atop the buildings for the fortunate ones that can live there. The Commons is a gorgeous park in the center of the city that houses friendly squirrels and is filled with dogs out for a stroll on leash. Boston is a smaller version of New York with shorter buildings and more charm. Scott and I could have spent days exploring and photographing the old churches and life in the streets.
My Cousin Emmy gave me a huge hug when I saw her and it was like old times again. We always pick up where we left off and talk at an accelerated pace with an explosion of things to share with each other. She feels like family to me and it’s fun to be together. Her dog is considered a German Shepard but I think he is a scientific experiment of a new breed. His size far surpasses that of any German I’ve ever seen before. He is mammoth!!!! He kept licking little Zoe’s face and was a total love. Awesome dog.
My Uncle Paul and I only met once before, nearly twenty years ago. He and his wife Jean invited us for a family breakfast on the last morning of our visit. We pulled up to a charming house that was built in 1860 and a matching barn sat beside it. A large front and back yard surrounded it with a pink Dogwood tree nearby. Colorful fish swam around in the coi pond in the front. The home was cozy and filled with beautiful stained glass pieces that Jean has crafted over the years. I was surprised to see some art from my dad and my grandfather on the walls as well. There isn’t much of it to see now, so it’s special to get a glimpse of.
Our family had breakfast together and then went outside to see my uncle’s bees up close. He encased me in a special suit and then guided me through the process of checking on the bee’s production and see if the Queen’s had been released yet. It was a new experience for me and I liked the excitement of trying something new. Things went smoothly and no stingers were lost that morning. The girls chased each other in the grassy back yard and then gave Morgan, the Golden Retriever, a lot of attention. This was a normal day in so many ways but very special for all of us. I was sad to leave because I know we could have enjoyed more family time but I was grateful for the experiences that we did have together. My grandmother now knows her great-grandchildren and that is so important.
The purpose of the trip was to see my 95 year-old grandmother and to introduce her to Zoe for the first time. Gramma had only met London once on her first birthday and we hadn’t seen her since. I cannot imagine having a great granddaughter and not meeting her. We had to fix that. Gramma fell in love in the first three minutes as soon as the girls both ran up to her and gave her a hug of their own accord. It was a sweet moment. The city is charming as expected. Historical brownstone buildings covered in ivy, intricate ironwork on the stairs outside, and gardens that rest atop the buildings for the fortunate ones that can live there. The Commons is a gorgeous park in the center of the city that houses friendly squirrels and is filled with dogs out for a stroll on leash. Boston is a smaller version of New York with shorter buildings and more charm. Scott and I could have spent days exploring and photographing the old churches and life in the streets.
My Cousin Emmy gave me a huge hug when I saw her and it was like old times again. We always pick up where we left off and talk at an accelerated pace with an explosion of things to share with each other. She feels like family to me and it’s fun to be together. Her dog is considered a German Shepard but I think he is a scientific experiment of a new breed. His size far surpasses that of any German I’ve ever seen before. He is mammoth!!!! He kept licking little Zoe’s face and was a total love. Awesome dog.
My Uncle Paul and I only met once before, nearly twenty years ago. He and his wife Jean invited us for a family breakfast on the last morning of our visit. We pulled up to a charming house that was built in 1860 and a matching barn sat beside it. A large front and back yard surrounded it with a pink Dogwood tree nearby. Colorful fish swam around in the coi pond in the front. The home was cozy and filled with beautiful stained glass pieces that Jean has crafted over the years. I was surprised to see some art from my dad and my grandfather on the walls as well. There isn’t much of it to see now, so it’s special to get a glimpse of.
Our family had breakfast together and then went outside to see my uncle’s bees up close. He encased me in a special suit and then guided me through the process of checking on the bee’s production and see if the Queen’s had been released yet. It was a new experience for me and I liked the excitement of trying something new. Things went smoothly and no stingers were lost that morning. The girls chased each other in the grassy back yard and then gave Morgan, the Golden Retriever, a lot of attention. This was a normal day in so many ways but very special for all of us. I was sad to leave because I know we could have enjoyed more family time but I was grateful for the experiences that we did have together. My grandmother now knows her great-grandchildren and that is so important.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
A Change Is Gonna Come
As I walked into the local elementary school, I felt mixed emotions. Was I ready for this? Was she ready for this? I signed in and waited for the kindergarten tour to begin. The principal greeted us and we began to view the five different classrooms, observing the teachers and students on an average school day. I saw little six year old's interacting with each other in groups, working on projects and writing on notebooks and small dry erase boards. They looked happy and engaged. This reassured me and I began to relax a little as I envisioned my daughter there doing the same things. The teachers had colorful, relevant classrooms with visual learning aids on the walls and cute little desks and chairs.
I flashed back to a memory of being seven years old and seeing an art easel for the first time with paint and brushes sticking out of it. I was drawn to that room and wanted to jump in and create. Back to the present, I noted that London would be perfectly at home here and it was a natural progression from where she is now, mentally and age-wise. She would thrive with the new challenges and increased opportunities. Calm began to settle in.
It is bittersweet to watch one's baby grow, joyous and yet painful because you know that this time will never return. It will manifest itself in the person she becomes and in the personality and choices that she makes. I am proud of who she is now and who she is becoming. I am excited to see what each day brings and how she is so lucky to know God at such an early age and how that will guide her and give her the greatest foundation possible.
I flashed back to a memory of being seven years old and seeing an art easel for the first time with paint and brushes sticking out of it. I was drawn to that room and wanted to jump in and create. Back to the present, I noted that London would be perfectly at home here and it was a natural progression from where she is now, mentally and age-wise. She would thrive with the new challenges and increased opportunities. Calm began to settle in.
It is bittersweet to watch one's baby grow, joyous and yet painful because you know that this time will never return. It will manifest itself in the person she becomes and in the personality and choices that she makes. I am proud of who she is now and who she is becoming. I am excited to see what each day brings and how she is so lucky to know God at such an early age and how that will guide her and give her the greatest foundation possible.
Green Day
London was bursting with excitement as she told me about the leprechaun that had run rampant in her classroom, leaving a trail of green footprints, overturned objects, and general messiness in its path. She told me a run-on sentence about setting traps for it and how the leprechaun was so small, silly, tricky and messy. Her best friend then told me in a whisper that the leprechaun had visited her house and used the bathroom, leaving behind green water. Zoe quickly became interested in this tale and joined in her sister's enthusiasm.
While the girls were out of the house for a bit, I found green objects in our house and planted them carefully in various spots that would catch the girls eyes. Green mardi gras beads, bracelets, and a toy car were some of the items we found. Lastly, we checked our bathroom and sure enough, the little green trickster had visited and taken a bathroom break, leaving us with green water!
In school, St. Patrick's day was about green clothing and people pinching each other. In college it was about green beer and green food. Now, it's more fun that ever before because the kids are so excited about something that they believe in wholeheartedly. This little green person is completely real to them and they are hyped about it. How cool is that?
While the girls were out of the house for a bit, I found green objects in our house and planted them carefully in various spots that would catch the girls eyes. Green mardi gras beads, bracelets, and a toy car were some of the items we found. Lastly, we checked our bathroom and sure enough, the little green trickster had visited and taken a bathroom break, leaving us with green water!
In school, St. Patrick's day was about green clothing and people pinching each other. In college it was about green beer and green food. Now, it's more fun that ever before because the kids are so excited about something that they believe in wholeheartedly. This little green person is completely real to them and they are hyped about it. How cool is that?
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Battle Lines Were Drawn...
After a creative lull and lots of happy distractions, I'm back!!! There are so many things I want to do, my list is too big for the paper and I'm scheming ways to carve out time for all of it. Take a class, do my sketches, work on writing, stop worrying about whether I'm good enough at writing, enjoy painting regardless of the outcome, and read the six books by my bedside collecting dust. How? I have a plan...a little less t.v. should do the trick.
Ok, what's happening in pink wonderland with the two firecrackers? They are: growing taller, feistier, funnier, more eloquent, negotiating more effectively, exasperating, goofier and exciting. They are inquisitive and love to cook, to watch me cook, to do things themselves.
Any embarassing moments lately? Ah yes, just had one today! We were at Jimbo's and the girls were pushing miniature shopping carts. Things went south when Zoe wanted to put the 1/2 pint of macaroni and cheese in her cart and London protested. They began a full scale argument like two wild women desperate over the last morsel of food on earth and both DETERMINED to put it in their own shopping cart. This would have been amusing if I was not the mom of the two little girls at war with each other, yelling and screaming. I scooped up the smallest one and headed for the checkout while heads turned and people contained their thoughts as best as they could. I actually got a few reassuring smiles from women which did make me feel a little better.
We paid, sat down at a table, and then managed to have a civilized lunch free from empassioned discourse between a 2 year old and a 4 year old. Hallelujah. My breathing returned to normal and I got in a few bites for myself. More to follow shortly...
Ok, what's happening in pink wonderland with the two firecrackers? They are: growing taller, feistier, funnier, more eloquent, negotiating more effectively, exasperating, goofier and exciting. They are inquisitive and love to cook, to watch me cook, to do things themselves.
Any embarassing moments lately? Ah yes, just had one today! We were at Jimbo's and the girls were pushing miniature shopping carts. Things went south when Zoe wanted to put the 1/2 pint of macaroni and cheese in her cart and London protested. They began a full scale argument like two wild women desperate over the last morsel of food on earth and both DETERMINED to put it in their own shopping cart. This would have been amusing if I was not the mom of the two little girls at war with each other, yelling and screaming. I scooped up the smallest one and headed for the checkout while heads turned and people contained their thoughts as best as they could. I actually got a few reassuring smiles from women which did make me feel a little better.
We paid, sat down at a table, and then managed to have a civilized lunch free from empassioned discourse between a 2 year old and a 4 year old. Hallelujah. My breathing returned to normal and I got in a few bites for myself. More to follow shortly...
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
You Heard That?
Crack, snapple, pop! No, it wasn't popcorn. It was my bi-weekly chiropractic treatment and after being put back into place, I headed back to the reception area and chatted with my chiropractor. He chided me for not sitting up straight and asked if my parents taught me that? "No, they were hippies and didn't make a big deal about it" I told him. "Hippies?" He said, laughing? Did they have a bong lying around too?" I laughed and told him "no, but after my mom left my dad there was some of that."
Suddenly, I looked over at the waiting area that is usually empty and it was full of people!!! Several adults just looking at me with various degrees of amusement on their faces after hearing my discussion. I turned bright red and started laughing with embarassment. "Yes, that's right folks, hippies!" The chiropractor and I kept laughing and I said goodbye to everyone and then walked out laughing the whole way to my rental mini-van.
Have I mentioned why I have a rental mini-van? Ahh, yes, let me explain. A few weeks ago I was making a left turn at a light on a green arrow when a car (driven by an under-cover policeman) came out of nowhere at 50 mph, ran a very red light and slammed into the back corner of my car! I was so lucky to escape without any scratches, but it scared the crud out of me. My poor dog Roxy is limping and has shoulder damage. This is the same dog, the money pit, who has been through the gamut already. Sigh. Poor thing. My neck is jacked up and my wrist and hand too, but the amazing thing is that it could have been so much worse. My car is in the shop for three weeks and right now I am enjoying the ease of "magic doors" as my girls like to call them. At least they're having fun with it.
The great thing is that even with all of this, I am still so happy for the little things like going to swim practice and seeing London swim with her arms and legs and move like a dolphin in the water. That makes my day! Zoe and London just doing the silly things that sisters do makes me feel like a ray of sunshine is directly over us and all is right in the world.
Suddenly, I looked over at the waiting area that is usually empty and it was full of people!!! Several adults just looking at me with various degrees of amusement on their faces after hearing my discussion. I turned bright red and started laughing with embarassment. "Yes, that's right folks, hippies!" The chiropractor and I kept laughing and I said goodbye to everyone and then walked out laughing the whole way to my rental mini-van.
Have I mentioned why I have a rental mini-van? Ahh, yes, let me explain. A few weeks ago I was making a left turn at a light on a green arrow when a car (driven by an under-cover policeman) came out of nowhere at 50 mph, ran a very red light and slammed into the back corner of my car! I was so lucky to escape without any scratches, but it scared the crud out of me. My poor dog Roxy is limping and has shoulder damage. This is the same dog, the money pit, who has been through the gamut already. Sigh. Poor thing. My neck is jacked up and my wrist and hand too, but the amazing thing is that it could have been so much worse. My car is in the shop for three weeks and right now I am enjoying the ease of "magic doors" as my girls like to call them. At least they're having fun with it.
The great thing is that even with all of this, I am still so happy for the little things like going to swim practice and seeing London swim with her arms and legs and move like a dolphin in the water. That makes my day! Zoe and London just doing the silly things that sisters do makes me feel like a ray of sunshine is directly over us and all is right in the world.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
More Thoughts on Home and Deep Stuff
I'm still on this discussion of home since we're in the process of selling our house and last week something cool happened. We dropped the girls off in their Sunday school classrooms and as I entered the church foyer, I felt a sense of peace and comfort settle upon me. It felt like home to be there and things took on a clear perspective. This was exactly where I was supposed to be. The buildings that we make into our homes are still buildings. Does it matter if it changes? I don't know. I'm trying to figure it out as I go along.
The memories that I have of bringing my baby girls home from the hospital and the midnight feedings and pacing back and forth barefoot on the wood floors at all hours don't change based on the building that I live in. Our home matters to a certain extent, but the memories stay with us regardless of where we are. There are countless pictures of our families, video footage, and 1003 pages of kid's art to document the journey and help us relive it. Maybe seeing familiar walls enables us to reminisce on the milestones? I'm sure there are cases to be made either way.
The message that revved me up was about writing a good story for your life and how we are living it out. It inspired me to re-think the goals that I have put off into the distant future. Perhaps some of those things can be planted now in some small fashion? I love finding a new perspective, it's like being a kid again and learning something extremely cool and mind-blowing. Now that the week is nearly over, I'm looking forward to next Sunday where I know I can find encouragement, spiritual sustenance, and comfort. It's like I get a mental tune-up every time I go to church and then I think more clearly, for a few days at least. That's where reading one book comes into play. =)
The memories that I have of bringing my baby girls home from the hospital and the midnight feedings and pacing back and forth barefoot on the wood floors at all hours don't change based on the building that I live in. Our home matters to a certain extent, but the memories stay with us regardless of where we are. There are countless pictures of our families, video footage, and 1003 pages of kid's art to document the journey and help us relive it. Maybe seeing familiar walls enables us to reminisce on the milestones? I'm sure there are cases to be made either way.
The message that revved me up was about writing a good story for your life and how we are living it out. It inspired me to re-think the goals that I have put off into the distant future. Perhaps some of those things can be planted now in some small fashion? I love finding a new perspective, it's like being a kid again and learning something extremely cool and mind-blowing. Now that the week is nearly over, I'm looking forward to next Sunday where I know I can find encouragement, spiritual sustenance, and comfort. It's like I get a mental tune-up every time I go to church and then I think more clearly, for a few days at least. That's where reading one book comes into play. =)
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