Practicing for Princess Ballerina Camp 2009

Now can she just jeté over a shark beanie baby?

Remember That Game?

Remember that game at arcades where a goblin of some sort pops up through a hole and you have to wham it with a cloth mallet thing before it pops back down?



This morning, I found Henry hiding under a table and sticking a hand or foot or elbow or his head around the side of the table, and then Svea whammed him with her Barbie. There was much laughter, lots of Barbie hair flying and only one big fall of the stool (Svea did not fall with the stool as half her body was already on the table when she kicked it over. So she just hung off the table until Henry helped her down).



All this...before breakfast.

Love It When They Enjoy This

Though it's not everyday, I just love it when they want to sit and draw.












I also love the trunk that is filling with all the drawings I'll pull out a few years from now and explain through tears, "They're growing up so faaaaassssst..."
I am indeed becoming THAT mom.

New Park

Now that the weather has lightened up a bit, we've been out exploring. We found a park we had heard lots about and it's awesome: lake for the kids to throw rocks in, shady spot for me to watch from, trees to pose next to, and bridges to run on (I obviously can't talk about our activities there without ending in a preposition).





I think we'll enjoy this place again and again...

I Think She'll Look Like This At Age Twenty

If she keeps the Anne Hathaway bangs and stuff. I just can't believe how old she is looking...

She's Getting So Tall...

...and is holding the camera more than I...

Just Hold On To The Sculpture. This Is Called The Heimlich.

Henry and Svea Meeting Miriam for the First Time

I love the look in Svea's eye, particularly, but they were both so sweet.



Now Svea keeps putting her Boobah doll up her shirt and telling me, "Mom, I have a Baby Miriam in MY tummy, too."

She's 3. Do I teach her about the womb yet?

I Love This Shot

My mom reading to my kids while I watch through the fireplace so I can sit with my sister and my newest niece. 

I always want to be better about reading to them, which makes me all the more grateful when someone else reads to them too.
Like the person who taught me to read. 

What's IN there?

A little over a year ago, we went to the beach and Henry and I were standing at the edge of the water, watching the waves come in. He was very quiet, standing on his kickboard in the sand, ready to "surf." Then he put his arms in the air and said, "Mom, how is all of this HAPPENING?"

This year he asked, "Mom, how did God make rocks? What did God put INSIDE them to MAKE them rocks?"

Then yesterday, with the camera, Henry and Svea both were captivated by capturing seemingly mundane moments and making them beautiful on the LCD screen: Svea's toes at the edge of the tile floor, Henry whizzing by on the scooter, Svea throwing a fit because she had to share...again. All of these moments must be somewhere inside this tiny camera, right?
They were indeed looking for them...

This SIte Is Cracking Me Up

Maybe it's the miser in me, maybe it's the use-what-you've-got-before-buying-new in me, maybe it's pure admiration for others' creativity - whatever it is I am laughing out loud at these solutions.

When Svea Gets a Turn With the Camera

Henry got to take a few pictures, but Svea genuinely was excited about taking 68 shots of her bike, 45 of the floor and about 73 of her toes. I'm talking true excitement.
I deleted a few hundred shots (only the repeats) before making the mosaic. I'm thinking a camera is a great 4-year-old birthday present for this little girl...

The Only Way to Make it Through a Trip to Academy Sports & Outdoors...

...is to find the boxing area. And box with fists and hips.

I think we'll go back tomorrow.

Sunday Routine

We are slowly but surely figuring out our new Sunday routine.  You'd think growing up in a church, daughter of a minister, and now married to a minister that this would be a little more natural. However, a lot has shifted and changed in the expectations and roles of church-going folks in the last 30 years, so I feel like I'm on the edge of redefinition and exciting change.

Henry and Svea don't really jive on concepts like "redefinition and exciting change." They prefer terms such as "special treats and what's-in-it-for-me."

The first week we lived here was Vacation Bible School which we thought strategic in terms of the kids making new friends quickly and introducing them to things like "The Bible." By Wednesday Svea was telling me that she REALLY did not want to learn about Moses anymore. (By the end of the week she LOVED it and now whenever we drive past the church she screams, "It's my school!")



Henry still looked like a deer in headlights, though he was getting the hand motions to the songs down really well. In fact, it's the only music they will listen to in the car now and Henry points to all his new friends in church and tells me stories from VBS.

The next Sunday, Svea decided that children's church was not in her plan and that she would sit with me for the duration. I went with it, hoping to hear just some of Brian's sermon "Snoring in a Bridesmaid's Dress"...and I got more than I bargained for. Luckily, I had read it the day before and I was able to weather Svea's relentless questions:

"Jesus? What Jesus?"

"Gas? Run out of gas? THAT'S not appropriate..."

"Feast? Where?"

"What lamps at night? What doors are shut?"

"Where's Henry? What's he doing in Children's Church?"

"This is my jellyfish and crab. But it's not ready yet." (We may have to make a donation to the Registration Pad Fund.)

Before Henry left for Children's Church, he asked me, "God? Where's God? I want to see God."

Dude. 

I didn't have time to embrace him and his universal cry before he was off and running to see what kind of cookies they may have in the Sunday School room.

Maybe they'll realize the profundity of their innocent questions someday. Maybe they won't. Maybe they'll grow up to marry someone religious and then just blog about it. Or maybe they'll just eat a lot of cookies. 

Regardless, I choose to experience Church with them any day.

Ready for Big School

Yesterday, we registered Henry for kindergarten this fall. 

I did not even cry.

Before we got to the school, I was filling out all the forms and Henry sat down to watch. He asked what I was doing and I said, "Ooooo I'm writing your name over and over and our new address and getting you all ready for big school!" (trying to get him excited, you know).

He said, "I can do that." He got pen and paper and wrote his forms while I filled in mine.

He asked again about what I was writing and I said, "Emergency contact numbers and allergies...and this is a great way to learn our new phone number and your social security number..."

He was all, "I know."

I got done and put them in a folder and he handed me his sheet and said he was done too. I took it and oooh-ed and aaaah-ed at the fine writing. I told him he was so big going to kindergarten. I said I was so proud and excited for him.

He looked at me and said, "Mooooooom, you're holding it upside down."

It'll Grow

We were having a hard day today, so we did what everyone else does on hard days and we cut all our hair off.  Really, just Henry's. He asked for it (literally and figuratively) and loves his new 'do.  

Now...for Svea's bangs...

My Sister

My sister has a river of life inside of her. She was born with it.

Me? I was born with a creek. I had to outsource immediately and, lucky for me, she was very close by, just twenty months my senior.

I grew up watching and sometimes cowering under her smooth confidence and assurance in so many things that left me terribly fearful. I watched her learn to drive and thought, "I'll never be able to do it that well."
She was so sure and certain.

I watched her audition for groups and clubs and not get into some, and slide right in to her spot in others. She could take pain and joy straight to heart, and she could shake off unnecessary social drivel without it ever leaving a trace.
I wanted to be like her so much.

Six years ago, we were pregnant at the same time and began calling each other everyday. We rarely miss a day, always having news to share or concern over the perception of no news to share. 

Nothing is even worth talking about with her.

A year ago today, she delivered her son, my nephew, and he lived a few short hours. He lived fully and fiercely loved by his parents, his big sister, his grandparents, his aunts and uncles, and an entire community of saints that still speak his name.
Soon after his death, my brother shared with me the Hindu belief that children choose their parents when they come into this world. I am strangely, deeply comforted by the notion that my nephew's soul chose a family that would love him so hard in the hours of his life here.

Though today has been teary and hard, we continue to celebrate him and all that he has taught our family. His earthly life was fed by the most beautiful river, one I admire daily, seeking guidance and direction.

We grow from his life every day, and my sister's river flows on, vibrant as ever.

Heat and Accent

We're making progress around here.
Today, Henry helped me hammer nails. I had no idea the kid could do it, but I would hit them in a bit then hand him the hammer and he would finish the job. We got so much done as a team. Usually the afternoons are a time of struggle for us, but this afternoon was smooth sailing as we had a hammering project to do together. I need to find some more wood and nails for tomorrow...

Henry and I put together the cube set for Svea's room, then got her all organized (she was downstairs building princess castles and totally uninterested in us. Which was fine).

Then we put together the cube in his room and he filled it with his favorite things. He promptly got bored and realized that if he sat on his bed and dangled his feet from the edge and kicked forward and back, his heel would hit the iron rail perfectly to make the most annoying noise. He also realized that his Mom was so focused that she would let him make this noise over and over just so she could finish organizing his room since tomorrow is the two week anniversary of living here and for the love this chaos must end sometime.



After cubes, we made beds and got Charlie and Lola tucked in and ready for tonight. Luckily, Lola had her "Svea" pillow to share that Carter and Graham made for us. Charlie prefers the monogrammed "Henry" pillow for the summer that the Nash's gave him. (He prefers the Carter and Graham one in the colder weather. Which kid is more like a Jackson, I ask you?)

Today we also bought about 96 bottles of Gatorade, Powerade and some other brands we haven't heard of yet. We are really adjusting to the heat. And global warming, I guess. We had about 12 days of bliss and adrenaline, and yesterday, being day 13, we hit some low points. I'll chalk them up to dehydration. Hence the Powerade run today.

I know hydration, salt retention, swimming, etc. affect the ear and hearing and balance. I don't know all the inner workings of it, but I am aware of the connection.
In the past two weeks, I have been most affected by the heat (and subsequent dehydration) and my inability to decipher accents at the pace I used to.

When I went to get my new driver's license, all I had to take was a vision test. I thought she would give me a hearing test soon after since I had to keep pulling my head out of the vision thingie to look at her face and ask her to repeat her instructions. I tried to joke with her a little when it was time for the picture for the card, like, "Does my hair look okay?" and stuff.
When I asked her that, she kept looking down at her Birmingham News and said, "To me."

Like "To me it looks okay" or "To me you are a crazy deaf girl who I wish would hurry up and get away from my desk"?

I got through it, but I noticeably pause between someone's question and my answer and I'm wondering when I'll get used to the ring of it.

Maybe that's next week.

For today, the Cubes and Powerade beat the Heat and Accent issues. Miniature victories, I tell you, miniature victories.

Don't Let The Preacher's Kid Bless The Food

This afternoon, in an outdoor picnic area, Henry yelled, "LET'S SAY A PRAYER!"

We stared at him, he started down at his food and said:
Dear God,
Remember that God is with us.
Remember that I have tattoos.
Remember God is love.
Amen.



Indeed, Henry, A-men.
(and the "tattoos" refer to the nine Pirates of the Caribbean tatties applied the night before our first Sunday at the new church. Awesome.)

Today Felt Like Summer

We are over the hump of VBS week and the kids have loved it. They are singing the songs at home and meeting lots of new friends. But we had not done much that felt "summery" this week, so we headed to the pool this afternoon.

Here's Svea showing her size 10s:



And rough-housing with her brother...



And swimming away from Henry's splashes:



In this one, I'm not sure. Maybe Svea just gave Henry the soup-bone move and he was growling at her that it didn't hurt because he was wearing his goggles?



Who knows, but it was fun.

First Days

We are embracing first days around here.

We are officially in our new home.
Today was officially Brian's first day at work.

We are so overwhelmed with love, gratitude, food, family, names and faces of new friends, humidity, moving boxes, transition, and the need for more magnets for the fridge. (Thank goodness the need to draw did not get lost in the move. Like our telephone and answering machine did):



All good things. Very, very good things.

We had a quick photo opp before the Early Service today, dressed in our Sunday best including Pirates of the Caribbean tattos, nike socks, cowgirl boots, clip-on ties and a seersucker coat.
You should have seen what Brian and I wore. Har.



More soon, once I find my brain in one of these boxes.
For now, we are just so glad to be here.

Staycation 2009!

As we embrace our weeks of being homeless and unemployed (gainfully, that is) we sure are having a great time.

From catching lightning bugs in our pajamas with Mimi:



To riding our bikes (Svea just got a new one - pink and purple at her request):





Then graduating to riding lawnmowers and John Deere's:





Swimming in the pool, playing with new toys, bouncing between the grandparents', eating lots, sleeping lots, laughing lots - we may do this every year.

My Mosts

1. The most surprising thing I found while packing yesterday:

An empty lemonade container (with the screw-on cap) with "Henry & Svea" written on the top found in the far back corner of the guest bathroom cabinet full of rocks from outside.


2. My most favorite recent gift:




3. The most surprising thing I heard yesterday during supper:

Henry: Waiter, bring me some more cheese please.
Looking at me in all seriousness. Are you kidding???


4. My most favorite thing we do not have to move because of blessed Freecycle Pick-ups:




5. The most favorite thing for the kids to do while I pack:




6. Their most favorite indoor activity:




7. My most favorite football scrimmage:




8. My most favorite kisses to receive:

EVPL, Living the Dream

Here are the things that I love and am going to miss about our library:

1. It is close to our house.

2. There are lots of branches for when we need to go to one that is not close to our house.

3. There are free programs for children all year long.

4. They don't make fun of me when I come in with a suitcase on wheels to check out books and movies and CDs.

5. They are patient with unruly children (uh, mine).

6. They do ILL for any ole person (like me).



7. The librarians remember who you are.

8. It's clean and smells like an invitation to possibility.

9. There are puzzles for Svea and a stool for Henry in his favorite aisle so he can reach the sports books on the top shelf.

10. There's a wooden boat with 2 levels for the kids to climb and play and shout, "Storm's a-comin"!"

11. It's free.

12. They do that canned food drive during the holidays where you can reduce your late fines with donated food.

13. They don't judge me when I have to pay for the most recent movie we lost. And if we find the movie within 2 weeks of paying for it, they refund my money. I think that's really nice.

14. The time Henry broke a DVD case and had to apologize to the librarian, they made a big deal out of his brave apology and a very small deal about the broken case, then whispered to me, "That'll be $1.50 for a new one." I love it.