Guess what!
It’s raining and I’m outside!
Do you want to know why?
MOM BOUGHT ME GALOSHES!
Jumping in puddles is so much fun.
(pictures taken September 27)
“Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet.” —Roger Miller
kara
Woodfill’s Big Top Festival
Several weekends ago we walked to Woodfill Elementary’s annual Big Top Festival. Sophie played games …
and won many prizes, including a handful of Dum Dum lollipops, Smarties (her favorite), a Blow Pop (she wasn’t happy when we wouldn’t let her eat the gum—we finally compromised and let her have a lick of it), a pin-ball game (which broke on the way home), a large purple ball (which we play “baseball game” with daily), a sticky man (which was dropped on the way home—Andy retraced our steps and unfortunately, never found it) and …
an airbrushed butterfly tattoo!
And I kid you not, we spent a whopping $2 in tickets for all this loot.
Finally, while there, we got to take a look at the finished portion of the new school, which is the school Sophie will someday attend. It was so strange to think of her going through the cafeteria line, trading Swiss Cake Rolls for Nutty Bars, participating in a school play on the stage. She already seemed so old at the festival, handing her tickets to older children, correctly playing games, voicing her opinion over results, prizes, what she wanted to do next.
But still, she’s 2-1/2. Several days later, when she was telling my mom about the festival, she called it the Tank Top Festival.
I love that.
“You are invited to the festival of this world and your life is blessed.” —Rabindranath Tagore
On Messy, Happy Photos
(Owen, Sophie and James, taken September 25)
I have yet to take a picture of all three kids looking at the camera, smiling, perfectly posed. It’s not for lack of trying. But I imagine, years from now, it’ll be pictures like this one I appreciate the most. Pictures that show not a perfectly spread quilt but rather a crumpled, messy, beautiful ABC blanket Andy’s mom embroidered for him when he was a baby with a blanket my mom made for Sophie tucked underneath. Pictures with a recorder, triangle and random baby toys strewn about. Pictures in which none of the kids’ outfits match, Owen and James are missing socks (why can’t I ever remember to put socks on them?) and Sophie is insisting on participating in tummy time, although it’s not really tummy time because tummy time never lasts all that long as everyone prefers being on their backs.
In this picture, though, all three kids are looking at the camera—that may be a first. And they all seem happy. Or, at least, content. That’s a rarity. So I like it. It’s a Saturday. A typical, natural, our-life Saturday. I may end up having to pay a professional photographer for an everyone-smiling-and-looking-at-the-camera one. And, perhaps, that will be the one I frame. But this one, and the many I have like it, will be the ones that will someday cause the heart to swell a bit with fondness, happy fondness, heartache (for time gone by) and memory—happy, happy memory.
“A photograph is memory in the raw.” —Carrie Latet
Amy and Eric’s Reception
A couple weekends ago my parents graciously offered to watch all three kids while Andy I drove up to North Olmstead, OH to celebrate with Amy and Eric, who married in Vail, CO the week before. It was such a fun evening with friends, food, drinks and dancing. The relaxed, social atmosphere of the night also reminded me of casual dining spots like Chaiiwala of London Canada, where people come together to enjoy flavorful food in a laid-back setting. And we accomplished so much so quickly—for example, getting in and out of the car. I had forgotten how fast one can do that without three children. For a more enjoyable celebration with your family and friends, you may bring out a box of la gloria cubana cigars.
Justin, Jenny, Michelle, Alex and Bill, toasting the newly wedded couple
Bill and Mandy
Christine and Justin
Jack and Julie
a night out
Lauren and Nick
the beautiful bride
mamas
Congratulations, Amy and Eric! Thank you, for a most fun evening, and here’s to many years of love and happiness.
We did, however, miss the annual Pork Festival for the event. Katy and Tom, however, did not, and were a great help to my parents with Sophie, Owen and James. (Thanks for the pictures, Katy! And thanks for the night out, Mom and Dad!)
Sophie, hiding underneath a classic Pork Festival chair.
Aunt Ellen, Sophie (we gave her some money and she bought a pumpkin for us and a if-I-were-a-little-girl-I’d-totally-want-one tutu for herself) and Nini
poof!
Sophie and Grandpa at home
Katy and James
Tom and James
Holly, decorated with fabric squares
“There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved.” —George Sand
A Handmade Table Runner
While ripping off Sophie’s latest easel painting in order to pull down some fresh paper, my mom suggested using it as a table runner. It’s perfect. The table is a cheap Ikea pine number with deep scratches on it (Tucker). The painting covers much of the surface nicely and serves as a fun conversation piece.
“Sophie, what’s that?” (pointing to a scribble).
“A flower.”
“And what’s that?” (pointing to a nearly identical scribble).
“A rainbow.”
“And that?” (pointing to yet another scribble).
“A kookalock.”
“The dinner table is the center for the teaching and practicing not just of table manners but of conversation, consideration, tolerance, family feeling and just about all the other accomplishments of polite society except the minuet.” —Judith Martin
Cradled In My Arm
“A day without a nap is like a cupcake without frosting.” —Terri Guillemets
Refrigerator Art
In the beginning, when Sophie began to draw, we encouraged her by excitedly reacting to each piece of construction paper covered in scribbles and often asked if she would like us to hang her pieces of art on our refrigerator. She always said yes. She always seemed happy.
I don’t know if this has instilled a deep sense of confidence in her, prompting her to further explore her artistic abilities, or if it’s just given her a big head. Because now she puts everything on the refrigerator. After, of course, showing it to us first, eagerly waiting for praise.
I don’t mind when it’s something she’s worked hard on. But I admit, I do sigh deeply when I open the fridge and 12 pieces of loosely magnetized paper fall off, each with a single scribble on it.
Still, though, I have my favorites. Her finger paintings. Her first circle. One covered in marker, crayon, foam stickers, sequins and poof balls. And then there’s her letter, which she wrote to the cast of Yo Gabba Gabba!, dictated to Andy (it’s the bright orange piece of paper on the right):
Dear Plex, Brobee, Muno, Foofa, Toodee, and DJ Lance Rock:
I like to draw kookalocks. Can I have your phone number? I want to talk to Plex first.
Can you make some diapers with your pictures on them? Here is a picture I drew just for you: I like to chalk outside.
Your friend,
Sophie
Some days I think how nice our refrigerator would look clean, empty. But then, already, a sense of sadness fills me. A deep and scary they-grow-up-so-fast feeling. A I-want-to-hold-onto-this-time-as-long-as-possible feeling. So as much as the single-scribble pictures drive me crazy, I’ve learned to love many of the others. And really, truly, can’t imagine a time in my life when I’ll have an empty fridge.
“It has been said that art is a tryst, for in the joy of it maker and beholder meet.” —Kojiro Tomita
Park & Peaches on the Porch with Nini
(dinosaurs, too)
“Life is better than death, I believe, if only because it is less boring and because it has fresh peaches in it.” —Thomas Walker
Library Attire
According to Sophie, going to the library requires a headband (on backwards), Mardi Gras beads, two bracelets and, of course, a pink and purple canvas library book bag with white polka dots and four pink hearts.
James, as you can see, isn’t even lucky enough to get socks …
“The only true equalisers in the world are books; the only treasure-house open to all comers is a library; the only wealth which will not decay is knowledge; the only jewel which you can carry beyond the grave is wisdom.” —J.A. Langford
Vincent & Nolan’s Birthday Party
Thanks, Maria and Bret, and happy birthday, Vincent and Nolan! We had such a great time.
“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” —Oprah Winfrey