Kentucky Family

Yesterday, Roy's family came over for Riley's 11th Birthday Party. Looking at the pictures I am ashamed of myself for how few I got of the man himself, but such was the nature of the day and this particular 11 year old who never seems to stop moving when his cousin Trenton is around. This was the best I could do.

From am's picasa

We live so close to Roy's sister and her two kids, but I can't remember when we were last together. It's truly a shame, as these kids love each other.

From am's picasa

Sophie and Aubrey, 3 months apart, were inseparable. They at their cake together. They went pee together. They slammed the door to Sophie's room and fell on the floor in giggles together. And they shared many laps over the course of the afternoon.

From am's picasa

From am's picasa

Trenton and Riley (almost 6 years apart) have a relationship that I think they will always cherish, and I know Riley will be a good role model for Trenton and that he won't buy him beer. At least he better not buy him beer...

"good role model" doesn't come to mind when I look at these pictures, but hey, it is what it is.

From am's picasa

and whenever we're together, we're robbed.

From am's picasa

It was a simple birthday party, followed by pizza at our favorite pizza place, Brooklyn Pizza, and a celebration of Earth hour. I would love to tell you that we spent the hour playing candy land and scrabble, doing puzzles, and eating popcorn. Alas, we spent it watching Terminator 2, but without the lights on AND I turned off the computer. Still, I was able to get this little gem.

From am's picasa

I love the look on Riley's face.

It makes sense that one of the first things Riley said to me on Friday was, "Today we had the puberty talk" followed quickly by, "I have a new girlfriend. She's the most popular girl in 5th grade." Oh, what the next 11 years will bring...

a blog taking advantage of nap time

Midnight last night, Sophie began to cry. It's wasn't a normal, sleeping cry, but a full on wail. I went to check on her and she was like a furnace. 100.6. Not awful, but not good. So we read. We drank ice water. We fell asleep. And today, we read books, watch TV, and ate noodle soup.

Around noon she and I crawled into bed once again to read some of her favorite books and she finally - finally - fell asleep.

Our little Sophie... now I'm not making an announcement or anything here, but she is going to be an amazing big sister. The cost of daycare makes another child slightly out of the question, at least at this particular juncture, but it's something Roy and I talk about often and look forward to. And we're seeing the signs of Sophie being the amazing big sister she will be.

From am's picasa

This is her telling her baby to pedal! PEDAL!

From am's picasa

There's been a lot of temperature taking at our house today and she loves sticking that thermometer under my armpit to make sure I'm well. She gave me bites of noodle soup and brushed my hair. She rocks her babies, tells them they're stinky and that they need a diaper change. When I dropped my phone the other day, she literally RAN to me to help me pick it up and saying, "it's okay, it's okay mommy!"

I've been meaning to post this for a week now and am just now getting to it. Mom, this one's for you.

A milestone

So right before our eyes, our little girl is growing less... little. Conversations now go something like this.

Sophie: "I like to pick my nose."
Me: "Picking your nose is yucky."
Sophie: "No mommy. Boogers are yummy."
Me: Sigh...

As the weather has warmed, we've noticed that she's become too tall for the toys from last year - the train, the car, so we graduated to the next step: The Tricycle.

It never occurred to me that pedaling might be an issue, so she's pretty reliant on mom and dad to get around.

From am's picasa

and when we grow weary, we're met with this:

From am's picasa

She has the whole summer to figure it out. But in the meantime, she'll do what works.

From am's picasa

this

This is one of my favorite things. Waking up before everyone and making coffee. And this too, the feeling of spring, the juxtaposition of my sweater and bare feet. Walking the dog without a hat and gloves. The anticipation of my day, the purchase of bulbs, seeds, dirt, child-size gardening gloves and a trip to the fabric store. A certain little girl is getting a dress or two for the summer.

I woke up with a prayer/poem in my head that I read many years ago. It reminded me of the way my voice cracked during last night's supper prayer for thanks, for Rachel. So I prayed again.

The coffee is good this morning; from Costa Rica, a gift from Susie. She brought it back in plastic baggies and emailed us a picture of the label. "The tackiest thing I've ever done". Delicious, such a treat for us who never pay too much for coffee

Around me is clutter a week's worth of 2T clothes, books, dolls, shoes, dog hair, bottles and cups that once held beer, juice, milk, water. Today I will open the windows and clean. And smell. And close my eyes.

This is one of my favorite things.

Spring is finding its way

Last night we grilled out for the first time this spring.

From am's picasa

It was amazing to be outside, to open the windows, let Sophie play and roam. To holler back and forth through the open kitchen window for beer, papertowels, or to help Sophie in and out.

From am's picasa

The house in this picture looks, I think, like such a CITY house! It looks like crap, too. Being outside we realized it really had been about 5 months since we spent anytime outdoors.

From am's picasa

From am's picasa

But despite our amazing feats of laziness, spring is finding its way through.

From am's picasa

I'm looking forward to the 70 degree weekend.

just things

I woke up this morning at 8:00 sharp. Sophie still asleep. The feeling in my room was of spring and I felt that jolt of energy that greets me this time of year. When I got up to let the cat out, a burst of 20 degree weather hit me and I saw the snow on the ground. Alas, spring it is not. But I still feel that surge that says, "play in the dirt!" "go for long walks!" "eat asparagus!"

*****

This past week we got the disc of pictures my mom and dad took at Disney World, as well as the videos from the trip. It's been a blast to relive those moments. Here are a few of my favorite shots from mom and dad.
Minnie was definately Sophie's favorite. Those weren't Mickey ears, the were MINNIE ears. Early feminist perhaps?

The fam in front of Cinderella's castle, late evening. That balloon just died yesterday.


I love this picture of Riley. It's such a typical expression. He has a playful strut. "Yea, I'm cool. I'm 10. Wanna make something of it?"

Me and Sophie in front of the Tower of Terror.

Speaks for itself.

Probably my favorite of the lot - Riley, Sophie, and Grandpa. I love the sincerity on everyone's faces. It sums up the feelings on the trip.

*****

The day after I posted my last blog, I went to the Director's of Sophie's daycare. I told her that I wasn't in a hurry to move her and I didn't want for her to be pushed too quickly, however I did want her to remain challenged and stimulated. Sharon said that she would observe Sophie over the next two days and see for herself if she's ready to move to the 3 year old room.

On Friday she told me that there is no doubt in her mind that she can move. She said that (pardon my gloat) she is without a doubt the smartest kid in the class. She expects a spot to open up in April and will move her then. I'm excited to see how her development grows as she interacts in this new setting!

*****

Today is laundry. Home Depot. Dog park. Perhaps some drywall if I have time. I do love the weekend!