Q: What is better than time with friends?
A: Time spent on a trampoline with friends.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Lost and Found.
This past weekend, Juliana took part in a charity garage sale. Her group spent over six hours in the sun, first pulling all the good stuff out onto the curb, then selling all they could, and finally packing up the unsold stuff to be shipped off to various donation spots.
In preparation, we cleaned out at our house and added our stuff to the pile on Saturday morning. There were probably hundreds of donated books in boxes and on the table when we added our small pile to the collection.
Can you imagine my surprise when one of the organizers approached me just as the sale began with two photo booth strips in her hand that had been discovered in one of my books?
It's strange how I had completely forgotten that they existed and, if they hadn't been found, I would never have missed them.
And yet, I was at a loss for words when she brought them to me.
Serendipity, or what?
In preparation, we cleaned out at our house and added our stuff to the pile on Saturday morning. There were probably hundreds of donated books in boxes and on the table when we added our small pile to the collection.
Can you imagine my surprise when one of the organizers approached me just as the sale began with two photo booth strips in her hand that had been discovered in one of my books?
It's strange how I had completely forgotten that they existed and, if they hadn't been found, I would never have missed them.
And yet, I was at a loss for words when she brought them to me.
Serendipity, or what?
 |
| April 2003 |
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Friday, May 25, 2012
Long Weekend.
The long weekend.
It couldn't have come at a better time. Peter was home after a week away and heading out again on Tuesday for another week so we completely enjoyed having him home for three days off.
Our weekend full of good stuff:
- My first night out for a new soccer season.
- Sleep-ins.
- A new bike for Juliana.
- A tuned up bike for Sheldon
- Part of our front porch got a fresh coat of paint.
- There was football, soccer, and general tomfoolery in the backyard.
- We dog walked.
- Sheldon had a friend over Saturday night for a belated birthday celebration. Sadly (for us!) the rest of the friends all own cottages.
- There was lots of time to garden and fill our baskets.
- We ate, we drank, and we slept some more.
- Our friends hosted a jam again this year - compete with wiener roast, boat rides, and fireworks.
- Juliana chose the quietest day of the season, so far, to set up a juice stand. She had five customers. Three of them were immediate family. And yet somehow she still made a good chunk of change!
Before we knew it, the weekend was done. On Tuesday it was back to work, back to school, and back to NYC.
But the countdown to summer has officially started.
It couldn't have come at a better time. Peter was home after a week away and heading out again on Tuesday for another week so we completely enjoyed having him home for three days off.
Our weekend full of good stuff:
- My first night out for a new soccer season.
- Sleep-ins.
- A new bike for Juliana.
- Part of our front porch got a fresh coat of paint.
- There was football, soccer, and general tomfoolery in the backyard.
- Sheldon had a friend over Saturday night for a belated birthday celebration. Sadly (for us!) the rest of the friends all own cottages.
- There was lots of time to garden and fill our baskets.
- We ate, we drank, and we slept some more.
- Our friends hosted a jam again this year - compete with wiener roast, boat rides, and fireworks.
- Juliana chose the quietest day of the season, so far, to set up a juice stand. She had five customers. Three of them were immediate family. And yet somehow she still made a good chunk of change!
Before we knew it, the weekend was done. On Tuesday it was back to work, back to school, and back to NYC.
But the countdown to summer has officially started.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Monday, May 21, 2012
Dance Dad.
With Juliana's dress rehearsal being Friday night before I get home from work, we encountered a little problem.
Who was going to put her hair into the required bun?
I only had time to give him a quick "put her hair in a ponytail, twist it, wrap it around and pin it". Easier said than done for someone who has only ever mastered the ponytail in Juliana's hair.
I left out the hairbrush, the bobby pins, and the hairspray before I left for work. He told me he was going to YouTube directions.
In the end, he totally pulled it off. He sent me this picture while I was on my train coming home.
Who was going to put her hair into the required bun?
I only had time to give him a quick "put her hair in a ponytail, twist it, wrap it around and pin it". Easier said than done for someone who has only ever mastered the ponytail in Juliana's hair.
I left out the hairbrush, the bobby pins, and the hairspray before I left for work. He told me he was going to YouTube directions.
In the end, he totally pulled it off. He sent me this picture while I was on my train coming home.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
On stage.
When Juliana was in JK, her class performed in the school Christmas concert.
Not Juliana. She went on stage with her class and then sat, like a statue, for the entire song.
When Juliana was in SK, her class performed the chicken dance for the parents.
Not Juliana. She marched, silently, around the circle with the kids but only because James M. kept pushing her.
When Juliana was in Grade 1, she practiced her class's song day in and day out at home - actions included. On concert day, the class lined up in a row and performed.
Not Juliana. She pursed her lips and sat on her hands to avoid the temptation of the actions.
In Grade 2, I forgot to bring my video camera to the concert so I asked my friend if he would mind taping her for me. He wondered "why?" A logical question...
So, you can understand how it is that now, when I see her sing, act, or dance for an audience of any size, my heart swells with pride.
This weekend my heart swelled plenty.
The end of dance season always means a recital and it brings me back to the days of my mom doing my hair, letting me put a little colour on my eyes and cheeks, and I can still smell the little trial size Avon lipsticks that she let me use. And, oh, the fun of the costumes!
Last Saturday it was my turn to watch my girl get ready. We did hair and make-up. She put on her costume, packed her bag, and was off to the Music Hall ready to dance her heart out. And to smile - that was her teacher's only request of her after the rehearsal - smile!
The afternoon show was outstanding - she smiled and she danced big. And I was delighted to see her do a little solo in her hip hop dance - while she practiced her dance many, many times at home, I had never seen it in formation so it was a big surprise to see it on stage!
She had a few more fans at the evening show - all three grandparents, and Peter (who seriously made it back from work and into his seat only 1 1/2 dances before she came on), Sheldon and me. There were bouquets of flowers afterwards and lots of proud words and hugs.
She'll be back to dance again next year - jazz and hip hop again, but she's talking about adding tap to her repertoire. I can't wait!
Not Juliana. She went on stage with her class and then sat, like a statue, for the entire song.
When Juliana was in SK, her class performed the chicken dance for the parents.
Not Juliana. She marched, silently, around the circle with the kids but only because James M. kept pushing her.
When Juliana was in Grade 1, she practiced her class's song day in and day out at home - actions included. On concert day, the class lined up in a row and performed.
Not Juliana. She pursed her lips and sat on her hands to avoid the temptation of the actions.
In Grade 2, I forgot to bring my video camera to the concert so I asked my friend if he would mind taping her for me. He wondered "why?" A logical question...
So, you can understand how it is that now, when I see her sing, act, or dance for an audience of any size, my heart swells with pride.
This weekend my heart swelled plenty.
The end of dance season always means a recital and it brings me back to the days of my mom doing my hair, letting me put a little colour on my eyes and cheeks, and I can still smell the little trial size Avon lipsticks that she let me use. And, oh, the fun of the costumes!
Last Saturday it was my turn to watch my girl get ready. We did hair and make-up. She put on her costume, packed her bag, and was off to the Music Hall ready to dance her heart out. And to smile - that was her teacher's only request of her after the rehearsal - smile!
The afternoon show was outstanding - she smiled and she danced big. And I was delighted to see her do a little solo in her hip hop dance - while she practiced her dance many, many times at home, I had never seen it in formation so it was a big surprise to see it on stage!
She had a few more fans at the evening show - all three grandparents, and Peter (who seriously made it back from work and into his seat only 1 1/2 dances before she came on), Sheldon and me. There were bouquets of flowers afterwards and lots of proud words and hugs.
She'll be back to dance again next year - jazz and hip hop again, but she's talking about adding tap to her repertoire. I can't wait!
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
12 on 12.
 |
| May : Saturday |
01. Out of bed and straight for coffee. (It's going to be a long day...)
02. I had to sneak out to the flower shop early this morning for a bouquet to present to Juliana at the end of her dance recital tonight.
03. Juliana and Grandpa enjoy a game of cards. (Apparently Grandpa is winning?!?)
04. Out with Grandpa to do a little Mother's Day shopping.
05. Getting ready for the matinee. I love that the Uggs still match everything.
06. One last peek in the dance bag to make sure we haven't forgotten anything.
07. Seeing Daddy at the evening performance intermission. Phew! He made it back from work in time.
08. Striking a pose at Curtain Call. (Juliana on the left.)
09. Another dance season successfully wrapped up. Heading back to the car with Grandma.
10. The night is still young (10pm)! We need to celebrate Grandma and Grandpa's anniversary and Sheldon's birthday. Chocolate cake with a bride and groom on a scooter, of course.
11. Pre-wish.
12. Completely done. My dancer finally sleeps.
Monday, May 14, 2012
What is Fifteen?
Fifteen is awesome.
Fifteen is exciting. You get to taste the independence of adulthood and yet still laugh and carry on like a child.
Fifteen is a hero. Your sister wants to learn from you. Your cousin watches all your YouTube videos - not because he's interested in what they're about but just because they're yours. Your little cousin laughs when you get on the floor and roll around because that's what he does. You have a much-younger not-so-secret admirer that used to follow you around all day long and even now, after moving away, completely lights up when she sees you.
Fifteen is engaging. When you talk to adults, they engage you as an equal, one of them. Your voice is more than just words strung into sentences. Your voice is interesting, intelligent and powerful.
Fifteen is hard work. The chores get harder. The list gets longer. There is real homework.
Fifteen is complicated.
Fifteen is delicious. Your chicken tetrazzini, your pancakes, and your fudge. Oh, the fudge!
Fifteen is carefree. The days are long. And you can spend them on a scooter in all the local hotspots with your buddies without worrying about your mom checking on you every hour.
Fifteen is unfair. The rules are too strict. The computer time is too short. The dishwasher always needs to be emptied. Someone else should have to empty the garbage. Other kids have TV's in their rooms. "It's all just stupid."
Fifteen is big brother. One minute you're throwing a lunch bag at your sister and the next you're calling her "Muffin". That about says it all.
Fifteen is building things. Boxes, cd racks, bicycles, and scooters just for starters....
Fifteen is hungry. You can pile your plate full of salad, steak, mac and cheese or tacos for dinner. And then need a snack in an hour.
Fifteen is heartbreaking.
Fifteen is musical. One of my favourites things is to hear you downstairs playing your drums or your guitar. I know that playing in front of people is not your favourite thing to do but you will always have this audience of one.
Fifteen is nervy. You help yourself to the snacks and pop that were classified as treats when you were a "kid".
Fifteen is creative. You can build doohickeys and whatchamacallits on Minecraft and an assortment of other websites. You can teach your sister how to make music on Garageband. You can create your own tutorials on YouTube and find subscribers for your channel.
Fifteen is respectful.
Fifteen is active. Watching you bounce around the house, throwing yourself prat-fall-like on the floor, and trying to avoid Tucker when he comes to join in the fight/fun has convinced me that you will never, ever be able to sit still.
Fifteen is loyal.
Fifteen is intelligent. You know stuff. And you love to let us know what that stuff is.
Fifteen is persistent. When you put your mind to something, you end up focusing until you've accomplished what you set out to do. Especially if that something is trying to change my mind.
Fifteen is sweaty. Is one shower a day ever enough when you never stop moving?
Fifteen is funny. Yes, as you say, you're becoming your father. And, boy, do you make me laugh!
Fifteen is kind.
Fifteen is protective. When your sister needs you, you're there. You help her stay out of trouble and, although you sometimes try to convince us otherwise, you totally love her.
Fifteen is conflicted. The decisions. The challenges. The choices. So very conflicted.
Fifteen is big. The yells are bigger. The feet are bigger. The door slams are bigger. The moods are bigger. The smiles are bigger. The hugs are bigger.
Fifteen is a beautiful soul.
Happy birthday to my boy.
Fifteen is exciting. You get to taste the independence of adulthood and yet still laugh and carry on like a child.
Fifteen is a hero. Your sister wants to learn from you. Your cousin watches all your YouTube videos - not because he's interested in what they're about but just because they're yours. Your little cousin laughs when you get on the floor and roll around because that's what he does. You have a much-younger not-so-secret admirer that used to follow you around all day long and even now, after moving away, completely lights up when she sees you.
Fifteen is engaging. When you talk to adults, they engage you as an equal, one of them. Your voice is more than just words strung into sentences. Your voice is interesting, intelligent and powerful.
Fifteen is hard work. The chores get harder. The list gets longer. There is real homework.
Fifteen is complicated.
Fifteen is delicious. Your chicken tetrazzini, your pancakes, and your fudge. Oh, the fudge!
Fifteen is carefree. The days are long. And you can spend them on a scooter in all the local hotspots with your buddies without worrying about your mom checking on you every hour.
Fifteen is unfair. The rules are too strict. The computer time is too short. The dishwasher always needs to be emptied. Someone else should have to empty the garbage. Other kids have TV's in their rooms. "It's all just stupid."
Fifteen is big brother. One minute you're throwing a lunch bag at your sister and the next you're calling her "Muffin". That about says it all.
Fifteen is building things. Boxes, cd racks, bicycles, and scooters just for starters....
Fifteen is hungry. You can pile your plate full of salad, steak, mac and cheese or tacos for dinner. And then need a snack in an hour.
Fifteen is heartbreaking.
Fifteen is musical. One of my favourites things is to hear you downstairs playing your drums or your guitar. I know that playing in front of people is not your favourite thing to do but you will always have this audience of one.
Fifteen is nervy. You help yourself to the snacks and pop that were classified as treats when you were a "kid".
Fifteen is creative. You can build doohickeys and whatchamacallits on Minecraft and an assortment of other websites. You can teach your sister how to make music on Garageband. You can create your own tutorials on YouTube and find subscribers for your channel.
Fifteen is respectful.
Fifteen is active. Watching you bounce around the house, throwing yourself prat-fall-like on the floor, and trying to avoid Tucker when he comes to join in the fight/fun has convinced me that you will never, ever be able to sit still.
Fifteen is loyal.
Fifteen is intelligent. You know stuff. And you love to let us know what that stuff is.
Fifteen is persistent. When you put your mind to something, you end up focusing until you've accomplished what you set out to do. Especially if that something is trying to change my mind.
Fifteen is sweaty. Is one shower a day ever enough when you never stop moving?
Fifteen is funny. Yes, as you say, you're becoming your father. And, boy, do you make me laugh!
Fifteen is kind.
Fifteen is protective. When your sister needs you, you're there. You help her stay out of trouble and, although you sometimes try to convince us otherwise, you totally love her.
Fifteen is conflicted. The decisions. The challenges. The choices. So very conflicted.
Fifteen is big. The yells are bigger. The feet are bigger. The door slams are bigger. The moods are bigger. The smiles are bigger. The hugs are bigger.
Fifteen is a beautiful soul.
Happy birthday to my boy.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Tonight I will sleep.
I have a magnet on my fridge that my mom gave me years ago which pretty much sums up how I'm feeling tonight. It says:
I am woman.
I am invincible.
I am tired.
In the last 48 hours we have had three weekend house guests.
We have celebrated my in-laws 50th wedding anniversary.
We have celebrated two belated birthdays - my father in law's and mine.
We have celebrated Sheldon's birthday a day early.
We have taken Juliana to one dress rehearsal, an afternoon show, and an evening show for her dance recital.
We have celebrated Mother's Day.
And Peter has left for New York.
All this since Friday night.
This week I will catch up on my weekend blogging - including Saturday's 12 on 12.
But tonight I will sleep.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Two.
Happy, happy to me!
Today I'm celebrating two years of blogging.
If you're late to the party, you can read my first post here and my one year wrap-up here. Nothing has changed since I wrote either of those - my blogging life remains such a fulfilling part of who I am, who I have become, and who I hope to be: Me. With all of my imperfections. With my blessed life. And with much gratitude for it all.
To my readers: thanks for your kind words, your support, and your continued interest in my family's little things.
Cheers to another year!
Monday, May 7, 2012
Saturday, May 5, 2012
It's all manual, Baby!
I'm going "off the green square". That is, the little green square on my camera that is for all-things-automatic.
I'm following through on one of my January challenges to take an on-line photography course. And today I started to apply what I have learned.
My day started like this:
Many, many, many pictures later and it's starting to make sense.
I'm going to put my camera to bed for now and end feeling confident because this is how my photo day has ended:
I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself.
I'm following through on one of my January challenges to take an on-line photography course. And today I started to apply what I have learned.
My day started like this:
Many, many, many pictures later and it's starting to make sense.
I'm going to put my camera to bed for now and end feeling confident because this is how my photo day has ended:
I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
A birthday wish.
Today is my birthday.
Juliana thought it would be a good day for me to stay home so that she could make me breakfast in bed. Then we could stay in bed and watch TV together all morning.
Except that today is a Wednesday. A work day. A school day.
So I said no.
"But Mommy, no one should have to go to work on their birthday. Especially when they're in their 40's. And getting old."
Thank you. (I think.)
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