Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Christmas
This year's Christmas celebration was greatly hindered by my catching a particularly strong bout of food poisoning. I will spare the details save this: I never thought I would willingly ask (beg?) for an IV and openly submit my arms to the dreaded fishing for a good vein. (I am notoriously hard to poke and this time did not relieve that reputation.) Still on the mend, but doing much better.
With our dining table in the living room (we are still moving in!) Grama Carolyn shares a pre-dinner salad snack with Annabelle a couple nights before Christmas. I was finally able to finish sewing Annabelle's teepee and had that set up for her that morning as a surprise. (And it is amazing to see that Annabelle finally loves salad as much as we do!)
Here Annabelle squeezes the juice from Clementines to make sorbet with Oma Shirley the day after Christmas. New recipes and all things cooking are enjoyed here and making the sorbet was a fun first! (And now I yearn to have my own sorbet maker to do the same!) The new Clementines (also called Mandarin Oranges) are the first citrus that Annabelle has ever been able to tolerate. She truly enjoyed the fruits of her labor this morning with a bowl of homemade sorbet for breakfast!
With our dining table in the living room (we are still moving in!) Grama Carolyn shares a pre-dinner salad snack with Annabelle a couple nights before Christmas. I was finally able to finish sewing Annabelle's teepee and had that set up for her that morning as a surprise. (And it is amazing to see that Annabelle finally loves salad as much as we do!)
Here Annabelle squeezes the juice from Clementines to make sorbet with Oma Shirley the day after Christmas. New recipes and all things cooking are enjoyed here and making the sorbet was a fun first! (And now I yearn to have my own sorbet maker to do the same!) The new Clementines (also called Mandarin Oranges) are the first citrus that Annabelle has ever been able to tolerate. She truly enjoyed the fruits of her labor this morning with a bowl of homemade sorbet for breakfast!
Prima
Being the best.One of Annabelle's favorite Christmas gifts is clearly her new ballerina costume, complete with tutu. And when she puts it on she also dons her ballerina persona. This evening she went into her bedroom a four year old and came back out again as our own personal prima ballerina. With her head held high, she spoke to me without making eye contact:
Annabelle :: I am the first ballerina. That means I am the best ballerina.
Me :: (wondering where she learned what 'best' means) It does?
Annabelle :: And THAT means that all the other ballerinas are NOT the best because I am first. THAT means that they have to sit down and sing while I dance!
Me :: What will they sing?
Annabelle :: (whispering) They will sing softly.
And then she began to dance in the kitchen, but quickly realized that she needed help to do what she wanted to do. So she solicited Dave to come and assist her. After five minutes of arguing and tears and storming off to her bedroom because he was "doing it wrong" they figuring it out and performed a spectacular duet to some Christmas music playing in the background.
THIS was the move she was trying to orchestrate with Dave. And by the complete seriousness on her face they are doing it perfectly.Dave was clearly enjoying himself while playing ballerina with Annabelle. In the middle of their dance he said, "She really is very graceful! Look at her!" and she promptly did a face plant directly into the floor. Dave leaned down, and said with genuine optimism, "Did you do that on purpose?" Which made me laugh, the idea that Annabelle might have done the perfect face plant.
Not wanting to intrude too much with my camera, the pictures are simultaneously priceless and shoddy...
Here Dave stood in his well practiced Battement Frappe while Annabelle dances in circles around him. I know this picture will make many readers of this blog very happy.With the duet complete, Annabelle continued on to the second part of the program. It was now time for her to join all the "others" in their song:
Annabelle :: First I will sing.
Ballerina is the best!
All the other
ballerinas are NOT the best!
(pause)
Annabelle :: Now, all the other ballerinas sing.
Good we be, good we think.
Dances are arising
Good and truth in my heart!
Good can sing, good can sing!
All the dance you can hear!
After that she posed to have her photograph taken in a few different ballet positions. (Where did she learn all this?) Then she was done as quickly as it all began and bedtime ensued.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Two more days
Annabelle arrived home this afternoon to see the little Advent nature table I set up for her. Amid the boxes and leftovers of moving, I cleared a small table and created a breathing space to reflect the season. She was very, very happy to find it there, next to our very simple Christmas tree, and asked me to light the candles with her several times.
Finally, after dinner, I lit the candles with her one by one, reciting the Advent verse:
The first light of advent is the light of stones
Light that shines in seashells, in crystals, and in bones.
The second light of advent is the light of plants
Light that reaches up to the sun and in the breezes dance.
The third light of advent is the light of beasts
Light of hope we may see in the greatest and the least
The fourth light of advent is the light of man
Light of human thought, to love and understand.
Then she asked me to take several pictures of her standing next to the table. First she simply smiled. Then she crossed her arms "like in kindergarten." Then she wanted a "fancy" picture and placed her hands above her head and stood on her toes like a ballerina. Then she said, "Now I will stand the way I stand at Advent." And she crossed her hands upon her heart.
The colors seemed so bright in the picture, so I dulled down the midtone. It makes it seem like more of a photograph from the 1970s, but the emphasis is brought more to Annabelle instead of the strong reds and blues and whites.
This has been a season of learning to forget some of the details to be able to get the job done. In the past I have been guilty of simply not doing something only because it couldn't be done up to some standard that I held with greater importance than just having whatever it was in a more simple way.
I came just a little bit closer to relaxing today as I put together this little nature table for Annabelle: Allowing myself to forget the silk back drop and pretend that I didn't really mind the shutters on the wall just above, and countless other things that have wedged themselves into what I consider a "good" nature table. Because I HAD to admit that having a table for Annabelle, even if substandard, was absolutely better than not having one at all.
And (as she likes to say) guess what? Annabelle loved it.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Bunny
Lately Annabelle has become fully engaged in personifying animals. This may come from the stories she hears in kindergarten, but I'm not sure. She is often a monkey, a bunny, a mouse, or a rolley-polley. And for some reason all these animals like to play hide-and-seek in the bed covers, particularly the rolley-polley.
Last night as she was getting out of the bath she complained that she was cold. Dave dried her off as quickly as possible but it wasn't fast enough. She began to cry a little bit and within five seconds was howling. She wailed that she was very very VERY cold and she wanted her pajamas on. Of course, brushing teeth is impossible when those teeth are located in a mouth that is screaming. Things escalated and then:
Annabelle :: I AM COLD LIKE A BUNNY WITHOUT ANY HAIR.
To be sure we understood, she hollered that statement three or four times. And after I hid in the hallway to make sure I could quell my smile, I came to appreciate the jump from personification to simple comparison.
I have been told this panic-riddled dissatisfaction with everything is partly what it means to be four years old. I had truly begun to worry about Annabelle's happiness and coping skills because the smallest things seem to send her over the edge and it generally catches me by surprise. And other seemingly big things warrant a simple, "That's okay!" Those moments surprise me too.
Today in the car on the way home Annabelle began to cry and tell me that she was very upset because she did not have any new toys to play with.
Annabelle :: I am without no new toys!
Me :: Good thing Christmas is coming soon!
Annabelle (crying for real) :: I do NOT want to go back to that place with all the old toys!
Me :: What place?
Annabelle :: That place, our HOUSE. All the toys there are OLD and I SAID I ONLY WANT NEW TOYS.
Me :: (silent)
Annabelle :: I AM WITHOUT NEW TOYS. WE NEED TO GO TO THE TOY STORE RIGHT NOW!
I began to talk to Annabelle about what we would be doing for the remainder of the afternoon, and about unpacking some more of her favorite toys, and making something to eat. She was silent. I turned to look at her and she was fast asleep.
I think we all need this Christmas break that is coming up. Just a few more days... And I'll bet for sure that Santa has some toys in his sack for her!
Last night as she was getting out of the bath she complained that she was cold. Dave dried her off as quickly as possible but it wasn't fast enough. She began to cry a little bit and within five seconds was howling. She wailed that she was very very VERY cold and she wanted her pajamas on. Of course, brushing teeth is impossible when those teeth are located in a mouth that is screaming. Things escalated and then:
Annabelle :: I AM COLD LIKE A BUNNY WITHOUT ANY HAIR.
To be sure we understood, she hollered that statement three or four times. And after I hid in the hallway to make sure I could quell my smile, I came to appreciate the jump from personification to simple comparison.
I have been told this panic-riddled dissatisfaction with everything is partly what it means to be four years old. I had truly begun to worry about Annabelle's happiness and coping skills because the smallest things seem to send her over the edge and it generally catches me by surprise. And other seemingly big things warrant a simple, "That's okay!" Those moments surprise me too.
Today in the car on the way home Annabelle began to cry and tell me that she was very upset because she did not have any new toys to play with.
Annabelle :: I am without no new toys!
Me :: Good thing Christmas is coming soon!
Annabelle (crying for real) :: I do NOT want to go back to that place with all the old toys!
Me :: What place?
Annabelle :: That place, our HOUSE. All the toys there are OLD and I SAID I ONLY WANT NEW TOYS.
Me :: (silent)
Annabelle :: I AM WITHOUT NEW TOYS. WE NEED TO GO TO THE TOY STORE RIGHT NOW!
I began to talk to Annabelle about what we would be doing for the remainder of the afternoon, and about unpacking some more of her favorite toys, and making something to eat. She was silent. I turned to look at her and she was fast asleep.
I think we all need this Christmas break that is coming up. Just a few more days... And I'll bet for sure that Santa has some toys in his sack for her!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Strawberry
Last night Annabelle woke up with a fever and then threw up. A little hustle and bustle, a bed swap and she was soon settled next to me in bed, with Dave having an overnight in her room. I checked on her several times and she was sweaty, but sleeping soundly.
In the morning I was up at six am and reveled in a whole hour by myself, getting ready as usual. I even had time to make some bacon! Just as I was about to sit down to breakfast, I heard Annabelle's little feet padding around the corner. She hugged me and then wiped her nose on her sleeve, and a big streak of red told me she had a bloody nose.
Annabelle :: There's jam in my nose!
The run to the bathroom was quick, but by the time I returned my bacon was all burned and smoking up the house. Then, too many things to fit in and I was nearly late to school this morning. All morning I kept smelling burned bacon waft from my sweater.
I arranged some substitutes for the rest of the day and returned to find Annabelle happy and healthy, having a fun resting day at home. We curled up and slept together all afternoon. She awoke feeling all better, I awoke knowing that I had caught her little bug.
Funny how becoming sick can assuage the guilt of taking a sick day when you are healthy.
We unpacked a couple more boxes, rearranged the kitchen cupboards, sorted through the silverware. We set out some Christmas decorations. Annabelle drew pictures of houses and trees with my colored pencils. We played card games on the kitchen floor.
There was one constant through all of this activity: Annabelle's newly developed propensity for saying the word "poop".
As of late, if Annabelle does not receive something that she has asked for (whether nicely or rudely) she will look at you out of the corner of her eye and quietly say, "Poopy" with a frown. I cannot help but remember when she was two years old and began to use the word "Deedee" as a swear word of sorts, throwing out the same look and frown and quietly saying, "Deedee" whenever she didn't get what she wanted. Now the name calling is more obvious, though just as annoying.
If the situation escalates she becomes far more direct, "You poopy! Poopy, poopy, poop, POOP!" And will then mutter to herself, "Poopy peepee poopy peepee." It's quite something.
And like most parents, I have a tendency to believe that she didn't come up with this all by herself, but learned it from another child at school. I love believing that, even in the face of Annabelle telling me that no one at school says it ever, ever, just her.
On the other hand, Annabelle's teacher just called me to say that the recent stories that the children have been hearing about Saint Nicholas have really been affecting Annabelle and she has shared with the class that she wants to give a few gifts to the other children and those in the nursery. She particularly mentioned her birthday crown that I sewed for her a couple years ago that has become too small to wear.
Sometimes it is funny to be Annabelle's mother... getting called names one minute, and so amazed by her generosity the next.
In the morning I was up at six am and reveled in a whole hour by myself, getting ready as usual. I even had time to make some bacon! Just as I was about to sit down to breakfast, I heard Annabelle's little feet padding around the corner. She hugged me and then wiped her nose on her sleeve, and a big streak of red told me she had a bloody nose.
Annabelle :: There's jam in my nose!
The run to the bathroom was quick, but by the time I returned my bacon was all burned and smoking up the house. Then, too many things to fit in and I was nearly late to school this morning. All morning I kept smelling burned bacon waft from my sweater.
I arranged some substitutes for the rest of the day and returned to find Annabelle happy and healthy, having a fun resting day at home. We curled up and slept together all afternoon. She awoke feeling all better, I awoke knowing that I had caught her little bug.
Funny how becoming sick can assuage the guilt of taking a sick day when you are healthy.
We unpacked a couple more boxes, rearranged the kitchen cupboards, sorted through the silverware. We set out some Christmas decorations. Annabelle drew pictures of houses and trees with my colored pencils. We played card games on the kitchen floor.
There was one constant through all of this activity: Annabelle's newly developed propensity for saying the word "poop".
As of late, if Annabelle does not receive something that she has asked for (whether nicely or rudely) she will look at you out of the corner of her eye and quietly say, "Poopy" with a frown. I cannot help but remember when she was two years old and began to use the word "Deedee" as a swear word of sorts, throwing out the same look and frown and quietly saying, "Deedee" whenever she didn't get what she wanted. Now the name calling is more obvious, though just as annoying.
If the situation escalates she becomes far more direct, "You poopy! Poopy, poopy, poop, POOP!" And will then mutter to herself, "Poopy peepee poopy peepee." It's quite something.
And like most parents, I have a tendency to believe that she didn't come up with this all by herself, but learned it from another child at school. I love believing that, even in the face of Annabelle telling me that no one at school says it ever, ever, just her.
On the other hand, Annabelle's teacher just called me to say that the recent stories that the children have been hearing about Saint Nicholas have really been affecting Annabelle and she has shared with the class that she wants to give a few gifts to the other children and those in the nursery. She particularly mentioned her birthday crown that I sewed for her a couple years ago that has become too small to wear.
Sometimes it is funny to be Annabelle's mother... getting called names one minute, and so amazed by her generosity the next.
Sunday, December 06, 2009
Something to contend with
After living for a month in a vacant apartment with borrowed mattresses on the floor and a melamine folding table and two folding chairs, we finally retrieved our belongings from Oregon. Today I unpacked all my beloved porcelain and stoneware. Not one broken piece!
Last night Dave and I were talking about how difficult the past few months must have been for Annabelle, to be surrounded with someone else's belongings. Or no belongings at all. We both feel relieved to have our loved linens, books, toys, etc all back together with us.
After spending several hours unpacking and trying to fit the house together, it still looked like this:
Oh my.
How is it possible to unpack and unpack and unpack some more and still have this disaster to face every time you look up? This afternoon I stood still for a moment, in the middle of it all. Annabelle sat on the floor in the kitchen watching me.
Annabelle :: Guess what?
Me :: What?
Annabelle :: This house looks like our house in ____ville now!
Me :: Yes! It does, doesn't it?
Annabelle :: Only. (pause) It is a LOT smaller.
Me :: (silently considering the trade from our home on 1/2 acre to this apartment)
Annabelle :: Our house in Oregon was VERY BIG.
(pause)
Annabelle :: Where are all this things going to go?
Me :: I'm not sure.
Annabelle :: (arms spread wide) In Oregon we had THIS MUCH SPACE! My room was THIS BIG!
(pause, looking around)
Annabelle :: (two fingers pressed together tight) In this house my room is this small and I can not fit my things!
Me :: (laughing) We'll be just fine.
The really funny thing is that we are not the collecting sort. You might even say that we live very lean when it comes to stuff. Having stuff is not my art form. But I am very skilled in getting rid of things! In fact, it makes me kind of happy to look at that big pile of boxes and imagine how many boxes we'll fill with stuff to give away. I'm already up to two.
Let me know if you want anything, I'll just set it aside.
Last night Dave and I were talking about how difficult the past few months must have been for Annabelle, to be surrounded with someone else's belongings. Or no belongings at all. We both feel relieved to have our loved linens, books, toys, etc all back together with us.
After spending several hours unpacking and trying to fit the house together, it still looked like this:
Oh my.How is it possible to unpack and unpack and unpack some more and still have this disaster to face every time you look up? This afternoon I stood still for a moment, in the middle of it all. Annabelle sat on the floor in the kitchen watching me.
Annabelle :: Guess what?
Me :: What?
Annabelle :: This house looks like our house in ____ville now!
Me :: Yes! It does, doesn't it?
Annabelle :: Only. (pause) It is a LOT smaller.
Me :: (silently considering the trade from our home on 1/2 acre to this apartment)
Annabelle :: Our house in Oregon was VERY BIG.
(pause)
Annabelle :: Where are all this things going to go?
Me :: I'm not sure.
Annabelle :: (arms spread wide) In Oregon we had THIS MUCH SPACE! My room was THIS BIG!
(pause, looking around)
Annabelle :: (two fingers pressed together tight) In this house my room is this small and I can not fit my things!
Me :: (laughing) We'll be just fine.
The really funny thing is that we are not the collecting sort. You might even say that we live very lean when it comes to stuff. Having stuff is not my art form. But I am very skilled in getting rid of things! In fact, it makes me kind of happy to look at that big pile of boxes and imagine how many boxes we'll fill with stuff to give away. I'm already up to two.
Let me know if you want anything, I'll just set it aside.
Thursday, December 03, 2009
The Sun
Have you ever seen
anything
in your life
more wonderful
than the way the sun,
every evening,
relaxed and easy,
floats toward the horizon
and into the clouds or the hills,
or the rumpled sea,
and is gone–
and how it slides again
out of the blackness,
every morning,
on the other side of the world,
like a red flower
streaming upward on its heavenly
oils,
say, on a morning in early summer,
at its perfect imperial distance–
and have you ever felt for anything
such wild love–
do you think there is anywhere, in any language,
a word billowing enough
for the pleasure
that fills you,
as the sun
reaches out,
as it warms you
as you stand there,
empty-handed–
or have you too
turned from this world–
or have you too
gone crazy
for power,
for things?
-Mary Oliver
Monday, November 23, 2009
Little One
Last week Annabelle heard, from a very special friend of her kindergarten teacher, that her very own doll from fairy land was coming. (So I had to hurry up and finish making it!)
This morning she searched the entire kindergarten room until she finally found her with her arms wrapped around a fairy wand. Annabelle held and guarded her all day long. She came home with us this afternoon and Annabelle fell asleep with her at bed time.
Her name is Starling. And her kindergarten teacher has truly done something very magical in her class because every child is absolutely in love with their own doll... It is wonderful to watch.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Halloween
This year, I unexpectedly took Annabelle Trick-or-Treating for the first time! I had thought I might put it off another year, but a colleague from school invited us to join her family. Her youngest daughter is exactly one hour older than Annabelle (!) and the girls get along like old friends.
(An aside :: It is so nice to see that the girls are friends at school too and enjoy each other without parental influence, especially knowing that they will definitely begin first grade together when they are six years old. It adds a new dimension to seeing them play together, knowing that they will be friends for the next ten years, or even for the rest of their lives...)
Upon arriving at my friend's house I realized that I hadn't told Annabelle a thing about Halloween! She's learned a lot in recent weeks from the other children at school, but none of it has been talked about at home. Still in the car, I turned to her in the back seat...
Me :: Annabelle, do you know what we are going to do tonight?
Annabelle :: We are going Tricker Treating!
Me :: What does that mean?
Annabelle :: That means we are going to drive to a store and buy some candy!
Whoops. So I shared some details about the activity that we were about to try out, telling her how fun it is to meet new people and have them give us little treats. She immediately voiced her anxiety about visiting a bunch of strangers and asked if I would please be the one to knock on the door. We got out of the car and headed into my friend's house and within about a millisecond of observing the other children's enthusiasm and excitement, Annabelle could hardly wait.
Together with the others we began a casual stroll down a quiet residential street at dusk. Nearly every house had a few simple decorations and the porch lights were all on... we went to our first house and I took a picture just as Annabelle came sprinting down the driveway to show me that some nice lady had given her CANDY! The look on her face said, "Oh my god this is going to be the best night of my life."
For the next hour the children literally sprinted as fast as possible from door to door. I was relieved that I had decided to wear my running shoes! We quickly had to create a rule that the two girls had to wait at the end of the driveway until an adult could be there to walk with them.
At one point Annabelle stumbled on the sidewalk and dumped the entire contents of her basket onto the street. We helped her gather the candy back into her basket and went on our way. Less than one minute later, I snapped this picture of them waiting on the driveway while overhearing their conversation...
Friend :: Remember when you tripped and all your candy spilled?
Annabelle :: Yes.
Friend :: And remember when they helped you pick it all up?
Annabelle :: Yes.
Friend :: I almost cried for you.
Towards the end of the walk we came to one house that had set up a basket full of candy on the porch, with a little sign inviting visitors to help themselves. As the girls reached up to take their share, I leaned over and whispered...
Me :: Let's play a funny joke!
Girls :: (wide eyed and smiling) Yeah!
Me :: Instead of taking candy from this basket, let's dump all of OUR candy into it!
Girls :: YEAH!!!!!
And so the candy was unloaded into the basket. Amazingly, they still ended the night with a huge collection of treats. We walked into my friend's home and I told Annabelle that it was time for the very last part of Halloween, the part where she gets to choose one piece for herself and two pieces to save for Daddy... because the Halloween fairy was coming to our friend's house that night to get the rest.
We left a big pile of chocolate and candy on the carpet. But we made quite a little memory for us both! Such a spontaneous night, much more fun than I would have ever expected. Annabelle fell asleep in the car within just a couple minutes of the drive home.
I placed her chosen lollipop right next to her banana on the kitchen counter so she can grab them both after she wakes up tomorrow morning. It will be so fun to talk about it all in the morning! And I'm so glad I didn't wait till next year...
(An aside :: It is so nice to see that the girls are friends at school too and enjoy each other without parental influence, especially knowing that they will definitely begin first grade together when they are six years old. It adds a new dimension to seeing them play together, knowing that they will be friends for the next ten years, or even for the rest of their lives...)
Upon arriving at my friend's house I realized that I hadn't told Annabelle a thing about Halloween! She's learned a lot in recent weeks from the other children at school, but none of it has been talked about at home. Still in the car, I turned to her in the back seat...
Me :: Annabelle, do you know what we are going to do tonight?
Annabelle :: We are going Tricker Treating!
Me :: What does that mean?
Annabelle :: That means we are going to drive to a store and buy some candy!
Whoops. So I shared some details about the activity that we were about to try out, telling her how fun it is to meet new people and have them give us little treats. She immediately voiced her anxiety about visiting a bunch of strangers and asked if I would please be the one to knock on the door. We got out of the car and headed into my friend's house and within about a millisecond of observing the other children's enthusiasm and excitement, Annabelle could hardly wait.
Together with the others we began a casual stroll down a quiet residential street at dusk. Nearly every house had a few simple decorations and the porch lights were all on... we went to our first house and I took a picture just as Annabelle came sprinting down the driveway to show me that some nice lady had given her CANDY! The look on her face said, "Oh my god this is going to be the best night of my life."
For the next hour the children literally sprinted as fast as possible from door to door. I was relieved that I had decided to wear my running shoes! We quickly had to create a rule that the two girls had to wait at the end of the driveway until an adult could be there to walk with them.
At one point Annabelle stumbled on the sidewalk and dumped the entire contents of her basket onto the street. We helped her gather the candy back into her basket and went on our way. Less than one minute later, I snapped this picture of them waiting on the driveway while overhearing their conversation...
Friend :: Remember when you tripped and all your candy spilled?
Annabelle :: Yes.
Friend :: And remember when they helped you pick it all up?
Annabelle :: Yes.
Friend :: I almost cried for you.
Towards the end of the walk we came to one house that had set up a basket full of candy on the porch, with a little sign inviting visitors to help themselves. As the girls reached up to take their share, I leaned over and whispered...
Me :: Let's play a funny joke!
Girls :: (wide eyed and smiling) Yeah!
Me :: Instead of taking candy from this basket, let's dump all of OUR candy into it!
Girls :: YEAH!!!!!
And so the candy was unloaded into the basket. Amazingly, they still ended the night with a huge collection of treats. We walked into my friend's home and I told Annabelle that it was time for the very last part of Halloween, the part where she gets to choose one piece for herself and two pieces to save for Daddy... because the Halloween fairy was coming to our friend's house that night to get the rest.
We left a big pile of chocolate and candy on the carpet. But we made quite a little memory for us both! Such a spontaneous night, much more fun than I would have ever expected. Annabelle fell asleep in the car within just a couple minutes of the drive home.
I placed her chosen lollipop right next to her banana on the kitchen counter so she can grab them both after she wakes up tomorrow morning. It will be so fun to talk about it all in the morning! And I'm so glad I didn't wait till next year...
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Telling on the truth
Annabelle :: Guess what?
Me :: What?
Annabelle :: Today in the playground Jasper tripped me and I fell down.
Me :: Really? Are you okay?
Annabelle :: And then he told Teacher Carole that I pushed him.
Me :: He did?
(long pause)
Annabelle :: Guess what?
Me :: What?
Annabelle :: (eyes wide, mouth open, looking incredibly amazed, with her hands palms up) Jasper was telling the truth and I was NOT telling the truth!
Me :: What?
Annabelle :: Today in the playground Jasper tripped me and I fell down.
Me :: Really? Are you okay?
Annabelle :: And then he told Teacher Carole that I pushed him.
Me :: He did?
(long pause)
Annabelle :: Guess what?
Me :: What?
Annabelle :: (eyes wide, mouth open, looking incredibly amazed, with her hands palms up) Jasper was telling the truth and I was NOT telling the truth!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
My mom is a teacher now...
Just eight weeks into the school year and I can honestly say that Annabelle has spent countless hours with me in my classroom. We paint together as I do my prep work for painting, we form clay together, she listens to me practice my songs, stories, and verse. She joins me while I make up movements for circle time. When I am working at my desk she works at hers.
She has also informed me that she will never go to the first grade and plans to remain in kindergarten for five more years.
Annabelle has the distinction of being the youngest FAB child (Faculty, Admin, Board) at the school. It's a really wonderful group of children, and they seem to group together and watch out for each other. I overheard the 9 year old daughter of the fourth grade teacher talking to Annabelle a couple weeks ago.
Friend :: Your mom is the first grade teacher?
Annabelle :: Yes.
Friend :: That means you're FAB. And FAB kids are COOL.
It's so nice to feel that Annabelle is really having a good time coming to school. And having that feeling reinforced by the relationships she is developing with other children is such a relief! The children that Annabelle refers to as her friends range from kindergarten all the way through eighth grade. I can easily say she has a "friend" in each grade... which speaks to her precocious sociability, I suppose, as well as a confirmation that this is where she belongs.
And me too, I belong here too. I feel so fortunate that my closest colleagues are my peers at work but also in the world: we are all about the same age, married, with children, and closely aligned with the values that support our work. We are the lower grades teachers, grades 1 through 4... and will move through the curriculum side by side. I genuinely value diversity, but I have to say that the similarities we share offer a sense of comfort I have really needed as I come into a new community and leave my stay-at-home-mom life behind.
This coming month presents more big change for us: we are moving again. The beauty and art that surrounds us here in this amazing home is remarkable but we could no longer deny that we belong elsewhere. Thankfully we found a place that suits us very well and places us closer to the school and within walking distance of Dave's future office building. While the idea of moving sounds stressful, we have also struggled to feel settled and the move will give us a real chance to dig in for a while. Hopefully many years!
We are looking forward to the new year with great anticipation...
She has also informed me that she will never go to the first grade and plans to remain in kindergarten for five more years.
Annabelle has the distinction of being the youngest FAB child (Faculty, Admin, Board) at the school. It's a really wonderful group of children, and they seem to group together and watch out for each other. I overheard the 9 year old daughter of the fourth grade teacher talking to Annabelle a couple weeks ago.
Friend :: Your mom is the first grade teacher?
Annabelle :: Yes.
Friend :: That means you're FAB. And FAB kids are COOL.
It's so nice to feel that Annabelle is really having a good time coming to school. And having that feeling reinforced by the relationships she is developing with other children is such a relief! The children that Annabelle refers to as her friends range from kindergarten all the way through eighth grade. I can easily say she has a "friend" in each grade... which speaks to her precocious sociability, I suppose, as well as a confirmation that this is where she belongs.
And me too, I belong here too. I feel so fortunate that my closest colleagues are my peers at work but also in the world: we are all about the same age, married, with children, and closely aligned with the values that support our work. We are the lower grades teachers, grades 1 through 4... and will move through the curriculum side by side. I genuinely value diversity, but I have to say that the similarities we share offer a sense of comfort I have really needed as I come into a new community and leave my stay-at-home-mom life behind.
This coming month presents more big change for us: we are moving again. The beauty and art that surrounds us here in this amazing home is remarkable but we could no longer deny that we belong elsewhere. Thankfully we found a place that suits us very well and places us closer to the school and within walking distance of Dave's future office building. While the idea of moving sounds stressful, we have also struggled to feel settled and the move will give us a real chance to dig in for a while. Hopefully many years!
We are looking forward to the new year with great anticipation...
Monday, October 26, 2009
Bounce House
It seems that around here having a bounce house is compulsory if you are going to put up a tent in a parking lot and call it a pumpkin patch. And, so, for eight dollars I bought Annabelle thirty minutes of all-you-can-bounce time in the huge pirate ship / great white shark bounce house eye sore off a major thoroughfare.
I can guarantee she'll sleep through the night tonight.
I can guarantee she'll sleep through the night tonight.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Fresh Ideas
Annabelle :: Guess what!?!
Me :: What?
Annabelle :: I have a light in my belly. When I'm happy, it's on! When I'm sad, it's off.
(she fumbles with her shirt)
Annabelle :: Click! IT'S ON!!
Me :: What?
Annabelle :: I have a light in my belly. When I'm happy, it's on! When I'm sad, it's off.
(she fumbles with her shirt)
Annabelle :: Click! IT'S ON!!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Angels Everywhere :: obscure, beautiful, strange
Every room, and nearly every hallway is graced by an angel. Some are quite beautiful, some traditional. Some are barely recognizable. Some are disturbing, some only stand as a gentle reminder...
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Bright Star
Work? Movie? Memorize a poem? Watch a movie about poetry? Go to bed early? Enjoy a couple hours to myself? Hmmm...
Jane Campion + John Keats = ((deep sighs))
The movie won.
Jane Campion + John Keats = ((deep sighs))
The movie won.
Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;
To bend with apples the moss'd cottage-trees,
And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;
To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells
With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,
And still more, later flowers for the bees,
Until they think warm days will never cease,
For summer has o'er-brimm'd their clammy cells.
Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store?
Sometimes whoever seeks abroad may find
Thee sitting careless on a granary floor,
Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind;
Or on a half-reap'd furrow sound asleep,
Drows'd with the fume of poppies, while thy hook
Spares the next swath and all its twined flowers:
And sometimes like a gleaner thou dost keep
Steady thy laden head across a brook;
Or by a cyder-press, with patient look,
Thou watchest the last oozings hours by hours.
Where are the songs of spring? Ay, where are they?
Think not of them, thou hast thy music too, -
While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day,
And touch the stubble-plains with rosy hue;
Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn
Among the river sallows, borne aloft
Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies;
And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn;
Hedge-crickets sing; and now with treble soft
The red-breast whistles from a garden-croft;
And gathering swallows twitter in the skies.
Friday, October 09, 2009
On my walk
Through the neighborhood I have charted out a walk that I like. Just down the hill, and up another, then turn around and come back. I rarely get passed by more than one or two cars, and occasionally cross paths with a neighbor walking their dog or some deer... a true time to breathe.
Annabelle hangs out in the stroller, and sometimes asks me to go faster. For now, being pulled by 45 pounds down a hill or pushing that weight on the way up is enough work!
This time I remembered my camera, to share a glimpse of our neighbor's sculpture.
Annabelle hangs out in the stroller, and sometimes asks me to go faster. For now, being pulled by 45 pounds down a hill or pushing that weight on the way up is enough work!
This time I remembered my camera, to share a glimpse of our neighbor's sculpture.
Friday, October 02, 2009
Our House - Without
Today Annabelle and I took a tasting tour of the property. I really had not entirely realized how much delicious fruit is growing here... First I picked an orange and while wiping the juice from my chin I looked up and noticed the pomegranates! What an experience, reaching high on my tip toes, snapping one off the branch, cracking it open against a stone block on the patio and handing one half to Annabelle... her eyes wide with surprise.
With pomegranates in hand, we wandered over to see the kiwi fruits, but they were not yet ripe. Neither were the limes or lemons, though the peach season seems to have ended. There were still some wild strawberries scattered among the deep green ground cover so we plucked those up.
Around the driveway we found some cherry-like fruits that I couldn't identify, so I tried one (but didn't share with Annabelle in case they weren't actually safe) and then we wandered into the orange grove and found a tangerine tree. Annabelle picked one herself and at first taste promptly shoved as much of it in her mouth as she possibly could. I tried to stop her, but in the end we just laughed! The persimmon tree had ripe fruit too, early I think, but they tasted just awful.
In the garden I picked the last of the ripe tomatoes and some herbs, and noted several budding roses... what a place this is! What a joy to spend an hour wandering and discovering...
(PS Annabelle did actually tell me that her GERD was acting up after all the tasting we did, but I kind of think it was worth it. We had so much fun.)
Looking past the pebble patio, the persimmon tree leads to the orange grove where you can see the yellow rabbit holding court.
My oak tree, towering over the corner of our bedroom and shadowing the pool below.
A mermaid sits between the Boxwood.
Standing in the front doorway, looking down the path that reaches to one of the driveways. The pool is visible to visitors coming up the walk, off to the left of this picture.
Angels and fairies are EVERYWHERE in the house and outside.
Standing underneath the oak.
The view of the valley from Annabelle's bedroom window. Full moon rising past another oak tree on the other side of the house.
With pomegranates in hand, we wandered over to see the kiwi fruits, but they were not yet ripe. Neither were the limes or lemons, though the peach season seems to have ended. There were still some wild strawberries scattered among the deep green ground cover so we plucked those up.
Around the driveway we found some cherry-like fruits that I couldn't identify, so I tried one (but didn't share with Annabelle in case they weren't actually safe) and then we wandered into the orange grove and found a tangerine tree. Annabelle picked one herself and at first taste promptly shoved as much of it in her mouth as she possibly could. I tried to stop her, but in the end we just laughed! The persimmon tree had ripe fruit too, early I think, but they tasted just awful.
In the garden I picked the last of the ripe tomatoes and some herbs, and noted several budding roses... what a place this is! What a joy to spend an hour wandering and discovering...
(PS Annabelle did actually tell me that her GERD was acting up after all the tasting we did, but I kind of think it was worth it. We had so much fun.)
Looking past the pebble patio, the persimmon tree leads to the orange grove where you can see the yellow rabbit holding court.
My oak tree, towering over the corner of our bedroom and shadowing the pool below.
A mermaid sits between the Boxwood.
Standing in the front doorway, looking down the path that reaches to one of the driveways. The pool is visible to visitors coming up the walk, off to the left of this picture.
Angels and fairies are EVERYWHERE in the house and outside.
Standing underneath the oak.
The view of the valley from Annabelle's bedroom window. Full moon rising past another oak tree on the other side of the house.
Searching
I've moved a lot in my life. A LOT. A lot a lot a lot.
And once, last Spring, concerned for myself, I asked a doctor about it. I told her that I feel so unsettled everywhere I go and I can't seem to find where I belong. And so I keep searching. And I live somewhere just long enough to figure out that it isn't THERE, and then leave.
What she told me was so simple: the thing I'm searching for is inside of me. And, suddenly, I understood what I needed to do. But the next move was already happening - I found my dream job, I found my school community, my interview was not only successful but loads of fun, I enjoyed my visits to California, and everything was falling into place with an incredibly strange sense of synchronicity.
With the exception of one thing: I didn't want to leave.
And here I am, almost two months later, blissful in my work at the school, settling into our new home, pleased with Annabelle's kindergarten and new friends, thankful for our health and all the many things we share in this life that are beautiful, feeling connected to my husband, grateful to work with a very mature and caring faculty, appreciating the short commute, loving the engaged and awake feeling in the silicon valley... but I am lonely.
Making friends is hard for me. It takes me so long to finally feel seen, feel comfortable, feel like I don't have to preface myself or follow up and apologize. And I know that if I dug around this very blog I'd find posts just like this one, speaking to my frustrations, sadness, and anxiety about wanting a friend.
It makes it so easy to throw myself into my work and my studies. Already my co-workers have asked me, "Where do you find the time?" Just as my peers in my training program did for the last two years...
As I was driving to California in August, on my way through Eugene, two friends surprised me by waving flags on an overpass to say goodbye. I caught them in this shot, tiny dots against the grey skies of Oregon. I bawled for several hours that day, on the long drive.
I know this post is... very real. I try to make this blog be something that speaks to optimism, even when life feels heavy. But today I am just here, in this place, searching again. It isn't easy.
And once, last Spring, concerned for myself, I asked a doctor about it. I told her that I feel so unsettled everywhere I go and I can't seem to find where I belong. And so I keep searching. And I live somewhere just long enough to figure out that it isn't THERE, and then leave.
What she told me was so simple: the thing I'm searching for is inside of me. And, suddenly, I understood what I needed to do. But the next move was already happening - I found my dream job, I found my school community, my interview was not only successful but loads of fun, I enjoyed my visits to California, and everything was falling into place with an incredibly strange sense of synchronicity.
With the exception of one thing: I didn't want to leave.
And here I am, almost two months later, blissful in my work at the school, settling into our new home, pleased with Annabelle's kindergarten and new friends, thankful for our health and all the many things we share in this life that are beautiful, feeling connected to my husband, grateful to work with a very mature and caring faculty, appreciating the short commute, loving the engaged and awake feeling in the silicon valley... but I am lonely.
Making friends is hard for me. It takes me so long to finally feel seen, feel comfortable, feel like I don't have to preface myself or follow up and apologize. And I know that if I dug around this very blog I'd find posts just like this one, speaking to my frustrations, sadness, and anxiety about wanting a friend.
It makes it so easy to throw myself into my work and my studies. Already my co-workers have asked me, "Where do you find the time?" Just as my peers in my training program did for the last two years...
As I was driving to California in August, on my way through Eugene, two friends surprised me by waving flags on an overpass to say goodbye. I caught them in this shot, tiny dots against the grey skies of Oregon. I bawled for several hours that day, on the long drive.
I know this post is... very real. I try to make this blog be something that speaks to optimism, even when life feels heavy. But today I am just here, in this place, searching again. It isn't easy.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Being in School
Being in kindergarten has added a new dimension to Annabelle. She plays made believe as much as possible now, using any object she can find as a prop for her storytelling. She'll scrounge up a stick or two to be baby-misses-her-mommy-in-a-meeting (!) or use rocks as pretend food to sell because she is the rock-muffin-seller-girl. If those items can't be found then she settles for taking off her shoes and using them for her storytelling.
She's learning verses and songs and brings them home for us to hear. I LOVE this.
Often she talks about what happened in kindergarten that day - someone got hurt, or someone was wiggly during snack, or someone was making silly sounds, but most are about Teacher Carole and all the fun stuff Teacher Carole does. This morning as we were getting ready for our day Annabelle told Dave and I about something the day before...
Annabelle :: Sarah is not my friend NO MORE!
Me (wondering if Sarah is a real or imaginary friend) :: Really? Why not?
Annabelle :: Because she takes too many turns on the swing!
Me :: Is that what you said to her?
Annabelle :: No. That's what she said TO ME!
Me (trying not to laugh) :: Did Sarah ask you for a turn on the swing?
Annabelle :: Yes. And now we're not friends never again!
These kind of conversations fill our mornings and evenings. The seemingly brutal nature of giving up friends because of not sharing a swing is something I can only understand abstractly. It helps me to remember the times when Annabelle describes her favorite apple juice popsicles as "boring" or tells me it's "disgusting" to water the plants. Then I really get how she's just trying out new language and new ideas.
Yesterday she got angry with me for not letting her eat a banana before she finished her butter sandwich. She turned to face me, pointed at my face with her pointer finger, grimacing at the denial.
Annabelle :: I'm going to TELL ON YOU!
Me :: Really? Who will you tell?
Annabelle :: My MOM!
Luckily I also get the more precious moments of the beautiful things she picks up from school. Tonight after her bath I was dressing her in her pajamas when she suddenly took a couple steps back and formed a eurythmy E.
Annabelle :: Micha-el! Micha-el!! Micha-el!!!
(pause)
Annabelle :: MICHA-EL!!!! MICHA-EL!!!!!
(pause)
Annabelle (leaning to me, whispering) :: Victorious!
Hearing her chant the Saint's name, practically calling to him was powerful. But hearing my four year old use the word victorious really made my heart so glad. It is so nice to feel confirmation that she is exactly where she needs to be.
She's learning verses and songs and brings them home for us to hear. I LOVE this.
Often she talks about what happened in kindergarten that day - someone got hurt, or someone was wiggly during snack, or someone was making silly sounds, but most are about Teacher Carole and all the fun stuff Teacher Carole does. This morning as we were getting ready for our day Annabelle told Dave and I about something the day before...
Annabelle :: Sarah is not my friend NO MORE!
Me (wondering if Sarah is a real or imaginary friend) :: Really? Why not?
Annabelle :: Because she takes too many turns on the swing!
Me :: Is that what you said to her?
Annabelle :: No. That's what she said TO ME!
Me (trying not to laugh) :: Did Sarah ask you for a turn on the swing?
Annabelle :: Yes. And now we're not friends never again!
These kind of conversations fill our mornings and evenings. The seemingly brutal nature of giving up friends because of not sharing a swing is something I can only understand abstractly. It helps me to remember the times when Annabelle describes her favorite apple juice popsicles as "boring" or tells me it's "disgusting" to water the plants. Then I really get how she's just trying out new language and new ideas.
Yesterday she got angry with me for not letting her eat a banana before she finished her butter sandwich. She turned to face me, pointed at my face with her pointer finger, grimacing at the denial.
Annabelle :: I'm going to TELL ON YOU!
Me :: Really? Who will you tell?
Annabelle :: My MOM!
Luckily I also get the more precious moments of the beautiful things she picks up from school. Tonight after her bath I was dressing her in her pajamas when she suddenly took a couple steps back and formed a eurythmy E.
Annabelle :: Micha-el! Micha-el!! Micha-el!!!
(pause)
Annabelle :: MICHA-EL!!!! MICHA-EL!!!!!
(pause)
Annabelle (leaning to me, whispering) :: Victorious!
Hearing her chant the Saint's name, practically calling to him was powerful. But hearing my four year old use the word victorious really made my heart so glad. It is so nice to feel confirmation that she is exactly where she needs to be.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Finding optimism again
Life has been unfolding in interesting extremes.
Annabelle, for the first time in over two years, is the healthiest child alive! On the advice of a new doctor here in the South Bay we completely eliminated wheat from her diet. Even the minuscule amounts found in things we previously considered wheat free. Even foods that say on the package, "shares equipment with wheat products".
And the results have been incredible. Unbelievable.
This doctor explained that when she encounters a patient who is allergic to a long, random list of foods that she has learned to suspect wheat as the primary problem. Especially when that list of foods seems to morph and change without notice or cause. Especially when it includes things that most people are NOT allergic to (like rice, olive oil, and bananas) , and yet the patient is not allergic to certain things that everyone IS allergic to (like corn).
A true wheat allergy can be nearly undetectable until other allergy and immune system problems begin to show up. People who are allergic to wheat but continue to ingest it are often sick all the time. (Annabelle did not go even one month in Oregon without being sick.) Small amounts of wheat burn off the fine hairs that line the intestines. More wheat burns the hairs down the shafts. And regular wheat consumption burns open sores in the intestines. These sores create an environment where whatever OTHER food is eaten is absorbed immediately without any barrier. The reaction to this food often occurs within an hour and can result in any variety of ways that inflammation shows up in the body: rash, hives, crazy tantrums, runny nose. And thus, the person (or her mother) believes that it is THAT food that caused the reaction.
A reaction in under an hour to a food that has been ingested often indicates open sores in the intestines, or some other major problem with the intestinal lining.
And so, within one month of being off wheat completely, we have successfully introduced the widest range of foods to Annabelle's diet! Avocado! Rice! Tomatoes! Oranges! Bananas! Cheese! Beets! Millet! Almonds! Coconut! Canola Oil! The list grows dramatically each week. It is an enormous, life altering, relief.
It has been a fascinating process for me, facing my inner doubts that good health was even viable for my daughter. I did not believe it was possible to be where we are in terms of Annabelle's physical health. Somewhere my thoughts of hope got lost...
This doctor said that it would be many many months for the sores to heal completely. Wheat is detectable for up to four months after ingestion! Wow. It is important to take things slow. We are introducing so many new foods that I am keeping track diligently so as not to miss a cue that something does not yet work. It will be quite a while before she is ready for certain foods.
Today Annabelle and I shared some gelato sorbet. It was the most simple experience you could imagine: just she and I sitting on a bench outside, in a strip mall, chatting, eating something new and exciting. A part of me wanted to burst into tears right there, watching her enjoy her "ice cream". She savored every spoonful, tipped the melted drops into her mouth from the cup. And no tantrum, no tummy ache, no reflux, no nothing afterward... just the memory. A fun, good memory of something sweet - in more ways than one.
Thank you God!
Annabelle, for the first time in over two years, is the healthiest child alive! On the advice of a new doctor here in the South Bay we completely eliminated wheat from her diet. Even the minuscule amounts found in things we previously considered wheat free. Even foods that say on the package, "shares equipment with wheat products".
And the results have been incredible. Unbelievable.
This doctor explained that when she encounters a patient who is allergic to a long, random list of foods that she has learned to suspect wheat as the primary problem. Especially when that list of foods seems to morph and change without notice or cause. Especially when it includes things that most people are NOT allergic to (like rice, olive oil, and bananas) , and yet the patient is not allergic to certain things that everyone IS allergic to (like corn).
A true wheat allergy can be nearly undetectable until other allergy and immune system problems begin to show up. People who are allergic to wheat but continue to ingest it are often sick all the time. (Annabelle did not go even one month in Oregon without being sick.) Small amounts of wheat burn off the fine hairs that line the intestines. More wheat burns the hairs down the shafts. And regular wheat consumption burns open sores in the intestines. These sores create an environment where whatever OTHER food is eaten is absorbed immediately without any barrier. The reaction to this food often occurs within an hour and can result in any variety of ways that inflammation shows up in the body: rash, hives, crazy tantrums, runny nose. And thus, the person (or her mother) believes that it is THAT food that caused the reaction.
A reaction in under an hour to a food that has been ingested often indicates open sores in the intestines, or some other major problem with the intestinal lining.
And so, within one month of being off wheat completely, we have successfully introduced the widest range of foods to Annabelle's diet! Avocado! Rice! Tomatoes! Oranges! Bananas! Cheese! Beets! Millet! Almonds! Coconut! Canola Oil! The list grows dramatically each week. It is an enormous, life altering, relief.
It has been a fascinating process for me, facing my inner doubts that good health was even viable for my daughter. I did not believe it was possible to be where we are in terms of Annabelle's physical health. Somewhere my thoughts of hope got lost...
This doctor said that it would be many many months for the sores to heal completely. Wheat is detectable for up to four months after ingestion! Wow. It is important to take things slow. We are introducing so many new foods that I am keeping track diligently so as not to miss a cue that something does not yet work. It will be quite a while before she is ready for certain foods.
Today Annabelle and I shared some gelato sorbet. It was the most simple experience you could imagine: just she and I sitting on a bench outside, in a strip mall, chatting, eating something new and exciting. A part of me wanted to burst into tears right there, watching her enjoy her "ice cream". She savored every spoonful, tipped the melted drops into her mouth from the cup. And no tantrum, no tummy ache, no reflux, no nothing afterward... just the memory. A fun, good memory of something sweet - in more ways than one.
Thank you God!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Just one of those sweet moments I want to remember
After a long ten hour day at the school with me, after passing her bed time by an hour, after a nice dinner out with dad, after throwing a tantrum because she didn't want to take a bath but didn't want to go to bed without one either:
Annabelle :: (singing, sitting in the warm bath) I'm happy! I'm good!
Then, up and out of the bath, brush teeth without the slightest refusal, into her pajamas and then bed as fast as she could to hear the next chapter of her newest favorite book, Twig.
A chapter book! It's unbelievable that I can read her a book without any pictures in it and she loves it. I love it more, especially watching her face out of the corner of my eye while I read certain parts to her about the elf taking a ride on the back of a sparrow, or the little fairy girl laying on a dandelion leaf bouncing softly.
I know this is one of those blog posts that mean much less to everyone else but me. But it was so precious, I just had to include it.
Annabelle :: (singing, sitting in the warm bath) I'm happy! I'm good!
Then, up and out of the bath, brush teeth without the slightest refusal, into her pajamas and then bed as fast as she could to hear the next chapter of her newest favorite book, Twig.
A chapter book! It's unbelievable that I can read her a book without any pictures in it and she loves it. I love it more, especially watching her face out of the corner of my eye while I read certain parts to her about the elf taking a ride on the back of a sparrow, or the little fairy girl laying on a dandelion leaf bouncing softly.
I know this is one of those blog posts that mean much less to everyone else but me. But it was so precious, I just had to include it.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Summer's End
After a morning in our new house filled with unpacking the last remaining boxes, the afternoon was filled with pleas from Annabelle to go swimming in the pool. Realizing the relentless could only be sated by relenting, I agreed to join her.
Not infrequently, Annabelle's desires are not only fun, but wise too.
We splashed, practiced blowing bubbles, jumped into the deep end, and tried to remember to use our arms when we swam. In a sudden moment of inspiration I turned over and floated on my back. The sun burned my face a little bit, and my head fell back, floating in the water. The currents in the pool sent me drifting around and I felt far more relaxed in that moment than I had for many months. And for the first time I really looked at the oak tree that towers the house and noticed how huge it is. And how beautiful it is.
How lucky I am that I get to see that oak tree every morning!
For the rest of the day I wandered around our new house in awe of all the art on the walls, and in awe of the generosity and accommodation of a family willing to invite us to live in their home during this time while they live away. From the six foot yellow rabbit sculpture in the orange grove to the Egyptian obelisk on the desk in the office, to the sun mural on the ceiling of Annabelle's new bedroom, to the displayed collection of glazed clay sculptures made by their young child, it is very clear that this family loves art. And they make it fun! They have surrounded themselves with the vibrancy of beautiful things. Their home is wonderfully eclectic, an amazing thoughtfulness pervades every space here.
A cast iron 15 inch rabbit holding an umbrella decorates the range in the kitchen. The grand piano holds counterpoint to a small glass mask hanging on the wall near it. A very impressive impressionist oil painting hangs modestly in a short hallway, offering up center stage to a giant bronze sculpture of a maple tree that lights up on the wall. Angels masquerade in every room of the sprawling house, their presence inconspicuous.
It's really the most amazing thing, to be here on the Earth right now! So many beautiful things to look at! So many opportunities to create beauty!
Living here is a daily lesson in appreciating what we have. We do not know how long we will have the pleasure of being in this home... somewhere between a few months and a couple years. It affords us many luxuries to be here now and we are very happy with the arrangement. When the day comes to move, I hope we will all be able to take with us the wonder and awe that has influenced us during our time here.
Not infrequently, Annabelle's desires are not only fun, but wise too.
We splashed, practiced blowing bubbles, jumped into the deep end, and tried to remember to use our arms when we swam. In a sudden moment of inspiration I turned over and floated on my back. The sun burned my face a little bit, and my head fell back, floating in the water. The currents in the pool sent me drifting around and I felt far more relaxed in that moment than I had for many months. And for the first time I really looked at the oak tree that towers the house and noticed how huge it is. And how beautiful it is.
How lucky I am that I get to see that oak tree every morning!
For the rest of the day I wandered around our new house in awe of all the art on the walls, and in awe of the generosity and accommodation of a family willing to invite us to live in their home during this time while they live away. From the six foot yellow rabbit sculpture in the orange grove to the Egyptian obelisk on the desk in the office, to the sun mural on the ceiling of Annabelle's new bedroom, to the displayed collection of glazed clay sculptures made by their young child, it is very clear that this family loves art. And they make it fun! They have surrounded themselves with the vibrancy of beautiful things. Their home is wonderfully eclectic, an amazing thoughtfulness pervades every space here.
A cast iron 15 inch rabbit holding an umbrella decorates the range in the kitchen. The grand piano holds counterpoint to a small glass mask hanging on the wall near it. A very impressive impressionist oil painting hangs modestly in a short hallway, offering up center stage to a giant bronze sculpture of a maple tree that lights up on the wall. Angels masquerade in every room of the sprawling house, their presence inconspicuous.
It's really the most amazing thing, to be here on the Earth right now! So many beautiful things to look at! So many opportunities to create beauty!
Living here is a daily lesson in appreciating what we have. We do not know how long we will have the pleasure of being in this home... somewhere between a few months and a couple years. It affords us many luxuries to be here now and we are very happy with the arrangement. When the day comes to move, I hope we will all be able to take with us the wonder and awe that has influenced us during our time here.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Or maybe I'm humongous?
Me :: I love you Annabelle.
Annabelle :: (whispering) No you don't.
Me :: Of course I do!
Annabelle :: (whispering) No, you can't.
Me :: Why not?
Annabelle :: (still whispering) Because you're enormous.
Me :: What does that mean?
Annabelle :: (whispering) That means that I love YOU.
Me :: Really?
Annabelle :: YES! BECAUSE I AM ENORMOUS!!
Annabelle :: (whispering) No you don't.
Me :: Of course I do!
Annabelle :: (whispering) No, you can't.
Me :: Why not?
Annabelle :: (still whispering) Because you're enormous.
Me :: What does that mean?
Annabelle :: (whispering) That means that I love YOU.
Me :: Really?
Annabelle :: YES! BECAUSE I AM ENORMOUS!!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Why I love San Francisco #931
This afternoon I took Annabelle to a toy store to see if I could find a couple new little games to take with us on our weekend cabin camping in the Cascades. Annabelle watched me as I looked over a go-fish styled card game about Renaissance Art.
Annabelle :: Mom, are you thinking about the lady? Your friend with the long hair?
Me :: (putting the card game down and looking at her) Who?
Annabelle :: Riding the shell boat with all the flowers.
Me :: The shell boat?
Annabelle :: Yes, and she needs the warm blankey.
Me :: A lady with long hair riding a shell boat with a blankey?
Annabelle :: Yes! All naked on her body!
(long pause, Annabelle waiting with anticipation and me incredulous at what I believe she is describing...)
Me :: Annabelle, are you talking about Venus?
Annabelle :: YES! (and then she runs off to play in the doll section of the store)
I ended up buying the card game for our trip. And tonight, as I unwrapped the game from its packaging I noticed the absolute smallest picture of Botticelli's painting on the back of the box, not even half as big as my pinky nail.
She must have recognized it, even in all it's blurried resemblance on the package. But more than that, she knows the painting!
It reminds me of last year, right before she turned three years old, when I found her marking up my calendar with a pen she found. She had climbed up on my craft table, taken it down from the wall, found herself a black marker, and then scribbled on every single month of the calendar.
I had chosen the calendar because it featured the art of an artist I was interested in learning more about. Well, I went through the calendar with her and explained that it belonged to mommy and then I asked why she wrote all over it. She exclaimed, "But I love Renoir!"
What do you say to that?
One of the things that I am most looking forward to in California are the museums. Specifically, taking Annabelle to the museums. Family days to San Francisco's Legion of Honor. Or MOMA. Or the all new de Young (!) that was being remodeled the entire time I lived in the city. I relish the thought of showing Annabelle my favorites among the permanent collections... and hearing her words.
We have a sweet, small, museum in Eugene that we've gone to a few times. During our last visit I was relieved that there were practically no other visitors there because Annabelle talked nonstop about everything she saw: "Look at that funny dress- a silly goose dress! His ears are SO LONG! (insert hysterical cackling) What's WRONG with that man's face? That bear is a scary monster! Why are there THREE trees? Look at that crazy lady!" and on, and on, and on.
It was the fastest museum tour I've ever taken, punctuated by reading the "Please Do Not Touch" signs.
Annabelle :: Can I touch this? No? What does this sign say?
Me :: Please do not touch.
Annabelle :: Oh. Can I touch THAT? What does THAT sign say?
Me :: Please do not touch.
Annabelle :: What about THIS sign?
Me :: That one also says Please Do Not Touch.
Annabelle :: WHY? What about this sign over here? What does this one say?
Me :: Honey, they all say the same thing.
Annabelle :: What?
Me :: Please Do Not Touch
Annabelle :: But I WANT TO TOUCH. Why do they all say that? What about that one waaaaay over there? What does that one say?
Me :: That one also says Please Do Not Touch
Annabelle :: Why?
(Repeat)
Is it possible to be too young to visit museums? I don't know. But even with the unfortunate warnings against touching, Annabelle really loves it and talks about it for days afterward. And after a couple weeks asks to go back again.
I will always remember taking her through the King Tutankhamun exhibit at LACMA at three months old, sitting on a bench in a dark corner, nursing her and staring in awe at all the shining gold and glistening treasures. That same exhibit is in San Francisco now and I think we'll have to make it our first excursion after we get settled. It will be so wonderful to share it with her for a second time!
Annabelle :: Mom, are you thinking about the lady? Your friend with the long hair?
Me :: (putting the card game down and looking at her) Who?
Annabelle :: Riding the shell boat with all the flowers.
Me :: The shell boat?
Annabelle :: Yes, and she needs the warm blankey.
Me :: A lady with long hair riding a shell boat with a blankey?
Annabelle :: Yes! All naked on her body!
(long pause, Annabelle waiting with anticipation and me incredulous at what I believe she is describing...)
Me :: Annabelle, are you talking about Venus?
Annabelle :: YES! (and then she runs off to play in the doll section of the store)
I ended up buying the card game for our trip. And tonight, as I unwrapped the game from its packaging I noticed the absolute smallest picture of Botticelli's painting on the back of the box, not even half as big as my pinky nail.
She must have recognized it, even in all it's blurried resemblance on the package. But more than that, she knows the painting!
It reminds me of last year, right before she turned three years old, when I found her marking up my calendar with a pen she found. She had climbed up on my craft table, taken it down from the wall, found herself a black marker, and then scribbled on every single month of the calendar.
I had chosen the calendar because it featured the art of an artist I was interested in learning more about. Well, I went through the calendar with her and explained that it belonged to mommy and then I asked why she wrote all over it. She exclaimed, "But I love Renoir!"
What do you say to that?
One of the things that I am most looking forward to in California are the museums. Specifically, taking Annabelle to the museums. Family days to San Francisco's Legion of Honor. Or MOMA. Or the all new de Young (!) that was being remodeled the entire time I lived in the city. I relish the thought of showing Annabelle my favorites among the permanent collections... and hearing her words.
We have a sweet, small, museum in Eugene that we've gone to a few times. During our last visit I was relieved that there were practically no other visitors there because Annabelle talked nonstop about everything she saw: "Look at that funny dress- a silly goose dress! His ears are SO LONG! (insert hysterical cackling) What's WRONG with that man's face? That bear is a scary monster! Why are there THREE trees? Look at that crazy lady!" and on, and on, and on.
It was the fastest museum tour I've ever taken, punctuated by reading the "Please Do Not Touch" signs.
Annabelle :: Can I touch this? No? What does this sign say?
Me :: Please do not touch.
Annabelle :: Oh. Can I touch THAT? What does THAT sign say?
Me :: Please do not touch.
Annabelle :: What about THIS sign?
Me :: That one also says Please Do Not Touch.
Annabelle :: WHY? What about this sign over here? What does this one say?
Me :: Honey, they all say the same thing.
Annabelle :: What?
Me :: Please Do Not Touch
Annabelle :: But I WANT TO TOUCH. Why do they all say that? What about that one waaaaay over there? What does that one say?
Me :: That one also says Please Do Not Touch
Annabelle :: Why?
(Repeat)
Is it possible to be too young to visit museums? I don't know. But even with the unfortunate warnings against touching, Annabelle really loves it and talks about it for days afterward. And after a couple weeks asks to go back again.
I will always remember taking her through the King Tutankhamun exhibit at LACMA at three months old, sitting on a bench in a dark corner, nursing her and staring in awe at all the shining gold and glistening treasures. That same exhibit is in San Francisco now and I think we'll have to make it our first excursion after we get settled. It will be so wonderful to share it with her for a second time!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)