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.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
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!
Monday, August 03, 2009
Things I'll miss about Oregon #419
What makes a deer, a deer?
They've been breakfasting in our yard since Spring. With her butter sandwich in hand, Annabelle marvels at their "twitchy ears"... worth many hours of imitation and pretending afterward!
I love watching her tip-toe around the house with her hands perched on her head flicking this way and that, holding her eyes open as wide as possible, quickly moving her head to one side as if caught by surprise.
They've been breakfasting in our yard since Spring. With her butter sandwich in hand, Annabelle marvels at their "twitchy ears"... worth many hours of imitation and pretending afterward!
I love watching her tip-toe around the house with her hands perched on her head flicking this way and that, holding her eyes open as wide as possible, quickly moving her head to one side as if caught by surprise.
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