May
7
We have two enormous white boards in our house. One lives in the breakfast nook for the purpose of displaying the dinner schedule, recipes, and notes about not eating the real bacon pieces or shredded cheese if you want potato soup on Sunday. The other board lives in the dining room. This is where I write the day of the week, stuff about what’s happening that day, reminders, and the message that was on my Yogi tea bag.
(I love that they do this.
After weeks of getting unique messages, I got that one three days in a row. So, I downloaded a gratitude journal app to my phone.
That was my first entry. Message received, Universe.)
We also use that board to keep track of our weight loss “progress,” make lists, post notes and play Pictionary. Currently, it also contains a variety of countdowns of things we are either looking forward to or trying to endure, most notably, the number of school days remaining until summer break, because when summer beak begins, we can do more stuff like this.
That’s my family enjoying the supermoon and looking for meteors way past bedtime.
Did you see the supermoon on Saturday? The camera didn’t capture how bright that moon was, but it did capture an orb across the field.
And Pac-Man (middle right), which makes sense, because he eats ghosts.
What are you looking forward to? What are you trying to endure?
Apr
30
Our weekend was packed full of the sort of memories you’re supposed to keep – you know, the kind of events where you get dressed up and take your camera. But when a friend asked, “What do you want to remember about your day?” I thought about it and decided it really isn’t any of that. Instead, it’s Lucy on a swing.
And Phoebe in her jeep.
Also her accidental Jack Nicholson impression.
“Heeeeere’s Phoebe!”
It’s jumping around in the freshly mowed side yard.
Running.
Playing.
It’s the cluster of freckles beneath the bridge of her nose – the ones that inspired our Night Fairy stories.
It’s lying face to face in the grass, close enough to feel her breath on my cheek.
It’s what’s important.
Apr
24
Last year, we went to Great Wolf Lodge and had an incredible time. And so, over the weekend, we returned…
…to the Wolf Den…
..and the water park where it became painfully obvious that I need a new camera.
Grainy Grimmetts!
Out of focus fun!
That’s a little better.
Finally, a photo that’s crisp and in focus. And you cannot see her face!
Nevertheless, fun was had by all.
Apr
9
Back to life…back to reality.
by Leslie
Oh, the Monday after Spring break. I needed a cappuccino just to face it. But McDonald’s has stopped making cappuccino for me and instead, for twenty additional calories, gave me a less tasty and only moderately satisfying latte. But you get what you get and you don’t get upset when you limit your hot caffeinated beverage options to that which can be supplied via a drive-through within ten miles of home. So, a lackluster latte. Spring Break was spectacular, however, and I will give you some reasons why.
1. No alarm clock. We only slept about half an hour later than our normal wake up time, but wow, what a difference that half hour made. Also, the not having to immediately rush to be on time felt pretty good, too. Leisure! I’m in love with it. My countdown to summer officially begins now.
2. Lunch and an afternoon of play at Lake Park. We used to go to Lake Park all the time when Julia was in preschool. It was where Dave and I ran our first 5K. We love Lake Park! I had forgotten just how much.
3. A play date with new friends who are warm and friendly and fun and inspiring. Sidenote: It seems all it takes to make me cry is a two month old baby in my house. Because my girls were two month old babies once. And I may never have a two month old baby again. But I do have some chocolate cheese in my refrigerator.
4. An Easter egg hunt with old friends – the most gorgeous women I’ve ever seen close up and their children. I have no idea how they look so good all the time. I am definitely the “one of these things” in that Not Like The Others song with that group. But I enjoy being with them too much to let it keep me away.
5. Becoming the Just Dance house champion. I totally mean to brag when I tell you no one NO ONE under my roof can beat me.
6. A day at the Akron Zoo.
7. Getting to watch some random movie that just happened to be on, from start to finish, simply because I had the time and no will to move from the couch. It was called I’m With Lucy starring Elliott from E.T. and Monica Potter, who I am pretty sure is actually Julia Roberts either cloned or perhaps time traveling from the future.
8. Making dandelion crowns and jewelry.
9. Letting Julia stay up past her bedtime to eat ice cream sandwiches and watch Toddlers and Tiaras with me.
10. Coloring Easter eggs.
I cannot explain why, but this is my favorite picture of Dave, ever.
Apr
2
A Diamond is Forever
by Leslie
There are two kinds of people in this world: those who love Neil Diamond and those who are afraid to admit they love Neil Diamond.
Last month, on our wedding anniversary, Dave revealed to me the kind of person he is when he handed me this…
…which led me to find this…
…and these.
And after a wild goose chase all over the house, I ended up with all of these…
…and this.
And that means…
…Dave loves Neil Diamond, too.
Best. Anniversary gift. Ever.
Stuff I Do
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Stuff You Should Do
You know, Stuff.
