May
17
Julia shattered a record.
by Leslie
Her perfect attendance record.
she woke up with a fever
and missed her first one
She was devastated, though we sort of saw it coming. Lucy had been sick on Sunday. Wednesday was Bee’s turn. We’d hoped Julia might be spared, at least until after her softball game. But viruses aren’t sports fans. They prefer the couch, which is where they’ve spent a lot of time this week.
It seems “in sickness and in health” applies to sisterhood, too.
May
15
F is for friends who do stuff together
by Leslie
Lucy has a friend. It’s kind of a big deal – not because it’s the first friend she’s ever had, but because it’s the first friend that didn’t come by virtue of her older sister. It’s her first friend of her very own. Of course, Julia adores Lucy’s friend as does Phoebe. And they all love her younger sister, too. Our families get along famously, so it’s fair to say we’re all friends, but the thing about it is this: It all began with Lucy and her friend. That’s special for Lucy.
Last week, the girls had a play date and they painted with shaving cream.
It was some real messy fun.
Woops, there went the t-shirt.
And the pants.
Bee kept her clothes on.
Fun.
(And yes, that IS a purple marker mustache she’s wearing.)
May
14
1. I accompanied Julia’s second grade class on their field trip to a local museum earlier this month, and people, it was incredible. Not only did she want to sit with me on the bus, she held my hand most of the way and in front of her friends! My beating heart blew up like a balloon and bulged from my chest like a lovestruck cartoon character. It’s doing it even still! But that could be because I had spicy tacos. Also, I’m drinking Diet Coke again. (I know.) It’s okay to feel disappointed in me. The dangerous chemicals have eaten away the part of my brain that cares! Okay, not really. Actually, I care very much. I’m just more disappointed in my weight gain, but not quite as disappointed as I am in my ability to keep Phoebe out of the litter box without shouting, “NO!” It seems I’m only capable of 236 gentle redirections before I blow up and loudly use the n-word. (I follow it up with a “thank you,” though, if that counts for anything.) And anyway, it worked. She got out of the litter box and sat in the cat water dish instead.
2. Lucy was in a great mood this morning after a particularly rough night, so I said to her, “Wow, you’re being very kind today. Where’d that come from?”
“I don’t know,” she shrugged. “I just put it on this morning like clothes!”
Gosh, wouldn’t it be great if we could all put on kindness clothes?
3. Today I’m wearing black nail polish. (Not metaphorically.) I hadn’t been out in the world more than twenty minutes before I was asked if I was “feeling dark” and, “going through a Goth phase?” This could be yet another look I’ve had to learn the hard way that I cannot pull off. (Toe rings!) (Choker necklaces!) (Ironic t-shirts!) (Platinum blonde hair!)
4. The pathway leading to the doors of my house was looking pretty bad.
But now?
Not too bad!
Thanks to my helpers.
5. “I missed you all year when I went to school.” – Julia, from my homemade Mother’s Day book which also included a list of 10 Things That Don’t Make Sense in the World
So, what would you tell me?
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.
Stuff I Do
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Stuff You Should Do
You know, Stuff.
