A Preview

We've recently returned from a trip to Chicago. We had a wonderful time staying with friends, seeing the city and engaging in meaningful discussions over a glass of wine.

I have many pictures but haven't yet downloaded all of them. For now I'll just share this one. It's a shot I snapped on the way to breakfast one morning and it's one of my favorites.

It's the Little Things

These new sneaks made a certain little girl insanely happy.

Friday Night Dance Party

Buying this song for $.99 on iTunes was one of the best purchases I've ever made.

What We Do When We're Bored

Meet Generous

The other day Dave took the kids to the toy store for a little impromptu visit. He let them each pick out a toy. Nothing fancy, just a little treat. It's one of those spontaneous moments you remember from childhood—the trip to the toy store where your mom or dad let you get something for no reason at all. And it meant as much to Dave as it did to the kids.

Jonah picked out a little car. He's obsessed with all things transportation at the moment. Ellie on the other hand is much more discriminating. She'd spend hours in a store if you let her. She looks, considers, hunts some more, and then finally FINALLY decides on the perfect item.

The perfect item on this occasion? An egg that cracks open when you place it in water to reveal a duck inside. It took three days of sitting in water for the egg to hatch. She likes things that take their time. She's patient—something she did not get from me.

So here he is. Meet Generous.

When I asked her why she named him Generous her response was, "Because generous means kind and thoughtful and sweet." While Merriam-Webster may have a slightly different definition, I like Ellie's more. I also like Generous's bow tie.

The Princess and the Tiara

Tonight Dave entertained the children so I could fire off something near 180 million emails. Okay, not 180 million more like 125 million. I tend to exaggerate.

As I was shooting off my hurried missives, I overheard Dave telling the story of our engagement to Ellie. It was very touching to hear him recall how he bought my ring when I wasn't around. How he planned a surprise trip to New York for us. How he fancied himself incredibly clever by causing me to think the surprise was the trip. However in reality, the REAL surprise came on the first day of our trip when we went to the top of the Empire State building and he got down on bended knee to ask me to marry him.

I looked at Ellie and her eyes were wide and excited. She asked if I wore a tiara to the wedding. She's seen pictures and I knew she already knew the answer. But I answered yes anyway. I imagined she was building up to something. Then she asked where it was.

"Hmmm, I think it's in my closet."
"Could I see it?"
"Sure."

As I took down the silver and white box she gasped, "That's such a pretty box." Then I removed the lid and took the tiara out of its drawstring pouch.

I asked, "Would you like to try it on?"

Was there ever any doubt?

Monday Night: Pancake Night

It's been a busy couple months for us here. I would share with you all the tales of birthday parties, parades, bicycle riding and pool time but instead will leave you with one of our favorite moments of the summer—pancake night. Mondays find love when they end with buttermilk pancakes topped with fresh blueberry compote for dinner. MMMmmmm.....

Jonah worked the dry ingredients

While Ellie got to put in the wet ones

In goes the buttermilk

Some stirring

Some flipping

Blueberries start to pop open

Add a slice of turkey bacon

Mine were heartily enjoyed too

Nursery School Closing Ceremony

Sometimes you get discouraged
Because I am so small
And always have my fingerprints
on furniture and walls.

But everyday I'm growing—
I'll be all grown up someday
And all those tiny handprints
Will surely fade away.

So here's a final handprint
Just so you can recall
Exactly how my fingers looked
When I was very small!

Staring at his handprints on that piece of paper made me realize just how precious this time is in our lives.

Tigerrrr....

Note: I just had dental surgery two days prior so I'm a wee bit puffy and sore. Thankfully, Ellie was kind enough to stay away from that area.

#65 On the List of Ways In Which I Humiliate Myself

Internet, today I ran a mile. That may seem like a small feat for you but for me, it was something I have not achieved since 7th grade gym (and even then I'm sure I walked at least a quarter of it). It has taken four months of going to the gym but I did it. I didn't walk. I ran the entire thing. I breathed through the stitches stabbing my side. I watched as that little treadmill meter switched over to a big one and breathed a sigh of relief. It was glorious. Glorious and amazingly painful.

I've always envied runners. Me? I couldn't run a quarter mile without panting and pain. I'd watch them at the gym looking all cool with their ipods and cute running shoes. I'd listen to my friends say, "I'm going on a run" and think, I like the idea of saying "I'm going on a run." It just sounds fabulous. Now, I can say, I'm going on a run. A short run, but a run nonetheless.

After this little victory: me against the mile run, I went and picked up the kids in the gym daycare and headed to the pool. Playing with the kids in the pool was some of the most fun I've had in weeks! Ellie and Jonah were happy, followed directions, and swam their little hearts out.

As an even hour approached, I swam over to the lifeguard who had given me a rather interesting look. I called up, "Is an adult swim time coming up?" She seemed a little startled. Then after a second (in which I thought, perhaps she speaks a different language) she nodded her head.

So we got out of the pool. The kids put on their shoes and I started heading for the showers. On the walk around the pool deck to the locker room, I noticed a woman across the pool looking in our direction. It was one of those looks like she knew us but couldn't remember from where. You know that look. There's a bit of a perplexity in which one scrunches up their nose slightly. As we drew closer to each other, she quickly looked away.

We got to the locker room and I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. There underneath each eye was the largest, blackest mascara rings I'd ever seen. Think Tammy Faye crying. I HAD FORGOTTEN TO REMOVE MY MASCARA BEFORE GETTING INTO THE POOL!! That is why the lifeguard seemed startled. That is why the woman looked at me funny and then adverted her eyes as we came closer. She was embarrassed for both of us.

Then I thought back. Thought back to the funny look we received when we got out of the pool from the woman sitting watching her daughter swim. The one from the mom who was getting her toddler to blow bubbles in the water. The man who got out of the lap pool and did a double take.

So there you have it. My triumph and my foil. Mascara for sensitive eyes—you suck.