Little Memories, June 2017

* "Yook at my face! I yook so funny!"

 * When Katie was over we went to Niagara Falls. We stopped at an ice cream shop and saw this sign taped to a mechanical horse. 

In this time of race issues and riots I thought it was a little harsh to exclude Canadians from the ride, especially is such a public way. Then I realized it meant no Canadian money.

* I've been enjoying a few (or several) trips to Dunkin Donuts while we've been in the Land of the Pink and Orange Sign. It makes me so happy to see a DD on every corner. It makes me even happier that they know how to make the perfect medium regular ice coffee. You can see the rays of the sun in the picture below. The angels were shining upon my purchase.

* My absolute favorite picture from this month. 

zooventure

Monday we went to the zoo with Mom, Grandma and Joanna. I liked that the adult/child ration was so high. Every so often when we're out with other adults I forget I'm the one who's supposed to know where Annabelle is at all times. (Don't act like you've never momentarily lost your child. I know I'm not the only one.) One of these days I'll remember I'm the parent in our relationship.

Two years ago we visit this zoo and fed the goats. Annabelle and her superb memory have never forgotten. She LOVES goats and seeing her with them is like watching long lost loved ones be reunited.

Everyone's first thought upon seeing the goats was "look how pregnant they are! It must be twins." They had huge stomachs and waddled around like a 10 month pregnant woman. There was a sign across from the pen that said "NO, the goats are NOT pregnant." They can hold between 3-6 gallons of food in the stomachs which leads to their bloated look. For the one millionth time I'm glad I'm not a goat.

This sign made me roll my eyes. "Don't climb on the zoo fence. If you fall, animals could eat you and that would make them sick." I'm more concerned about not being eaten FOR MY SAKE not the animals, but that's just me.

 Four generations of meerkats.

Long arms and round ears run in the family.

here's to our 26th year of friendship

Normally when I have lengthy blog breaks it's due to lack of action in our neck of the woods. This time we've had some much excitement I've been too busy to blog.

My very best friend Katie came to visit last week. We hadn't seen each other in two years and four months. TWO PLUS YEARS. We used to be sad when three months went by without visits. Three months seems like nothing now.

The itinerary Katie emailed me said they were landing at 4:15. That gave me plenty of time to leisurely do all the last minute preparations, make muffins, change into a cute outfit and possibly take a short afternoon nap before I had to leave for the airport. I was feeling good about my great scheduling when I received a text from Katie at 2:13 that said "just landed!" After being stranded at the airport last month with no one to pick us up I was very concerned about arriving at the airport before them so they wouldn't have to wait. Instead I had to get Annabelle up from her nap, put the second car seat in the car, leave the vacuum in the middle of the floor in multiple pieces and run out the door in my cleaning/gym/look like I've been exercising but really been watching shows clothes. I took this selfie as I was rushing out the door.

Most of the activities we planned for the visit were things we did during our sleepovers in years past. We watched movies while eating popcorn, did our nails and talked for hours. One day we went to Niagara Falls and another we replanted my garden. We took the girls to the playground and had picnics. It wasn't quite like sleepovers of yore thanks to the constant demands of the girls, but it was so fun.

On Monday night Christopher watched the girls while Katie and I went out. A pottery painting studio near us teaches silver jewelry making classes and I signed us up for a class. The instructor kept telling us we had to work fast and once we did something it couldn't be undone. "It will be garbage. Garbage. If you mess up I can't fix it. It will be garbage. Work fast or you'll have to throw it away. It will be garbage." It wasn't a very motivating pep talk. Things were going very well until Katie dropped her tool and cracked her pendant. Garbage Lady tried to patch it up but said we wouldn't know if it was fixed until after it was taken out of the kiln. She came back a while later and said "The kiln gods have shone upon you! It's not garbage!" I've heard of many different gods but never the a God of the Kiln. 

I had to buy diapers for the 554th time so we swung by Target after our class. I always hope it will be my last time buying diapers but it never is. At this rate I'll be getting her diapers instead of a crockpot for her wedding. Anyway. When we had sleepovers before we were married talked about fun things. This visit we discussed onesie styles and the different patterns on Honest Company diapers. How the times have changed. We did laugh just as much as we always have. We kept saying we need to have more visits so we can have these fun outings. It's not fun living thousands of miles from your best friend.

The final stop on our moms night out tour was the Chinese restaurant. I asked the waiter if a specific meal was sweet or savory. He hesitated a minute so I said, "I mean, is it sweet or salty?'' English was obviously his second language so I wasn't sure if he know what savory meant. He replied, "Its more...tasteless." What a rave review! I don't know how the dish isn't a best seller. 

 

One day we we played in the river. It's all peaceful and fun until you start floating down the river and your mom can't get to you in time so Aunt Katie has to rescue you. Poor Annabelle was traumatized and has talked about it every day since. "I was foe-ting away so Mama telled Aunt Katie to catch me but Mama was too slow."

My main goal is for Annabelle and Kezia be to best friends. It's not going so well. They like each other part of the time but they're very much 3 year olds. There was a good amount of squabbling and arguing over toys. We had many moments of drama and tears. Other times they played so nicely and I'd think for the 8,000th time how I'm so happy Katie and I both had girls.

fake father's day

All last week in Texas I planned how we'd celebrate Father's Day. I hadn't seen many advertisements for Father's Day gifts but I thought maybe it was just because the only places I frequent are playgrounds and the library, neither of which are Hallmark level holiday spots. I asked Christopher if it was last Sunday (the 11th) and he said "I don't know. Maybe. Sure." Based on that concrete answer I continued on with my planning.

It wasn't until Saturday afternoon when I was in line at Lowe's that I saw a sign saying Father's Day is the 18th. I didn't believe it so I consulted the internet. The internet agreed that it was the 18th not the 11th. I had two thoughts: 1) How dare the rest of the world not be operating according to my schedule! 2. For once I was ahead of the game!

We continued on with fake Father's Day anyway because we have company coming this weekend and it made sense to stick to the original plan. It was the lowest of low key days. Christopher doesn't appreciate fancy straws like he should (party pooper) so I didn't bother buying any specially themed ones. Annabelle did wrap her gift in a girly glittery bag so at least we had a little sparkle.

Annabelle is obsessed with rocks and always brings them home. They end up in the car, all over the driveway and mixed in the toys. I decided it would be a very Father's Dayish thing for Christopher to make her a rock/fairy garden in the Hundred Acre Woods. Dumbo came along to inspect but not help. He never pulls his weight around here.

Sesame gave Christopher a little bear figurine she picked out at a rest stop on the way to Massachusetts. It was the second figurine we've gotten there so we're really keeping them in business. Another gift was this set of matching socks. I think they should wear them on her wedding day (if I ever let her leave the house). 

goodbye to school, hello to summer

Today was this little Mary Poppins wanna-be's last day of Parents Day Out.

I went back and forth so many times about signing her up but I'm so glad I did. She had so much fun "wif da kids and snacks at school" and I loved the time to myself. I lived for Tuesday mornings. I could browse stores, take a nap, sew, read or do whatever I wanted for three hours. I felt like a free woman and it was glorious.

I will miss having a a morning each week when we go our separate ways, but I think we'll have a fun summer. We spend 24/7 together regardless of the season but I'm going to make an effort for this season to be extra fun for her. I want to have lots of popsicles, set up teepees, go to the zoo and spend time at the pool and splash pads. I decided it will be the summer of low key meals and paper plates. I hope popsicles and popcorn are considered a well rounded supper. 

the travel chronicles- part 2

We've returned from our second trip of the 2017 season of Living Out of a Suitcase.

Speaking of suitcases, I am extremely pleased to report that I achieved my goal of a suitcase weighing less than 50lbs. When the guy at the ticket counter weighed my bag and it was 43lbs I almost did a happy dance. That was the exact number I was going for but I didn't think I'd reach, especially since I had some of Annabelle's things in there. I'll be the first to admit I pack too much. But what if I need to change my shorts three times a day? What if I don't feel like wearing the striped shirt? What if I am invited to dine at the White House? I like to bring plenty of options. Christopher's bag was OVER 50lb both times which brought me great joy. (He'd want you to know he was responsible for carrying all the odds and ends that didn't fit in my bag and he did NOT pack 50lbs worth of clothes but whatever. The scale does not lie.)

During our layover in America's worst airport (Atlanta), the emergency alarm went off. No one but us paid the slightest attention to the man saying "an emergency has been reported. Please remain calm and await further instructions." Christopher said in case of an emergency our meet up spot would be in the back of Atlanta Bread Company. We never found out what the emergency was, but the ceiling above us seemed like a disaster/emergency waiting to happen. The entire thing was exposed and electrical wires were hanging down which didn't give me too much confidence while sitting under it.

We arrived in Texas after suppertime and went to Christopher's parents house for a quick visit. We spent that night at a hotel which delighted Annabelle to no end. She loves the phones (proof that she is my daughter) and the "honeypot", commonly known as the ice bucket. She is so easy to please.

The next morning we went to NASA. I have spent my entire life wanting to be an astronaut so it was a dream come true to go there. I was asked to become an honorary astronaut and naturally I agreed.

Turns out looking like an astronaut doesn't make you one (who knew?). Immediately after the above picture I crashed a shuttle.

The purpose of the trip was to spend a week at a beach house in celebration of Opa's birthday. The beach was beautiful. I couldn't get over how warm the water was. 

Sesame loved every minute of the beach. She's a little fish. 

Aunt Stephanie set up a pirate scavenger hunt for the kids. She's such a cool aunt. 

For three out of the four flights we sat in the very back rows and had no windows. Being a dedicated window seat fan I did not enjoy the arrangement, but I got a lot of reading done. On the first flight home the pilot told us that Donald Trump was arriving at an airport near our destination and we "had to fly extra fast to beat him and avoid the restricted air space." We hurled through clouds so fast the turbulence was awful and poor Sesame got sick. In a way you could say Donny T was responsible for my daughter getting sick. I never get sick on planes but I was holding onto the arm rests and barely kept it together. I popped a Bonine the second the turbulence started which was a dignity saving move.   

We had a wonderful visit but I was so happy to see my bed. I need to invent a way to bring my bed on all my travels, but I have a feeling it would make my suitcase more than 43lbs.