Wordless Wednesday

Lavendar Booties and a 2 Year Old

I don't know how we progressed from "lavendar booties", to THIS big boy quite so quickly. It is hard, still, to see the image of our son as he 'waited.' His eyes looked wise, his lessons seemed learned too quickly and too deeply. I sensed he had started with love, and hoped to honor that which he knew with the steady and sturdy course of our family's love.  I can still remember the day I realized that 'waiting' and 'wise' look had faded to be replaced by the curious, joyful  look of our Blueberry.

He has grown. I have learned to celebrate and and delight in the giggles of my biggie children, the gentle kindness and enduring love of my husband, and the absolute joy of sharing it all with our littlest, Blueberry. We have come together in ways I did not anticipate - and we are stronger in our family bond together with "Blue."  I feel such gratitude for the presence of my 4 children and our friends, and our family. I  am working to live with more awareness of the goodnesses that infuse my days.  This birthday set of events (playgroup birthday and then family birthday) provided many opportunities to celebrate and appreciate my family and our friends.

Blueberry's "Big 2" with his little friends and with our family. In pictures:

Big brother Waffles gave him his first chocolate candy bar

He blew out his candles on his angel food cake

He watched the biggies and some friends build an awesome block tower

He tried to hang on for a sibling photo

He spent the morning outside with his friends, splashing in puddles

more puddles :-)

cupcakes with not enough sprinkles (D's sprinkle method still eludes me)

twirled and whirled with glee

and ..... well, THIS image is the one that reminds me of the fullness of our lives when the little one is in bed and there is still so much "kid" energy filling our home. 'Tis a good life.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLUEBERRY

March 15, 2010

WI Doze-n

Last weekend in lieu of landing in La Guardia, Blueberry and I drove a short hour to the "east coast" of Wisconsin and spent the weekend with a cool crew of kids and mamas. I was lucky to be invited to hang out with these friends - and let me tell you, I knew a good party was in store everyone! Knowing this, I begged their pardon as a two-timing, double booking, loser friend and groveled for re-admission to the weekend  "par-tay." Admission was granted providing I brought adult refreshments; a case and a pound of coffee helped my cause.

I counted on my fingers (math is not my forte) and there were 12 kids at one time: J, B, M, E, E, I, M, L, B, F, T....wait, that's only 11!!!! See, math isn't my strong suit. Neither was personal hygeine that weekend! But, we did have a blast. And, I sure hope we didn't spread the ring worm!!!! 

The highlight for Blueberry was the unexpected birthday bash - celebrating his 2 year old birthday. He LOVED the cake decorating - using a rather Jackson Pollock method he and baby Og decorated the cake with abandon....and the kitchen floor too. D is a maniac superstar for her tolerance of chaos and fun. It seemed like no amount of sprinkles were too many! (Or Pringle chips, or popcorn, or pancakes). And, there was Lucy. I can't tell you how many times I've heard, "Lucy kiss Blueberry" from Blueberry this week. Gator, I think Blueberry might be a little Casenova! And, seeing Blueberry and Og in one place gives you a pretty good visual, huh? Speaking of Og, his goodbye gesture got a lot of play this week, "Og push Blueberry." Yep, a kiss and a shove, that pretty much sums up the fabulous weekend!

Finally, I'll leave the snarky comments to the Queen of Snark.

And she's in good company with the other mamas.

I'm getting out the therapy jar, just in case.

I can't wait to camp-in again next year!

*and yes, I tried to make a cool title sort of like Mama Papaya would

...and yes, I know I failed*

For JC and her daughter (and eM in NYC, from Blueberry)

Blueberry and I were supposed to be in NYC this weekend. We planned to visit my friend and the fabulous little eM. We didn't make it - it snowed so hard in the city that flights have been cancelled for two days. But, I wanted a taste of NY....so I made my way down to the college campus and walked out on the lake. Look at what I found! Dr. LaBootie, under the water! I took a picture of this especially for you, M.

I can't wait for March when I will be in California and I can meet you, M, and your little brother and see your mom again. And eM and ML, Blueberry and I will be in NYC in the spring when we can buy hot dogs from vendors and spend our day in the park.

p.s. good luck explaining this one, JC!