Déjà Vu
Déjà Vu, February 7, 2010
Nope, it’s not déjà vu. The dress ensemble Kate wore yesterday for the ball? Yep. She wore it again today. Too bad it wasn’t ground hog day, because she’d fit right in!
Primping + Preening
Primping + Preening, February 6, 2010
Totally blurry, but totally cute. Kate was getting herself ready for the annual Valentine Day Ball…so cute!
When Life Gives You Bananas
When Life Gives You Bananas, February 5, 2010
“Are you going to eat those squishy bananas, Mama?”
Kate was exploring the kitchen for a snack when she found the three over-ripened bananas. The stars were aligned as I had just purchased some fresh walnuts and eggs. She helped me squeeze out the fruit from their blackened cases, and after adding all the remaining ingredients, voila! We had banana bread. Oh yum. There’s nothing like a slice of homemade banana bread with a layer of cream cheese. Heavenly, I tell you.
Note to Self
Note to Self, February 4, 2010
My car is a bona fide traveling office, complete with file folders, extra pens, breath mints, hand sanitizer, kleenex and important school fliers. Juggling three kids with varying (read: crazy) schedules has my mental filofax bursting with information. My newest little trick is to leave myself notes on the dash of the car. It’s akin to tying a string on my finger or writing a note on my hand, only better. Every time I’m dashing around town, I will always remember that, yep, we have to bring cheese for Kate’s valentine party.
***
Today I arrived early at one of my many destinations, and with time to burn, I decided to do something I hadn’t done in a long time. I dialed my father’s cell phone.
My mom kept his number live for at least a year after he passed, and every now and then I’d dial his number. Sometimes it would be out of habit; other times it would be just to hear his (recorded) voice. Today I called his number hoping to hear his recorded message, but instead was greeted by a stranger’s voice:
Voice: “Hello? Hello? Hello!”
Me: “………..”
Voice: “Yo, who is this? Who calling me?”
Click.
I knew that my father’s phone number would eventually be recycled, but I never expected it to happen just yet. A few minutes after I hung up, my cell phone rang.
Me: “Hello?”
Voice: “Yeah, um, you called? For D’Angelo?”
Me: (stammering) “Um, no. I…I, uh…no, I’m sorry I must have misdialed.”
Click.
Dad, I was just calling you to say hello. And to tell you I’m fine.
As Leaf Subsides to Leaf
As Leaf Subsides to Leaf, February 3, 2010
Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
Today, despite having a trillion things to do, Kate and I took a little stroll through the nature walk. She was eager to hold my hand and skip by my side. I’m enjoying it now for I know that one day she won’t be so eager to do so. It was a beautiful day, and I’m glad we were able to get out before all the rains return again.
Pretty in Posies
Pretty in Posies, February 2, 2010
I’m doing design work for a wonderful new client who has such fabulous goodies in her shop, this headband being one of them. Kate was beside herself when she opened the package, and she gasped when she saw the loveliness. She’s been wearing it ever since. Isn’t it sweet?
Double Jackpot
Double Jackpot, February 1, 2010
When I picked the kids up from school today, Henry was quite excited to share his great news!
“Mama, tengo cien porciento en matemáticas y en lenguage!“ (Mama, I got 100% in math and language!).
Moments like these would make any mama proud, but being Henry’s Mama in moments just like this makes me want to weep with happiness. My mind flashes back to 2007 (the months before Henry was to start kinder), and I remember how incredibly overwhelmed I felt. Hank and I were faced with some pretty major decisions regarding Henry’s educational journey, and despite some negative feedback from the district psychologist, we pushed forward. The psychologist and her team of specialists suggested a path that would have resulted in a very different outcome for Henry’s future, and we chose the road not taken.
The last three years have been filled with doubt, uncertainty, fear. There have been days when I’ve felt like we’ve been marching and climbing a constant uphill battle, but on days like today? I feel blessed with hope, faith, and trust. Friends and family commend Hank and me for all the support we’ve provided for Henry, but I always defer to my little guy. He’s the one who’s doing the marching and the climbing. He’s the one who never gives up, who greets each task with pride and determination. He’s the one who takes no short cuts and the one who wakes up each day trying and trying.
And today? Today he’s succeeding.
Meat + Potatoes
Meat + Potatoes, January 31, 2010
*Sigh* The weekend was over much too quickly. We spent nearly every waking minute of the two days out and about, and tonight the kids barely made it to their beds before crashing completely. Kate went to bed without any hesitation, though she did complain of a tummy ache. She and her best friend spent much of the weekend together. On Sunday morning her friend woke up with a fever. Hmm, this doesn’t bode well!
Fuzzy and Bright
Fuzzy + Bright, January 30, 2010
My little man is always chipper and ready to start the day, no matter what time the clock reads! From sunrise to sunset, this boy is ready to roll! I love the fuzzy and bright look that morningtime brings!
Snow Days
Snow Days, January 29, 2010
Every January, Kate’s preschool has a “Snow Day” in which an ice truck comes and dumps a ton or two of snow onto a tarp. Since SoCal has really mild weather, the kids here never get to enjoy snow, and for many of them, this is their first experience with snow ball fights and snow angels. After having our first white Christmas, today’s Snow Day here in SoCal was pretty darn good fun.
