Category: Neko
-
Apple blossoms
I thought someone would be reluctant to go take advantage of the setting sun, but she was more than happy to oblige. Even did a bit of art directing, that one.
-
A perfect day
Well, other than Shep’s cold, which has left him sort of sad and sniffly, and made us have to cancel brunch plans with Duncan’s family. (That last part almost sent the whole day into a black hole of doom.) But Shep, ever the trooper, never complained once.
But other than that? Perfect.
Trip to the garden store. Vegetable seeds planted (better late than never). Overcame my OCD and let the kids pick out all the flowers for the window boxes on the swing set. They did a fantastic job, and it looks beautiful.
Neko spent hours (and I mean hours) chasing butterflies. Her crowning glory was this swallowtail.
Tom gave me a respite this afternoon, and I went to work on our own Secret Garden.
Now he’s off to a lecture, and all the kids were in bed by 7:45pm.
Perfect. (Or as perfect as it gets around these parts.)
-
Tea party
Today we opened our house to 11 of Neko’s girlfriends to have a belated birthday celebration. It went off without a hitch and was downright dreamy. I think we attribute a good part of that to the glorious weather.
Each girl brought a doll or stuffed animal. They silkscreened shirts for themselves and their little friends. Then we gathered for tea, complete with cups and plates for the little friends.
So lovely. One of those days where the camera doesn’t do it justice. But it was—you’ll just have to trust me on that one.
-
Gathering Easter eggs
What did you do to celebrate Easter?
Somewhere in the midst of our day, the kids made their way over to the small pond. From the distance, I saw Neko moving toward us with an exciting find. “I found a toad!” she cried. “With a baby on its back!”
Long story short, that was no baby.
She had found two American toads in the midst of laying and fertilizing eggs. After some coaxing, she returned them to the pond. But after a bit of patient waiting we were able to gather some toad eggs to bring home. Who knows if we’ll see them through to full toadhood. But in the meantime? We’ve got some very excited junior scientists on our hands.
-
Cooped
The kids seem to love the new chicken coop. (Let’s hope the chickens love it, too.) And in the meantime, someone is brainstorming names. I suppose I should tell her you’re never supposed to name your chickens.
Countdown: 2.5 weeks.
-
Kiki
After Neko’s loud protests that they don’t exist, we’ve been looking for movies and books that have girls as the main character. And Barbie or a princess that gets by on her looks? They don’t count.
Enter Kiki’s Delivery Service. Kiki is a young witch in training, who finds her powers when she learns to believe in herself. We like Kiki. Neko likes Kiki.
Here is Neko dressed as Kiki, but not being thrilled about being photographed as Kiki.
-
Chicago: Day Two
Someone woke up at 5:30am and wondered why the American Girl store wouldn’t open like…NOW. She passed the time by pretending to be a seal and repeatedly diving headfirst into the water (sliding off the end of the bed headfirst onto the floor). I passed the time by repeatedly saying “Shhhhhh!” and cursing the lack of Noggin on the television.
By 8:45am, we scurried off to the store. She ran. I tried to keep up. We were there when they unlocked the doors. Then we gazed. And oooo-ed and ah-ed. She spent much of her time with a furrowed brow wondering what she would choose as the one thing to spend her allowance on. She finally came to a conclusion.
Then lunch at the American Girl Cafe. A special seat for Chrissa, complete with a tiny doll dish and cup. The food was mediocre, but the smiles were huge.
By afternoon we were at the Field Museum. A quiet trip where I followed her lead. No 3D films or special exhibitions. She was thrilled to see Sue, despite the frown in the photo. And we always love a Brachiosaurus bonus.
Round trip on the bus for my girl itching to try public transportation.
Hot cocoa at Ghirardelli and back to the hotel for dinner and a bath. Marc sent us fancy-schmancy birthday cake, which put her on cloud nine (is there cloud ten?). And then off to bed (reluctantly).
I am so, so lucky to have this time with my kiddo.
Gotta scoot. I have a six seven-year-old who wants me to cuddle.
