It blows my mind that less than a week ago this thing didn’t even exist, and then suddenly here it is. A tadpole. Mother Nature is pretty impressive.
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The next generation
I sort of didn’t realize we had no school today. Some in-service/conference/something-or-other day. Anyway, no school. So I quickly texted Marlo, when I remembered Vince was on spring break this week.
Nancy joined us with the triplets and we all headed to the zoo. (Griffin was in school and very much missed.)
I barely took any photos, but I did snap this one, which makes me smile. These three girls, holding hands, who weren’t even around when this friendship of families began.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Neko turns seven
SEVEN. Boy, that sounds old.
Six is still a little person, but seven? You’re running headlong into big kid territory.
That was pretty apparent this weekend. It wasn’t as much like managing a child, but more like hanging out with another person. It’s been nothing short of amazing to watch it all unfold.
We’ve had a few warm days of late, which remind me of those first few days after we brought you home from the hospital. With temperatures in the 70s, I spent hours on our porch, with you in my lap. I sat there, just staring at you, wondering what this whole journey was going to be like.
I think the thing I never could have anticipated seven years ago is how much those years would change me. For instance, Tom made your birthday cake this year. I went through mental gymnastics trying to figure out how I could make the perfect cake ahead of time, but then I decided to let it go. Tom could make it. It wouldn’t be exactly what I wanted, but it would be good enough. (And it was!) After a long weekend of taking photos, the camera spent the day in the drawer. I wanted to be a part of the day. And these three mediocre photos? They are good enough.
My career is not exactly what I thought it would be. My pants are a bit too tight. We don’t cook as often as we should. The laundry is almost never caught up.
Seven years ago, this would have filled me of angst and worry. (I won’t lie, it still does some days.) But most days, I’m pretty good at letting it go. Because I can only do so much. Because it doesn’t all have to be perfect (as much as I’d like it to be). Because on most things, good enough is good enough.
I can’t wait to see what I learn from you in the next seven years. I’m glad I got to come along for the ride.
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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.
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Chicago: Day One
This morning I was greeted with birthday wishes and a delicious breakfast. My amazing husband came up with a few gifts I never would have imagined, which is a next to impossible task. (Can you guess what the gift on the right is?) Then off to get my oil changed, a trip to the yarn store, and a haircut.
And then I picked up Neko from school with a plan.
Most things about having three children is wonderful, but one of the hard parts is filling the needs of the oldest and youngest at the same time. When we visit a museum or aquarium, the kids all have different interests. We often end up skewing toward what the younger children need.
Over time, we hope to solve some of this by taking a bit of time one-on-one with each child. And this weekend, it was Neko’s turn. Tom agreed to keep Ellery and Shep for the weekend, and Neko and I get
to run off to Chicago for our collective birthdays (hers is on
Sunday).Our primary mission, of course, is to visit the American Girl store. All other entertainment is icing on the cake.
Traveling with a (nearly) seven-year-old is completely different than our trip to New York a year and a half ago. The five hour drive was virtually painless. Two hours outside of Chicago, she demanded that I turn the DVD off because “too much television isn’t good for you”. We could easily bounce into Chipotle for dinner. She was amazed by the enormity of the buildings.
Our hotel room has a window seat, where she immediately climbed up and gazed at the view. My old friend Marc and I were happily surprised to see one another (me checking in, he behind the Concierge desk). He has already sent up a bottle of wine and set us up on a special program so we get extra perks.
An excellent birthday. If only I could give Tom, the kids and the dogs hugs good night, it would be perfect.
