Free to be You and Me

Like many of you, I grew up on this record.  As a parent, I discovered the video.  Now, the girls are both going to be in the show at school.  Moo will be singing in this song:



G-bear will be singing in the song Let's Hear it for Babies, of which I haven't found a video.

They will both sing in the intro and ending song.

They are both excited and both nervous.  G-bear brought me a list of "feelings about the play" tonight.  It included words like shy, timid, happy, excited, scared, confident. . . etc.  

Partners

I am so glad for the bond between these two.  They work together so well, and know how to use each other's strengths to get the job done.  There are times their connection to each other seems so strong.  While they certainly know how to push each other's buttons, they also know (perhaps better than anyone else) what the other needs for comfort. 

Can't wait to read this. You should too!

http://thejulietstories.challengethis.ca/index.php#/

I have been reading this lovely woman's writings since childhood.  In elementary school and beyond, it was in the form of beautiful letters written to me, after she moved to Nicaragua in 3rd grade, and then Canada.  Now, in adulthood, thanks to blogs and facebook, I get to read her clear, thought-provoking writings on a regular basis.  So proud of you, Carrie.  I have a feeling this one is a treasure!!

Christmas

In pictures, here it is.  We had a quiet one this year, and enjoyed the moments we did get together.

School reports

The girls each did a report for the Mulit-cultural fair at school this year.  G-bear's class studied Russia, and she decided to write a report on nesting dolls.  Moo's class studied ancient Egypt, and she decided to do a report on Cleopatra.  They were both quite proud.

Bird Song

Another one I've been enjoying (and would love to learn someday)

Feast of St. Nicholas

The first sign that Christmas is coming in our family is my mom's traditional Feast of St. Nicholas.  It is always a lovely, jolly night of candlelight, delicious food, and fellowship.  It is also the night we decorate my parents' living room with all the "Jesus people" or nativity scenes.  It was a special night, indeed.  It was a relaxing weekend for our family.

In the Morning

I just can't stop listening to this song.  "These moments are the only gifts we need."

Peppernuts

Glad to have inherited this tradition from Mark's Oma.

Holiday Guitar Concert

I don't know how they can possibly keep 50-some kids together in this setting.  It was a lovely concert, and G-bear was brave and proud.

Giving Thanks

I am thankful for a wide, expansive definition of "family."  For beauty in our world, and familiarity, and traditions.  For watching generations emerge, and remembering generations before.  My children, swinging on the branches of the tree we planted in this place when my grandmother died.  Connection to each other, and connection to place.  Thanks be.

Bam!

This is the level of energy I try to keep up with on a daily basis.

You could do everything like me.

And I don’t care, cause you’re a human too.

And you’re a rescue one, and me too.

And I’m the rescue one of this, my dog!

And you cannot do everything else for me.

And I go in a fire engine.

And I’m a human.

Right away – Bam!

These moments

treasured.

A couple Bug quotes

Yesterday, Bug ran into the kitchen and told me in his most excited voice, "Mama! I'm all ready for soccer!!"  I said, "Oh, yeah! You've got your cleats on."  He: "And I've got my gloves, and my soccer shirt, and pee in my diaper, and my soccer ball. . . "  He didn't miss a beat. . . just plowed right through this list, as if it were perfectly predictable.

We were at the bagel shop (a place we end up stopping in the midst of basically any errands, because it is his treat for putting up with all the shopping).  There was a girl his age leaving, and he was watching her verrrrrry carefully, all the way to the door.  I said, "She's just about your size isn't she?"  With a perfectly straight face, he said, "I could pick her up."  I laughed, and he said, "But I wouldn't, because she's not my sister."

The Many Mothers of G-Bear

The girls have really connected with some neighbor kids these last few days, and I heard G-bear calling one of them "AJ-Mama."  It made me start thinking, just how many Mama figures this girl has.  That is just one thing about her.  She attaches to certain people very strongly, and after that, they are "her's."  I started recalling all the people who have been this for her, and thought I would record it here, so we look back and remember.  There's AJ, Charlotte, Eva, CC, Annalisse, Lily, Carrie, Wendy, Kelly, Heidi, Edie, Joy (I'm sure there are others I will remember later).  What a gift to have all these people who help me give this girl as much love as she needs.  She is a very intense little being, and I'm not sure what my life would be like if all of the love she needs came only from me.  I imagine that some of you reading this blog would be additional mother figures to her if you lived closer.

Here she is on the train ride, singing the tune A sailor went to sea, sea, sea with the words:

I really want to see CC

I really need to see CC

If I could just go see CC

I'd be happy to be with CC, see?

Boo!

White Cat

Gypsy

Dog