Favorite Color: Pink
Favorite Food: Pasta
Favorite Toy: Balls
Favorite Sport: Skateboard, like Daddy
Favorite Show: Yo Gabba Gabba, specifically this one, with Mos Def
Favorite Place to Go: Bank...get lollipops and football store (a.k.a. Modell's)
Favorite Book: Richard Scary's Cars and Things that Go
All done, Mummy...need to go play babies with sisters
Favorite Color: Eggplant
Favorite Food: Chinese food
Favorite Book: Abigail Adams
Favorite Movie: tie between Chimpanzee and Dolphin Tale
Favorite Song: Dynamite
Favorite Sport: field hockey and basketball
What do you want to be when you grow up? Horseback rider, vet, teacher, or whale biologist
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? Gombi to see the chimps in the wild
If you could be any animal what would you be and why? chimp because they can play all day
Where do you want to live when you grow up? Gombi
What kind of car do you want to drive? cheetah van
One thing you love about yourself? I'm a great writer
One thing you wish you could change about yourself? my anger issues
One thing you want to learn before going to third grade? subtraction
What is one thing you want people to know about you? that I like to write, I love chimps, Jane Goodall, and I am a vegetarian because I don't like animals being killed
So, these last couple of rainy days has left us indoors, cuddling with books, doing puzzles, and a whole of chatting. I love chatting with my kids...well, okay, kids in general. There are so unabashedly honest about so many things, still love themselves, and are open to great discussions. Now, I think my kids are pretty great collectively and individually, so I just wanted to show a small window into their cute greatness! First up, Lillian, a.k.a. Pippalotta Marie....
Favorite Color: Orange
Favorite Food: Pizza
Favorite Book: Little PInk Pup
Favorite Movie: Peter Pan
Favorite Song: Safe and Sound by Taylor Swift
Favorite Sport: Soccer
What do you want to be when you grow up? teacher and a farmer
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? Paris
If you could be any animal what would it be and why? Pig because they're cute
Where do you want to live when you grow up? Beverly
What kind of car do you want to drive? a white van
One thing you love about yourself? that I'm good
One thing you wish you could change about yourself? I wish I could do a handstand
One thing you want to learn before going to first grade? nothing...I'm ready already
What is one thing you want people to know about you? that I'm good, smart, and want 5 pigs
While loading all the pictures from this weekend, I realized just how busy we were. After sports, a little gardening, some more sports, and a quick dinner, Devin and I collapsed on the couch. And then, one little lady popped in and said, "how about a fire outside?" We looked at each other, exhausted, and shrugged our shoulders, "sure, why not?!" So, we made ourselves a cocktail, a new playlist, and headed out by the fire. I read about the huge moon that was supposed to make it's appearance, but the combination of a wet day and the ocean air, left the skies thick with fog. But, we still waited and watched the kids run around the yard well past their bedtimes...and actually had time to have an uninterrupted conversation. Pure bliss. Sometimes stepping out of our routine is just what we need...
happy to report, our seeds are planted! requests this year were broccoli, zucchini, carrots, lettuce, and beans. dev and i added jalapenos, herbs, and radishes...i know i'm forgetting something else. after one soccer practice, a quick lunch, one softball practice, on epic toddler tantrum, we all decided that it was time to get our hands dirty. lillian, of course, dressed for the occasion. oh, and that little man of ours has "adopted" his sister's Harajuku Mini sunglasses that she saved her allowance for...they do look cute don't they?! do tell, friends, what is growing in your garden? happy monday all...
Tulips are not the only sign Spring has arrived in the Grant abode...the sports gear strewn all over the house is the other! Ava had her first softball game of the season and the brief moments I was not chasing Oliver to keep him off the field, I was able to catch that serious girl of mine on the field. Ava, like everything else she dives into, is all business. This is her third year in the program and my heart fills with pride when she looks at me and gives me a thumbs up from the field, showing me how proud she is of herself.
We, by far, have the largest cheering section, thanks to our wonderful family who, no matter what is going on in their lives, still make it when they can. Yes, I miss our carefree weekends of not shuttling everyone around somewhere, but seeing the love on the sidelines is well worth it.
A few Saturdays ago, a little girl ran down the stairs, bursting with excitement shouting, "today is the day! I can play soccer today!" This goes beyond it being her first time on the field, my friends. It was the first day we all knew she could get on that field without a trip to the hospital. I could give the very long history of my sweet Pippa's story, but that is not what this post is about. This post is about being the proudest, most humble, and grateful Mummy to see my girl charging the soccer field a few Saturdays ago. Yes, it is a bit sweeter, because it really felt we'd never get here, but we're here. So much so, that that little tiger made the first goal of the season.
My sweet girl, I've accepted the fact that all that turmoil, agony, and pain was worth the moment you made that goal. The beaming smile on your face will forever be in my heart as a reminder that nothing will ever get in your way, Pippety Pop.
It is a happy talent to know how to play." ~Emerson
After a lovely night out Saturday, the children returned tired, happy, and excited to us Sunday morning. A little break is always a very good thing for everyone. After filling our bellies with amazing french toast bread pudding, bagels, strawberries, and coffee, Ava sat busily drawing an invitation to her baby's birthday party. A superhero party, nonetheless. So, while the little man napped, we all grabbed what we could to make costumes for the superhero birthday party...
"The Snorkler"...yes, I got the okay to post this picture!
"Cat Tickler"
"Pig Pickler"
"Persephone, Defender of Spring"
the birthday girl "Mitey Marrige Lady"
even Chloe was excited for the celebration!
As we sat there sipping our pretend tea and cupcakes, I realized how much we don't do this anymore..this whole playing silly thing. It is not because we don't want to, but rather, the girls are getting older and searching for themselves together and separately. They really don't want to play with us anymore, so when the invitation was handed to us, how could we refuse the chance to be creatively silly on a Sunday afternoon?! As much as I miss the days of tea parties and dress up, I am thoroughly enjoying watching these little ladies explore their own interests and truly discover what they are made of; some days it is a whole of sugar, other days copious amounts of spice, but one trait that never fades is their curiosity. It is contagious. As they ask questions, I find myself asking more questions and more and more, I learn life is not about finding the answers, but rather the process of discovery. So, yes, the dresses have been retired, but their imaginations now take them beyond the land of fairy tales, to a world where they are chimpanzee scientists, pig doctors, and teachers travelling the world. Besides, I still get a few more years of pretend play, as Oliver now spends a majority of his day hiding from the evil monkey in the kitchen or the pirates coming ashore at the beach!
So, if the chance arrives, stop what you're doing and just play.
A visit to Tendercrop Farm had my little Pippa dreaming...
and me believing that one day, indeed, she will be amongst that sawdust in her pink cowgirl boots with her very own piglets. Rushed home to read one of my favorite poems to her and I know with all my heart, she's clenching on to her dream.
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.
Do not underestimate the determination of a quiet man.
Iain Duncan Smith
She may be quiet, but this little lady is beyond determined...her drive drives me.
What a gloriously sunny week! May your weekend be filled with joy...
