The countdown is almost at zero. Seventeen days (13 workdays) until I become a full-time, no office distractions, mom. It’s hard to believe that the day is almost here. I’ve been talking about it for so long that I still sometimes wonder if I really did it. But I did.
When Sophie is Sick
Sophie has been battling a bad cold for the last couple of days. She stayed home from school yesterday and missed a special showing of “Oz the Great and Powerful” in the city today. It’s a funny coincidence that the two times she’s been sick since school started in September have resulted in her missing outings to New York.
Magic Kisses
I learned tonight that Sophie used to think my kisses were magic. She revealed this earlier this evening when she complained to my husband about something that was bothering her. He asked her if she wanted a kiss to make it feel better and she declined his generous offer, remarking that my magic kisses – not his – used to make the boo-boos go away. I certainly don’t recall my kisses having that kind of effect on her. But it’s nice to know my little one thinks they are so special.
Saving Chloe from Her Backpack
Chloe had her annual physical yesterday. Aside from the fact that she can’t touch her toes (this lack of flexibility inherited from her papa) and that it looks like the right side of her back is raised higher than her left (don’t be too alarmed – the doctor isn’t particularly concerned), she’s in tip top shape.
Budding Photographer
Chloe’s birthday present arrived today and she immediately started to explore the creative possibilities afforded by her new camera.
For a kid who doesn’t yet have formal training, she’s showing promise. Check out her very first photo, taken just outside our house. I love the reflection of the bare tree branches in the puddle. Watch your back, Ansel Adams!
If Not Lady Gaga…
You’ll recall that Chloe’s 12th birthday present was going to be a Lady Gaga concert. We were supposed to go on Saturday and I even reserved a room at the cool Hotel Eventi in the city for the occasion.
Addition to the Family
No – we are not having a baby. Well, I guess we are. But not a human baby. A puppy baby! In the fall, we will be the lucky adoptive family of an Australian labradoodle puppy from Ivy Lane Labradoodles in Pennsylvania. The parents will be Sophie (which my 7-year old Sophie loves) and Bailey, who are scheduled to do the dirty deed sometime in May/June.
Opryland
Opryland truly is a small continent. Actually, it’s kind of like another planet. With an immense indoor outlet mall, a 25-screen movie theater and a huge hotel called the Gaylord Opryland, the likes of which I haven’t seen outside of Vegas. It has several (yes, several) huge lobbies replete with indoor waterfalls and rivers. Not to mention the Grand Ole Opry itself, which is a lot less impressive in person than I expected. It’s essentially a big brick building.
Belle Meade Plantation
For the first time in many, many years I explored a new city on my own (poor husband had to toil away at work). As much as I adore my amazing girls and my husband, I don’t remember the last time I had the opportunity to discover a new place on my own terms. It was delightful (and it helped that the weather was beautiful).
Nashville!
The girls are with my mom for their winter break and I invited myself on my husband’s business trip to Nashville. We arrived a few hours ago and spent a couple of hours exploring the main drag downtown. After lunch, we hit a bar and listened to some live music, which is everywhere. There are a lot of bars up and down Broadway and each one seemed to offer live bands – some of which were as country as they come while others were a little more rock. The band that was performing in the photo fell into the latter category, thankfully.