I didn’t think it would ever happen. Chloe cleaned her room today. Really cleaned it. I can see the top of her dresser and she can now actually use her desk to write.
Raspberries
No, not the kind you eat. The kind you blow on your kids’ tummies. We had a raspberry “Name That Tune” tournament this morning.
Gymnastics!
Sophie had her gymnastics show today. She put on quite the show on the uneven bars. Enjoy!
One of Those Days
Work was a bigger chore than usual today – problems, problems, problems. I was looking forward to getting home to see my two great girls.
Hula Hoop Season
Chloe demonstrated her hula hooping prowess the other day. As she gets bigger, she gets better – although they don’t make hoops like they used to. The one she uses has a built-in aid – it’s weighted with sand (or water, I’m not sure). I still wouldn’t be able to do it myself, so kudos to my big girl. Pogo stick next?
Dotty the Ladybug
Sophie has a new pet. Her name is Dotty and she’s a ladybug. She rescued Dotty from a certain death at my mom’s pool today, keeping her safe from drowning for almost two hours. Pretty incredible.
Dotty made the voyage from Sophie’s shoulder, to my mom’s apartment and then to our house. After some Internet research, the girls determined that a moist paper towel and raisins, along with some grass, would make Dotty feel at home in her new container shelter.
What I find extraordinary about Sophie’s pet adoption is that she used to stomp on bugs. But I guess she’s decided that her future doesn’t have serial killer written in it after all. That’s a relief. I hope that Dotty thrives and manages to survive for a few days. I should probably start stocking up on replacement ladybugs just in case.
Happy Father’s Day!
Sophie’s a Graduate!
Sophie graduated from pre-K today. An incoming kindergartner is she. Ceremony was adorable. “The Lion King” theme, with elaborate costumes and choreography and singing. It was truly lovely. And I wish I had some photos to display for my loyal readers. But I don’t have any.
I know you’re all wondering why. Probably thinking that because Sophie’s child #2, she simply got shafted. But no. I actually had excellent intentions. Had a look at the camera battery the other night, saw it was low, and said to myself, “Better charge the battery so it doesn’t go dead during Sophie’s graduation.” Plugged the battery into the charger – must have been Tuesday.
When I got home from work today, the first thing I did was put the camera in my bag. Left the house and realized when we got down the street that I had forgotten the teachers’ gifts in the hallway. Turned around and grabbed the presents. Got back into the car and arrived at the school. Distributed the gifts. Got our seats. Phew.
Showtime approached. Took out the camera and bragged to my mom about how prepared I was – having had the forethought to charge the camera battery days ago in order to be ready for the big night. And then, as soon as the words, “charged the battery” came out of my mouth, I gasped. I opened up the battery cover and it was empty. Forgot to put the battery back in the camera. Mother F***er. No time to go back to the house.
So, you’ll have to take my word for it. The graduation was adorable (a little long, but adorable). Sophie did great. We’re all very proud of her. And I hope that she’ll eventually forgive me for depriving her of the joy of seeing a photo of herself in her light blue cap and gown. At least she got to keep the tassel.
Relaxation and Recreation
It’s been almost two weeks, and I’ve essentially managed to ditch the computer and the blackberry every evening until the girls’ bedtime.
Two weeks. I’m fairly impressed with myself. I would have been proud to keep the experiment going for a week. And I do find that avoiding the electronics like the plague has helped me relax when I get home from work.
It’s also enabled me to play some new games. A role playing version of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” with Sophie. Mancala with Chloe. And Sophie and I pulled some weeds together, too. The other night we played Go Fish. I’ve also played more gin rummy with Chloe in one week than I have in the last 25 years.
And for the most part, I’m having fun. Lots of fun. Granted, when they act up during our relaxation and recreation time together, not so fun. And don’t get me wrong. I haven’t yet seen any noticeable change in their behavior and I don’t have any particular expectation that I will – they still throw tantrums now and again, and they never give me enough hugs. More hugs, please!
My Cuties
School is almost over. Sophie graduates from pre-K on Friday, and Chloe says au revoir to 3rd grade next Thursday. I often return to the theme of how quickly they’re growing. But when they hit these milestones, I’m happy and sad at the same time.
Happy because I love to see them thriving, getting bigger and developing their own personalities. Sad because with every stage that comes and goes, the present becomes the past and what’s left are memories. Wonderful memories to be sure, but memories nonetheless.
The good news is that although memories are formed all the time, the future eventually becomes the present. With all the attendant experiences, laughter, tears and smiles.
My cuties – I love them so.