Deck Splash.

Look who got a hair cut! I know. Mario couldn't tell either, but honestly he did get one. I hovered which probably made the barber nervous so it ended up being a very slight hair cut. He can see, a definite improvement, but we'll be back to a different salon soon.

All of these smiles for a $15 blow up pool on a sunny afternoon. Amazing. They had a blast together out there for almost two hours. I faithfully sat watch from my chair while reading magazines, updating my itouch contacts, and making lists in my journal. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon.
We need to work on our pool etiquette. No splashing Mommy. Keep the water in the pool. No tackling each other. No pooping in the pool. And be very very happy.

Even if it pops tonight in our sleep for some reason I will be happy with fun already obtained. Now I need to work on finding a bunch of stuff that I can do outside on hot summer afternoons. Technically I could get in the pool with them to cool off but that hose water is damn cold.

Warning.

Sometimes too much of this...
and this...

can lead to this.

We spent the afternoon at a friend's lake cottage on Lake Wateree. The kids ran and played and swam and ate and played and did NOT stop at all. The adults supervised and even had a bit of fun themselves talking, swimming and boat riding.

Wesley didn't even make it to the interstate before he passed out in his car seat. Clare made it home and in her bed but we found her sprawled on the floor at 10:30 p.m.

I'm excited for summer water fun. Today Wesley and I suckered ourselves into getting one of those inflatable pools for some back yard joy later on today (if I can figure out where the pump for the airbed is to inflate the thing). Water = happy kids = happy mama.

The Big Mo

Dinner and a show. Shealy's BBQ and a country drive landed us at a sold out showing of Shrek on Saturday night.
We put down the seats in the van, set up sleeping bags and pillows, and we were the coolest parents on the planet.

See the coolness eminating?

Train Rides: $1

Start time: 9 p.m.

Snow Cones: $1.75 We changed into pajamas after the sticky part of the night was over.

Whoo Hoo! Finally. We were all pretty excited when the screen lit up. We hope to be back at the Big Mo for retro fun sometime soon!

We ate cake.

In order to keep our expenses for our wedding under control we opted not to have a wedding cake. We had a dress, a dinner, music, a chapel and dancing but skimped in the sweets department. I don't think we missed it then but looking back it is one thing I wish we had gone ahead and done. (And as a seasoned wedding guest I know how much everyone looks forward to the cake!)

Ten years ago we got married on St. Simons Island and to celebrate this mini milestone we went on vacation together last month. We also had an ordinary Thursday night date and babysitter to celebrate the actual anniversary. We talked about now and then, our upcoming plans, and what else we want to do in our lives together. I love conversations like those.

We have a lot left to learn about each other but I look forward to growing together more in the upcoming years. After we finished dinner we were both exhausted but knew it was too early to go home. The kids were probably still awake which kind of defeats part of the reason and joy of having a baby sitter!

Mario suggested cupcakes. So we went to Cupcake in the Vista and split a cupcake together. He fed me. I fed him. And ten years later we finally had cake.

So long pre-school.

This is Ms. Jessica. THE Ms. Jessica. Otherwise known as 'my teacher' by Wesley. Today marked the last day of 2 year old pre-school for Wesley. They put on once of those charming toddler musical performances which can only make the audience laugh as they look for antics rather than harmony. A few days ago I thought I was ready for pre-school to end. This afternoon amidst tantrums, excessive desire for tooth brushing, sand fights and whine I am starting to think that a few more weeks might not be such a bad idea.

Summer camp is looking very good to me today.

Batman!

Today we went for a wet run of summer fun at the pool. We met a few friends at the indoor pool at our gym for almost and hour and a half of swimming. I think the ground rules are almost established: no splashing mommy, no running, no jumping without letting an adult know, no kids in the pool without adults, no holding on to your brother, and no pooping in the pool. There are a lot of 'no' rules but if we want to have order and future swimming visits these are a must.

By 5:30 PM these kids were exhausted and hungry. We went to Moe's for Kids Eat Free Tuesday and met Sarah Dippity! She rocked...Clare left with an intricate and sparkly dolphin on her arm and Wesley left as Batman!

And they even ate dinner. And we saw even more friends while we were there. Hooray for Tuesday afternoons that offer mama companionship, child exercise, and sleepy children.

Porch Blur.

Pre pajamas.

Post dinner.

Porch swing.

More Please.

Last night it rained. As a family, we went out on the porch in our pajamas to watch the rain pour down. Mario and I love sitting on the front porch while it thunders and the drops put a mist into the air making things damp.

We just sat and listened. The kids played on the front swing with their whistles (thanks Jennifer, I think?). It was easy. Everyone felt good. We were together.

Jumping Superheroes.

Today is a birthday party double header.

Party #1= jump castle madness!
Party #2= superhero love!

And then there's an invitation to an evening BBQ. I love the busy part of life right now. We are ripe for all sorts of new friendships and relationships. It's a lot of fun.

For many years we floundered in Columbia unsure of what we wanted to do and what we wanted to be. I am thankful for the push that our children gave us to just do things. You know, the excuse to just go ahead and try something knowing that if it failed we could go home and take a nap. I don't know why they help me take more risks and adventures but they do.

Today's superhero party (costumes encouraged) is up near Greenville, SC with Clare's husband-to-be as the birthday boy turning 5. To some it is crazy to travel and hour and a half for a five year old party but today it is a chance to connect with friends, to be a family, and to wear our capes.

The cape part makes it worth it all by itself. If I like it I may even wear mine to the grocery store next week.

Wesley on quinoa.

Wesley: Mommy, is this birdseed?

Me: No. It's quinoa, kind of like Peruvian rice.

Wesley: Oh.

It's taken me awhile to get up the nerve to try quinoa again after my experience in Peru. It wasn't the quinoa that made me sick, but I saw it up and down so I swore off of the stuff. There are a couple of dishes like that...the ones that you just cannot fathom eating because of a negative experience. Peppered pork roast is another one of those for me.

Last night I got creative with my Epicurious application and a very large bag of quinoa from Costco. We ended up with a combination salad/stir fry/quinoa dish that I really liked. It went something like this:

3/4 cup quinoa
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 cup water.

Combine, bring to a boil, reduce heat for 10 minutes and fluff.

Stir fry chicken, whatever farmer's market veggies you have (zucchini, carrots, red pepper) with a bit of olive oil and garlic. Salt and pepper to taste.

Combine fluffed quinoa with stir fry mix. Top with this dressing:

4 tbs. olive oil
3 tbs. lemon juice
1 tbs. agave nectar or other sweetener
1 tsp. salt

Serve over a bed of baby spinach.

Good stuff and awesome served cold the next day for lunch. The dressing has this sweet/salty/tangy thing going that just makes you want bite after bite.

Wandering.

The past few months I explored a few spiritual outlets. I used to think and pray when I ran but since that method went kaput I looked for new ways to connect with world around me. I started asking a lot of questions about how and why people believe what they believe. I went to new religious services and listened to podcasts. I prayed in the car. I read different texts.

Today as I sit on the couch during rest time staring at a heap of laundry to fold and reflect I realize how little I know and understand despite these efforts. But, I'm okay with all of that. I'm enjoying the journey and the process of discovery. It's fun to have something to nosh on in my brain besides how to convince Wesley that the potty is a good thing.

We are in town for a bit over the next few weeks and it feels good to be stationary. To know that the plants won't die and that I don't have to unpack and load the car feels awesome. Mario and I may actually get around to a few home projects since we'll be here staring at each other on Friday and Saturday nights. Or maybe we'll retreat to the porch filled with curtains and candles to just talk.

Wesley's Interview.

My mom is...older than my dad.

My mom is prettiest when she...has her blue dress on.

My mom likes...work with my Daddy.

My mom always says...No Sir, Billy. (we think this means Bailey)

My mom is funny when she...spins around like me.

My mom loves to eat...chocolate ice cream.

My mom's favorite color is...blue.

I love to...go to Daddy's office...with my mom.

Wesley brought this home from school on Friday. Stuff like this makes me feel all squishy inside. I need to take the same questions and do them with Clare just for kicks. Jennifer has an annual questionnaire that she fills out with her kids...love that idea!

Mother's Day 2010

i wish we could have mother's day every month.

thank you mario for planning a relaxing day and for letting me sleep in.

**photo taken by grampin.

Friday Afternoon.

Friday afternoons = floating bliss.

I watched both kids and Grampin' hang out in the pool this afternoon from my lawn chair 'ready to dive in, see I have the boot off just in case' perch. Somehow Clare managed to grow just enough over the past few months to touch the bottom with her tippy tippy toes which means my mothering days got snipped a few hours shorter. How did she get big enough to touch the bottom? Where was I when she had this magical growth spurt?

Anyhow I am enjoying the preview of lazy summer days in our 90 plus degree heat wave. We are tasting our first round of sweat trickles, iced tea, mosquitoes, and longer twilight hours. Hello air conditioning. Hello sunscreen. Hello watermelon. Hello sweet corn. Hello outdoor showers. Hello paperbacks. Hello Summer!

Birthday Rewind.

My birthday rocked.

We had all of the traditional elements that define a milestone celebration. Friends, family, cupcakes, candles, presents, and fun mail dominated my day.

And then I got to spend the night at the Econolodge** next to the Charlotte airport. Good stuff.

(**I totally recommend this Econolodge if you have an early flight. They also have FREE parking and an airport shuttle.)

My word.

In January a lot of Bloggers picked words to define their vision of 2010.

Four months later I finally have my word choice for the year.

Deliberate.

I want my life to be more deliberate. I want to make choices on purpose about things that I believe in. I want to deliberately seek the things that bring me pleasure. I want to make deliberate choices about how we are raising our children. I want deliberate decisions about what foods we put in our bodies. I want to be aware and responsible for the impact of my choices.

Each Mother's Day I make a list of things that would make my day absolutely perfect. They are designed to bring me joy and to contribute to an ideal. I now am realizing that within reason I have the exact same choice to live this way each day. And I think that's pretty groovy.

I just hope that more of my choices in 2010 can be as mindful and deliberate as my Mother's Day dream.

My Mother's Day wishes:

Sleeping in.
Beach time.
A family picture.
Fun coffee.
Time to write.
Goodwill thrifting.
Dressner's breakfast.
Doing something creative.
A pretty craft book.
A handmade card.
A glass of Pinot Noir.

Weekend Words.

I brought my camera to the beach but it has not left the place on the floor next to the door since we arrived. The pictures would look like most any of our other beach trips to Georgia. Sandy kids, beach picnics, arts and crafts, and my boot.

On Friday we opted to spend more time together after spending so much time apart lately. The kids had a day of hookey from school and we came to the beach a day early. I missed my regular time with them with our trip, our visitors (which we loved having), and just going to school. I'm eager for school to be over in some ways so that we can just take our time exploring our world instead of herding out each morning.

This trip I have 2 boots: the beach boot and the Cadillac boot. It's nice knowing that I can get sandy with the kids at the beach without worrying about taking the beach back to Columbia. We had a 'way past your bedtime' picnic last night at Massingale. Mario and I enjoyed chips and salsa with a few beverages and the kids had their dinner al fresco. I love sunset time near the water.

We are in this glorious space right now. Spring break beach fever is over and school is still in session. The weather is perfect and the crowds are minimal because everyone either just did or will do the beach thing. Grampin' is heading South and things are very good.