On Your Third Birthday (Nov 10, 2006)

~~~~~

My Dearest Roo, 

  In times like these I stop and pause to consider these past three years with you. 

 I think about the day you were born and the way you gazed into my eyes

and the day you first laughed and I thought my heart would burst from the joy of you.

I think about you growing up and who you will be and all the questions you will have...

deep and difficult questions like,

"mummy, why did you let me chew on the dog toys?"

and "why did you always seem to delight on balancing things on my head ?"

"why the rattles,

and eggs,

and ribbons,

and that cup that made me look like a small shriner?"

"And I want to know why you delighted in the close-ups of me in which I looked a bit tipsy?"

"or smushed?"

"and mummy, why did you run for your camera whenever I had a bad hair day?"

and Roo, because I love you my dear, I will sit down and gently caress your hair,

and I will look deep into your eyes and tell you the truth,

"My darling girl, all that does not matter now,

what matters is that Mummy has the pictures."

and what more could anyone want?

I love you my peach!

 

  Skinnamarinkydinky-link (s)

(Some additional unschooling links and fun websites!!)

Unschooling Voices #5

peaceful parenting

An article by Daniel Quinn

And websites for you and your kids!

the most beautiful video games for little ones, EVER!!

oooh, this one is fun!!! (for when you know the tune/beat of a song but cannot come up with the lyrics or title)

want to play 20 questions with your computer?

or mr picasso head?

making fiends always makes me happy

don't have your etch-a-sketch handy?  Try this one!

 (for more unschooling links see this post)

 

This and That

(the short version of our trip to N.C.)

Thurs: flew with the kids and had a fine travel day

• 
  
  Fri: visited with all the relatives and went for a 3 hour hike in the mountains with the kids.


• 
  
  Fri Evening: Jesse was not well, tired and queasy and by the middle of the night was very sick.


• 
  
  Sat: Jesse still very sick and Roo beginning to get queasy.


• 
  
  Sun: Jesse getting better, Roo puking and Trevor getting sick


• 
  
  Mon: Jesse better, Roo cranky, Trevor heading uphill


• 
  
  Tues: flying with the kids, I get sick , my niece gets sick and my BIL comes down with it, as well.


• 
  
  Tues night: arrive home after 13 hours of travel and Roo vomits all night.

I am so glad to be home, I could cry.

 

~~~~~

The good?

 The first day there was wonderful and I did get to share some time with everyone before playing nurse to all the ill ones.  The hike was beautiful and the kids were thrilled.  Trevor had already been camping for nearly a week and so he was relaxed and we were glad to all be together.

Jesse found puffballs and smashed them

Roo and I found a quiet spot in which to curl up and listen to birds

and we rested

and played ping-pong

and my mother brought her basket making as she has work to do for the holidays

it was a gorgeous place and my grandfather rented our family a sweet cabin in the mountains because he has such a generous heart.

and he is now 90 years old

and he is as bright and handsome and witty and loving as ever

Happy Birthday Grandpa!!!

 

I have missed you all; it's funny how much Xanga is a part of my daily life and when I don't have that dialog and the chance to read about your happenings, I really miss it.

I was touched by all your warm greetings and I apologize if I don't get around to everyone but there is some toxic waste I need to deal with.

Here's a big contagious smooch!

 

(incidentally, these pictures were all taken on day one)