This is Sophie’s tree. We love it because, from the front porch, it blocks the view of the gas station across the street. And it’s a late bloomer, providing lovely little white flowers in June. Sophie loves it because the branches are perfect for climbing. I had a tree like that when I was girl, [...]
I have been purposefully neglectful about updating my blog. As much as I love my children I haven’t felt much like writing about them upon learning the loss two dear friends of mine have endured. I know it’s cliché to talk about hearts aching but that’s exactly what mine has been doing all week—no parent [...]
Lately Owen has been getting a lot of bumps and bruises on his head. Sophie has taken notice of this and, as such, likes to make sure he’s well-protected. “The cardinal virtue of a teacher (is) to protect the pupil from his own influence.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson
Early October Sophie and I joined my mom and dad for a trip to North Carolina to help celebrate my brother-in-law Tom’s 30th birthday. Because they already had a full house we stayed in a hotel, which Sophie loved. She had so much fun running the long hallway to our room, admiring the swirly carpet. [...]
A couple weeks ago, when I asked Sophie about her day, she told me about a man who visited that day, and that he “laid on his back to paint.” Me: “A grownup or a classmate?” Sophie: “A man! A grownup.” Me: “And he was in your classroom?” Sophie: “Yes. And he laid on his [...]
Our linen closet is the top shelf in the boys’ bedroom closet. And it is there where I store many extras—bars of soap, tissue boxes, razor blades, little bottles of shampoo from hotels and extra contact lens cases. (Actually, now that I think about it, there’s not a single linen on that shelf. But it’s [...]
When Owen’s really upset, Sophie will find his favorite baby doll (it’s hers, she shares) and he’ll hug the doll to him and say “aww.” And now, when he stumbles upon a baby bottle, he’ll find one of Sophie’s dolls and gently feed it. Of course, the dolls are sometimes thrown across the room but [...]
A couple weeks ago we walked down the street to Woodfill Elementary (where Sophie will go to school) for their annual Big Top Festival. We went last year for the first time, and Sophie loved it. A lollipop, a dandelion ripe for wish making and pink hair—a 3-1/2-year-old’s dream Saturday afternoon. happiness “Life is a [...]
Several weeks ago friends and I had a baby shower for our good friend Jen (isn’t she beautiful?). Her baby is due in just a few days—we can’t wait to meet him. “It is said that the present is pregnant with the future.” —Voltaire
Sophie’s first Pork Festival doesn’t seem like that long ago. I was about to write about this being the boys’ first Pork Festival when I realized it wasn’t—it was their second. It was Colleen’s first. Time. I know it’s cliché, but it really does fly. I write about the Pork Festival every year. It’s a [...]
