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Last week was beautiful here in Olympia. I almost thought summer was here. Cate had a brief photography moment where she was taking my picture, directing my expressions. Here's one of the better examples:

Nothing says summer like saltwater sandals on little girls. Purple + pink.

And then last weekend I had an epic Sunday. Sherry and I did the Capital City Half Marathon. Sherry had to basically kick my butt to sign up and I complained and complained but then had a fabulous time although there are no pictures of the event. It rained the entire race and I kind of loved everything about it. And then I walked home from the finish, took a quick shower, and drove to Seattle to meet my former colleagues at Loma Linda for lunch. They are in town for a meeting. So fun to catch up and see all of their dear, familiar faces.

And then this week has just rained rather continuously. Yesterday, to be honest, was a horrendous day with a certain 3-year-old. I told Telfer last night that I was raising a wild, wild animal and it just is not going to end well. A good night's sleep ensued for both a certain child and her mother and today was much better.

This is Cate from this afternoon, a one-girl band. A drum, a morocco/drumstick and a kazoo. After I took the picture I was instructed to take up my tambourine and sing and walk in circles. I did so until I angled to play my favorite game: put mama to bed (I get to recline on the couch and get put to bed - so, so nice).

A couple of my favorite things of the moment. This was a Pinterest/Etsy find and I just framed it this morning (oh! Peonies are at Costco btw). I pray the fruits of the spirit every single day, so this was a timely, lovely piece.

I also love baker's twine and ordered a sample pack from this etsy shop. If I wrap a present for you during the next three years, you can almost certainly expect some baker's twine. It will be very pretty.

Mother's Day

We spent Mother's Day in Richland with my family. It was a whirlwind 24-hour-trip where we fit in multiple meals and a family picture session with a photographer (until my girls, namely Cate, decided she was DONE taking pictures). Neither girl enjoyed the car ride so when we got home last night Telfer and I collapsed after putting the girls to bed. We managed to consume Thai and watch an episode of Mad Men first however.

This is Jane at Christmas. Elizabeth gave the girls chopsticks and Jane immediately puts the present up her nose. I think this picture represents the reality of motherhood for me this year: always a little behind the curve and always a little surprised. But! Motherhood keeps me flexible and on my toes and in need of God's continual and lovely and surprising grace. And I love these little girls so much.

And Then Back to Normal

It's been one of those weeks that have just disappeared. Entirely. The girls and I have had such a good time together though. They love the bagels I brought back. And the black-and-white cookies. Remember this video of Cate stuffing a whole cookie in her mouth?

Jane may not get any more bagels though. This morning she rubbed at least a tablespoon of cream cheese in her sparse hair and it was bathtime at 7:45 AM. 

It's been beautiful outside and we have played on our playset and weeded and I finally planted a terrarium (after seeing a beautiful one Sherry did). I also spray-painted an old plant stand I got at a yard sale in California. When Jane wakes up from a quick morning nap I am going to give them the choice of playing at home, taking a walk or maybe the bus downtown. I love that Cate has opinions now on what we do. 

And finally, we have been saddened by Maurice Sendak's death around here. We have read Where the Wild Things Are, In the Night Kitchen and the tiny books multiple, multiple times over the last couple of days. I love his imagination and his deep understanding of children.

Just a little jaunt

What did you do last weekend, Andrea? Just took a little trip to New York. No big deal... It was a perfect storm moment: frequent flier miles, Telfer's schedule, a short run for a new production of Death of a Salesman and a lovely sister-in-law. I flew on Friday morning and then came back by the end of naptime on Sunday afternoon. A very quick trip but Eleanor and I managed to cram a lot of eating (and walking) into 1.3 days. 

On Friday: The new American wing at the MET, drinks with Molly & Eleanor at the boat house in Central Park,  dosas at Hampton Chutney, more food and wine in SoHo.

Then on Saturday: Brooklyn Flea, lobster rolls, Death of a Salesman (absolutely the most powerful thing I have ever seen on stage), nuts!, walking from 47th to 114th streets, Fatty Crab for a mid-afternoon drink and pork belly/watermelon, Book Culture, Absolute Bagels for a dozen to bring home to Telfer & the girls, Westside Market for black & white cookies, Riverside Park, a glimpse of St. John the Divine, our old apartment building. Then back down to Brooklyn to drop off bags and then across the Brooklyn Bridge and dinner someplace wonderful back in Brooklyn.

On Sunday: a quick walk and then to the airport. I did manage to look up just in time to see the NASA plane with the space shuttle attached to the top. Flying without children is a blessed event. I read a whole novel on the way back with little naps interspersed. Heavenly. Telfer and the girls had a great time while I was gone. And now, I have these reserves of patience and kindess from just getting away for a little while.

Being back in the city was a strange and wonderful experience. In some ways it feels like I never left and that a baby Cate and Telfer and Henry were just back in our apartment. This is on the sentimental side, but I never really said a proper good-bye to New York. I left our apartment by ambulance and then Telfer moved us out without me. Then the hospital and three months later we finally left the city with our tiny little Jane. Basically, it was nice to be with Eleanor, walking around like a normal person.

Always a Project

Last week I finally finished putting together memory boxes for the girls. I got this idea from The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. I bought $10 file boxes from Fred Meyer and labeled hanging files (YES on any project that utilizes my label maker) with categories from pregnancy to birth to one to two to three, etc. The idea is to have a place to collect the things that are hard to keep organized with your kids: all of their birthday cards, the yearly family christmas card, and special art work. Literally the hardest part of the project was locating all of my stashes of "special" things that I have saved but in no real order. Now the little hats they wore in the hospital nursery and Cate's latest greatest painting have a (labeled) home.

I saw this on Pinterest and finally had Telfer hang it for me. It's an Ikea curtain rod with little clips that work perfectly for hanging your child's artwork. Cate is in a major painting stage so it has been fun to have a place where we can actually display her works of art.

Saturday was a remarkably smooth day. Sherry and Chris tag-teamed taking care of Cate and Jane. We will show off the bath picture in years to come to our glee and our children's embarrassment. Our brand-new next door neighbor may have ripped the entire bumper off of Sherry's van but what can you do?

I was so glad I was there for my aunt's memorial service. My sisters and I supported our mom and my cousins and uncle and honored her life. Sunflowers were very special to my Aunt Brenda and what is the first thing I saw when I walked into Trader Joe's yesterday? A huge display of sunflowers. Instant tears and a bunch immediately found its way to my cart.