A few more words

Lindsay and Lauren - May 21, 2009

My baby turned 3 last week. It's been very cool to see her become this quirky, opinionated little person of many words, and also hard as it seems so many people around me are gestating or caring for round babies who sleep fitfully and haven't revealed the mysteries of their personalities. My girls are quick-tongued and funny, continually regaling me with their insight of the world and how it works.

After Memorial Day, my life becomes even more a cartoon character blur than it has been in the past several weeks. As school winds down and the days become warmer and longer, we spend more time out of the house on the playground and soccer field. I've recently traded my mornings blogging and on Facebook for face time with friends and at the gym. The few minutes I have around the house these days are spend frantically trying to keep order of errands and chores, planning the fun but daunting 10 weeks of summer vacation.

Lindsay's party despite my usual hemming over cleaning my house suitably for the crowd of family and friends who were here for the festivities - was idyllic like those grainy videos I can just barely remember from my childhood's crowded dining room: loud, dissonant singing, melty ice cream cake on brightly colored themed plates, the tearing of paper and pleading with fickle little one to give thank yous and kisses for presents, then the mass exit after the last present unwrapped and kisses planted on cheeks with enthusiastic "See you soon!"s. I never manage to snap pictures of these parties - it is all I can do to float among our segregated families (though Dad and Uncle Warren did have an almost touching moment when Warren said, "Take it easy, kiddo. I'll see you next year"), our friends who were out in force this year, and manage to keep track (well, almost) of what's become an impressive band of little people. It wasn't perfect, but I think in the faint memories of my kids 30 years from now, they will be something they'll want for their kids.

Probably with competent adult supervision*.



*Karen and her boys gave Lindsay a bubble blowing machine, which I thought would be fun to try out in the dining room. While we were struggling to unbox it, Karen read, "Use only under competent adult supervision" which gave us a good laugh.

Another quickie

Your quick update

Yes, studying for the exam on Saturday. Of course I got an A on my paper and even with minimal freakage about writing it. My average is 98 going into the exam. Lovin' it! And did I tell you I won an Excellence Award? It was a $1,000 scholarship, which meant I was mostly refunded my spring tuition minus some fees. Good stuff.

I've put two new loveys in commission, but I will have to learn to knit because the stuff on the Knifty Krafter looks ok, but isn't tremendously durable. The reknotting I've had to do already on the NEW Color Wonder is about what I do at 3 months on a knitted item.

The refrigerator pickles are delicious! Dilly and crisp. It isn't a long-term storage solution, but they are yummy and will go fast. We made the brine in the microwave and used the gallon pickle containers that came from Doctor Pickle, a vendor at our local farmer's market.

Oh, and y'all? Alec and I highly recommend buying a smoker (ours is an electric smoker which has both timer and temperature gauge). Homemade smoked salmon is the absolute bomb. On a homemade bagel? With a homemade pickle? I'm pretty sure when you get to the pearly gates, this is what good ol' Saint Pete plates you up.