Denton Diaries

Sand Beach

2011-06-07T21:37:00.007-05:00

Today we decided to hike the Ocean Path, a two-mile walk (four miles round-trip) which begins at Sand Beach - a sandy beach between mountains and rocky shores in Acadia National Park.

I didn't do much research before we went (only enough to know that it's an easy hike and a pretty one), so I wasn't prepared for the ethereal, misty beauty. I also wasn't prepared to see a bunch of people SWIMMING in the ocean when it was 59 degrees outside!

My plan was to go on the hike, eat our little picnic lunch and maybe check out the beach for a few minutes before we left. Wrong.

The hike begins at the beach, so we couldn't help but hear the waves crashing and lots of people laughing and squealing. When we came within sight of the water, my boys were mesmerized. Forget hiking - it was all about the beach!! They peeled their shoes off and took off like wild ponies. I told them not to get wet, but ... well, I could see what was going to happen. They chased waves and chased each other, threw sand, splashed and eventually fell into the surf and rolled around happily. I took lots of pictures and just let them play for a few minutes before making them head back to the car where they could strip their wet clothes off and warm up. We had to leave because I didn't have extra clothes. Next time, I'll be prepared.

This is a must-see place if you're in Bar Harbor. Sand Beach is hugely popular, and it costs $10 per car for a seven-day pass. We caught a glimpse of the hiking path and some of the amazing views as we were driving away. We will definitely be going back.

Into the Woods

2011-06-06T21:22:00.001-05:00

Today we hiked the Jordan Pond Nature Trail and half of the Jordan Pond Shore Trail in Acadia National Park, and it was amazing. The weather was perfect for hiking (60s and sunny), and the boys were in their element. After hiking the easy, level trails, we stopped at the Jordan Pond House (a restaurant right there in the park) and had lunch on the lawn overlooking the pristine blue pond. The place is famous for its popovers, so we had to get some. (If you're wondering, a popover is a hollow muffin served with butter and jam. These were hot, fresh and very tasty.)

The Jordan Pond area is nice for families because you can choose short, easy nature paths or venture out on a longer (but still easy) route.

And, of course, the scenery is gorgeous.

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Getting Our Bearings

2011-06-05T21:47:00.001-05:00

It's hard to believe we've been here four whole days already! I feel we should be doing more to experience as much as we can, but we're just getting our bearings and taking it slowly.

Mostly we've been exploring the beach in front of our cottage - I think the kids would be happy if that's all we did - and we ventured downtown for some lobster rolls and a trip to the library.

There's a great mile-long, family-friendly trail called the Shore Path that starts at the Bar Harbor town pier. We loved that and we'll be going back for sure. There's a giant boulder along the way, and it's something of a tradition for people to try to push it into the ocean. We gave it a try, too.

And just enjoyed the view ...

We had dinner at a friend's beautiful, waterfront home Saturday night. He made us blueberry mojitos. Soooo good and so perfect for a June evening in Maine.

We found a little cove near our cottage that's great for wading and rock-throwing. The weather is getting a little warmer, which is good because it's hard to keep the kids out of the water (even with all the seaweed).

This week we're going to check out some child-friendly hikes and do some more beach-combing.

Peaceful, peaceful.

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Maine at Last!

2011-06-03T18:09:00.001-05:00

Here are some photos from our first two days in Maine.

Jerod walking the 10-minute commute to lab ...

Beach treasures ...

Exploring the beach in front of our cottage ...

More exploring this afternoon during low tide. We were wearing winter coats -it's cold up here!

Here's the view from our living room window...

Playing Battleship while Sawyer napped ...

More to come soon ...

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Superheroes on Wheels

2011-05-27T14:19:00.001-05:00

This is for Nonnie, who is now online!

I love this picture of Parker and his friend Brayden. They were at a costume birthday party. Brayden is dressed as Spiderman; Parker is Heatblast (from Ben 10). They are so oblivious, so unself-conscious in their one-piece outfits and roller skates ... I just love this innocent age, and I know they will soon be too cool for costumes.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

2011: Back to Basics

2011-01-10T15:30:00.001-06:00

I've been doing lots of reflecting lately. Maybe it's because I'm approaching 40(!) years old, or because I'm in a sort of career limbo or because I'm finished having kids and am moving on to the next phase of life. Whatever the reason, I've been thinking a lot about where I've been, where I am and where I want to be. I've learned some things about myself, too, in this past year of changes.

I've learned that I'm a minimalist at heart, and I'm drawn to blogs and books about getting back to basics and living simply. I've been inspired to clean out our garage and attic and get rid of lots of stuff that we just don't need. (This is a work in progress, and I have a lot more to do in that department.)

I've learned that I'm happiest when I'm doing things outdoors, whether it's hiking or running or just lying in the backyard looking at the clouds with my kids. I'm not looking to get a bigger house or a better car or a bigger TV. In fact, I wouldn't mind getting rid of our TV altogether (but I'd be out-voted by all the boys in my house).

I've loved being a writer and editor for the past 14 years, but I'm not sure I'll ever do that full-time again. I've become really interested in physical therapy recently, and my hope is to go back to school in a couple years - when my kids are a little older - to become a physical therapy assistant. One of my favorite parts of writing was the interview, which is why I enjoyed being a newspaper reporter. I think I'd be great at physical therapy - working one-on-one with people in a helping kind of situation.

In the meantime, I'm reassessing some things. I'm enjoying my daycare job, which has a nice rhythm and schedule and gives me lots of quality time with my family. I'm blissfully unfettered by the computer, e-mail and an 8-to-5 grind. I truly enjoy little kids, and working with them is a nice fit for me. It's probably not something I want to do forever, but it's perfect for me right now, and it feels right. On snow days - like today! - I've been able to relax with my boys, go sledding, sit by the fire and drink hot chocolate and not worry about work that's waiting to be done. Lately, I've had incredible peace of mind and joy of heart. That's worth a ton to me.

A good friend told me about this NYT article that discusses "summoned" lives versus "planned" lives. The gist of a summoned life is that it "isn’t a project to be completed; it is an unknowable landscape to be explored." I figure I'm living a summoned life these days, and I'm letting the current guide me along.

One of the things I'm most excited about is spending a month in Maine this summer. If all works out as planned, we'll be heading to MDIBL for awhile. That will be like nature camp, with lots of hiking and swimming and lobster-eating on the agenda.

I think my blog this year will be devoted to my efforts to simplify and declutter and focus on the real things. I hope to post more than I have been ... maybe it'll be a way to hold me accountable. I'm inspired by blogs such as Rowdy Kittens and Be More With Less and, while I'm not as extreme as these folks (i.e., I won't be getting rid of my car any time soon), I like their ideas.

Thanks for reading, and here's to a focused, mindful and active 2011.

A Meaningful Christmas Gift Idea

2010-11-29T22:06:00.003-06:00

A couple years ago, my sisters and I decided to start giving each other photo books as holiday gifts and forgo the usual gift-giving madness. We all live in different states, so we miss out on so much of the day-to-day stuff that keeps us connected. The photo books are wonderful because they help to fill in those gaps - and they're a great way to present the zillions of photographs that I take throughout the year (way too many to print and frame). The books are inexpensive and personal, and they fit right into my new minimalism philosophy - that is, I don't want any more stuff to clutter my house. I'd rather have something meaningful and small that connects me with my family.

Another great thing about these photo books is that they give you some perspective on your year. As you sort through your photographs, you realize how much fun you've had, how much you've accomplished and how things have changed. You remember lazy summer afternoons and autumn hikes, birthday parties and snow days - the small but significant moments that make up big stretches of time.

I'm hard at work on this year's photo book through shutterfly.com. Here are links to our books from the past two years. If you have lots of photos and some free time, give these a try. You (and your family) will be hooked!

Click here to view this photo book larger

Everyday Poetry

2010-11-20T07:10:00.003-06:00

I work with small children, which offers many little moments of beauty. Here are some I've noticed lately.

Backyard Bench Press

2010-11-16T21:31:00.000-06:00

Another Batman Fan

2010-11-14T21:54:00.007-06:00

Our 6-year-old dressed as Batman for two Halloweens in a row, and he used to wear his costume everywhere. Here he is on vacation at Dauphin Island.

I loved that stage of his life, and I finally had a photographer friend take some photos of him (below) in his threadbare costume (he added the John Deere boots).

Looks like we have another, more muscular fan in the house.

Happy Fall

2010-10-30T15:31:00.005-05:00

Fall brings its own set of wonders - playing in the leaves, carving jack-o-lanterns, sitting outside by the fire pit, trick-or-treating, baking and hiking - and we're trying to embrace them all.

Last night I took a nighttime walk with Sawyer - just the two of us - and was reminded how much joy such simple pleasures can bring. We looked at our long shadows, the stars, Halloween decorations and blinking airplane lights overhead. He threw some big sticks, played with a neighbor's dog and watched cars' headlights as they sped by us in the dark. After a busy, noisy day, it was a nice way to end the night.

Unplugged and connected.

Happy fall. :)

Sweet Moment

2010-10-26T22:30:00.004-05:00

At a birthday party last weekend, I was drawn to the beauty of a friend and her 11-week-old daughter. I couldn't help taking a few photos. There's something so sweet about this time of life. I guess I'm a little nostalgic because my boys are getting so big ...

New Adventures

2010-10-13T23:44:00.004-05:00

Wow. I can't believe my last post was about the pool! Now it's October, and so much more has changed than the season. I started a new adventure in August when I took a job as a preschool teacher. My youngest son is there with me, and I love that he is just down the hall. I also love the schedule (summers off!!) and the active, hands-on, in-the-moment nature of the job. When I'm home, I am really home and focusing on my family - not on e-mails or phone calls or work that needs to be done when the kids go to bed. It's exactly what I need at this point in my life, and I'm happily rolling with it. More about that later. ... I just wanted to check in and say I haven't abandoned my blog. I'm just figuring out when and how I can fit it in.
Thanks for stopping by. Good night.

Afternoons at the Pool

2010-07-31T00:17:00.005-05:00

We've recently discovered the joys of late afternoons at the pool, when the sun is mild, the water is just right, and everyone seems a little more mellow. I especially love the golden sunlight at this time of day, which gradually fades to the blues of dusk ... It just makes me happy.

Another Poop Post

2010-07-30T17:23:00.005-05:00

Today Sawyer stood at the top of the stairs and said, "Big poop, mommy."

I was doing something downstairs and said "OK - I'll be right there."

I thought he might sit on the potty. He's been doing that pretty well. So I climbed the stairs and saw ... big poop streaks ON THE WALL.

When Sawyer saw my shocked face, he started crying and held out his ... very dirty hands. "Big poop!" he wailed.

Yes, I see. Sigh.

Parker was behind me, gagging.

Fortunately, nothing really fazes me these days. I just picked him up (trying to keep those hands from making contact), saying "It's OK - we'll clean it up," because he was so upset. Downstairs to the bathtub we went. Then I headed back up to wash the walls.

Parker summed it up well, especially for a 6-year-old.

"I'm not used to seeing poop on the walls," he said solemnly, watching me scrub. "That is really disturbing."

Arkansas Vacation, Part I

2010-07-24T14:44:00.009-05:00

While J was at a work conference back in June, the kids and I took a little trip to Arkansas to visit my parents and my oldest sister and her husband. It was a laid-back, no-rushing kind of trip, which was so nice.

At mom and dad's house we did some swimming, some reading - and the kids always love the impromptu dance-fests when my dad breaks out the guitar.

Then we headed to Mark and Patti's house. Here they are ...

And here is the amazing, peace-inducing view from their lake-front home ...

We did some boating, tubing and swimming in the lake. Seriously, it's hard to beat riding a boat to dinner on a summer afternoon.

Can I please have a body like this when I'm in my 50s??

Sawyer and Abby, a sweet golden lab ...

Me and Sawyer (and my fresh-squeezed grapefuit and vodka drink. Ahhhh... )

Patti and Parker on the Sea Doo ...

That's me and Parker tubing - bumpy fun! ...

We had a fabulous time and, like always, just wish we lived closer to our family. We're looking forward to the next visit.

Next up - Arkansas Vacation, Part II: Pics from our last Arkansas trip, when Parker got a brand-new skateboard and learned from a real-live skateboarding teenager.

Work Hazards

2010-07-07T09:29:00.005-05:00

Working from home with children is an exercise in efficiency. It's easier in the fall, when school and daycare offer some free time to focus. But summertime is tricky. I can usually cobble together child care for brief daytime phone interviews, thanks to other work-from-home moms and a 13-year-old babysitter who lives next door.

When I must make phone calls for work with the kids at home, I turn to On Demand cable. I've learned to keep water and milk within reach, just in case someone decides they must have milk immediately and it cannot wait even for two minutes when I'm in the middle of an interview. I give them snacks - stuff they don't usually get, like gummy fruit, goldfish crackers, M&Ms - in exchange for a few minutes of uninterrupted time.

Today, despite all my preemptive efforts, Sawyer found me in the middle of a phone interview. I heard him coming.

"Mommy!" he said. "POOP!!"

I waved him away, pointing at the door with wide eyes and exaggerated hand motions, willing him to just stop and play for a minute. Silently. Without saying poop again.

He ignored me and put his earnest little face close to mine.

"POOP, MOMMY!!" he said. "POOP! POOOOOOOOOP!"

Sigh. I guess you can't prepare for everything.

Inspired by Rebecca (the Other One)

2010-07-03T11:22:00.009-05:00

I was inspired today by this beautiful blog to post my pictures from some recent water play in our backyard. Becky is taking an e-class in photography called "Picture Summer," which features a new prompt each day. This was the most recent one:

Whether it is the deep blue sea, a refreshing pool (any size will do), or the spray of sprinklers: water is one way to keep your cool during the summer months. Today, stage something splashy and capture your ultimate cool-down routine.

Many of our summer days include some kind of splashing, whether it's in the pool, lake, creek or sprinkler. J was watering plants yesterday, and the kids wanted to be sprayed. The golden, late-afternoon sunlight shining through the water was so striking, I couldn't resist grabbing my camera.

Holding Pattern

2010-06-28T00:13:00.002-05:00

I have so much to blog about, and so many pictures to post - and so little time to do it. I have tons of work this week (that's a good thing) and time that needs to be devoted to my kids and summertime and not my computer screen (as I am reminded by children climbing on me every time I sit down to try). So please forgive the lack of posting. I'll report back soon...

Parker's Party

2010-06-13T14:39:00.005-05:00

Hello, neglected blog! I have a lot of catching up to do - so much that I can't do it all in one post. So here's installment one of the catchup...

Parker's 6th birthday! We had a blast at Hillwood Strike & Spare, where the kids bowled, rode bumper cars and played laser tag, followed by pizza and cake. This place is such a great spot for a birthday party, especially for active little boys. Parker asked me to make the cake (which I love to do), so I did - and spent about three hours trying to make Scooby Doo out of icing. I didn't learn about fondant until later. Ah well, I think it turned out OK. And the kids loved it, which is the most important thing. (Parker helped by adding the green gel dots and "spooky eyes.")

Our 6-year-old chose to wear a white dress shirt, khaki pants and his dad's tie to his party. He said he wanted to look "snappy" (!). I tried to talk him out of it, but he was firm - and so excited. He didn't care one bit that the other kids were wearing shorts and T-shirts - and the other kids didn't care, either. Parker felt special, and we (the grownups) all thought it was adorable. Now it's my favorite memory of the day.

I hope he always keeps his individual, free and confident spirit. It's one of the many things I love and admire about him.

One of the quirky things about this bowling alley is the creepy singing animals - probably bought off eBay from a Showbiz Pizza. They inspired impromptu dances to "Rocky Top" and "Friends in Low Places." Hilarious.

It was a great party and a really fun and silly group of kids. Six years old. I can't quite believe it.

We continued the party in Arkansas when we went to visit J's mom. More to come - stay tuned!

Good Times and Growing Pains

2010-05-25T09:29:00.010-05:00

We're getting back to normal around here, slowly, and venturing out to play again. Heading to the park after school is a new routine, although school will be out in just a couple of days. Then I'll have a first-grader in the house, which is hard for me to grasp.
Sliding are, from left, Sawyer, Connor, Parker and (at top) baby Parker - Connor's little brother. At right is Sawyer sporting some static.

We've also been hanging out at Edwin Warner Park again. Some of the trails were damaged in the flood, but there are still some nice places to play. Parker likes to splash around in the water, but Sawyer prefers throwing rocks. Lots of rocks.

The past couple weeks have been packed with birthday parties. This one, for Parker's friend Charlie, was in a big backyard with a giant water slide. It was 91 degrees and sunny - perfect for water play.
Another 6th birthday party was for our longtime friend Connor. It was at Pizza Perfect, with video games and air hockey - perfect for a drizzly Saturday afternoon.
Clockwise from top left: Parker playing air hockey; Connor playing video games with his dad; my friend Amy playing a video game with Sawyer; and Connor opening presents (my friend Erica - Connor's mom - in background).

The kids are already soaking up these summery days. Erin's family has a new trampoline (top left), and we pulled out the gator to let Sawyer give it a try. Our little neighbor Trey came over to take it for a spin.

Another kid you might know has a birthday coming up ... this weekend!

Parker will be 6 years old, and he's testing his boundaries. On Sunday, he decided he was not happy with us as parents, and he was leaving. He packed his Batman bucket with jammies, crayons and toys, and tucked a pillow under his arm. I followed him up the street for awhile before finally making him turn around and go back to the house. I'm still not sure how I feel about that episode. It was one part heartbreaking, one part funny - and one part scary. The very next night, he asked to be rocked - which I did, happily. I'll take any opportunity to cuddle this growing boy.

Of course, I took a picture. ...

We're doing our best to deal gently with the angst and remember what it's like to be 5 going on 18.

Nashville Flood 2010: Our View

2010-05-18T09:16:00.012-05:00

We knew on May 1 that we were in for a rainy weekend, but we had no idea that our neighborhood - and our city and surrounding counties - would be forever changed. The rain kept falling and falling and falling... In total, 13.57 inches of rain fell May 1 and 2, resulting in record floods affecting 52 counties, major Nashville landmarks (including the Grand Ole Opry and Schermerhorn Symphony Center), businesses and many, many homes. In our neighborhood 150 homes were flooded, and neighbors were rescuing each other in boats. Dozens of people have died throughout Middle Tennessee. It has taken me awhile to write about it because it's just so overwhelming. I've never before been this close to such devastation and need. Our home was high enough to avoid being flooded, but the waters invaded houses just 100 feet down the road. The worst we personally experienced was a 36-hour power outage, which was so, so, so minor. We were trapped in our neighborhood for a day and night with no electricity, which was a scary feeling. But we were all together, surrounded by generous neighbors, and we were able to drive out by Tuesday to get food, ice and water. That's when we realized the devastation was spread throughout the region. We soon grew accustomed to the sound of helicopters overhead and the grating grumble of generators, and the sight of Red Cross delivery trucks, police cruisers and fire trucks.

We have all pitched in to help our neighbors in any way we can - from ripping out drywall and soggy insulation to delivering hot coffee, cold drinks and lunches. We were just a teeny tiny part of the gigantic effort. I'm amazed at the speedy organizational efforts from our councilman, Bo Mitchell, his wife, Chastity (who live in Riverwalk) and others to help get donations of food, labor and lots of necessary information to folks. So many amazing volunteers and organizations have helped, including Hands On Nashville, Samaritan's Purse, United Way, Red Cross and others. I have a newfound appreciation for the generous, hardworking people who give so much to help others. And I'm talking about real, on-the-ground, sweaty, stinky, crawling-under-your-house kind of help.

Here are some images from our experiences over the past two weeks.

On May 1, we were enjoying the spring showers. Since we couldn't do much else, we played on the porch and splashed in the puddles.

The kids ran around in the rain. We even went to a "Celebrate May" party at our friends' house Saturday night, including a shrimp boil with all the trimmings. The rain kept coming, but we didn't really worry. Then my neighbor texted me a photo of our running trail by the river completely covered in water. We were a little concerned but never imagined it would get anywhere close to the homes.

We were so wrong. This is a photo taken Sunday, May 2. I still can't believe the water was so high.

This photo was taken via iPhone from across the street on a neighbor's lawn. I can't describe how far the river is from these homes ... trust me, it's unbelievable that it could get so high.

This is how the neighborhood looked by the end of that week. Volunteers set to work immediately helping homeowners empty their homes of soaked belongings along with drywall, insulation, hardwood floors and anything else they could remove before mold took over. While Jerod helped neighbors with the manual labor, Parker, Sawyer and I (and many, many others) took our little red wagon around with sandwiches, snacks, cold drinks and coffee for homeowners and workers.

The devastation was overwhelming ... and heartbreaking.

Our neighbors (Amanda, Ethan and Erin) joined us in making the rounds with coffee, water, Gatorade and muffins.
Here's Erin with homeowners near the pool - one of the areas we never imagined would flood. This lady was amazingly upbeat after a week of living in chaos.

We found this baby bird in our backyard. He was also a victim of the floods - probably washed from his nest. He couldn't fly, and his mother was hovering nearby. We left him alone so his mom would stick around. I hope he made it.

There are lots of great stories about the flood out there. Here are some links if you want to read more.

A USA Today story about Riverwalk in particular

A flood-relief magazine published by Journal Communications Inc. (a company I do freelance work for)

Martha Stewart wrote a blog post about Riverwalk. Her former assistant lives behind us.

Pennies & Prayers Parade

Out and About in Nashville

2010-04-29T08:46:00.003-05:00

A few weeks ago, my oldest sister, Patti, and my youngest niece, Leah, came to Nashville for a quick visit during Leah's spring break from college. We did stuff that I never do - mainly, shopping at a couple of relatively new spots in Nashville. First we relaxed at Casablanca Coffee, which is an ultra-hip spot in the Gulch. If you're visiting Nashville (or, like me, you live here and rarely travel beyond your own little enclave), you should really try to get over there. It's the first LEED-certified neighborhood in Nashville, and it's just a neat, walkable outdoor area with cool shops and restaurants. I rarely have a kid-free chance to get over there, so it was a treat to kick back with a bagel, coffee and some conversation before heading to Urban Outfitters. I learned that Leah is a strategic and systematic shopper; it was fascinating to watch her in action.
Then we headed over to the Hill Center in Green Hills, another cool, bustling outdoor shopping area. We spent some time in Anthropologie, a place that I love but stay away from for obvious reasons. Patti bought me a beautiful summer shirt that I can't wait to wear. (Thanks so much, Patti.)
We ate lunch outside at Provence Breads & Cafe and headed out to pick up Sawyer (his first day at mother's day out). We also played on a playground and attended Parker's kindergarten concert. It was such a treat to have family here for that milestone event.
Thanks, guys, for driving all the way here and spending your free time with us.

A Marathon Weekend

2010-04-25T22:48:00.005-05:00

It's been a marathon weekend for us, in more ways than one.

First, Parker ran in the Country Music Kids' Marathon Friday, which was so much fun. More than 4,000 kids took part, and he participated through his school. The kindergarten kids ran 1/2 mile. The idea is that the kids run or walk a total of 25 miles over two or three months on their own, and they run the final mile (or 1/2 mile) at the race, and they get to cross the actual marathon finish line. Very cool. Parker had a great time running with his friend Charlie, and the main thing (for me, at least) is that he learns to have fun through exercise. Jerod ran behind the boys so we wouldn't lose track of them.

On Saturday, I ran the Country Music Half Marathon (13.1 miles) with my friend/neighbor/running partner, Erin. We've been training for the past few months, and we made it through. You can read all the details (more than you ever wanted to know) by clicking here.

Also, our friends from our New Hampshire days (they live in Philly now) came down to take part in the half marathon, and we hung out with them throughout the weekend. More to come on that. They are such a great couple - so much fun - and I wish we could see them more often.

Today was a much-needed lazy, back-to-basics day filled with laundry, books, cartoons and hanging in the backyard.

DEEP BREATH.

EXHALE.

Thanks for checking in!

Exploring Warner Park Nature Center

2010-04-18T21:33:00.004-05:00

Last Friday, Sawyer and I headed to Warner Park Nature Center to check out the new play area and wade in the creek. Just the two of us.

The new natural play area includes a big dirt hill - perfect for climbing, digging and throwing dirt around. There's also a little kid-sized log cabin and a few other nature-y things.

Sawyer climbed the hill, but he mostly loved throwing dirt.

Then we checked out the creek by the nature center. It's perfect for wading.

We did some light hiking.

Sawyer threw lots of big rocks into the creek.

What a great way to spend the afternoon - just walking, wading and wandering around together at this great park. We'll be coming back here a lot this summer.

Saturday was busy with a pancake breakfast to benefit Parker's school (the teachers and principal served the food), followed by a tee ball game. Here are Parker and his friend Connor in the dugout before their turns at bat.

Sunday was packed full, too. I ran 11.5 miles, finished staining our fence, played with the boys and did the usual stuff around the house to get ready for Monday.

I hope you had a great weekend, too!

A Little Something for Me

2010-04-15T22:24:00.004-05:00

I mostly write about my kids on this blog, because that's really why I started it: to keep my scattered-across-the-country family and friends in the loop of our lives.
But I'm in the midst of doing something that's kind of for me. I'm running in the Country Music Half Marathon later this month, and it has been a fulfilling and character-building trip so far. If you have a moment, skip on over and check out my progress on my running blog.

I also wrote about my motivation for running on this blog started by my friend Sarah B. Gilliam. If you haven't seen her photography blog or her personal blog, then get on over there. You will be inspired.

I'm buying one of these Runner Girl magnets for me and my friend/running partner Erin as a little congratulatory present after we finish the race. Nine more days!

This one's just for fun.

Spring Into Summer?

2010-04-15T08:53:00.004-05:00

The high temp reached 80 degrees in Nashville yesterday (already!), so we broke out the sprinkler. It was still a little on the cold side.

Bigger Is Better

2010-04-13T22:49:00.006-05:00

I'm testing a new blog layout, so bear with me! Big photos make me happy, so I'm trying to figure it out.

Here's the view from my kitchen window on a recent spring afternoon. It makes washing dishes a little more bearable.

Just ignore the dirt on the windowsill.

Soaking Up Spring

2010-04-04T00:07:00.000-05:00

Spring is my favorite time of year, and we've been basking in these perfect days. Here's a rundown of some stuff we've been up to:

Tee ball is in full swing. Here's my view Parker's tee-ball practice when Sawyer comes along..

Sometimes he'll stay in one place and watch the big kids.

The tree in front of our house is amazing for just a week or so at the very beginning of spring.

Sawyer and I visited Parker's school this week to help with the spring egg hunt. It was a gorgeous day.

Then we went into the class and hung out with the kids during the party. The big kids are all so great with Sawyer.

Random photo: We're making some progress with the vegetables. Sawyer will eat corn if it's on the cob.

We've spent a LOT of time just hanging in the backyard - blowing bubbles, sifting sand, lying in the grass.

Parker and I painted spring pictures Friday while Sawyer napped.

My sister Susie and her boyfriend Terry sent a big box of gifts as a surprise: new jammies for Parker, bristle blocks for Sawyer, a gorgeous apron for me and a lavender sachet that has my whole living room smelling like spring. My family rocks.

Today we dyed eggs with our neighbor friends, Ethan and Amanda.

Parker didn't need that little wire egg holder. His hands were much more convenient.

Sawyer spent the day running around barefoot in the grass. We'll be doing plenty more of that.

"If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall." ~Nadine Stair

Chunk o' Love

2010-03-31T01:12:00.000-05:00

I'm just experiencing a little late-night nostalgia about how fast my kids are growing. Looking through some old photos, I came across my all-time favorite shot of Sawyer. He was about three months old here. A chunk o' love, proudly displayed by his big brother.

Just a little something to make you smile.

Spring = Tee Ball

2010-03-30T13:44:00.000-05:00

Parker had his first practice last Saturday, and we have another one tonight. The weather has been great so far, and it's been fun to sit in the grass in the sun and watch our little guys bat, throw and catch (or not). They're so little, so excited - and so easily distracted. It's hilarious to watch all the kids in the outfield digging little holes in the dirt.

Parker did a great job hitting the ball without the tee, and he can throw the ball from short-stop to first base, no problem. I know I'm biased, but he seems to have a knack for it. Baseball may not turn out to be his sport, but this learning phase - finding out what he likes, what he doesn't - is all part of the adventure. We're lucky to have two of Parker's good friends on the team (their moms are good friends of mine), which makes the whole experience even more entertaining.

Here's the coach giving Parker some pointers.

A solid hit!

Parker and Connor waiting to bat

Erica playing with her youngest son, Parker (not to be confused with my big Parker). Amy is in the foreground.

Erica with little Parker

Thinking of C.P.

2010-03-15T22:11:00.001-05:00

Last weekend, we traveled to Indianapolis to visit our dear family friend, C.P. Lester. He is my husband's best friend from DeWitt, Ark., and he is terminally ill in the hospital with stage four renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer). We just packed up and went, and I'm so grateful we did. We were able to visit him and talk with him in the ICU before he had to go on a ventilator.

I should say that he just learned about the cancer a couple weeks ago, and it came as a shock - especially because it was so advanced. It just puts things in perspective and makes you want to stop and embrace life. Cliche, I know, but so true.

C.P. goes way, way back in the Denton family. Jerod's mom was his theater teacher, and C.P. helped babysit my husband when he was growing up. He has been like an uncle to my boys. He is my most loyal blog reader, a champion of all things having to do with my children. He always remembers birthdays and holidays - little things that mean so much. He has spent week-long beach vacations with us for the past seven years, and - well, he has just been there. He has a grumpy demeanor and a most generous heart.

We didn't take the kids to the hospital to see him. I'm at peace with that decision, although I was unsure at the time. I just know that I want Parker to remember happy times with C.P. - not a hospital bed and tubes.

My thoughts are with C.P. now, and I'm just so glad we did the inconvenient thing - the right thing - by loading up the kids and the car and driving on up there. I wish we could do more.

We love you, Ceepers. Please stay strong and keep fighting.

Garage of Shame (or, How I Spent My Birthday)

2010-03-03T09:25:00.000-06:00

Today is my 39th birthday, and how did I spend it? Cleaning out the Garage of Shame.

Don't get me wrong. I chose to do this. I've been meaning to clean this thing out for five years, and I finally had the chance. It turned out to be a strangely appropriate way to spend the day. As I sifted through the many boxes stacked along the back wall, it was like going through layers of my life.

I found my diary from sixth grade. My old basketball photos and trophies. Photographs of my high school friends, then college. Sketches from my college art classes, which are surprisingly good. (I started out with a minor in art before deciding it was too impractical. So now I write for a living.)

The photos slowed me down, and there was no way I could throw a single one away. Photos of spring break ski trips. Jerod's trip to Amsterdam. Our New Hampshire years and all the backpacking.

Here are a couple of my favorites. This was so typical of our weekends in New Hampshire. Jerod and I just took off into the mountains and camped. That was about 10 years ago, I think - we were probably 27 or 28 years old. Here he is staring into the fire...

And here are our friends Jason and Trish, somewhere on top of a mountain in Vermont. We hung out together a lot - backpacking, hiking, going out to dinner. Trish was also one of my running buddies, although she kicked my butt every time. Those were great years. Trish and Jason are still up there, hiking and skiing and snowboarding - now with their two athletic kids.

Back in the garage, I also found a ton of my old newspaper clips, along with some thank-you notes from people I had written about. Those mementos brought back worlds of memories.

So you see, it was fitting to take a little trip back in time on this day, the beginning of the last year of my thirties. It reminded me of some important things we used to do for fun, and it led to a decision: This is the summer for camping with the boys. As crazy as that sounds, I think it is time.

Here are some other things we've been up to:

Play-Doh with the neighbors on a spring-like day

This is what my living room looks like lately.

Here's Miss Angie giving Parker a haircut. (That's me in the background with my iPhone).

A trip to the zoo yesterday...

Sawyer fed a donkey at the petting zoo...

And here's a shot from a week or so ago, before the snow melted. Our friend Mathias came to play, and Parker and Mathias practiced slaying dragons in the bushes.

P.S. I did make progress on the garage. It's now only kind of shameful. I'll post the after pics as soon as we organize a little more.

Also, Jerod came home early bearing a birthday dinner and a gift certificate for some new running shoes. Which reminds me that I'm meeting my neighbor/running buddy at 5:15 a.m., and I'm up way too late.

Thanks for reading. Good night!

One kid is a Metallica fan ...

2010-02-28T14:25:00.000-06:00

the other, not so much.

Coffee With Rose and Will

2010-02-11T21:49:00.000-06:00

When I worked at The Tennessean, heading downstairs for morning coffee at Moe's was an essential part of the day. Rose would usually go with me (and sometimes other members of our intrepid DAM team). It was a time to plan and vent, share ideas and strategies. OK, mostly to vent ... but they were good times and great people.

Today I met Rose for coffee at the bustling Frothy Monkey, and she brought along her adorable baby boy, Will. Such a little nugget! He was a trouper and so handsome in his tiny REI vest. It was a treat to spend some unhurried time just catching up and admiring the little guy. Let's do it again very soon, and I'll bring Sawyer along.

Will was a sleepy boy at this point. He was bundled up and ready to go home for a nap. Does he look like Brad or what?

Snow Redux

2010-02-09T22:56:00.000-06:00

When snow comes to Nashville, you have to make the most of it - even if you're over it. Today's snow was beautiful to watch and just deep enough to eke out a snowman.

Actually, a snow cat.

Which turned into a snow bunny.

Sawyer sampled a little...

Later, Parker piled pillows and blankets in the bathtub, where the kids "hibernated" for awhile. Not a bad idea.

SNOWapalooza 2010

2010-02-03T21:03:00.000-06:00

Last weekend was a truly great one in Nashville, with 4 inches of snow - enough for five days of sledding, snowman-making, snowball-fighting, hot chocolate-drinking and friend-gathering. This is how winter should be! We were finally able to use the sled we bought three years ago, and we headed to the hill near our neighborhood pool for some serious sledding.

To top it off, Parker and Jerod both made the Tennessean. Parker was so excited! Here's the photo of Jerod sledding with our neighbor Tim. (Tennessean photo by George Walker IV).

The rest of the photos are mine ....

Here's Sawyer, who is now addicted to sledding.

Here's me and Sawyer heading down the entrance to the trail. (Jerod took this pic.)

Parker and Jerod did some night sledding in front of our house.

Tim and Erin. We headed to their house after one sledding session for some hot chocolate spiked with Bailey's and Kahlua. Ahhhhhh.

Parker and Ethan heading down the slope.

Parker and Mathias heading up the hill for another run.

A full morning of sledding called for some bloody Marys. Hot chocolate for the kids.

Parker and Sawyer

Mathias and Heather came over before the snow melted on Tuesday, and the timing was perfect for making a snowman.

Sawyer helped, too.

And I have to say that Parker may have met someone who loves Batman as much as he does. After making the snowman, Parker and Mathias played Batman and Two-Face - a great excuse for a snowball fight. Here's Mathias in full Batman gear.

We loved every minute of the snow ... and now we're ready for spring.

A Tribute to Two

2010-01-25T09:37:00.001-06:00

Before I get into the particulars of Sawyer's birthday, let me reminisce a little.

Warning: This might be TMI for some folks. So if you aren't up for some sappy sentiment or are uncomfortable with pregnant talk, feel free to move on.

Here's the thing. Not all pregnancies end happily. But you don't really think about that until it happens to you.

My pregnancy with Parker was easy as pregnancies go. No complications, no worries. He came along as a happy surprise, first discovered when he was a good eight weeks on the way.

Then came two miscarriages in 2006. Such a sad year - a frustrating year that prompted our friends to bring this cake to our New Year's Eve party. (Don't look, mom.) I needed a good laugh after all the tears.

On the advice of friends and my doctor, we went to the Nashville Fertility Center. We NEVER expected to find ourselves here, let me tell you. But we discovered the problem, and it made all the difference in the world. A thorough round of blood work showed that my body was viewing those little babies as foreign objects to destroy. So the next time around, I had to give myself a shot in the stomach of Lovenox (blood thinner) every single day for the entire pregnancy, along with hormones, baby aspirin (also a blood thinner), and some very close monitoring - once-a-week doctor visits and many, many ultrasounds.

The result: Sawyer, our beautiful baby boy. Worth every needle and all those months of nausea, a million times over.

Today he is a stout little toddler, opinionated and sweet, with a love of dogs, balls, Elmo, bugs, water play, books and the outdoors. A picky eater, he won't touch a vegetable (except to drop it in the floor) but loves any kind of fruit. He does not talk much, although he understands. We're keeping an eye on the late-talking situation, but our doctor thinks it's too soon to worry, since he is so social, playful and communicative in other ways. After our nightly stories, Sawyer insists on sleeping with a stack of books, and the stack changes each night. He likes to pelt us with Cheerios from his car seat while we drive, which is maddening and hilarious at the same time. He is quiet, cautious in new situations, and a little comedian at home.

His second birthday was a small family celebration, and Sawyer's Nonnie and cousin Drew drove six hours from Arkansas to be here for the festivities. His Uncle C.P., Grandma and Grandpa Tucker would have been here, too, if they were able. Thank you all so much for the cards and gifts. We used the money to buy a family membership to the zoo, since Sawyer is our resident animal lover, and we figure it's a gift that we'll use it many, many times all year long.

Happy second birthday to you, Sawyer. We are so happy you're here. It's an honor to be your mom.

Here are a few pictures from the birthday weekend (week before last - I'm a little late posting these). Thanks to Nonnie and Drew for an on-the-go weekend full of food, conversation, shopping and just hanging out.

A heated game of Operation. Yeah, we know how to party.

Nonnie and Drew with Sawyer ...

Parker got some attention, too...

Sawyer giving Drew "bones" as they headed out.

And here's a look at baby Sawyer, just minutes after he was born.

Longing for the Beach

2010-01-12T17:06:00.000-06:00

Each summer we spend a heavenly week on the seashore at Dauphin Island, Alabama. Around this time of year, when the sky is gray and the temps dip below freezing, I start to long for those schedule-less hours lounging at the beach. I just booked our trip for this year, and I already can't wait. If you have a moment and are also craving warmer days, check out some scenes below from our 2009 trip.

Click here to view this photo book larger

This Pretty Much Sums Up the Past Few Days

2010-01-10T08:32:00.001-06:00

I'm done with "snow" days. We have to get out of the house.

Barefoot in the Backseat

2010-01-06T23:41:00.000-06:00

Every time we get in the car, Sawyer takes off his shoes and socks. He thinks it's funny.

ICE Was Nice

2010-01-04T21:46:00.000-06:00

Our neighbor gave us free tickets to ICE at Opryland (Charlie Brown sculptures all made of ice), so we all went on New Year's Day - and it was a great experience, really magical and amazing. BUT free tickets is the only way we'll ever be going to this show, because it would normally cost close to $75 for all of us. We went down the ice slide, marveled at our frosty breath and wandered through the rooms until our toes started freezing. Then we moved quickly through the gift shop, bypassed the $3.50 hot chocolate and headed out into the balmy 27-degree parking lot.

Said Parker: "Mom, I didn't know it was going to be this awesome!" And it was.

Thanks to our neighbor Tami (and her daughter, who works as Snoopy at ICE) for thinking of us.

Going through the ice tunnel...

And here are a few random photos from our holiday (because you know I have tons) ...

Here's Parker cleaning up after taking down the tree. How long can I convince him that vacuuming is fun?

Sawyer in the Learning Tower, a cool loan from my friend Heather. He likes to play in the water and "wash" dishes. The cleanup is worth the time he spends focused and contained.

Parker did a little rock climbing at Opry Mills one day before Christmas. He made it to the top and rang the bell - and loved it. I see some Climb Nashville in our future.

And now, back to the grind ... I mean, now let's get this New Year started! Parker starts back to school tomorrow, and I'm off to pack his lunch. Good night.

Our New Year's Eve

2010-01-02T08:03:00.000-06:00

We rang in the New Year with our friends and neighbors, Tim and Erin, and their great kids. Our children love their children, which is always a big help for the grownups. We were all dragging a little, but we did make it to midnight with the help of peach cosmos, Guesstures and some really good food. Erin brought a baked goat cheese-artichoke dip that we couldn't stop eating (I need that recipe), Jerod made potato-leek soup, and we had Erin's chocolate lava cakes (warm, buttery goodness fresh from the oven) with Haagen-Dazs for dessert. The kids all stayed up until midnight (except Sawyer, who played with Amanda until 8:30), and they even played a round of Guesstures with us before we watched the ball drop. We toasted the new year with champagne - and sparkling grape juice for the little guys. It was the first time we've had the kids with us at midnight, and there was something really nice about that.

Here are a few photos. ....

Amanda and Sawyer...

Me, Erin, Tim and Amanda

Me and Jerod...
Midnight toast (grape juice for the kids)
Ethan and Parker...

Mmmm.. chocolate lava cakes...

And so we said goodbye to 2009. For 2010? We'll see. Many changes are on the horizon, and we'll try to take them in stride.

If you have lots of time on your hands and want to check out the highlights of our year, check out our 2009 photo book here.

Happy New Year!

Christmas Catch-Up

2010-01-01T22:20:00.000-06:00

Here's a quick photo recap of our Christmas holiday - even though it's been over for more than a week. One of my New Year's resolutions is to be a more consistent blogger - you know, the important stuff. :)

I never thought we'd have inflatables in our yard, but our neighbor gave us a Santa and a penguin. The kids loved it, and I kind of got attached to them ...

We had friends over to decorate gingerbread cookies (but the kids spent most of the time drawing and coloring in the Barbie and Batman books they gave each other as gifts).
Here's the scene set for Santa (complete with cookies and milk).
On Christmas morning, Sawyer knew exactly what to do...
Grandma and Grandpa came over from the hotel really early (by 7 a.m.) to open presents with us. They're good sports!
Grandpa drawing with Sawyer ...
The dragon castle was a big hit ...
Mom made my favorite - coconut cream pie ... soooo good.
Sawyer and me ... You really can't keep these guys inside too long. We headed out a lot despite the cold.
Still reading this? Longer post than I thought...

The past two weeks have been filled with play dates, long walks, movies, food, friends and family - some much, much needed down time. We hope your holiday was full of some restful down time, too. Thanks for checking in! Next up, New Year's Eve photos from our little celebration.

Kicking Off the Season

2009-12-02T23:11:00.000-06:00

Our Thanksgiving was a small event - just the four of us. Parker and I were sick, sick, sick, so we spent much of the day unconscious on the couch or on the bathroom floor, curled around the toilet. So we were thankful for the comforts of home, being together - and (oh very thankful) that we weren't sick and traveling. Jerod cooked a pared-down dinner all by himself (which he likes and does anyway, by the way). We felt good enough to eat by late afternoon, so we were able to celebrate a little.

By Saturday, we were feeling much better and ready to get OUT of the house. So we headed to Country Cove Christmas Tree Farm. This is at least our third year coming to this place, and we love it. Give it a try if you've never been there. Free cider and hot chocolate, hayrides, Santa, a little gift shop, and some of the nicest kids to help you with your tree. If you don't find one you like in the field, they have plenty of big, fluffy pre-cut trees you can buy.

It was a beautiful day - mid-60s. No snow in sight.

Parker gave Santa a long and detailed account of a certain toy he wants for Christmas.

Sawyer noticed the similarity in suits ...

Later, we decorated.

How We Spend Our Saturday Mornings

2009-11-22T16:57:00.000-06:00

Almost every Saturday morning since September, we've headed to the Centennial Sportsplex for Parker's group ice skating lesson. The first half-hour is a lesson, and the second half-hour is a free skate, when parents can join in. I love this place. It's somewhere we wouldn't normally think of going, and it's great exercise for the wintertime. The Sportsplex is a hub of activity, with hockey leagues practicing and playing on one rink, and lessons taking place with kids of all ages on the other. Parker's friend Connor is taking lessons, too, which makes it even better.
This might turn into hockey someday, or maybe just something fun he likes to do. Right now, it gives us an active way to spend the morning together no matter what the weather is like.

Here's Parker (left) and Connor with the teacher.

Sawyer checking out the hockey practice ...

Erica (Connor's mom) skating with Connor...
Jerod and Sawyer ...
Parker likes to return his skates by himself...
Waving to the Zamboni driver ...

Halloween Catch-Up

2009-11-14T07:47:00.000-06:00

OK, Uncle C.P. ... you asked, and I deliver! Here are some pictures from Halloween. (Deep breath ...) Here goes:

We started with the fall festival at Parker's school. This was Parker's third year in a row to be Batman. But this time he had muscles. Very important difference. Here's Parker with his friend Jasmine. She was (you guessed it) Hannah Montana. :)

We had a spaghetti supper after the games. Here's Parker with his friend Sophia, who was trying on his mask.

It's Rapunzel. Wait! No, that's Parker's teacher, Mrs. Newbill. She is awesome.

We went trick-or-treating with Cameron (Little Mermaid) - as we have for years! A very fun tradition. These guys are such good friends.

A little pre-trick-or-treating weenie roast with our friends Scott and Stasia (Cameron's mom and dad).

Sawyer was Superman, mostly because he wouldn't wear a costume with any sort of hat or headpiece. And it worked with the whole superhero theme.

The crew. The guys went, too, along with Cameron's grandma.

Sawyer jumped right in like a pro. I'm sure he was wondering, "What the heck is going on? But hey, people are giving me candy. I'm in!"

Someone gave out these glow-in-the-dark teeth. They were Parker's favorite treat of the night.

Up next, photos from our trip to Arkansas last month... Stay tuned.

60 Years and Counting

2009-10-27T21:21:00.000-05:00

Sixty years ago today, two crazy-in-love teenagers were married – against their parents' wishes. Just 16 and 18 years old, LeRoy and Patsy Tucker got hitched on a horse-drawn buggy by a preacher in a small Arkansas town. They picked cotton on their honeymoon and spent many years with just about nothing except each other. My Dad eventually joined the U.S. Marines, and my oldest sister Patti was born. Susie was born just over a year later – and about 16 years after that I came along as a big surprise to everyone.

My parents have experienced a lot – the Great Depression, poverty, stressful jobs, big moves across the country, raising children, deaths in the family ... all kinds of good and bad things that just happen through the years. They've seen their world change dramatically in ways I can't imagine. And through it all, they've stuck together.

Here's to you, Mom and Dad. Happy 60th.

A Boneshaker and Bongo Drums

2009-10-20T21:57:00.000-05:00

I took the boys to Centennial Park recently, and we saw this man riding a weird contraption around the park (maybe you've seen him?). We eventually struck up a conversation, and he told us all about it. Parker even got to try it out. It's called a Boneshaker (also a Hiwheel bike) first built in the mid-1800s. It's called a Boneshaker because there are no shocks, and it would rattle people's bones when they rode on dirt roads. Cool, huh?

Then we fed the ducks...

And just ran around...

Another Centennial Park adventure: Earlier this month, Jerod took Parker to the city's Celebration of Cultures at Centennial, and they came home with bongo drums.

I'm all for open green spaces and plenty of parks.

Random Moments

2009-10-01T10:42:00.000-05:00

Here's a little moment that turned out to be one of my best memories from the past week. The kids were up by 6:15 Sunday morning - the first really chilly morning after the swampy, buggy weather of last week - and the neighborhood was cloaked in fog. We ventured onto the porch for a quick look, but Parker and Sawyer didn't want to come back in. So we all headed down to the trail (bleary-eyed, hair sticking up, teeth unbrushed) to experience the cool, misty morning. Cobwebs, heavy and white with dewdrops, could be seen everywhere, and the woods were quiet. We ended up walking for more than an hour.

Asters, transplanted from my late grandmother's garden, are in full bloom for the first time this year.

Art in the buff...

A new nighttime ritual - looking for bats in the sky at dusk ...

Parker drew a special picture for our neighbor, Amanda (an older woman of 12). He was so excited to give it to her. Here he is waiting by the fence.

And here's Amanda accepting the drawing so sweetly.

Lying Low

2009-09-19T07:59:00.000-05:00

It's been a sickly kind of week in the Denton household. Parker has had the flu since last Sunday. Fever went away Wednesday, and he went back to school yesterday - only to run a fever again last night. So we are lying low this weekend, skipping Parker's ice-skating lesson and a birthday party at the zoo.

Parker stayed home with me all week, and we worked together in the bed - me on my laptop, him drawing pictures and watching cartoons. It was actually nice and kind of cozy, hanging out together as the rain drizzled outside.

We decided to send some of his drawings to family members, and - taking a cue from my homeschooling friends - he learned how to address envelopes. The stamp had the Liberty Bell on it, which led to a mini-lesson about the Liberty Bell - where it is, why it is cracked, why it's called the Liberty Bell. (Mom and Dad, Uncle C.P., Nonnie - your drawings are in the mail!)

I only wish Sawyer could have stayed home, too. (Work schedule is unrelenting these days but should slow down soon.) Sawyer is not sick at the moment, and I'm hoping, hoping this passes him by. I've been Lysol-ing like crazy.

A Sawyer update: He knows his colors! He won't really say them, but he can point to them. He is crazy about books, and his favorite is Good Night, Gorilla. But he also loves Happy Baby Colors and many others. He's very particular and likes to read new books every night. (Except Good Night, Gorilla, which is pretty much a mainstay.) This sweet munchkin is a bit of a hellion these days (early terrible twos??) He says "no" a lot and has started hitting when things don't go his way. But he's also so sweet and affectionate, doling out kisses to us, his big brother, his stuffed animals - and his books.

Meet My Office Mates

2009-09-10T12:28:00.000-05:00

Don't get me wrong; working from home is a wonderful thing. But it can get a little lonely. And there are so many distractions. Dirty dishes, rumpled beds, crumbs on the floor, dinner to be made, piles of laundry waiting to be washed and folded ... they all beckon. A half-hour here, a few minutes there, and it's time to pick up the little ones - but the work still has to be done, so you're up 'til midnight after the kids go to bed.

Solution: Spend a lot of time at my friend Stasia's house, which is just a few minutes from Parker's school. She works from home, too, so we can keep each other company between e-mails and phone conferences. The sweet dogs, Missy and Jasmine, snore and scuffle at our feet. There's camaraderie, fresh coffee, wireless Internet, my own desk - and a really cool treadmill setup if I ever have a free minute to use it. It's like going to the office without actually going to the office.

So thanks to my friend for being so generous.

Here are Stasia and the girls, Missy and Jasmine, in Stasia's lovely home office ...

Our Weekend: A Mixed Bag

2009-09-08T20:58:00.000-05:00

One thing I like about blogging is that it helps put things in perspective. I needed that this weekend, although it started out great.

We headed to the home of our friends Amy and Ted on Saturday to hang out - but mostly so Amy and I could hide away and watch Twilight while the guys watched the kids. But before we started, this amazing milestone happened... No training wheels! Parker saw Brayden do it, so he had to try. Sometimes peer pressure can be a good thing.

The kids played and took a break for popsicles...

Sawyer found a friend ...

Amy made some awesome Sangria (she gave me the recipe - will post later) and we slipped away to watch the movie ...

Then we all headed to the Corner Pub for dinner ... after 7 p.m.! Amazingly, there were no meltdowns...

One reason I love that restaurant - they have a place for kids to run around and throw beanbags.

The next morning, we decided to take the kids shopping - and that was a BAD IDEA. Now I remember why we don't take the kids on extended shopping trips. Sawyer and I had to leave a restaurant and sit in the car. We were that family. **Sigh**

So we regrouped on Monday and made it a don't-leave-the-house-play-in-the-backyard-no-stress day. Everyone was much happier.

Hope your holiday weekend was a great one!

Mystery Solved

2009-09-06T21:21:00.000-05:00

I was wondering what happened to all the tomatoes...

Weekend in Review

2009-08-30T21:42:00.000-05:00

As much as I hate to see summer go, I love these fall-ish days. Leaves are starting to fall already...
It was a friend-filled weekend. We celebrated our neighbor Tami's 50th birthday. Here she is trying to find the pinata ...

Parker wore his new bobby hat to the party (and the grocery store, and Home Depot ...). Jerod bought it for him at Performace Studios downtown. Here he is at the party, practicing the Hula Hoop for some partygoers ...

Then we sat around the fire pit in our backyard with our other neighbors, Tim and Erin, and their kids. There's just something about a fire ...

Here's Erin with a glass of wine ... we stayed up waaayyy too late.

We headed to the trail Sunday afternoon, and Parker found a snakeskin ...

Jerod skated, Parker biked, and Sawyer and I walked ...

Then it was the usual routine - showers, dinner, bedtime ... getting ready for the week.

Hope you had a great weekend!

Chickens in the City

2009-08-28T07:27:00.000-05:00

My friend Stasia has become a little bit famous around here as the chicken debate has escalated in Nashville. She keeps chickens in the backyard of her Westmeade home, and she - along with other urban chicken keepers - recently found out that the flocks are banned in Metro. Stasia doesn't have any pesky roosters, she keeps the coop clean - and her 5-year-old daughter gets to gather the eggs, eat the eggs and learn all kinds of great lessons about the cycle of life.

Yesterday, Sky Arnold with FOX 17 News showed up at Stasia's house out of the blue to get some chicken footage. I happened to be there and got some shots of the impromptu interview. She's also been featured in a Tennessean story.

Last night the Metro Planning Commission approved a bill that would allow folks like Stasia to keep chickens, with just a few, um, rules of the roost. Now it heads to a second vote at Metro Council.

A few quiet chickens shouldn't ruffle any feathers. Go chickens!

Here's a pic of Stasia on camera:

First Day of Kindergarten

2009-08-14T09:52:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it's here already - the end of summer, the beginning of a new era. Parker told Jerod last night that he didn't want to go to kindergarten because it means he is growing up, and that he and his Dad can't be buddies anymore, and now he has to buy his own house and he won't get to live with us anymore. (!!!?!!)

So funny and sad, too. I don't know where he came up with those ideas, but Jerod put his fears to rest and said he can live with us as long as he wants to (a promise he may regret someday ... haha).

But we had a great morning - on time and everything. The whole family went to make sure he was settled, and I think all will be fine.

Does this look like a boy who's nervous?

Me and Parker ...
Walking up to school with Daddy ...
Peeking into the library...
Posing with the school mascot ...
Parker with his new teacher ...
A goodbye kiss from Dad (Sawyer in stroller) ...
Making letters out of Play-Doh ...

I'll get a full report in about an hour. More to come!

Never Forget Your Summertimes, My Dears

2009-07-28T21:37:00.000-05:00

Parker and I are reading Stuart Little at bedtime, and tonight I came across a passage that sums up how I'm feeling these days.

"Summertime is important. It's like a shaft of sunlight," replied Stuart, quietly.
"Or a note in music," said Elizabeth Acheson.
"Or the way the back of a baby's neck smells if its mother keeps it tidy," said Marilyn Roberts.
Stuart sighed.
"Never forget your summertimes, my dears," he said.

Parker starts kindergarten in two weeks. I'm holding on to the summertime.

Beachside

2009-07-28T00:07:00.000-05:00

We spent all last week on beach time, listening to the waves and basking in a schedule-less existence.

Stay tuned for more photos ...

Our First Tee Ball Season

2009-07-08T14:07:00.000-05:00

Tee ball, that rite of passage, has been a fun new adventure for us this summer. Parker really enjoyed the (very hot) practices, and he learned some things. He also spent some time drawing pictures in the dirt with his bat, wandering around in the outfield and - once during the final "game" - chasing the runner around the bases with the ball. They all received medals last week after the last practice. Lots of fun and no pressure. Like sports at this age should be.

Parker is the one in the red hat below, and in the black and yellow hat in the other pics.
Sawyer hung out with us on the sidelines, although he made a beeline for the infield a couple times ...

Our Fourth of July Weekend in 10 Photos

2009-07-06T22:03:00.000-05:00

Friday night we did the sparkler thing with our favorite neighbors (Amanda shown here) ...

We joined in the neighborhood children's parade Saturday morning ...
The parade ended at the pool, so we swam and stayed for the cookout (keg beer at noon? yes, please) ...

We made the trek downtown for the fireworks Saturday afternoon ...

But we didn't bring umbrellas ...

Thankfully, we planned to watch the display from our friends' condo on the riverfront - a perfect view. (Thanks, Kim and Betsy.) We arrived way early - and just before the downpour began - so we stayed warm and dry, watching Scooby Doo while we waited for a break in the rain ...

We ate at a nearby Mexican restaurant (complete chaos), and got back just in time to watch the fireworks, which started early because of the weather. The show was amazing...
The kids loved it ... and we got completely drenched walking back to the car...

The next morning we headed back to the trail ...

Then we rented some classic Scooby Doo (inspired by the night before) and took it easy.

Hope your weekend was a great one!

You Gotta Love Sparklers

2009-07-03T23:49:00.000-05:00

Remember playing with sparklers on the Fourth of July at dusk when you were a kid? I have great memories of those days - humid summer evenings, fireflies, sparklers, sweet tea. It's fun to see our kids making some great memories, too. Last night we had an impromptu pre-Fourth celebration with our neighbors. Here are some shots of Parker, Ethan and Amanda experimenting with sparklers. Also a shot of our "fountain" firework called Keg Party, which was actually pretty spectacular for 8 bucks.

Haircuts

2009-07-01T22:16:00.000-05:00

So I finally booked haircuts for the boys. And while I love, love, love the gossamer blond curls that spring up on Sawyer's head on the most humid days ...

This is more the norm ...

So, after a very successful trip to Miss Angie (the lollipop helped a lot), Sawyer sports this look ...

Then it was Parker's turn ...

And ... wala!

Easy Like Sunday Morning

2009-06-29T08:30:00.000-05:00

Jerod bought some Rollerblades a couple weeks ago, and he's been getting up at 5:30 a.m. to practice. Yesterday we all went to the trail together in the morning to get some exercise - and to see Jerod on his skates for the first time. He did an awesome job - even making it down a pretty steep hill several times with no spills. Parker practiced his biking, and Sawyer hung out in the jogger and did some walking on the trail. I pushed the jogger but didn't run much because of my bum toe. It wasn't too hot on the shady parts of the trail, and it was a great way to spend a laid-back Sunday morning.

Weekend Water Play

2009-06-28T21:20:00.000-05:00

We have had so much fun this weekend in the sprinkler. Sometimes it's just too hot to go to the pool, so we set up the sprinkler in our shady backyard and turn the boys loose. Easy, free - and when it's naptime, we just head inside. Sawyer especially loves playing in the sprinkler. Here are some shots from our weekend water play.

A Father's Day Note

2009-06-22T23:32:00.000-05:00

A belated Father's Day note ... to Jerod, who works so hard for us.

Remember when Parker was this little...

And then Sawyer, so tiny ...

And now, so big...

Thank you for all you do, and for working so hard to make each fleeting moment count. Happy Father's Day. We all love you so much!

Yogurt Berry Bran Muffins

2009-06-18T12:30:00.000-05:00

For many reasons, we've really been trying to find ways to eat more healthfully lately. We joined the CSA, and I've been trying to make food from scratch when possible instead of buying processed foods. We only buy whole grain bread now, and we keep lots of fruit around for snacking. I found this easy muffin recipe online, and they make a great snack or breakfast. I like to take them to the pool, since they're easy to eat on the go. Sawyer really loves them; Parker is ... getting used to them.

Yogurt Berry Bran Muffins

Prep time: 10 minutes
Start to finish: 30 minutes
Makes: 12 muffins

Ingredients:
1 cup Fiber One original bran cereal
2 egg whites or 1 egg, slightly beaten
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 containers (6 oz. each) vanilla yogurt (or any other flavor)
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1-1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cups fresh raspberries or blueberries

Directions:
Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Place paper baking cup in each of 12 regular-size muffin cups, or grease bottom of each muffin cup with shortening. Place cereal in resealable food-storage plastic bag; seal bag and crush with rolling pin (or crush in food processor).
In medium bowl, stir together egg whites, oil and yogurt. Add cereal, flour, brown sugar, baking soda and salt; stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. Gently stir in berries. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups.
Bake 18 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately remove from pan.

Weekend in Alabama

2009-06-17T09:32:00.000-05:00

About a week ago, we spent the weekend in Alabama visiting Jerod's Aunt Janice and Uncle Jimmy. They were celebrating 50 years of marriage - a huge accomplishment, and definitely worth a big family gathering. It was not a smooth trip for us, though. I dislocated my toe (tripped over a suitcase), and Sawyer woke several times during the night crying - not sure where he was, and also getting a cold. I finally connected to streaming white noise online (what did we do without Wi-Fi?), and we all got a few hours of sleep. Parker spent the night for the first time ever with his Nonnie in her room, and he did great. They had a blast sneaking around the hotel pretending to be secret agents. When we got home, Sawyer spiked a fever and threw up. Poor little guy. It seems to happen almost every time we travel.

Oh, my toe? I took some Advil, drank a beer, and Jerod popped it back in place. Yeouch.

Nonnie and Sawyer

My crooked toe (next to big toe, if you can't tell)

Nonnie and Parker

Sawyer at the cookout

Me and Sawyer (Shawn, Jerod's brother, in the background)

On the tractor

With Great-Aunt Janice

Parker on the trampoline

Look Out, Michael Phelps

2009-06-16T09:11:00.000-05:00

Parker recently completed his first round of swimming lessons at Vanderbilt Swim School, and it was so worth it. Last year would have been too early, I think, but this year the timing was right. He was so enthusiastic and not a bit afraid of the water. He was actually a little too brave, and the instructors had to keep telling him to stay on the steps while he was waiting his turn. By the end of the class (40 minutes every day for two weeks), he could swim under water, come up for air, and go back under again, swimming with "spoon hands." He got a T-shirt and a certificate, and he's movin' on up to the Advanced Beginner class next time. We're going to wait until next year, since we're going to the pool several days a week. I think he'll get plenty of practice.

What did Sawyer do while Parker was swimming?
He spent lots of time climbing around the vents, which blew warm air Marilyn Monroe-style.

Mama Monday

2009-06-15T23:20:00.000-05:00

Photo by Sarah B. Gilliam Photography

So my friend Julie is starting a Mama Monday post, in which moms - who are all about pictures of our kids and everyone else except ourselves - actually post a picture of themselves each week. I really can't stand pictures of me, but I'm sure someday my kids will want to see some. I'm rarely in pictures, because I'm usually the one taking them. I think it's worth a shot - and a good exercise in getting over whatever fears I have of looking at myself in pictures. Here's an excerpt from Julie's post:

"So - I am going to suggest a weekly meme: Mama Mondays. Post a picture of YOURSELF each Monday. (You can take the picture over the weekend when you’re dressed up for a date or church if you’d like but get out from behind the camera.) I bet your kids will love having those shots of you and it would be nice to see a face to go with all the things that get written from mama’s perspective."

Well, I just barely made in on Monday (only 30 minutes till Tuesday). But here it is!

Next time ... a self-portrait? Give Parker the camera? Maybe I'll get creative...

Say Hello To My Anniversary Present

2009-06-15T22:53:00.000-05:00

I am in heaven. I've been obsessed with getting a digital SLR for awhile now, because I am so tired of my point-and-shoot shots being out of focus. I have missed so many great moments because of the shutter delay and because the camera always wants to focus on whatever's in the background. So Jerod went out and bought the Canon Rebel XS, which I've been wanting for months and months. It's perfect for amateur shots, giving me some creative control and - finally! - a real-time shutter click and better focusing. I came home one day, and it was on the counter. Just sitting there.

Thank you, Jerod! I don't need things to celebrate our 13 years together, but I sure do like this camera. :)

What We've Been Up To...

2009-06-09T22:08:00.000-05:00

Our summer is off to a busy, busy start. I have no time to update in-depth now, but soon I'll post pics from Parker's swim school (two weeks of class and he's swimming on his own under water!), our weekend in Alabama, an early anniversary surprise, and some wonderful pictures of Sawyer, who has turned into a little boy before our eyes. Did I mention that he has officially moved up into the toddler room at preschool? More on that later. Here are a few pics from recent days.

Birthday Boy!

2009-06-02T06:04:00.000-05:00

Here are a few photos from Parker's birthday party on Saturday. It was risky to plan a pool party at the end of May, but we were soooo lucky. The day was hot, with no clouds in sight. Whew!! The kids had a blast, and we had a great turnout. It was a little crazy with so many people, but Erica made sure we got some pictures. So much fun. And I'm in some denial about how old this boy is getting. Five?? Wow. Happy 5th birthday, Parker. We love you!

Photo Shoot Results!

2009-05-27T22:49:00.000-05:00

Wow! Here are some photos (these are just a few of my favorites) from our photo shoot by Sarah B. Gilliam at Smarty Pants recently. I love them, even though I can tell that Sawyer was not feeling well that day (not a single smile the whole time ... aaah, well). I posted earlier about the bad morning we had, but what can you do? I am so glad we went, and I really want to do it again soon. (I really can't resist good photography...) This is going to be regular thing at Smarty Pants. The next ones are June 13 and 14. Check out Sarah's blog or the Smarty Pants site for details. I'll post a few more pics soon. I just love these. I told Parker that next time, I will let him wear anything he wants. He asked if he could wear his Batman costume.

I said absolutely.

Medieval Madness

2009-05-24T21:46:00.000-05:00

We headed to the Tennessee Renaissance Festival today in Arrington. It was our first time ... and what a blast. Seriously. We thought it might be fun, but we didn't expect to have that much fun. It was like a big costume party in the woods ... with beer. People were really light-spirited and friendly to the kids. Parker wore his batman cape and knee pads and elbow pads (armor), and people bowed to him and called him a knight - much to his delight. Overcast skies made it a not-too-hot day, and we met up with our neighbors, the Moores - even better. Lots of silliness and fun things to see.

A wench juggling for Parker

Ethan, Amanda and Parker watching the jousting competition

Sawyer was such a trouper, and he seemed to love watching all the craziness

Parker wielding his new sword and shield

Erin getting konked on the head by the big scary knight guy

Me and Erin

Sawyer and Jerod

Parker with Queen Elizabeth and one of her attendants

Jerod was in heaven ... giant beers!

Amanda and Queen Elizabeth

Jerod carrying a very tired Knight Parker to the car

Being Nosy

2009-05-24T09:27:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, a new word: Nose

Goodbye, Canned Veggies

2009-05-20T23:10:00.000-05:00

Today we picked up our first basket of fresh vegetables from Bramble Hill Farm, the CSA we joined this year. We didn't actually go to the farm this time (but we plan to go soon!) Instead, we picked it up a little closer to home at The Green Wagon, which is a very cool shop that sells environmentally friendly products. In our first basket we had some spinach, lettuce, sugar snap peas, radishes, a turnip and cilantro. I love cilantro, and it came in handy with our Mexican chicken dinner tonight. We also received a newsletter with a couple recipes (I'm definitely trying the creamed spinach popovers tomorrow or Friday...), and we got to meet one of the owners, Stephanie Roberts.

So, yes, the CSA is a little pricey on the front end, but I can already tell that it is so worth it. For one thing, it just feels good to support a local organic farm. This young couple is working on something real and healthy and good for the community and themselves... How can it not be good karma to help with that? Plus, we need a good dose of fresh veggies in our house - something to break us out of the canned green bean rut we're in.

Parker ate raw, fresh sugar snap peas on the way home ("Mommy, let's eat them all!"), and Sawyer took a couple bites of radish (before spitting them out).

I'd say we're off to a good start.

Mmmmm .... radishes.

Sawyer investigating the veggie basket...

Trying the peas...

Photo Shoot at Smarty Pants

2009-05-16T20:02:00.001-05:00

I took the kids to my friend Hazel's new second-hand clothing store, Smarty Pants, today. Mission: to see the store AND to get portraits made of me and the kids by Sarah B. Gilliam, photographer extraordinaire.

It was a crazy circus getting there - Sawyer cried nonstop for awhile while I was getting ready, and he continued despite Jerod's best efforts to calm him down ... those teeth! We're ready for them to come in and give us all a break! Tylenol helped, finally.

Then Parker said he did not want to be in pictures, did not want to wear a red shirt, did not want to wear jeans, etc. Ack. But we made it, and Sarah was just wonderful with the kids. Parker and Sawyer are not really the studio portrait types, so we headed to a little spot outside - just out the side door - which seemed to be more in their comfort zone. I saw a few of the pics on her camera, and I think there are some really good ones. It takes a real pro to work with active kids who are just busy doing their thing, and Sarah is all about catching the real moments - not the staged shots. I bought 20 shots on a CD for $50, which will be shipped to me in the mail soon.

If you're in the market for some awesome photos, check out Sarah's web site, www.sarahbgilliamphotography.blogspot.com.

And be sure to check out Hazel's store, too. It is so nice, and there are lots of great clothes at great prices. Parker found a cool dinosaur T-shirt for $3. Bargains all around!

I'll post pics as soon as I get them. I can't wait....

Thanks, Sarah!

Sawyer Update

2009-05-16T14:39:00.000-05:00

Sawyer had his 15 month checkup last month (yes, I'm behind!). At a little over 25 pounds and 31 ¾ inches tall, he is in the 65th percentile for height and 70th for weight. He did not enjoy the doctor visit, as you can see…

Getting his head measured ...

Getting weighed...

He is walking so well, but he’s not much of a talker – although completely within the norm, according to Dr. M.

Sawyer’s vocabulary includes doggie, belly, bottle (ba-ba), book, mama, dada and bubbles. His first word was hot dog, but we haven’t heard that since the first time (and he doesn’t even like them!) When he hands you something, he’ll often say something that sounds like “thank you,” but I’m not sure about that one.

Sawyer is getting all his molars at once – top and bottom. So things have been a little rough around the house lately, with Sawyer very cranky and needing lots of holding – and who can blame him? He has also been waking up during the night, which hasn’t happened in a while. He just needs some cuddles, and he falls right back to sleep. He usually goes to bed around 7 and wakes up around 6:30, like clockwork.

He is a quiet little guy, but he has a great sense of humor. He makes hilarious faces and loves to flirt and laugh - especially when it's time for bed. :)

A few things our sweet Sawyer loves:
being outside, reading books, taking baths, walks in the jogger, being held, dogs and cats, bubbles, balloons, climbing stairs

His favorite foods include grapes, bananas, cheese, blueberry muffins, bagels, ham and kielbasa

He also recently decided that he is not going to sit in the high chair anymore. A booster seat at the table with everyone else, thank you very much.

And this weekend we are getting rid of the bottle. Thirteen months of breastfeeding, three months of bottle feeding and sippy cups ... Now we're moving to just sippy cups. **Sigh** I am sad about this, but I know it's time.

A Little Perspective

2009-05-14T20:56:00.001-05:00

I'm running behind on my posting ... It's easy to tell when my life is getting crazy. Here's a shot that I meant to post on Mother's Day. It says it all, really. They are worth everything.

It Takes Two ...

2009-05-04T21:30:00.001-05:00

I love having two kids. It's a lot more work, yes - but so much fun to see them growing together and getting to know each other. The dynamics in our house have changed, and Parker has adapted so well. Sure, I still get the occasional, "Can you take Sawyer back to the hospital?" But for the most part, he loves his little brother. And Sawyer watches every move Parker makes. Sawyer loves to be entertained, and Parker is only too happy to oblige.

Here they are sharing some goldfish crackers on the way home from the airport last week ...

And here's what happens if I leave them alone together even for a minute...

Thank you, Aunt Patti

2009-05-03T15:42:00.000-05:00

We had such an awesome time in New York. We were sooo exhausted by the end of each day from all the walking, I was just too tired to update the blog. And once I was home, I was covered up with work and the craziness of daily life. More pics of our trip to come soon, but I wanted to say a gigantic THANK YOU to my wonderful sister Patti, who made our trip possible. She took great care of Sawyer and gave him her undivided attention for four days. She e-mailed us pictures of him having fun - playing on the slide, in the bathtub, in the playroom - and I never had to worry. What a great aunt and sister! Thank you, thank you. We love you.

New York City Adventure, Day 1

2009-04-26T20:52:00.000-05:00

We left our house at 5 a.m. this morning to head for the Big Apple!

Jerod is doing some work at Mt. Sinai Medical Center, and Parker and I decided to tag along and be tourists. My wonderful sister Patti came to Nashville to stay with little Sawyer, who is just too little to be dragged around NYC for two days. (I had a very hard time leaving Sawyer behind - I've only been away from him overnight once before, for one night. But I know he is in excellent hands. Thanks, Patti!)

We had planned to take it easy today, but we landed around 10:30 a.m. - and it was a gorgeous day here - so we ended up taking a whirlwind tour. We took a harrowing taxi ride, ate giant hamburgers, went to the American Museum of Natural History, Central Park, Grand Central Station, Times Square and the Empire State Building. We also learned to navigate the subway (at least a little). And we walked, walked, walked, walked, walked.

Here are some highlights:

Jerod on the taxi ride to our hotel. He hails a taxi like a native.

Me and Parker on the observation deck of the Empire State Building.

Park Avenue .... the trees and flowers are gorgeous.

Parker on the subway

The American Museum of Natural History is amazing.

This is me and Parker in the lobby of the American Museum of Natural History. We spent a couple hours in this place, and we watched an awesome IMAX movie called Wild Ocean.

Central Park in the springtime is gorgeous. I wasn't prepared to be awed by the beauty of New York, but I was today.

Me and Parker in Central Park. (He's eating a Spiderman popsicle.)

Another view of Central Park. There were so many people there doing all kinds of things - sunbathing, playing with kids, playing basketball and baseball, inline skating, running, playing music, reading ...

Happy Earth Day!

2009-04-22T21:43:00.000-05:00

This morning, Parker got up and announced that today was Earth Day. Then he drew the most amazing picture:

Notice in the upper left corner the cans with an X over them. That means "Don't litter the earth." At right is a rake, which means we should "take care of the earth." I especially love all the happy people riding bicycles and playing on the planet. Note the trees, grass and fluffy clouds! I just love, love this picture, and I am getting it framed. Even more special is the fact that Parker did this completely on his own. It was on his mind because his preschool class is learning about Earth Day, and they went to an Earth Day celebration today on campus, complete with a marching band. Very cool!

Full disclosure: Ummm, I didn't even know today was Earth Day.... but we do try to take care of the earth, and we are taking steps to be greener, including joining a CSA, buying organic as much as possible, recycling, using biodegradable cleaners, etc.

A couple days ago on the way home from school, we had this out-of-the-blue conversation...

Parker: Reduce, reuse, recycle. That's what we do to protect the earth.
Me, impressed and proud: Why yes, it is!
Parker: And we turn the lights off.
Me: Yes!
Parker: And we turn the water off...
Me: Yes!

We say these things to our kids and try to be good examples, and it's so great to realize that it really does sink in. :)

Look Who's Walking!

2009-04-15T09:47:00.000-05:00

Sawyer started walking two days ago!! Just in time for his 15-month checkup (and in the nick of time for my arms, which now have major biceps but are so tired at the end of the day from carrying this 25-plus-pound kid around all the time).

Here's how it happened: We were hanging out in the backyard after work/school, and Sawyer just spontaneously started walking around. He had been standing by himself - briefly - for weeks, but on that day he just took off. He walked to Parker, who caught him in a big hug. Parker is Sawyer's preferred person to walk to, which makes Parker feel very special. :) It was just the cutest thing, and we were all so excited.

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO BELOW TO SEE SAWYER IN ACTION.

Spring, Butterflies and Easter

2009-04-14T08:10:00.000-05:00

Easter came with blue skies and puffy white clouds. A perfect day for hanging out in the backyard. It started at 6:20 a.m., when Parker came downstairs and found his Easter basket full of goodies. After a family Easter egg hunt, we let our five butterflies fly free - a fitting symbol of rebirth, new life and change on this holiday that began as a celebration of spring, with the bunny and the egg representing fertility and new life. (Yeah, I did a little research. I was curious myself and needed to explain the holiday - what it means to different people - to Parker.) Interesting how the Christian celebration of the Resurrection became all entwined with the egg and the bunny and candy ... and then there's Passover, which Parker remembers from his years in a Jewish preschool. ...
For us, it's a celebration of the beauty of spring, the joy of life, and being together as a family.
We hope your holiday was full of happy family memories.

How Time Flies

2009-04-11T20:19:00.000-05:00

We went to C.'s birthday party today. Five years old!! I remember C. when she was nine months old, toddling around in the infant room at daycare. So hard to believe that she's reached the big 5 - and that Parker will be 5 next month. Parker and C. have been the best of friends since those baby days. They formed a bond, and their friendship has been going strong ever since. C. says she's going to marry Parker, and Parker seems to be going along with it. :)

Here are two party pics - and I dug up some from years past. What a pair! Happy 5th birthday! We're glad to be your friends.

Butterflies, Butterflies!

2009-04-10T21:14:00.000-05:00

Wow - it happened so fast! I noticed yesterday that a butterfly was fluttering around in its house. The first painted lady butterfly had emerged from its chrysalid while I was working on the computer just a few feet away... I wish I could have seen it in action. The other four were still working on their transformations. Then today - three more butterflies!! We dipped flowers in sugar water, and we were able to watch them drink with their long proboscis (a mouth part that works like a straw ... yes, I am so the butterfly expert these days).

One lone chrysalid remains, and I'll bet the last butterfly comes out tonight or tomorrow. I know it's been going on for millions of years, but the process is amazing - and fun to watch with a 4-year-old. Spring, birth, change, life. I feel a kinship with these little things.

If the weather is warm, we're going to let them fly free this weekend.

Arkansas Visit ... Abbreviated

2009-04-06T21:29:00.000-05:00

Last Wednesday, I decided on a whim that we needed to visit my parents in Arkansas. So I loaded up the kids the next day and made the 4-1/2-hour trip to Jonesboro, Ark. (J stayed behind to work and bask in bachelordom.) We had such a nice time just doing nothing in particular. I had planned to come back Saturday afternoon, but Sawyer ran a fever Friday night and threw up three times early Saturday morning. So I really needed to get on the road as soon as I could get everything together - and before Parker or I became sick.

At least we had one full day to visit, and it was worth the drive.

All in one day we blew lots of bubbles, played guitar and mandolin, learned about Grandpa's tools, played Go Fish and Memory with Grandma, drew pictures with Grandpa, built Lincoln Log houses with Grandma.

It's just so great to go to Mom and Dad's house, where there's always that sense of coming home. Always a good home-cooked meal, a bottomless jug of iced tea, down time, and lots of love.

P.S. The ride home was l-o-n-g, but we made it. And one else has come down with anything ... yet.

P.S.S. Aunt DeLoris - I'm so sorry we missed seeing you! I may be coming to Hardy this summer for a class reunion (20 years - yikes!). If so, I will see you then for sure.

The Next Phase

2009-04-06T21:26:00.000-05:00

Yesterday we moved the caterpillars to their new home - the butterfly house. They've all formed chrysalids and attached upside down to the paper in the jar. Now they're busy transforming into butterflies! Jerod carefully pinned the caterpillar-covered paper to the mesh side of the butterfly house, and in about five days they should start emerging as painted lady butterflies. We'll feed them sugar water on flowers and - when they all come out - we'll let them fly free.

Until then, we have this weird-looking thing hanging in our living room ... which is actually a great place, because it's easy to keep an eye on them.

Parker Zen

2009-04-01T21:39:00.000-05:00

It was so beautiful today, and I took the boys for a walk after school. Sawyer rode in the jogger while Parker rode his bike. I was not in a great mood, and I was nagging Parker to pedal faster. At one point he just hopped off his bike and sat in the middle of the sidewalk. When I looked back, I saw this. I just cracked up.
He said he was "rotating" (meditating).
What a comedian. :)
(FYI: He learned it from Kung Fu Panda.)

Metamorphosis Begins

2009-04-01T21:31:00.001-05:00

It's been about a week since our tiny caterpillars came in the mail. They've grown a bunch and have migrated to the top of their little jar. Now they're hanging upside down, and they're starting to form chrysalids! When their chrysalids are complete, we'll take them out of the jar and put them into a mesh "butterfly house" ... and wait for the butterflies to emerge. Pretty amazing stuff.

Living a Little

2009-03-30T20:35:00.000-05:00

As a freelancer, one of my big challenges is staying focused. Piled-up dishes? Scattered toys? Ignore those. Focus instead on deadlines, e-mails, phone calls.

Not always easy.

But what, I ask you, is a freelance schedule for if you can't make time for balance?

I used to knuckle down as soon as the kids and husband were out the door - and I still do for the most part. I send off a few pressing e-mails, but then I hit the trail for a quick run. I've decided that I need to embrace the fantastic part of being a freelancer: It's my own time! I can take a jog through the neighborhood in the morning if I want to. Truth is, I'm happier and a lot more productive when I get back to the keyboard.

So, my sort-of goal is to run a half-marathon next year. (Not this year. Sawyer just started sleeping through the night, you know, and I'm no superwoman.) But my real, for-now goal is just to be active and release stress and live a little.

Here's a shot from an afternoon run last week. A warm spring rain was falling, and I listened to a podcast of This American Life. Just me and fresh air and Ira Glass.

Awesome.

Sawyer Update

2009-03-29T12:35:00.001-05:00

Little Mr. Sawyer has grown so much ... it's hard to believe he's 14.5 months old! His personality is growing with him. He is a laid-back little dude most of the time, but he knows what he wants - and he's not shy about voicing his opinion.

More than anything, Sawyer loves to be outside. I mean LOVES IT. When he is not playing outside, he is pointing to the door and making noises that we take to mean, "Get me outside, right now! People, I am telling you - I want to go OUT-SIDE! NOW!" No matter that it is freezing or raining or dark. He wants out. All. The. Time.

He also is obsessed with bubbles. He loves them, loves them. Whenever the bubbles are in sight, he is pointing at them and saying "Buh-buh! Bub-buh!" Which means, "Somebody please blow bubbles for me! Blow bubbles! Now!"

He loves Parker, but he also lets Parker know when he wants his space.Which is most of the time.

Sawyer is not walking yet, although he is a-l-m-o-s-t there. (See photo of him standing in tub.) He can stand up on his own, and he can walk holding your finger the tiniest bit, but he hasn't decided that he really wants to take off on his own. But he gets the proudest big smile when he stands up on his own. It just melts your heart.

Sawyer is teething at the moment, which means he is pretty grumpy these days. Not that you can blame him. The molars are pushing through on both sore, red lower gums, and he is not happy about it. Tylenol and popsicles help. (See photo.) This teething thing happened around the time I decided to wean him off the bottle - and that hasn't helped. He still gets a bottle in the morning and at night, because it comforts him. (I breastfed for just over a year, and he gave that up on his own. He is clinging to the bottle, though...)

In other Sawyer news... He loves dogs, and yesterday he did sign language for "dog" for the first time. He gets so excited when he sees our neighbor's dog, Bailey. He also loves to point at the birds outside, and he says "bird" (or close enough) while he points to them. He also does sign language for milk.

He loves cheese with a passion, although we can't give him too much. He also loves the little ice chips Jerod gives him, which also helps with the teething.

Maybe his favorite thing of all is bathtime. Some days, when we can't go outside and he's clearly bored and restless, I just plop him into a nice, warm bubble bath in the middle of the day, and he is in heaven.

Another huge milestone: Sawyer is sleeping through the night, almost every night!! Hooray!

Caterpillars Have Arrived!

2009-03-29T12:02:00.000-05:00

Our caterpillars came in the mail last week, and we're watching them grow each day. They'll eventually hang upside down, build chrysalids and turn into painted lady butterflies! Then we'll release the butterflies outside. The whole process should take a few weeks and will be pretty cool to watch. Here's what they look like now (blech!), and we'll update you as these amazing critters start to do their thing.

Begin Again

2009-03-28T07:58:00.000-05:00

After a long hiatus, I'm ready to start up my blog again.... I didn't mean to be such a slacker... I skipped over Christmas, Sawyer's first birthday, Sawyer's first haircut, Parker's silly antics and amazing drawings ... so many moments - big and small. I'll post a few highlights (I captured them all with photos, of course!), but my goal is to start posting at least once a week.

I can do that, right? Once a week? I miss posting my thoughts about these munchkins, and seeing their sweet images on the screen. I always take the photos, but I like reflecting on our days. It comes out like a story, which I suppose it is. So here goes. Blog No. 1 of 2009. To be followed by many more.

Really. :)

Thanksgiving at Nonnie's House

2008-12-03T21:52:00.000-06:00

I'm so glad we made it to Nonnie's house for Thanksgiving. This was Sawyer's first time here - and only Parker's second time at her new house! Jerod pretty much cooked the whole meal while the rest of us played with the kids. Drew and Damian came over, and they have grown so much. The night before Thanksgiving, we hung out by the fire pit and roasted marshmallows and hot dogs. We also went for walks and played at the park, and the boys got lots of Nonnie love.

It Had to Happen Some Time

2008-12-03T21:38:00.000-06:00

Funny how each relative's house is a completely different experience. ... In the big town of Des Arc, we headed to the outdoors and spent the day at deer camp. Parker learned to shoot a gun (with a silencer), which was great fun for him and ... well, you can imagine how I felt! Actually, I shot it myself a couple times and hit the target. Apparently, I'm a natural. :)
We did not shoot any deer. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
We rode four-wheelers, roasted marshmallows and hot dogs over the fire, and shot guns. I actually took a nap at one point inside the cabin... until a fly buzzed right into my ear and woke me up.

Oh, and our minivan was the first ever at deer camp.

Thanksgiving at Grandma and Grandpa's House

2008-12-01T14:33:00.000-06:00

We spent two days with my Mom and Dad for an early Thanksgiving, which was so much fun! The kids had a great time. Mom worked too hard in the kitchen to feed us, but I can't complain. :)
Jerod and Parker watched Star Wars together, Parker tried the mandolin, Sawyer practiced pulling up and made every attempt to eat dirt out of the house plants - and both kids got lots of love and cuddles from the grandparents. It was a great visit, just too short. (Oh, and I had pink eye the whole time. But no one else caught it.)

Yes We Can!

2008-12-01T14:32:00.000-06:00

Just a picture of our Obama sign, in honor of our new president-elect. Yes, we were in the minority here, but we were proud to let people know where we stood.