Worm Town

I like getting dirty, driving my hands down into dirt in the yard and feeling the pressure of soft black soil against my skin.  But, I don't like that very soil winding up all over my kitchen floor.  I begin to feel short of breath when the back porch is covered in debris, both plastic and natural. 

I cleaned.  Organized out there.  Set the froggy boots, that are meant to be worn in our "garden", on the table with some of their outside toys.  I declared - loudly - that NO BOOTS ARE TO BE SEEN INSIDE AGAIN.  ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE COVERED IN DOG FECES (yes, true) AND ARE BEING TRAIPSED ALL THROUGH THE HOUSE. 

The kids then found worms, and have created the most enchanting worm kingdom we've ever seen.  Mia is out there now cooing to her worms...whispering to them that she will love them forever and care for them with undying affection.  She is now covering them all with leaf blankets. 

Luca and I had a quick conversation about how we handle living things.  With care.  It was a bit like talking to Lenny from Of Mice and Men.  But, my little man is proving to be quite the worm farmer.  He actually hasn't smooshed a single one. 

Long live the Pellegrino worms. 



Easter Celebration

Happy Easter!  Such a lovely weekend full food, drinks, and family.  What else is there?  Holidays are getting easier I do believe.  When you are the mama of a family, they are a TON of work (no offense gentlemen - you do pull your weight - just not in this department).  There was lightness, an almost breeziness, to this Easter.  Funny because the weather was chilly and overcast.  I like the whole idea of renewal and rebirth.  We all need second chances don't we? 















Happy Weekend

Having a big sister rocks.  Pink Hello Kitty boots are a fave, especially for Luca. 

 Some boot choices are of the frog variety around here. 



  Is it just me?  A kid in frog boots just feels right. 

Mayhem

Raising small kids is a lot like suffering from bipolar disorder, or so I imagine.  There are moments of frenzy, just total mayhem.  Phone ringing, dog barking, neighbor child who is over yelling, red sticky substance being poured over dry clean only fabric, glue....you get the idea.  But, then, there are moments of total serenity.  Just this wave of comfort that washes over me.  This wave of knowing that of all the hats I wear, of all the things I'm responsible for, raising these two small people is somehow the most fulfilling.  I don't want to say it's a peaceful wave, because that would be misleading.  That would lead you to believe that being over here is like being at a yoga retreat.  Not exactly.  But it's the feeling of....."oh yeah....this is right.....this is what feels good....."


Today was mayhem in the afternoon.  The dog escaped and ran down the street with three shoeless owners (us) screaming after her.  Luca was only wearing pants and Mia was dressed as Snow White as we all panted along the street screaming for our run away poodle.  The neighbor child was here for awhile.  And seemed to yell a lot.  Strange amounts of water and grass ended up all over the kitchen floor.  But I found that soft spot of ease in the middle of it all.  It's a learned skill, finding zen amidst chaos, and to be honest, I'm still in the throes of learning.  Today though, I had an afternoon of mastery.  I'm just going to revel in that fleeting feeling of success. 

Friday Night Nietzsche

“The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently.”

(Nietzsche....seriously....the guy is brilliant)

I find the responsibility of modeling behaviors for children to be the most rewarding, and the most challenging, aspect of parenthood.  We all just want to say, "Do as I say, not as I do".   Being a decent human being, with patience and ample respect for everyone, takes time and work. And frankly, there are days that I just want to raise my middle finger to someone for offending me, even for the smallest infraction such as, God forbid, thinking opposing thoughts than mine. When I look at Mia and Luca, and I see their blue saucer eyes watching me, waiting for direction, I'm reminded that their ability to think critically - and fairly - starts with me.  Their willingness to embrace difference and seek out opportunities to learn more begins at home. 

I've put myself in a few situations lately that pushed me just slightly out of my comfort zone, out of the realm that I know.  It's normal to want to stick to those who think like you, dress like you, even parent like you.  But when we stay in the safety or our confines, we begin to forget that our existence, our way of doing things, is just one way out of the other billion possibilities on the planet.  It's good to be reminded that with difference comes new perspectives. 

Yet again, I'm reminded by someone far more intellecually superior (thanks Nietzsche), of something so simple....don't poopoo other's ideas in front of your kids.  Don't smile smugly and suggest that the way you do things is somehow better.  Don't stick to those who look like you, smell like you, and think like you - for you'll be limiting your children in ways that we can't even begin to comprehend.  

Here's to raising thoughtful critical thinkers who are brave enough and confident enough to accept difference lovingly.   

Fiesta

Thanks to Emily and Peter for throwing another successful P Dinner (Padden, Provost, Pellegrino).  She and Peter were supreme hosts and the evening was thrown in the pile of nights that I think how very cool my family is. 

The reason for the party?  Other than just getting together, we were celebrating this guy's b-day.  As my sister said, "He just brings an element of Dad to the room."  Which means he brings a certain energy....a lively and witty banter and a sense of total ease.  People always have fun around him, but more importantly, people feel good around him.  Happy B-day dear bro. 

Sissie and I.  We kind of look like we just got hitched here in her backyard.  When she opened the door, looking like a vision of awesome summer goodness,  her house smelling clean and fresh with chopped up limes and cilantro, I knew a good time was about to be had. 

My kids freebased popsicles and I tried to encourage the good choices.  You know the drill, "If you've already had a sweet treat, maybe you should choose something from an actual food group."  They didn't listen to a word I said.  Which is par for the course these days.  Fine.  Popsicles it was. 

At least Luca was willing to share his. 

I wish this picture came with sound.  It would be awfully loud and you'd mute it almost as soon as you turned it on, but it would still give you a good idea of the sheer joy (read: LOUD) that escapes these kids when they are together. 

After a hot day filled with margaritas and frozen treats for the kids, it's snowing today.  Go figure. 



A gift

I was out the other night at a happy hour and got home after Mia went to bed.  I found this sticky note on a plastic cup filled with water.  A small blue flower was floating in the water.  It's moments like this that solidify that this motherhood gig is not a bad gig.  Pretty darn good actually .

Spring Break

Remember when Spring Break was the week that gave you a taste for your upcoming summer?  It was the gateway week.  That week with a golden arch hanging over it declaring, "Welcome.  You are free."  It was pure downhill after break.  A coaster ride.  Back in the olden days, when we were in school, it was the week we pulled out all of our cute new spring clothes knowing damn well it was going to be too cold to wear any of it.  It was the week where you felt conflicted; a part of you wanted to watch movies all day to unwind from a winter of work while the other part knew that these seven days were the days to start anew - to embrace the season of growth and change - to bloom.  Plus, no one wanted to be the kid that returned to school saying, "Nuthin'" when asked what he did over break. 

With small kids, the part about being on a "break" is a total myth.  But the spring part is true.  And that same sense of urgency is still in the air.   That urgent pull to shake off old habits and adopt new ones.  The pull to wipe windows down and hell, just open them up.  To make plans and actually follow through them all. 

We packed a lot into this week.  The Children's Museum and a picnic lunch afterward.  Playdates with cousins and friends.  Skiing.  A children's musical.  Coffee and lunch dates for Mama.  A happy hour even. And time to make special springtime treats in the kitchen and plant spring seeds in what we loosely call a garden around here. 

Who knows if the seeds will even grow and to be honest, I regretted making the treats just as soon as they were finished (because I pick at them relentlessly until they are finally gone).  But it's the memories of the moment that I'll cherish.  When I complain on ocassion  about the staggering amounts of work involved in mothering small children, V will casually suggest I just don't do as much.  At times he's right, but I'm always quick to remind him that moments take work.  Not all of them, but some of them.  And I've never been afraid of rolling up my sleeves and setting to work. 

(Following are a few shots of Mia skiing.  The girl is a natural!)