does she miss them?

As the school year gets into a routine, I'm always asked just how much Claire misses her brother and sister through the day. It's asked in just such a way that really leaves no doubt in the questioners voice that it might not be possible to imagine how the little one could continue on without the guidance of Graham and Ella.

If only they could see her as she slowly wakes up in the morning. Yawning, taking in the morning while still snuggled in bed.

"Mom. Where are Graham and Ella??" as I answer she begins to smile.

"...so if they are at school it means it is just a me and you day?" and she sweetly smiles and she snuggles in a bit closer.

Then she tells me "You're the guest! You get to choose what to do!"

and she continues "How about we have a candy picnic, or play barbies."

And, of course I reply with surprise, wondering just how she knew her "guest" would want to spend the whole day long playing barbies and having candy picnics.

missing them? not so much.

Fun at the Mass Ave Crit...for at least some of us

Graham wishing eric luck

Mass Ave Crit start

Go Eric

race goes on as we browse Mass Ave toys. This could get expensive.

this store would be better than the race too, mom

Claire cheering!

Ella

Go Dad!

how many more laps to go??

claire picked this flower for Eric for his prize

claire

the race passing by Saint Mary's Church

graham was baptized here

where's waldo bike race style. can you find eric?

He is all race photos... Do you see him?

break from the race to pick on some art

nothing like a little nose picking humor

as the sun set the race ends and like always

I'm paying attention to the kids and don't even realize the race is finally over.

Bunk Bed Sisters

bedtime stories

I've always loved the conversations that me and my kids have at bedtime. For us, at the moment the air is quiet and the room is dark, our kids have always let us into the part of their mind that has random thoughts, worries, dreams and stories. It is almost like a whole additional sleep state--the moment before the drifting off to dreamland that they will share just about anything with us. And, if I pause for just a moment, instead of shushing or being annoyed...the bedtime ritual can be worth it all.


Ella: "You know that edge where the earth ends...and you can see the universe..." "Where would that be? Can we walk there?"

uhmmm.. what do you mean? the world is round"

Ella: "Pause for thinking......Duh. I know the world is round. It is a circle. And, a circle has one edge! See? (as she draws a circle in the air, and demonstrates where this earth/universe edge is."

no, remember. The earth is like a globe--a ball. If you start walking, you could walk all the way around and come back to the same spot.

Ella: silence

And, in the silence, you can tell she does indeed know that the world is a ball, but for the moment of the conversation, she was so lost in your thoughts, her imaginations that she traveled to that elusive spot when the edge of the world was at her fingertips.


___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



Ella to Dad: "I'm quitting school. It's boring. Mom said that if I just stopped going to school we would get in trouble and you could even get arrested."

Dad: yes

Ella: "what was the name of that war where we got our freedom?"

Dad: uhmmm...Revolutionary War.

Ella: "Well if we have our freedom then why can't we just do what we want to do?"

Ella: "When do we get a new president? Do you think they could make it so I don't have to go to school?"................

Ella: "Dad??" "Do they make bras for girls? "Cause if they do, I think I want one"

Dad: Silence.

thank you mr. spider

I've been watching your web art for the last several weeks. My garden and I thank you for both the art and the bug control. Might I suggest you move a bit down the garden so I could pick my ripe peppers and tomatoes. I'd rather leave the pest to be stuck in your web instead of me.

first morning of school

Graham. Our fourth grader.

is our firstborn. He has two younger sisters, Ella and Claire, which often annoy him.
he would be lost without them, although he would never admit that.
loves, or rather intensely loves, all things nature.
is an expert on bugs, amphibians, reptiles and more
collects bones, skulls, shells, rocks, fossils...
loves to keep everything he has collected--for forever
would never hurt another persons feelings on purpose
follows rules
is hardworking
loves mountain dew code red and sour spray candy
doesn't trust easily but once he does it is 110%
would prefer one close friend rather than a huge group of friends
has favorite shorts and shirts that he likes to wear everyday
loves to fish and be at the lake
loves spending time with his grandparents
is willing to try almost any food and likes lots of different things
has replicated survivor mans more than once...care to eat a worm, anyone?
has high expectations and needs
is part of a scout troop and impresses his friends with his animal knowledge
likes consistency and knowing what to expect
loves watching TV
loves gadgets
loves one on one time with his mom or dad
wants to be a naturalist, landscape architect, or animal expert when he grows up
loves each and every one of his many pets--turtles, frogs, toads, fish, a snake, a gerbil, a cat, a bunny and a crawdad




Ella. Our second grader.

is our middle child. She has an older brother, Graham, and a younger sister, Claire. Her best friend, Eva, lives across our woods and is a big part of our family.
loves girly stuff--jewelry, dresses, dancing and singing but is not "prissy"
loves fishing, exploring the woods, being adventurous, and doesn't mind getting dirty
loves being active--swimming all summer, gymnastics, and is even trying soccer for the first time this fall
loves reading and quickly went through Junie B Jones books all summer long
is a peace maker, a great negotiator, and a typical middle child
is polite and tender hearted
amazes me with her patience, especially in regards to her three year old sister
loves to dance in front of a crowd but hates being the center of attention
writes wonderful, creative stories
is part of Girl Scouts and loves the service part the best
loves spending time with her grandparents
loves art, creating, sewing, and making gifts for us
loves candy and sweets
is hardworking
is independent
works better in smaller groups rather than a big crowd
would try most anything once, except for food
has a wonderful imagination often involving fairies and flowers
would tell you she doesn't want to ever go to school, but seems to love it when she is there

on the way into school

btw--cold air conditioned house = ice cold camera......heat advisory/humid = fogging of lens and not being able to take photos.......not good.....

fourth grade graham, hard at work

ella hard at work for the day

siblings are gone--time to bake and get all the batter licks

siblings are gone--time to picnic

table ready for after school toasts

along the way

Claire waiting for Graham and Ella to come home

hard at work

finished street message

happy to have bus 40 and our lovely bus driver again

happy ella

graham

happy with the first day!

graham and claire head home

the bread me and Claire made

after school snack

watermelon, sparkling juice, fresh warm bread with honey and butter and LOTS of stories from the first day

dessert to celebrate our first day

chocolate cake with raspberries and whip cream