It's super snowy here today so I couldn't resist posting a shot from last week's outdoor romp in the fluffy stuff. I had Aislin dressed in the same snowsuit when I dragged her to drop Leah off and pick her up from school today. No less than 5 people stopped me to tell me how adorable she looked in it.
Lots of parents have also started asking me if Aislin is coming to the toddler program at Leah's school next year. I always answer "If they'll take her?!" Sometimes I wonder if Leah doesn't have a bit of that Ari Gold charisma. You "Entourage" fans know what I'm talking about! A sort of spunk so intense that it might prevent your sibling from being accepted to your school?! Of course I'm joking, but one of the teaching assistants from another classroom did rave to me today about how "socially comfortable" Leah is (as Leah helped herself to a cup of H2O from the administrative office's water cooler!) "It's amazing!" she said. Socially comfortable, precocious, high-energy, spirited...I've heard (and thought) them all at some point or another.
But back to Aisy. As the shot illustrates, she LOVES balls, snow, and truckin' around doing her thing. Fran mentioned to me yesterday, that Aislin is always climbing up on things, falling over, and then picking herself up and dusting herself off...then she's right back at it again. The girl definitely does not give up easily, and she is much more of a bruiser than Leah! She's also SWEET! A regular cupcake. She asked Pete for a hug this morning and he was so thrilled. Aislin is increasing her vocabulary and is starting to say a ton of words! From "shoes" and "school" to "nose" and "peas," she's getting more and more communicative. She has also started saying an approximation of "I love you" which of course makes me light up inside. I love that girl!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Down the Rabbit Hole
"Alice was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister on the bank, and of having nothing to do: once or twice she had peeped into the book her sister was reading, but it had no pictures or conversations in it, `and what is the use of a book,' thought Alice `without pictures or conversation?'"
—Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
The getting very tired of sitting by her sister and of having nothing to do, reminds me very much of my little Aislin. If ever there was a child who would be tempted to run right down a hole after a walking and talking white rabbit, it's Aisy. These days we can't keep her sitting still. She wants to walk (BY HERSELF, thank you very much!) everywhere. She climbs, she calls to us, Aisy wants in on ALL the action going on around her.
Leah is an adventurer...a kid who enjoys takings risks. She travels and searches for thrill, all while surviving on her wit and tenacity. Aisy on the other hand is an explorer...searching or traveling for the purpose of discovery. She is methodical, persistent and tenacious in her own quiet way. I can see the wheels of her mind turning, looking to learn new things as she goes about her day. Never one to sit idle, Aislin does enjoy reading. I think Alice enjoyed reading too...just not boring stuff. When she's not exploring her world outright, Aislin is exploring books.
Sure, she's eaten a few bindings and sent a few books back to the library in worse condition than when we borrowed 'em, but it warms this mama's (and writer's) heart to see her child sitting legs crossed on the floor, book on her lap. Sure that book may be upside-down, but that's neither here nor there. She's "reading" and I love it!
—Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
The getting very tired of sitting by her sister and of having nothing to do, reminds me very much of my little Aislin. If ever there was a child who would be tempted to run right down a hole after a walking and talking white rabbit, it's Aisy. These days we can't keep her sitting still. She wants to walk (BY HERSELF, thank you very much!) everywhere. She climbs, she calls to us, Aisy wants in on ALL the action going on around her.
Leah is an adventurer...a kid who enjoys takings risks. She travels and searches for thrill, all while surviving on her wit and tenacity. Aisy on the other hand is an explorer...searching or traveling for the purpose of discovery. She is methodical, persistent and tenacious in her own quiet way. I can see the wheels of her mind turning, looking to learn new things as she goes about her day. Never one to sit idle, Aislin does enjoy reading. I think Alice enjoyed reading too...just not boring stuff. When she's not exploring her world outright, Aislin is exploring books.
Sure, she's eaten a few bindings and sent a few books back to the library in worse condition than when we borrowed 'em, but it warms this mama's (and writer's) heart to see her child sitting legs crossed on the floor, book on her lap. Sure that book may be upside-down, but that's neither here nor there. She's "reading" and I love it!
Friday, February 15, 2008
Frantic Free Friday
I placed an order with my favorite paper wholesaler today and the above blog title came from the confirmation email I received from one of their customer service agents who wished me "a marvelous morning" and "a fantastically fabulous, frantic free Friday!" Needless to say, this type of customer service (along with their unparalleled amount of color choices!) is why they're a favorite.
Thankfully, this morning was pretty marvelous. I got some much needed "alone" time in with Aislin and another stationery designer blogged about the revamped site my friend Jen and I have launched for our Invitastions at sweettalkboutique.com! Luckily, today has also been relatively frantic free! After last week's TV interview (local PBS...nothin' big) and the seminar I gave this week at a Women TIES event on Internet Marketing, I'm wiped out. Add in the fact that Leah has been REALLY pushing the boundaries (The Tyrannical Three's are here, they're severe, get used to it!) and Aislin has a gnarly sounding cough and you've got two tired parents.
Still, I had to make time to blog about the time that was had at last week's Father-Daughter Dance. The mosaic says it all. Picture 1—doesn't Leah look like the perfect little princess? Now look diagonally at picture 4...aaahhh, that's better. Leah's smoooshed lips and the eyes that say "don't even try to come near me with a curling iron"—her true personality shining through. I love Picture 2, even with the "pained smile" Leah has become so well known for in her toddlerhood. And of course, my favorite, Picture 3. Aisy would not stay out of the picture, a nice thing since that got her sister to actually smile naturally for once!
Leah came home with a balloon, a little purse she got as a favor, a tummy full of cookies, and a glow stick. She loved the glow stick so much she slept with it that night! She tried her hand (or spine) at the limbo, but mentioned it was tough to do. Pete also said she wowed the crowd with her chicken dance skills. Go Leah!
Thankfully, this morning was pretty marvelous. I got some much needed "alone" time in with Aislin and another stationery designer blogged about the revamped site my friend Jen and I have launched for our Invitastions at sweettalkboutique.com! Luckily, today has also been relatively frantic free! After last week's TV interview (local PBS...nothin' big) and the seminar I gave this week at a Women TIES event on Internet Marketing, I'm wiped out. Add in the fact that Leah has been REALLY pushing the boundaries (The Tyrannical Three's are here, they're severe, get used to it!) and Aislin has a gnarly sounding cough and you've got two tired parents.
Still, I had to make time to blog about the time that was had at last week's Father-Daughter Dance. The mosaic says it all. Picture 1—doesn't Leah look like the perfect little princess? Now look diagonally at picture 4...aaahhh, that's better. Leah's smoooshed lips and the eyes that say "don't even try to come near me with a curling iron"—her true personality shining through. I love Picture 2, even with the "pained smile" Leah has become so well known for in her toddlerhood. And of course, my favorite, Picture 3. Aisy would not stay out of the picture, a nice thing since that got her sister to actually smile naturally for once!
Leah came home with a balloon, a little purse she got as a favor, a tummy full of cookies, and a glow stick. She loved the glow stick so much she slept with it that night! She tried her hand (or spine) at the limbo, but mentioned it was tough to do. Pete also said she wowed the crowd with her chicken dance skills. Go Leah!
Saturday, February 09, 2008
The power of memory
I know I sound like a broken record, but it has been busy here. Pete has started classes at SU in the hopes of obtaining a second Master's degree, this time in Electrical Engineering. He's getting more and more projects at work and he's started working out again (early AM spinning classes). I know this busy lifestyle can be stressful (on Pete especially), but we're all working to be supportive and so far things seem to be going well.
A lot has been going on for me too. Work, family, friends, personal life...there's always something that needs my attention these days. Over the past few years I've learned that life isn't going to slow down for me. If I want to enjoy it, I've got to be fully present in each moment appreciating that moment for what it has to offer. No more thinking about work when I'm with the kids. No more contemplating how I'm going to deal with this or that, when I should be listening to what someone else is saying. I've been making a conscious effort to slow down my "inner monologue" and it has been helpful. By trying to cut out "the brain chatter" I can happily say, I'm beginning to really hear myself and as a result my perspective has begun to change in many ways.
I know it sounds cheezy, but I've asked myself "what do I want my memories to be made of?" I realized, in college and in my twenties I knew the answer to this question: FUN. Interestingly enough, I realize that answer has not changed. Perhaps my idea of "FUN" has changed, but ultimately the goal is the same.
Yesterday Leah and I had a great time getting ready for the big Father-Daughter Dance at our church. I painted her nails with sparkly pink polish and curled her hair. I never saw a child so thrilled about wearing foam rollers, or so excited for her Dad to arrive home. Her fine wispy hair didn't curl so well, but it wasn't so much the end result that mattered. It was how much fun I had with her. She sat patiently, in her Cinderella bathrobe, like the perfect spa patron and I was reminded of all the times my Mom got me ready for school pictures, or dance recitals, or whatever other HUGE event was happening on a given day.
Leah has also been busting out many a cliché these days (talk about having a good memory). Her favorite one is "I'll take that as a YES!" which always makes me smile, even when she uses it in the wrong context. I'll be sure to post a picture of Leah and her date next. They were adorable and had a FABULOUS time making lots of FUN memories.
A lot has been going on for me too. Work, family, friends, personal life...there's always something that needs my attention these days. Over the past few years I've learned that life isn't going to slow down for me. If I want to enjoy it, I've got to be fully present in each moment appreciating that moment for what it has to offer. No more thinking about work when I'm with the kids. No more contemplating how I'm going to deal with this or that, when I should be listening to what someone else is saying. I've been making a conscious effort to slow down my "inner monologue" and it has been helpful. By trying to cut out "the brain chatter" I can happily say, I'm beginning to really hear myself and as a result my perspective has begun to change in many ways.
I know it sounds cheezy, but I've asked myself "what do I want my memories to be made of?" I realized, in college and in my twenties I knew the answer to this question: FUN. Interestingly enough, I realize that answer has not changed. Perhaps my idea of "FUN" has changed, but ultimately the goal is the same.
Yesterday Leah and I had a great time getting ready for the big Father-Daughter Dance at our church. I painted her nails with sparkly pink polish and curled her hair. I never saw a child so thrilled about wearing foam rollers, or so excited for her Dad to arrive home. Her fine wispy hair didn't curl so well, but it wasn't so much the end result that mattered. It was how much fun I had with her. She sat patiently, in her Cinderella bathrobe, like the perfect spa patron and I was reminded of all the times my Mom got me ready for school pictures, or dance recitals, or whatever other HUGE event was happening on a given day.
Leah has also been busting out many a cliché these days (talk about having a good memory). Her favorite one is "I'll take that as a YES!" which always makes me smile, even when she uses it in the wrong context. I'll be sure to post a picture of Leah and her date next. They were adorable and had a FABULOUS time making lots of FUN memories.
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