Memorial Day Family Adventure

This Memorial Day we were not sure what to do. We wanted to do something and were not sure what to do. We started out heading to Dc to see an art exhibit and found it sold out en route, so we rerouted north to Gettysburg, PA. 

It turned out to be a great day. 

We saw a parade from a cider house and enjoyed appetizers and conversation with some strangers. 

The kids enjoyed a parade that was very much about the veterans and not about candy, no candy at all. 

We toured the town and checked out a couple shops. I finally saw what polish pottery is. 

We had a dinner out where max enjoyed trying to beat daddy at tic tac toe, failed but tried. 

We wrapped up the day visiting granddaddy and enjoying a walk along the side of his lake. 

It was a great day!

Imprints

About two weeks ago I had noticed Clair  pulling down the waistband of her pants a few times and looking at her skin. First couple times I was worried she was pulling down her pants, because she was doing in places that we’re not the bathroom. I finally realize she was just rubbing under her pants a little bit. I finally asked her what she was up to and she says “I’m just looking at my imprints.”

This fascination has grown stronger every past two weeks. She also enjoys looking at my imprints. And because my belly fat is greater, my implants are more impressive than hers. She think she’s hit the jackpot if I let her look at the imprint of my waistband. She especially loves it if I want something tight and the imprint is deep. I find this interesting, and a bit strange, and so Clair. She truly loves imprints right now!

Ol’ Blankey Bear

When Ellie was about six months old I started making her pink Blankey dance to the tune of  Old Christmas tree, I called the song old Blankey bear. This became a song that I would sing to Ellie every night before she went to sleep.

At some point it faded with time and with the hurried ness of having to put other kids to bed.

For many years now I make sure Ellie does her prayers and we have a chat, but we usually don’t do a song. About six months ago one night she asked me to sing or Blankey bear to her. So of course I did. I thought at that moment, this could be the last time she ever asked me to sing this song. But tonight, once again she requested old Blankey bear. So of course, I sang it.

This is one of those things that remind me of the poem that tells us never underestimate the value of the little things we do for kids as they grow, and that one day he said my day will outgrow them and never again asked to hold her hand, or have a song before bed, or be rocked to sleep. I am grateful when the little things remain and I can see if the kids still enjoy those rituals we had when they were younger.

Chef and helper

Clair would almost do anything with me to spend time together. She loves being together! She will help me with anything and she will gladly cook with me. Tonight she helped me make vegetable lentil pasta. She did all but turning on the oven and cutting things up. She combined, mixed, and seasoned. She did it all willingly. She took cautions and was focused. She was willing to learn how to hold the pan and how to stir correctly. I’m proud of her. I love spending time with my Clair Bear! 

Ellie likes to walk and run the bases

Ellie started out the season with a pretty high on base percentage. She gets there by walking most of the time. She loves to get on base and run and steal and slide. 

Last night after two stroke outs she got a hit to third. She outran it and scored. I was proud of her. 

My girl is one heck of a strong first basement. Nearly nothing passes her. 

Scientific mind in the making

While waiting for his turn at the dentist Max built this. I thought it was pretty. He figured out how to stabilize this whole making it high and using all the blocks. He spent a good amount of time on it. His mind works a lot like mind I think. 

Cute things I find on my desk

I have so many pieces of paper that show up on my desk from Clair. Today I was trying to clean up a little and found this card to me with a notice. 

Love this girl!