Visit to the Dentist...

Sophia had her second visit to the dentist on Thursday. I didn't have my camera for her first visit six months ago, but that was the day she gave up the pacifier cold turkey so we had bigger issues at hand... I love our dentist and the practice. There are TVs! Here she is relaxed, catching up on some Sesame with the headphones on as her teeth is cleaned. And when I mentioned that last time the light made her nervous, out came - SUNGLASSES. Dentistry has come a long way...

I actually look forward to my appointments here. Its the two times a year I get to watch The View...

Bedtime Prayers

"Father we thank you for the new puzzle. And for all the beasts and vegetation."

Meeting Carter McCall!

The girls and I road-tripped it to the mountains today to FINALLY meet our new cousin Carter McCall (Sophia says it like a double-name, very Southern Belle).Oh Sweet Newborn...how wonderful to snuggle with you when I am not the one sleep-deprived. And that newborn smell? It should be bottled and sold at Sephora...

Carter is absolutely precious. It's amazing to realize in another year she will be ready to perform with my Mom's Song and Dance Troop - Buela's Beach Babies/Ana's Bananas (name still to be determined...)

Remember When...Thirty Seemed so Old?

Travis turned 30, on July 26th and was suprised with a Festa Italia Party...Everyone brought a favorite Italian dish in order that Travis could enjoy those things he loves most - people and marinara sauce. What is so surprising was - he actually was surprised! There were over 80 people there and he had no suspicions. Sadly, this could also be an indicator of how stressful his summer is and how low his birthday expectations are. Some college guys kidnapped him (yes, he was forced to sit blindfolded on the floor of a van even) and after a full afternoon they brought him in a dark hood to the party house, took the hood off and when we yelled surprise he had to turn around and go outside just to figure out where he was...

Post-surprise embraces...Nick Hill? Did I invite you? Glad you found your way there...

And the food...oh the food...Everyone went all-out. This was no ordinary pot-luck...This was an amazing culinary adventure!

Look at this spread!

Party Guests ate to their hearts delight...

Guests filled out name tags with a place for their name and then their connection to Travis.

"My Name is....I'm Travis's...."

Entries got quite creative.

Yes, if you look closely Dave claims to be Travis's "lover"

Here is Travis with his Summer Interns. Towards the end of the evening Travis started collecting the nametags and wearing them.

Luke was my great Emcee for the evening...

And Travis with our VERY gracious host...
80 people? No problem

Its common knowledge that Travis and I go WAY back...as in to kindergarten. We went to school together until 3rd grade and then reconnected again the summer after 6th grade in the church youth group. That June I turned 12 and the next month he turned 13. All I wanted to be was a teenager and he berated me all summer saying "You're closer to 11 than you are to 13!"
Sweet Justice you are finally mine. Happy Birthday Trav. I'm closer to 28 than I am to 30.

Aunt Ashley flew in from New York, bringing a frozen slice of Sicilian pizza from Travis's favorite pizza resturant as a gift. Oh the sibling love...

Simone Family Picture...

Foo was worn out by this very Grown Up party...

But I think Sophia could have gone all night...

It was an amazing night that exceeded even my most hopeful expectations. I wanted to give Travis a moment - just a moment to feel how rich he was in community and friends and life. We have so much and daily schedules can be so relentless - it was a great occasion to take pause and celebrate. I was moved seeing how people love him, the incredible influence he has had, and as a result how our "family" continues to extend and expand...We had our immediate families there, extended families, dear friends from Virginia Beach, and our Williamsburg community - some of whom we have known since we started at William and Mary in 1999. People have been so good to us. I felt humbled and grateful and George Bailey-esque - and I didn't even have to turn 30 for it...

Five Minutes Peace

Megan's recent post reminded me of two things: 1. my life and 2. Mrs. Large. Once again, after having spent a childhood being read Jill Murphy's books, I find myself experiencing a new sense of kinship with Mrs. Large, elephant and mother of three. If you have not yet read this modern-day tale of hope and tragedy, desire and disappointment - read it. Mrs. Large's quest for "five minutes" peace is the battle cry of mother's everywhere.

I recently attempted to take a shower during normal daytime hours. This has always been a risky endeavor. I do put away all razors now, but they get into things I can never think of. They are always one or two, or often, three steps ahead.

Note the dialogue that occurred in what I was hoping would be 5-6.5 minutes of serenity.

Mommy!!!!!!!!!! I got myself some shredded cheese out of the refrigerator! I put it in my own bowl.

(me)WHAT! Don't spill it!

I already did. But I cleaned it up.

(me) Well, what is Foo doing?

Eating crayons.

(me) Well, umm, tell her to stop!

pitter patter of little feet running away...then returning...

I told her but she is still eating the green one. Yummy...this is good cheese...

Dissonance

My Aunt Pat recommended I read this book a few weeks ago. I finished it in two days (an impressive post-kids record) The jacket blurbs call it "heartbreaking" and "terrifying" and a "must read." And all of that is true. Especially if you love someone who has Alzheimers Disease.

Baba and Foo - August 2009


Recently I read back through this blog and noticed how each post seemed to resolve. I needed to share something in my life that, along with Jazz and Don Miller, I cannot resolve.

re-solve [ri-zolv]

- verb

1. to come to a definite or earnest decision about; to determine

2. to reduce by mental analysis

3.to deal with (a question, a matter of uncertainty, etc.) conclusively

4.to clear away or dispel (doubts, fears, etc.), to answer

5. music: to cause to progress from a dissonance to a consonance

Peanuts and Cracker Jacks

We went down to a Tides game Sunday afternoon. Oh the fun of buying concessions - I mean, watching baseball!

And the moonwalk was a huge hit!

Not surprisingly, my children fit that very narrow category of humans not terrified of clowns.

Sophia chose to have Belle painted on her face...

It was a great afternoon!

What Do You Wear to Church?

Sophia has been excited to dress "fancy" for church lately. If only she would take her fingers off her nose for the picture...

CSSM

As I continue into adulthood, I still have moments when I realize "...not everyone grew up this way?" For example, last week, the girls and I headed back to Virginia Beach to participate in CSSM (I'd put a link, but there isn't one.) CSSM is essentially Vacation Bible School - on the beach. Growing up in a beach town the underwritten rule always seemed to be: "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing in our bathing suits." Here's Sophia holding up part of the daily Memory Verse, while wearing her Two Piece Princess Bathing Suit with a Tutu. This image warms my heart and speaks of those values I was raised to honor the most - the beach and Jesus.

Sophia and Olivia were on the young end for this event. But I was eager to start their indoctrination early. I grew up going to CSSM, spent high school as a leader and now my mom runs it, my Cousin Becca assisted her and Brother Peter and Cousin Megan were on the team. It was a family affair. And when I saw two huge Norfolk Christian buses dropping off dozens of children from city neighborhoods, well I felt like I was home.

Foo wasn't so sure. I am determined to make her a beach lover but she tends to resist. We would get there and she'd sit in the sand for 4.5 minutes and then stand up and announce "ALL DONE" and head back to the boardwalk.

Sophia enjoyed making friends new friends. We had a great week and the girls have the tans to show for it, though they may not remember the Bible verses...Maybe next year...

Babysitter Salute!

We've been dealing with some separation anxiety around here lately...Well, that's not how Sophia explains it to me. What she tells me is more along the lines of "Diego gets nervous when his Mommy is gone a long time," and "I don't want to go to my [church] class anymore because Diego stopped going. It just got too long for him." She used to adore babysitters, and class settings, relishing the captive audience and new places to weave her tales. This too shall pass. Hopefully in time for preschool to begin in September. We already paid Diego's deposit.

I called Nicole the morning of an engagement party we were going to and explained the situation. I begged Nicole to bring something - some sort of gimick, an old stuffed animal from her childhood could do it - just something special for Sophia to get excited about.
What does Nicole/"Babysitter Extraordinaire" show up with? Supplies to make jewelry and t-shirts!

They could not get me out the door fast enough...An amazing time was had by everyone - even Diego I heard...