First Swim of Summer 2010

Ahhhhhhhh
Our pool opened Memorial Day weekend but we couldn't get there until this past Friday. Daddy took his lunch hour and met us at the pool. I was too nervous to take you down the "big blue slide" so Daddy did. We ate a Panera lunch and enjoyed being a family on a hot sticky day, poolside. It was glorious.

And then reality struck and Daddy had to go back to work for a meeting and you had to go home to take a nap!!! Until our next trip to the pool...

Strawberry Picking

Today we went strawberry picking. I have been really sick with a sinus infection that exploded yesterday. I never got off the couch (once I got back from picking up my drugs from the pharmacy). You took a 4 hours nap!!! I don't think you felt 100% either. We missed Art in the Park and Jessica's birthday party. I felt bad, but my body screamed for rest. Today, I am still sick and you slept almost until 10am!!!

Trying to make up for a being a sick mommy, we took you strawberry picking at our local farm: Baughers.

We got to go on a tractor ride out to the field. You grabbed on tight when it started to get bumpy.

When we made it out to the field, you were somewhat confused, until I picked a berry and gave it to you. You instinctively popped it into your mouth and you were hooked. Berry eating ensued more than picking but it was quite fun.

After you had your fill of strawberries, you figured out how to pick and put them into our basket. Although Daddy had to throw back alot of your "picks" because of rot, you understood what to do and participated successfully.

The farm even has a petting zoo with pigs and bunnies and kittens and goats and sheep and a cow and a donkey. You had a good time, even though the donkey nipped your fingers looking for more corn. Sometimes all the animals milling around was a little overwhelming, you would reach out for one of us to hold onto.

What was surprising was the other moms who were nagging at their kids not to walk in the mud or get dirty. Some other moms wouldn't even put their children down (this one boy was 17 months) out of fear of dirt / animals / insects. You came back covered in strawberry juice and sticky. Then after the petting zoo, those sticky spots were covered in animal fur and you had stepped in some type of animal poop. Somehow none of this bothered me. You were filthy when we stopped at the grocery store, maybe some of the sideways glances should have bothered me. But they didn't. I just can't worry about dirt and stickiness if it gets in the way of experience. You had quite the experience today and I would never prevent you from participating in an activity out of fear of dirt or mud. It might be a difference in parenting or philosophy of parenting, but the teacher in me wants you to touch, manipulate, squeeze, pet, taste, experiment to your heart's content. Experiences make up our lives and I want you to have as many as possible dirt or not.

Carnival Season

We moved to a small town last summer when you were a tiny bean, I had no idea the joy that summer months of June-July-August would bring. Within 15 miles of our home, there will be over 20 carnivals this summer! 20!!!! All the fire houses have them, all the churches, all the towns, including Westminster. Fun. Fun. FUN! It is June 3rd and we have already been to two! And tomorrow, Ashley might come up to go with us to another carnival!!!
I love carnivals, the rides, the food, the carni folk. All of it.

Nora, you have not disappointed. You also seem to love carnivals, especially the carousel (your favorite). While waiting to go on the rides you cling onto the gate and shake the lock in anticipation.

You squeal and giggle when its your turn to get on a ride and when its time to get off... well you don't want to get off. When we had to leave the carousel, you proceeded to pet and say goodbye to all the horses on the ride. The operator became somewhat annoyed, but more amused!

We had dinner at our church carnival tonight. You ate a hotdog and fries with vinegar and old bay in typical Baltimore style.

I was somewhat skeptical moving to a small town but carnival season reassures the decision to move out here. Any place that offers a carnival almost every week in the summer is the place for me!

Oh Nora, what fun we have had and will have. Nothing could replace these summer nights at the carnival.

Hello Summer!

Memorial Day is the official beginning of summer. Pools open, barbeques happen, and women wear white shoes again.
You marched in your first parade today with Becca for the city of Westminster. You were the epitome of cute, marching in your red checkered dress waving your American flag. You marched and rode in the patriotic decorated wagon for the entire 1.5 mile parade route! You were a trooper. And you had your own cheering crowd! Mr. Kevin, Ms. Trish, Nick, Grandma, Grandpa, Daddy and I all hooted and hollered when you marched by. You looked so confused and hot (it was 90+)!

We got to go a picnic of sorts. Katelyn (a friend of the family) graduated from high school. They had a Memorial Day pinicic as her grad party. Guess what? There was a moon bounce! You became an expert at moon bounces last weekend at Aunt Clare's graduation party. You were so adorable, attempting to jump and rolling around. Your laugh was infectious.

Carnival season is upon us and warrants its own posting.

Sometimes it hurts when you are left out of a party or don't receive an invite to something you were expecting. It happened today. Maybe we should (again) learn a lesson from you: One shouldn't focus on where they aren't, instead enjoy the present moment before it's over. And Nora, you know how to enjoy a moment more than anyone else I know!

Thank you for your patience as Mommy tries to figure out what the important things in life are. Not only are you cute, you're wise too.

Sprinkles with Stan

After we left the house on Friday for playgroup the dogs found the toppings from my Ice Cream Sundae Celebration for my Lego Club at school. Brandy took the rainbow sprinkles from my work bag and brought it outside. I discovered the open container on the walkway but had my hands full when going inside so I could not stop to pick it up. By the time I came back outside you and Stan had stumbled upon the sprinkle oasis. It was too late to salvage anything from the mess so I did the next best thing, I went back inside to grab the camera.

We originally adopted Stan back in December as a companion for Brandy, but the two of you have become inseparable. The adventure and trouble the two of you will get in... I can't even begin to fathom.

During this spontaneous sprinkle feast you exuded such pure elation I think it should become a beginning-of-summer tradition!

My Little Dare Devil

Nonna & Nonni bought you an outdoor ride-on vehicle at Unique Thrift (ask Aunt Molly and Aunt Clare about Unique sometime). They live on a semi-quiet street so we took you out to go riding. We thought it would be a nice leisurly walk around the block. Instead, you figured out how to push yourself forward and when you gathered enough momentum, you lift up your feet to really pick up speed. This wouldn't be so bad if there wasn't a very steep hill at the end of the street. You have no fear and a taste for adventure, if it goes fast, you try to make it go even faster. You love to spin around, go on rides, generally just take risks. You maniacal laugh is infectous and we all enjoy your presence... even Aunt Molly (she can be hard to please).

And after tonight's slip on water (that you splashed on the floor from the dog bowl), I think we should consider putting a helmet on you during all waking hours!!! Looking forward to our church carnival next week. There will be lots of rides for a little dare devil like you!

14 Months

Life has a way of taking its own twists and turns. I am a planner. I like to have a vision of what we are doing, where we are going and what to expect. I spend alot of time envisioning the future and working toward that vision.

Since your conception, I have been making decisions for you. What to eat, how much to sleep, what to wear, what playgroup to join, swim classes to take, parties to attend. I am constantly making decisions for you. I can (somewhat) control the situation and outcome.
Or should I say, I used to...

You are 14 months today and your personality is bigger than ever. And decisions. YOU need to make the decisions, what to drink, what to eat, what to wear, where to go, participate, not participate. I am loosing control... and it is somewhat scary but more exciting.
Yesterday, I dropped you off at Ms. Patti's and you ran over to sit with the group and waved goodbye from the floor across the room, I waved back. Then you puckered up and blew me a kiss. As if to say, "Bye mom! Love you!"

You love the letter "a" (lowercase is much more interesting than uppercase). You can pick out the letter "a" from a group of letters. You seem to like words with the letter "a" in them, especially the word happy. Maybe it's the double p? Or that frisky y on the end? Maybe you just recognize the "a" but whatever the allure, you picked happy off the word wall during nursery and amazed everyone. Coincidence, I say, she doesn't know the word happy. Then you do it again. I ask Ms. Patti about your knowledge. "Oh yes, Nora loves the word happy."

You now lick water out of the dog bowls, just like Brandy and Stan. You discovered what fun a water fountain is and whenever you see one, you immediately make a beeline for it and demand a drink. We both end up with water all over our shirts, a permanent grin pasted on your face.

You communicate your wants and needs better than ever. You use words, like juice or cookie to let us know that you want to eat / drink. You are very good at gesturing for up and out. When getting dressed, you lift your leg up (one at a time) to put on your pants. You stand there one leg up in the air waiting for the pant leg. Then you lift up the other leg to put on the second pant leg. I pause and think, do all 14 month olds do this? Where did you learn how to put on pants? I didn't teach you... You also put your shoes on.

You are only 14 months, but you are so independent. Independent in play, independent in decisions, independent in eating... sometimes I miss being that hovering mommy, knowing that you need me for everything. I am glad this process will be somewhat slow. I am not ready for this independence, but you seem to be.

We went to Becca's varsity sport banquet, all the proud moms and dads, watching their babies receive awards. One day you will be in high school and I will be on of those moms who can only look on proudly at who you've become. The only decisions I will control are my own words and actions, setting the example for yours.

14 months... going on 14 years.