{puzzled}

One item on my list of things to do this summer was to put together a big puzzle. Why?...I'm not sure. I've been eyeing this large train puzzle in my closet for some time, and finally pulled it out. It took me 3 days. And once I finished, I studied the picture and asked myself, "Why do people put together puzzles?" Because they are bored? I am not. Or need a challenge? I do not. Perhaps I like finding and fitting together the pieces. Perhaps I like the notion that I have nothing better to do. Maybe because I am just odd that way. Don't answer that one...

I asked Katelyn to help me by pulling all the edge pieces out. She did for awhile, and then declared, "This is taking too long! There are way too many!" For sure. I looked back at the box, and noticed, "Experience the EDGE." 650 of the 1000 pieces were edge pieces. Then I was intrigued by how this would even work. Notice the lines. The puzzle basically built boxes around itself. And then my ultimate pet peeve: one piece missing. And it was a brand new puzzle. I think that happens every time, no matter how hard I try to keep them all together.

So maybe you can tell me, "Why do people put together puzzles?" I don't know. I am puzzled.

{1st grade}

It dawned on me that I remember everything from 1st grade on. Chad is here. Now. Chad's memories from now on will stick with him. 

I am really going to love walking to school with Chad in the morning. It's about an 8 minute walk around 7:30, before it has gotten hot yet. It's a time when just Chad and I can chat. This morning, he asked me if I liked my 1st grade teacher, because he already "really likes Mrs. McCarty, even thought it's only the 2nd day." So, we reminisced about my 1st grade. We had just moved from OKC to Londonderry, NH- just like Jonathan and I and the kids just moved from Denver to California. He asked where NH is..."Well, Chad. About as far away from California as you can get in the US. Near the Atlantic ocean, not the Pacific." We lived in a house on a hill; and every morning, I walked to school with my dad-who was the principal. Chad thought that was WAY cool that my dad was at my school every day and was "in charge of all the teachers." In the winter when it snowed, I would sled to school. My teacher was Miss Brewster. She was athletic (at least I thought so because she always wore tennis shoes) and had long black hair and bangs. She kept a cup of smarties on her desk for prizes. When we did something well, we got 1. Not one pack. One single tiny round candy. The playground had a pyramid of black truck tires that gave us black smears on our hands and clothes when we climbed it. Mom must have loved those tires;-0 It also had blackberry bushes on one side, and we liked to pick and eat the berries for a snack. I learned to ride a bike in the school parking lot that year. It was a bright blue bike with a white banana seat and basket. I also had my first crush that year. A dashing boy named Josh Bleu. I wonder what ever happened to him? I still have a blue wooden heart he painted in art class and gave to me. Our birthdays were a day apart. Chad thinks this is unbelievable. "Girls are gross! I would never give a heart to a girl!" (We'll see;-) 

After school, I'd walk up the hill and play in the tree house in the forest behind our house. My dad had built a large tree house out of old church pews and made a peaked roof with a blue tarp draped over a large log. I still remember sitting out there with Michelle in our lawn chairs with our dolls while the rain pattered on that tarp roof. Maybe that's another reason why I love the rain so much. I do have many fond memories of New Hampshire. I also remember the mosquitoes. I remember being very sad to move away after 2nd grade. I remember chocolate chip cookies...the only thing dad ever made in the kitchen, and he was good at it.

{games with friends & family}

     I've got to tell you, playing games with friends is one of the most fun and rewarding times you can have. Learning new games. Teaching old ones. And I don't mean video games. I'm alluding to old-fashioned board games. Like scrabble. Well, Rachel, of course you'd mention that first! But also Trivial Pursuit, Cranium, Boggle, Pente, and Scattergories. Or newer games like bananagrams and farkel...or card games like Rook and Canasta. Some very good friends of ours introduced us to Ticket to Ride a few years back, and last night, we introduced it to some new friends of ours. In return, they taught us Kaiser, a Canadian card game that we really enjoyed. Jonathan says "games are a much better social lubricant than alcohol." Indeed, what better way to start conversations and watch personalities display themselves than to start up a game with a group.

    Games also allow you a glimpse into the mind of your child. You can learn how they think, what sets them off, and what makes them feel rewarded. Candyland teaches them patience when they have to go all the way back to Peppermint Forest. SET teaches them to see patterns. Bananagrams practices spelling. Chad and I have been playing Battleship this summer. One of the games actually came down to a sincere heart to heart when he thought I had lied. I, in turn, tried to remind him of the different ship formations without telling him the shape of the ship he thought he should have sunk. I could see his little mind working through all the scenarios, when suddenly, it dawned on him that there was another way. Then his eyes welled up with tears, and he gave me a big hug, apologizing that he called me a liar. Afterwards, he informed me "Mom, I need to retire from this game. I have alot to think about."
    Then there's games with family, sitting around during the holidays, sipping warm beverages, and getting to know one another again during laughter and silly antics in CatchPhrase and the frenzy of Dutch Blitz. These times are priceless. As long as nobody takes things too seriously:)
     So go on. Dust off that game you haven't played in ages. Gather your friends and family. Keep up the gaming, and make some great memories! Now, who wants lemonade?

{dazzle and dreams}

     Katelyn came out to the car, ready for cheerleading, and asked us, "Do I look glamorous and dazzling?" (words from Fancy Nancy) I looked at the jewelry, sunglasses, and purse, and had to answer, "Yes, but how can you cheer with all that?" She answered, "Glamorous means you have that kind of talent."

     Last night, I overheard her telling Jonathan, "Daddy, I wish you didn't have to have bad dreams in order to have good dreams." Jonathan told her that she could have good dreams without the bad dreams. She informed him you have to EARN the good dreams. Oh, I did not know that...Listening with more curiosity, I heard him ask her what kind of good dreams she wanted to have. With a lilt in her voice, she answered, "Oh, dreams about birthdays, unicorns, and how to clean your room..."

     Lately, this imaginative jewel of mine has been telling everyone at church that she has 10 sisters. She proceeds to name them all and include details that make it all plausible. The poor people who are just meeting this girl for the first time are completely duped into believing the tale... until they meet me. It's been pretty comical to get asked questions like, "How old are you?" "Do you really have 11 children?" "Are some of Katelyn's sisters twins?" They must think I look great for having 11 kids. The only wisdom I can share with them is: "If it came from Kate, take it with a grain of salt...or imagination!" (the 10 sisters are her dolls)

In the midst of this imagination, Chad usually stares at Katelyn in consternation. He is beginning to see things for what they are, and dealing with feelings that come with realizations. We urge he and Katelyn both to tell us in a controlled way how they feel and why in order to avoid pent up feelings and consequent anger. It's an interesting exercise, and often difficult to suppress a rising giggle over matters they consider "life and death." The other day, Chad walked in my room holding a Lego truck and trailer (part of which I helped him make), and said in all seriousness, "Mom, I can't decide if I am mad or not, but you put the sticker on upside down." 

I walked outside today after P90X to get a breath of fresh air. Found my 2 men fastidiously working. Well, Jonathan at least. Chad is absorbed in the world of Calvin and Hobbs.

{cinderella}

     Kate and I went to Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella at the Redlands Bowl tonight. She dressed up in a princess costume and picked out a fancy dress and heels for me to wear. 2 hours and 439 questions later, I decided it had been a real treat to take my daughter. Me for nostalgic reasons as I sang the familiar songs in my head...and Katelyn for "princessy" reasons as she sat on a borrowed igloo so she could see everything. I would look over at her enrapt expression and sigh at her wonderment. Silence in the seats.              
     Then LOUDLY, "Why does everyone have a partner?" Pause. "Where is the prince's crown?" Silence. "Why is that queen ugly?" Loud giggles when the king's pants fall down to reveal purple heart boxers. "That's like what daddy wears!" (minus the purple hearts) Pause. "What is that, next to Cinderella and the prince?" A well. "Does it have water in it?"
     I lean over to Katelyn and whisper, Kate! Whisper! She answers, "I can't!" You can. She makes a face and begins to loudly utter "Whooo whooo whooo." Stop Kate. What are you doing? "Well, you told me to whistle!" No, whisper. "Well, that's hard too"... Pause. "What are those chairs for?" Silence. "Are the lights on the coach plugged into an outlet?" No. "How are they working then?" Magic. Pause. Near panic...Cinderella is in the coach on the way to the ball and, "Oh no! She forgot to take the handkerchief out of her hair!"
     Intermission. As soon as the lights come on, everyone wants to meet this bright little girl who asks so many questions and is making such astute observations. She tells them all about how she's going to be a princess nurse mommy when she grows up and shows them her fancy shoes (which necessitated I carry her the whole way). The ladies next to us shared strawberries and chocolate. She thanks them for the "royal treat" and informs them that she is waiting until Cinderella's wedding to put on the crown she brought. She predicts, "Cinderella will be dazzling."
     When the music starts again and everyone is seated, she dances up and down the aisles. At one point, I look back to see her sitting by an elderly lady and motion for her to move closer to me. She dances back to me and explains that she had made a new nice friend. More dancing and pirouettes, followed by "Is Cinderella REALLY married to that prince?" No, they are just actors. "Then why did they kiss?" Because they were acting. "Well, then, I am going to marry that prince for real!" And she takes off running down the aisle toward the stage...
     Later in the evening, I ask what her favorite part was. Without a doubt, "When the prince blew me a kiss!"

{what's your topping?}

Kate hops up on the bed this morning and states emphatically, "Mom, today, I will pick out the clothes you will wear. It will be more beautiful than what you usually wear." With a groan, and knowing she will pick out a dress, I inform my 4 year old, "I have decided to wear shorts today." Without missing a beat, she says, "Oh that's okay. I'll just pick out your topping!"


Just overheard Kate telling Chad, "I know some people who only eat cake EVERY day, and THEY are still alive..."

{camping on the beach}

A couple weeks ago, we had the notion to spend the night on the beach. I pictured us just driving west, finding an isolated spot, and setting up our tent. The kids are now old enough to stay asleep through most of the night without mauling our faces too badly (Kate does pinwheels and Chad talks and kicks in his sleep). Jonathan and I got online to do some research. We quickly realized you cannot just "find a spot on the southern California beaches and pitch a tent." No, you reserve and pay $35 online for a tent spot, months in advance. There was one opening on a Friday night in June at San Clemente beach, and otherwise none until after school starts. Well, what the heck? Let's do it....And, as it worked out, we signed the sale paperwork for our house in Denver on the way out. Yay!

The sandy camping area was situated with sites along the top of a cliff with the beach below and the railroad running between. We've never camped in such close proximity to others. We could hear babies crying, friends talking, and kids laughing long into the night. But the experience was great. Standing by the lighthouse to watch the sunset, watching the Chad and Katelyn play in the sand (the water was too cold), and enjoying the campfire, lambic, and Jonathan's cigar late into the cool night was nostalgic. I have to say that I did miss Harvey the RV, but the tent sufficed. Memories, right? I'd do it again...

The most fun the kids had was pulling tiny starfish and other creatures from the root web of some beached kelp.