A grandma on Bainbridge Island is close but just out of reach. So Michael started a bi-weekly Sunday tradition a few years ago. A day-trip to Grandma Julie’s!
A big full day of fun awaits with a visit to grandma’s. It goes something like this: walk — light rail — walk — ferry — Grandma! — beach-time — home cooked dinner — ferry — walk — light rail — walk — Home!
Rinse and Repeat on two Sundays hence.
A perfect day! I’m truly grateful to spend it with you!
Mother’s Day this year included the felicity of being in the company of and guests of NanaBaba, as well as a day of much mothering (we laughed as Nana and I washed dishes morning and night).
Midday we went migrating out to Westport. The skill, ingenuity and fortitude of NanaBaba lent three high flying kites to the occasion.
Lady Kitty informed us all— “My First Kite!” As she reeled it out to its full limit. Strong and focused girl!
Lake had the coolest kite, a falcon that kept dove bombing into the sand. He was tenacious and, with help to give the bird a boost, kept on flying.
We all had a gas.
A perfect Mother’s Day!
I’m glad I spent it with you!
“We have a yardin! It’s a yard and a garden.” she said exuberantly one sunny day we could lazily and playfully wander around outside— stopping to smell the roses and pick the flowers.
Nearly every day, she picks me a bouquet of flowers and ferns and grasses. Very artistic. On this day she also baked a cake with Theresa for Mr. Cat, home from the veterinary clinic for the treatment of his hyperthyroidism.
“I wish the days never ended,” said Lady Kitty.
She’s having a good life.
A perfect day. I’m glad I spent it with you.
Saturday Lake participated in his ballet school’s end-of year recital and we showed up to cheer him on. He did a great job! He’s working very hard. He is concluding his second year with Pacific Northwest Ballet School and has been invited back!
Lake has a great sense of rhythm and movement but ballet and discipline and holding still at the barre do not come naturally for him. He is not alone! Lake was placed in pre-ballet for another year and the school is creating a boy’s section for next year.
We are very proud of Lake.
A perfect day! I’m glad I spent it with you!
Lady Kitty asked me, “Which is further away the moon or the sun?”
“The sun,” I answered.
“I love you to the sun and back!” she said.
Meanwhile, Lake and I discussed my upcoming volunteering in his classroom…
“You’re a lot older than the other moms that volunteer.”
“Oh, do I look older since I’m back after being gone for three weeks?”
“I was worried you and Lady Kitty might be a lot older when I got back, but I’m relieved to discover you both look the same.” I went on.
He gave me a look like don’t get mad, but what rock have you been living under? and I have to tell you the truth. “You’ve been old for a long time,” he said.
Aww. A perfect day! I’m glad I spent it with you!
Vivi (DE au pair 2020) came over from Germany to visit for Spring Break !! Furthermore, because got moxie— she’s ambitious energetic and confident,— she thought it would be fun to take the kids on a road trip of the Olympic Peninsula and the Oregon Coast !! She grabbed the car keys, nabbed Theresa, packed up the car and the kiddos, and off they went in complete Vivi style! They were plagued by a bit of poor weather but warm hospitality in Washington and enjoyed sunshine, beach time and visiting friends in Oregon. Huge gratitude and note of thanks to all involved in making this possible, especially Vivi, Theresa, Gary, Duane, Jessica and Kelly. From the photos it appears a good time was had by all!
📸 Vivien Petersilie/Theresa Mader
This morning Lady Kitty was happy albeit a tad disoriented. As she made her way out of bed and to the bathroom with Lake (31 dry diapers in a row, and counting!), I was also waking up upstairs and, upon hearing them together, I came out of my bedroom to greet them.
“We woke up before alarm o’clock,” she said puzzled and a bit smug at the same time. 😂
Midwinter break 2024 was back by popular demand at Camp NanaBaba, hosted by the ever generous and creative dynamic duo NanaBaba!! Their week was full of adventure and exploration! What a special tradition of memory making. Thank you to Lynn and Duane for building the fort and the fires, cooking up the meals and the activities. A perfect week full of perfect days.
📸 Lynn Murphy
One morning of President’s Day Weekend Lady Kitty climbed into bed with me—in my bedroom at my parents house where we were staying and wherein I lived as a teenager— and cuddled up to me and wrapped her little leg around mine.
“When will it be morning?” she asked.
“It kind of is morning already. It’s just very early morning.” I said
“When will it not be early morning?” she asked quietly. “I see a little bit of light out there”, she continued. It was six o’clock.
“You’re my sweetest Sweetheart,” I said.
“Lake is your sweetest son,” she directly replied.
“Duane is your sweetest Dad,” she went on.
“Nana is your sweetest Mama.”
“Let’s go downstairs and see if Baba is there.” He was!
A perfect day! I’m glad all the Sweethearts get to spend the weekend together with NanaBaba, who are such esteemed and gracious hosts, devoted parents and loving grandparents. And then the kids got to stay the week for mid-winter break at the now famous Camp NanaBaba.
Last night I overheard Michael as he was putting the kids to bed, as is his custom when he gets home from work around their bedtime… he was counting super fast, and in a funny voice, and the children were laughing in hysterics. When they were finally all cozy and contentedly tucked in, he came out of the room. I commented happily that it seemed like they were having a lot of fun at bedtime.
“Kids really love counting. The fun never ends when you’re counting,” he said.
Infinite fun! That got me in hysterics!
And just in case you don’t find that as funny as I did, here’s some Valentine’s themed jokes for your amusement:
What did the blueberry say to the strawberry on Valentine’s Day?
I love you berry much.
What kind of Valentine’s Day candy is never on time?
ChocoLATE.
What do you call a very small Valentine?
A valenTINY.
What did one volcano say to the other?
I lava you.
What do you call two birds in love? Tweethearts.
And one last one from our family to yours: What kind of fun never ends?
Counting!
Wishing you and yours a very lovely Valentine’s Day!
A Perfect Day . . . 