a little inspiration

I promised myself I'd write something this week.  So here I am, trying to figure out what to say.  I feel a bit overwhelmed. I'll start with this- kindergarten has been a roller coaster so far.  I've started to fear the phone ringing in the middle of the day.  I'm not sure what I expected before E started but it certainly wasn't this.  In some ways it is as hard as having him home since we are always thinking up new strategies to help him out in school.  I always think we are getting ahead and then suddenly he takes two steps back. I can tell you one thing.  He is different than other kids.  Not all other kids but certainly "typical" kids.  He cannot control impulses.  He reacts so strongly to situations that might go completely unnoticed by others.  He is obviously very smart but that isn't enough to be successful without constant support. I tell myself that is a lesson for me in impermanence.  Now is not for...

Our days are flashing by.  Today, Emerson went to school for a half day.  Next week he'll start for real and he got into an amazing music program so he'll be at school all day.  I imagine he'll be bushed at the end of the day.  Out OT reminded us to prepare for meltdowns in the first month and to keep our calm so that he can regain his.  I might put some signs up for us. Today is rainy and grey.  Perfect and cool.  I love days like this, they are such a blessing in the summer.  I have a pile of patterns and ideas to work on.  I have marketing work. I have house work.  But it will all keep a little longer.  Yesterday, once the baby (can I call her that still??) was asleep Emerson and I drew pictures and read stories.  I left the dishes piled high in the sink.  I knew there were only a few more days like this left and it was so much more important to just be with him 100%.  It was the right choice.  So seld...

Sissie learned to go up stairs today.  She has likely been able to do it for a month or more but today was her first chance.  We have no stairs inside our apartment (which was one of the selling points.  After living in the big house we first moved to we realized that a home without stairs has many benefits.)  Anyway, it was amazing to see her size up the stairs and then just go for it.  We didn't have a chance to try down yet.  I imagine that will be next month. Today was the first day for E back at school after the holiday break.  I was afraid when I thought it'd be cancelled because of the polar vortex but luckily our teachers also felt it was time to start up again.  I was the parent teacher so it wasn't the kind of break I'm really ready for but it was still a wonderful morning. His school does a theme each month and now the kids do research projects each round and he drew the Arctic Ground Squirrel as his subject. (They are studying th...

  I just love hearing the Bug talk so much.  Instead of a g sound at the end of words he does a t sound and it cracks me up.  I know it won't be long before he drops that and starts sounding even more grown up so I am enjoying it now.  Where's papa go-int?  What's mama do-int? I'm cook-int. I'm sing-int! We've also been hearing a lot more singing.  He sings Twinkle, Twinkle over and over and the "Abcd's" too.  One morning on the walk to school he was watching the sky and pointing out airplanes and clouds when he saw the moon. "What's dat?" "Hmm, what is that?" "Yea. Dat the moon!" He then commenced singing Twinkle at the top of his lungs.  It is pretty awesome.  Very punk rock.  It totally melts my heart. Earlier in the morning when he came into our room he told us, "I need to sing!" and went back to his room to pick up his uke ("dougar") and just strummed. School seems so wonderful fo...

Next week our little Bug starts "school."  This will mean lots off changes but the most constant new thing is that his lunch will have to be packed every day.  And that means we have to be ready.  Every. Day.  This is not really my style. Also, even though I have been feeding him nearly everyday for over two years (sometimes I let him starve ;-) I still feel unsure about how to pack a lunch.  Because we eat a little here, a little there.  We eat messy leftovers and lots of apple sauce.  And fruit, tons of fruit.  But not so much sandwiches or whatever.  Hummus and crackers.  Things that seem a little hard to pack with out a) mess and b)waste.  Two things I don't really like.  I'm sure we'll get though it and I'll be a pro in no time but right now, I'm a little obsessed. I started with trying to figure out what kind of containers would work for a toddler to be able to get into and out of easily.  This is really hard....

In August, the Bug starts "school".  I can't believe our little boy has only been with us two years and some months.  I can't imagine being with out him.  When I think about things we did before him I find myself searching those memories for him.  Surely, he has always been with me.  He must have gone rock climbing and camping and caving with us.  I'm sure he was in California that month I worked there.  And then I realize how silly it is.  He is only TWO.  You could say he was there, a tiny egg, an invisible thought, a future I had no idea would come.  I am excited for us all to start this new phase.  In all honesty, I need to have a break from full-time parenting.  I don't have the energy to keep up every day with such a potent, fresh life.  I also know he craves the time with others his own age and loves the play that he already engages in on the playground with some of his soon to be classmates. In preparation I ...

We have been going a mile a minute since the weather has turned.  Outside as much as possible and running, jumping and riding.  The Bug wore holes in shoes riding his rocket back and forth to the playground.  I've been feeling melancholy with the news from Japan and trying to keep focused on the here and now.  School is going so fast and offering so much information.  I am starting to wonder how much space is in my brain anyway.  I am feeling quite ambivalent about everything except crocheting and sewing.   At least with those things I know I really want to do things.  I even finished crocheting a tank top last night. One of the things I always go to when I am feeling lost or confused is Jane Austen.  Weirdly, I only started reading her books about three years ago.  I started with Pride and Prejudice .  I think that is how you determine which of her books is your favorite.  The one you start with is the most special to you....

Going to Miami for three days by myself was everything I could have wished for and more.  The time in the sun and being surrounded by like minded individuals was worth its weight in gold.  I spent the first day on the beach waiting to be able to check into my room, reading Jane Austin.  Every twenty to thirty minutes I would look up and around with that feeling (you'll know what I mean) of wondering what I should be doing.  And then I'd run down all the options and find that not one of them was available to me.  My job was simply to soak up the sun and the sound of the waves and the divine luxury of doing nothing at all.  Priceless after the last 21 months of nonstop constant demand on my attention.  Of course, I did get a bit sun burnt for having nothing else to do, but no complaints here. That night I met up with the other ladies sharing my hotel and we headed out to a dinner that, at least for me, consisted mostly of avocado.  Yay.  I ...

 {from my first visit to the zoo}  I'm still here.  I am struggling through getting used to a new computer and camera along with the normal winter blahs. So no new pictures.  I always feel with out images my words aren't enough.  Tricky. I finished Senor's sweater in time for his birthday.  It fits really well.  Slimmer than he is used to, but I think it looks great.  I can't wait to actually take a picture.  You all are going to be impressed.  Promise. This weekend I am taking my first ever mama break.  I am going to sunny Miami for a conference for school.  So. Happy!  I need some sunshine and rest.  I need to be re-energized by other people passionate about helping the world to a better place.  And helping yourself along the way. I am about to start seeing clients.  Are you a busy mom?  If you were going to get support in the kitchen, health and life balance what would you ask for?  Wha...

For Autumn??  I started this one in April  and just finished it last night.  I had to. At the end of August I signed up the  Professional Training Program with the Institute of Integrative Nutrition .  In October my classes start in earnest.  In March I will be able to start seeing clients as a Health Coach.  Helping people make the changes they want and need in their lives to become healthier and happier.  I am so excited to be able to go to this school and have the chance to do this kind of work.  Work which is helpful to individuals, communities and our whole world.  Right now I am going through the fundamentals, they call them Warm Up classes.  And I am certainly getting warmer.  It is so wonderful to be learning again.  To have something to share with my family and friends aside from what the Bug did today. I am sure you will all get to listen to me ramble on about all this in the next year.  I mi...

With the paper! Yippy! Now I just need to read 70 pages to catch up and prepare a ten minute talk. It's okay- yesterday was lovely out and today is rainy... Seńor brought home a little azelea and we stuck it in the ground yesterday. We also watched Mr & Mrs Smith in Spanish last night while drinking rum and coke (sorry c-pher, that is why we didn't make it... I poured the first one at 5:30...) and it was very funny. Anybody remember that jacket I was working on ages ago? I am going to finish it right now.