a little inspiration

This weekend we went to the LEAF Festival and spent the day enjoying the weather and music and fun a huge festival like this can provide.  It was a good test for me in a couple ways: 1. Sticking to the diet with so many fun foods and drinks around.  2. See all the items for sale from vendors and not buying anything. In preparation for the diet challenge I packed a lot of food.  We planned to be there from lunch time till bed time and I wasn't expecting to be able to find anything to buy and eat for myself.  Emerson also can't have gluten so we always pack all his food (which is extensive as the boy is always hungry.)  Being the kind of festival it is and in such a food conscious place (seriously Asheville is about the best town to have a food allergy or sensitivity) I thought we might be able to find something but didn't want to take any risks. Somehow we all ate all day and only bought one plate of curry (the was eaten mostly by John.)  What a s...

We try to get outside while the weather is still nice.  I know it is good to get out regardless of the weather but my bones hold the chill so well that I don't follow that example.  I am glad he now has school to fulfill that for him during most of the week and Papa to help him on the weekend. Anyway, yesterday was perfect.  Fall like but not cold and enough  sunshine to balance out the chill.  It was just the three of us until he found some other kids his age and latched on to them.  Instantly he was their leader, directing, encouraging, showing them the way. The North Carolina Arboretum  is close by and a favorite destination.  Add awesome lego creations and you have a super fantastic scavenger hunt to the trails like finding pixelated treasure.  The size of these things is crazy impressive alone, much less the fact that they actually look like what they are supposed to be.  If you are close by you should come see! ...

We finally have a library with a story time worth visiting.  Right around the corner with a librarian who is kind and understanding of children.  Emerson is rapt with attention while she talks and reads.  He talks about her during the week when we aren't there.  She allows him to help and participate and he just adores her. He is also learning about checking out books and returning them as we simplify his library at home down to just the essentials.  When you can't put books away on your own it gets a little silly to have so many.  We plan to cycle them in and out as needed, but for now, one small shelf is more than enough. In order to keep track of the library books I thought it was time for a dedicated bag where the books could live while visiting our home and so he can carry his own back and forth.  His book bags aren't quite right for the job (oddly enough) as children's books vary so much in size and the zippers aren't as friendly to little ha...

I found the WNC Nature Center a bit by accident.  I would have looked for it more in Spring because the name led me astray, but when I passed a sign that pointed to way I had to check it out.  Turns out, it is a zoo with only local animals and farm animals.  Perfect really.  I was imagining lot's of trails and things like that.  Not so perfect for the winter and this belly. We've been three times in the few weeks we've been here.  It is a small place but it wasn't until this last time that we even walked the whole thing.  Because the farm area is so engaging we can't get him out.  I mean, how can you leave this giant bunny .  Especially when it isn't a "petting" animal but it stays there while you sneak your arm in and the lovely people who work there don't seem to mind a bit. Right next door to him is a little area for doing "farm work." A couple small wheel barrows, rakes, shovels and bean bags.  And some hay to feed through the ...

Weeks ago we took the Bug on his first camping excursion.  At least, the first he would remember.  We went for one night his first summer.  It was an awesome party for Memorial Day party with perfect weather and so many fun things to do there was never even the slightest chance for fussiness. (from anyone- myself included ;) We set up the tent early and were ready to go in just as the perfect, warm day turned into a stormy evening.  You must imagine how exciting it is for a little boy obsessed with storms to sleep outside in a tent while the wind blows strong and the rain pours down.  I thought it was delightful, too.    Everyone else at the party gathered in the house, but I was to happy just to sit in the tent with him and "ride out the storm."  Once we settled in, the boys slept pretty well.  In the morning it was so sad to break down the tent and head back to the city. Perhaps one day we will live in a place where we can do th...

This photo project is significantly harder with the Bug in tow.  I either have to point to camera at him continuously or risk how far away he can get before I look back at him after taking a picture of something else.  And the rainy weather isn't helping either.  But it is still my favorite feeling, the way the air feels right before a rain storm, bursting with energy.

This past weekend we did something I've wanted to do for a long, long time.  We took the Bug and drove down to a DC Metro stop, bought tickets and rode into the heart of the city.  All last year I wanted to do this with him but was afraid to do it alone.  The time finally came when we were ready. And Papa could come too! It was pure magic watching the Bug see the metro train come into the station, getting on and picking seats, watching and talking about all the things that were speeding past.  And then we went into the tunnel!  How exciting to be traveling underground.  He wanted to know where the grass was down there in the dark.  Why didn't the dirt come in?  What kind of lights are underground?   He has recently been more and more interested in dinosaurs.  I wanted to take him so he could see how big they really were.  I wanted to watch him run on the Mall and go visit the National Sculpture Garden with him.   It...

Near our home there is Cylburn Arboretum.  This has always been a favorite place, especially right at the start of Spring, when we are desperate to stretch our legs and see the new flowers blooming.  On Sunday we packed up some snacks and the dog and went out for a walk. We discovered snails. And daffodils (he calls them sunflower daffOdils.) We were all eager to be out. (she is sniffing at a waffle ;) And when it got too steep, there was always someone to help. This tree was pretty much the only tree in bloom. As you got closer you could hear the hum. Thousands of fuzzy little honey bees covered these blossoms.  Can you find one? I laid down in the grass and let the sun warm my face.  It was a perfect day.

We had a great weekend in Raleigh with some of our very favorite ladies.  The Bug had a blast in the giant tub with jacuzzi jets and a "fishing" activity that kept him very, very clean.  There were about a thousand dolphin shows.  :) We were also spoiled with amazing homemade food every day.  Have you ever had fresh made english muffins?  We had them two days in a row.  The Bug now calls them "bagel muffins" and the first day home woke up crying that needed them. We also went to Monkey Joes .  Oh, my!  We all had way too much fun there.  Don't believe what they say about adults not being able to play.  We all went down the big slide several times. The next day we went to the Natural History Museum and saw dinosaurs, butterflies and many other bugs.  He cried more when we left there than the jumping place. In the mean time I am trying to get pictures off of the camera but the little converter has been broken (hmm, wonder by who...

  We stopped at the river to throw in some rocks.  It was soooo cold and totally worth it.

Drive, work, wander, haircut.  Presents!!!  Tomorrow we leave.  I'll be back to fill in the gaps in this space next week.  All my love to you all!  Merry Christmas and be good to one another.

They sky looks like a giant's bed of pillows.  My socks are also so very pillow-like.  I am embarrassed when people look at the camera hanging around my neck.  I can't quite figure out why.

The sun was bright and harsh but oh, so welcome.  The leaves were still wrapped in microscopic glittering shells.

Another day where I was afraid.  But the night wrapped up nicely.  It was much too exciting to stand still. 

This weekend I had the amazing chance to go to Washington DC and see the Dalai Lama and many other Tibetan Buddhist masters at the Kalachakra .  It was a magical experience.  In the morning I sat and listened to two hours of prayers and watched as the monks created the Kalachakra mandala .  Listening to the voices of the monks resonate through such a large, cavernous space was truly moving. In closing your eyes you could imagine being anywhere and the sound of the mantras poured over you like waves. In the afternoon the Dalai Lama gave preliminary teachings.  For the day I was there he talked of the Four Noble Truths and began about the 37 Practices of the Bodhisattva .  It was amazing to have the chance to see him in person and hear some of his thoughts on these such fundamental parts of Buddhism.  It was fantastic to see so many people there in traditional Tibetan clothing who brought with them their children.  The many monks everywhere, so eas...

We've been taking lots of trips to the woods in the last few weeks.  Sometimes we visit chickens and turtles, sometimes the water.    Either way, it is so easy and happy there.  The Bug says, "Woods, woods!" whenever there are more than two trees growing together.  The sun light (or rain that we've had so much of) filters gently through the leaves speckling us with yellow and green light.  There are frogs to be found and rocks and sticks to throw in the water or just collect.  It is rejuvenating for me when I don't think I can take anything else, it is calming for the Bug when the world outside the woods is so full of "No" and "Stop".  We relish the time. Today, after a long walk followed by a bike ride where the Bug actually used the pedals(!!)  we came home and I pulled out the hose and sprayed him with it for an hour.  It is just noon here.  Thursdays are sooo long.  I think we'll need to find the woods again soon....

The current obsession in our house is the dolphin show at the National Aquarium .  We try to go at least once a week.  We bought a membership in September and I am sure it has paid for itself about six times by now.  Last time I went with the Bug I stopped the announcer lady in the hall and told her how much we (he) enjoy(s) the show.  I told her how we are in a 24/7 dolphin show at our house.   "Dawdaw Show!!" he happily announces and begins to clap.  Clapping is expected of the audience as well.  In fact, if you are not clapping he will take your hands and show you how.  As the announcer, he needs to be standing on a platform.  The edge of the bed, a box of diapers, a low wall or your chest will do the trick nicely.  He puts his arm up, indicating that the dolphins will now jump.  He waves his hand, indicating that the dolphins will now wave.  Clap, wave, jump, go fast, hit the ball- these are all important parts of the sh...

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. From Soulemama . Wishing you a lovely weekend!

weekending 017 , originally uploaded by Mr & Mrs Speeed . And may all your cute pants be mama-made too!

We have had a wonderful weekend of family and friends all celebrating together with us. I am always moved beyond words when I see how many people love our little Bug. I feel very blessed. There were gifts and cake and singing galore and through it all Emerson was smiles and joy. It was the first HOT day in a while here and we all had a good time sweating and eating together. If you click on the picture you can go look at the others. He loved the cake made by our sweet friend Michele . After saying goodbye to all our guests we spent this morning at the photo walk we try to do once a month with the Baltimore Photo Collective. It is a very cool idea. A bunch of photographers in the same place at the same time and finding out what everyone else saw. I borrowed Jeremy's very nice camera to take pictures with. Emerson quickly got too hot and too much sun though so we headed back to hit the pool at the Y. I love that place. He has so much fun and it is so nice to be able to e...