Morning Birdsong

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Dietrich Starts Kindergarten!

Dietrich Lewis age 5 years and 8 months. He looked like a 1st grader in the big pack of neighborhood kids getting on the bus. And especially with the other kindergartners. He spent this week mourning the end of his childhood -- I am not kidding. He wanted to know how many years of school he had ahead of him. I answered, "At least 17." And then he asked, "And then I get a job, right?" "Hopefully. That's the way it usually goes." I replied. Then he started crying angry tears. "I'm just not ready for all that yet, Mom." I tried to reassure him that there were many interesting and exciting things ahead of him -- learning and discovering and exploring. New freedoms. New friends. And that some people even enjoy school and their jobs. But he wasn't so sure of my enthusiasm. Then he asked if Lincoln could stay up from his naps now so they could at least play together in the afternoons. I said, "Sure." And then he seemed to do a little better. This morning, however, he was so excited and was the first kid onto the bus. He sat with an older neighbor kid he already knows. And there were no tears at all. I must say, it is very nice to have one out of two school kids who is focused and "on task" getting ready in the morning. He came downstairs, got dressed, put his shoes on (tied them by himself), ate his breakfast, put on his backpack and was ready 10 minutes before we needed to leave. Awesome. (Atticus was still in the bathroom brushing his teeth and doing something to his hair, with no shoes on, and his breakfast forgotten and uneaten on the table -- a book had, shockingly -- ha! -- distracted him during that part of the routine. Oh, Atticus!) So we will see how the inaugural day unfolds for our new grade schooler.

Our neighborhood group minus one new kindergarten family that showed up after the photo.

(This one is chronologically out of order, but it looks like how it feels having those two launch off: Deke wanted to run to the bus stop -- Here's A. and D. on their way...)

Monday, August 19, 2013

Owen Berget...

might be awfully high-maintenance and doggone intense, but, boy!, is he freakishly cute.

John Mark Nelson and the Goonies

Brad emailed me from work and asked if I could find a babysitter so he and I could go on a spontaneous date to see young, local musician John Mark Nelson play at the Lake Harriet bandshell. And afterwards they showed the movie Goonies. It was a perfect, wonderful evening. It took me through most of the concert to shake the stress of the day off, but I enjoyed cuddling with Brad in a park bench, quiet, no one needing me, with my best friend next to me. And weirdly, I met a 70ish year old man in the long! line for the bathroom who had grown up in the little Illinois town of Rochelle, IL (where my mom grew up and where both of my folks and I had gone to high school). Not only that but this guys knew my grandpa, Homer Trout, when he was a soda jerk at the drugstore. And he knew my dad folks. AND he used to have cookies and milk on my mom's aunt's front porch after school (near Central). And to make the story all the curious-er, this man had lived and raised his family here in the Twin Cities and then retired and moved to Virginia. He was only here visiting his kids and grandkids and had on a whim decided to drive in from the suburbs where they all lived to take in the concert and movie night near where he used to live. And he and I ended up chatting in line next to each between shows. Funny. I love things like that.

The concert was great -- JMN is not too showy but a good performer with a simple, kind, cheerful, tiny-bit-shy demeanor. He had quite a cadre of college-aged fans who danced and cheered and were a bit silly in a jolly way in the front rows. He seemed to be surprised by their ardency and energy but enjoyed it, as any performer would.

Our series of band photos..."selfies"? -- Are they still called that when it's you as a couple? I'm not that hip.

In which my husband looks ruggedly handsome and I magically, tragically age 20 years.

Two Families!

The Millers stayed with us for a few days during their visit. We put all the boys in one room and the girls together in Thea Belle's room. It went surprisingly well. We even had time to have a couple nights playing games and talking with Leah and Eric (before Eric left on the Boundary Waters trip with Hiawatha Church guys). It was a crazy, intense, loud visit that was pretty stressful for Leah, I think, but the kids enjoyed some time re-uniting. And it was very good to be all together however messy it all was. (p.s. This is one reason I love Leah and her family -- we seem to have the same kind of "vibe" which makes me feel less freakish -- even if it meant high-volume noise, emotions, relationships, disciplining, attitudes, situations -- with zero stress BETWEEN Leah and me -- for which I am ever thankful.)

p.s. It also meant I didn't take a single photo during this part of their visit -- Brad took the ones in this post.

I am pretty sure Calvin was reading somewhere when this photo session was occurring. He and Atticus took turns getting lost in books in corners of rooms.

Happy Birthday, Rose!!!

So, in July, the Millers came from Toronto for a two-week visit. They had so many people to spend time with and mini-trips inside the trip, etc. I was so!!! thankful!!! to spend a number of days with them. The last day we were here in the cities (before leaving for my folks' for a week) Leah threw a birthday party for Rose at Hiawatha Park. It was a beautiful morning and the most relaxing visit Leah and I had together (other than an epic talking-walk we had toward the beginning of their trip (-:). Rose Miller you are beautiful. I am glad to celebrate your 3 years! Leah Miller -- I still love you body and soul! Always! (photo by Leah)

All the kids having cupcakes

I love Lincoln's look at his sister here...it captures some of the best of his affectionate personality (minus the crazed, maniac-al, complete-lack-of-judgement parts).