Trike Races

It's Rhody Time! This year was the first time Sam competed in the trike races. In fact, he just learned how to pedal this 'motorcycle' the day before the race. But he practiced... a lot... and came in fourth in his age group (3yr old). His buddy, Ben Lander, came in first in the 4yr olds on bikes (with training wheels, of course). But in all the excitement we forgot to bring his helmet. Luckily he didn't have far to fall. 

Dedication of Children

Our church does a "Dedication of Children" twice each year. This year, our kids were the only ones so honored on Mother's Day, which appealed to my vanity and made it extra special. My sister in law, Melissa, sang during the ceremony and had the congregation in tears. The dedication includes an affirmation by the parents, godparents (Alec & Melissa), and congregation to support the children, and a "four elements" blessing which is what you see in the picture. Bruce has just wiped some water on Athena's cheek, after putting dirt in her hand. Next he blew on her face, and swept his hand across a flame and over her. Several of our friends commented on how special it was to see our children honored in this way, and how we are truly their 'family.' Yes.

Mother's Day

Ahh, Mother's Day. What originally started as a mom's call to peace, is now either loved or hated by moms everywhere. I am in the "love" camp. My family does a good job of appreciating me on a daily basis, but on Mom's Day they take extra care. And by they, I mean (of course) my husband. Sam started to understand Mother's Day a little bit this year, but it is still mostly dad's job.

Mother's Day is all about what mom wants to do. So here's how it went: slept in until 8am, followed by fresh pastries and a latte, family in town for special church service (see next post), lunch downtown, strolled around & browsed at craft fair, relaxed at home with a movie, take out for dinner, late evening cocktail hour with friends at swanky hotel lounge.

On top of which, my sweetie brought me flowers and a new label maker. And he made sure that nobody gave me any attitude or disagreement for the whole day. For 24 hours, my problems vanished and I luxuriated in a day of doing only what I pleased. Heaven. Thanks, family.
Love, Mom

In praise of dental floss

I'm pretty sure I have never kept a New Year's resolution this long before. This year, I resolved to begin flossing daily. I am proud to say that my dental hygienist was suitably impressed with the results, and I experienced my first pain-free cleaning (as an adult, anyway). Six months ago I left their office in tears, with a mouthfull of bloody pulp. Yesterday, it was as if I had simply brushed my teeth.

I am a flossing believer!

In my ear

About two months ago, out of the blue, I stopped listening to country music. I was driving along, listening to a pop radio station, when I realized, "Hey, I like this song." That thought turned into a stream of thoughts about how limited my musical preferences have been for so long, and what that says about me. I decided that I did not want to be so narrow, so confined. It didn't feel like "me."

I started listening to country in the early 90's, as sort of a backlash against the "Seattle Sound." Based on a few personal experiences with musicians of that era, I wanted nothing to do with grunge or it's trappings. (I still despise Pearl Jam but developed an acceptance of Nirvana after KC died -- probably because there would not be any more forthcoming) I spent my weekends dancing to live R&B and the rest of the time I listened to pop country.

Even after marrying the Music Nazi (according to HL), I did not expand my repertoire. In fact, it contracted. Odd thing for a music store owner, and I knew it. But I seemed helpless to change. I became more and more entrenched in this one limited sound until I was simply listening to the same 8 or 10 CDs over and over.

So what am I listening to now? I tune in to a couple of different radio stations. The song I heard was Jack Johnson's Upside Down, so I have been listening to the Curious George soundtrack a lot. Sam knows all the words. And Steve has this great Motown remix CD in his car.

(How dorky is it for a 40 year old mother of two to drive around in a convertible with the top down cranking War?)

I have also been flipping through the other CDs in the changer, giving them a chance. I'm just more... open. Open to new sounds, which may be old and common to everyone else. Open to remembering when I wasn't so closed down. Open to being open.

Too, too much

Things just got to be "a bit much" for me today. I realized this when I met my friend for a movie (Friends With Money -- recommend it), and she asked me how my day was. When I started to recap it for her, a look of mild horror crossed her face. Yeah, maybe I had a few too many things on my plate today.

5:15am - nurse Athena back to sleep. unable to return to sleep myself.
6:00am - up and showered. Chop fruit and cheese for Steve to take to Playschool.
6:50am - at work
9:30am - tried to pay printer bill, bought groceries and coffee, dropped groceries at home and went to Playschool.
10:00am - "Snack" person at Playschool
11:25am - bailed on my obligation to stay late and help clean up
11:35am - picked up Sam from school
11:50am - nursed Athena to sleep
12:00pm - made Sam's lunch, made and ate my lunch
12:20pm - played w/Sam, tried to nap, cleaned, read the paper, played w/Sam
2:10pm - baby wakes up, same as above, plus started making dinner
3:00pm - friend drops off his son for me to babysit
4:30pm - hand kids off to Steve, eat my dinner
5:00pm - run meeting of Capital Campaign Committee at church
6:20pm - nurse Athena to bed
6:40pm - buy bulk coffee and latte, sit outside the movie theatre and wait for friend

And this list doesn't even include the energy put into my several other volunteer commitments, work stuff, and plans for my new venture. Trying to keep up with friends and family... heck, I can barely keep up with myself. So it is now after 10pm and I think I must shut down for the night and try to be more sane tomorrow.