farming

there is nothing quite like a fresh picked (insert fruit or veggie here). we finally remembered yesterday that we belong to a CSA and our pick up is thursday. it started a couple of weeks ago and so we are a little behind. not much produce quite yet. we are set for salad, could feed a small army. i fear that i took too much considering you girls don't yet embrace the wonder of salad.

we did however pick some strawberries and sugar peas. Phoebe, as expected, you completely caught on to the pick and eat process. i don't believe you actually put any of your picks in a basket. you do like the strawberries better than sugar peas but the whole texture thing takes getting used to. Viv, you are a big help with the picking and want to find the perfect one. it is nice to have such a helper. B, you helped more than expected since i did not think you liked the actual stuff we pick up at the farm. you did a stellar job helping with the strawberries and while you didn't feel like eating them while picking you begged for them once we got to the car and would have eaten the whole quart if i had just handed it to you. i'm happy that you have finally added strawberries to your list of fruits. i can't believe it took so long. i might make a good eater of you afterall.

summertime

here at the Park, summer is in full swing. the gracious neighbors across the street set up their slip n' slide. (glad of that, our baby grass couldn't take that kind of abuse) and the girls had a blast. B, for the first time wasn't quite sure what to make of it. finally an "athletic" activity that she didn't take to at first. there are bound to be many. after a few runs though she was hooked and V had to be pulled away. V is really becoming more accomplished and coordinated. she is quite the runner and started pulling herself up on the monkey bars at the playground. she can pump very proficiently on the swings and is not at all unsure of her too-big-for-her bike. still, i don't think we will be taking any training wheels off soon. meanwhile, Phoebe is doing extremely well keeping up. a week or so ago the kids disappeared into neighbor's backyard and when i went to find them, Phoebe was standing in the middle of the kiddie pool, fully clothed and soaking wet. i was not at all alarmed (annoyed, yes) but the mom of the home was. (it was her kiddie pool after all) then when she was drilling her kids on the dangers of the pool and what to do if Phoebe went under and was stuck....her husband, quietly said, "you know this is Phoebe, she is freakishly advanced like Beatrice." it's true, you girls are pretty athletic. (thank you Will) you study things and figure them out, AND you have natural instinct. can remember a time i dropped P in the pool and she started kicking for the side. (took in a little water, but was not freaked by it) B has done the same thing and V actually helped her to the side.

yes, it should be a fun summer. lots of water and ice cream. i am at work when the ice cream lady comes but i did have a rare tuesday off when i got to witness the expectation and excitement of the girls, listening for the bell. i am told that the same excitement is present when waiting for the book mobile. unfortunately that never arrived. wish it were as consistent as the ice cream lady. V was sobbing when the book mobile drove past, a day late and didn't stop. some things can break your heart.

also under the heading of things i am told....B is trained and ready for retail! Will set up a pretend play with the girls where they were running a garden store. B was sitting at the desk, doing paper work, Will asked if she could help him and she responded in a very exasperated way, without looking up, "i'm busy right now, papa. you have to find someone else, ask Viv" it totally cracked Will up. B, you just have this timing thing down.

happy birthday take one

my, how time flies....one minute you're holding a tiny baby and it would seem like the next, you celebrate her fifth birthday with chocolate princess cake. and the cake is so good i think i will celebrate her birthday for many more minutes!

infinity

lav yooou mama! progressively louder... laaav yooouuu maaamaaa! this is what i hear from you Phoebe. about a dozen or more times an hour, yes, i mean it, an hour. sometimes it is from across the room. sometimes it is flung at me along with your cute little frame, hugging my legs. sometimes it is even smeared across the kitchen as i drag you along on one leg while trying to get food ready. this is a very nice thing to hear and i will never tire of it. what more could one ask for but to have someone follow them around declaring their love. and Phoebe, i LOVE YOU, infinity.