It is impossible to know what my children will remember from their childhoods. My own memories are spotty and random to say the least. Will they remember the days I am tired and short on patience? The rainy days, spent bickering and complaining?
Or will they remember the day I took them to a birthday party, followed by a movie, followed by a carnival? A day filled with cupcakes, pizza, popcorn, gummy worms, soda, ice cream and not a single healthy meal?
Will Abby remember that I rode the cliff hanger and the swinger with her multiple times just to see the smile on her face?
Will they remember Oma buying ticket after ticket so they could ride "just one more time"? Or that Oma let them play a carnival game with real darts and they won big inflatable toys?
Will they remember the day that the circus came to town and Mommy, Oma and Auntie Lynn took them to see it?
Will Claire remember her first taste of cotton candy?
Will they remember the excitement of seeing a guy getting shot out of the "World's Largest Canon"?
Simple Summer fun. Childhood treats. Family. These are the moments I will remember.
What is that up there in the sky? That bright thing?
And am I ever going to see it again?
Just a little dose of sun flare from our day and a half of sun this week, since it looks like we are not going to be seeing much of it any time in the foreseeable five day forecast.
I bought my Nikon D90 mostly for it's picture taking capabilities, but I also loved the fact that it could shoot video. How fun to be able to catch funny little clips of the kids, especially since the last thing on our video camera may be the girls taking their first steps?
So how is it working out? Well, I am shooting pictures mostly in RAW, often in full manual and occasionally even with a kick ass $1700 lens. But my video of Abby's preschool graduation? All people's feet followed by quick glimpses of the kids before the camera clicks off.
Time to break out that camera manual and learn the difference between the record and ready to record lights.
I will spare you the graduation video, but here is today's attempt at some footage of the girls and I hiking at World's End. Abby is wet from an incident in the marsh and is insisting on walking with her boots full of water to keep a scrape on her leg wet. I could try to explain further, but it would not really make any more sense...
So I am guessing video can only be shot horizontally? Even so, it is somehow a pretty good representation of my everyday.
And since I am posting, I thought I would also cover all the other topics I have been meaning to blog about but have not found the time to blog about.
Claire had a playdate. Her first real play date, scheduled especially for her with a friend her age and not simply the younger sibling of her sister's friend. This is a milestone that my firstborn reached at about four weeks of age, but my second born had to loudly demand at age three. She was very excited waiting for her friend to arrive, then hid behind the chair and meowed like a cat when her friend actually arrived. I would say it went well.
Abby's hair. It has gone from long to cute little bob. She was completely against getting any sort of hair cut at all until her friend happened to be getting her hair cut and Abby happened to have a chance to go along. I am loving it. So is she. Daddy liked it better long, but he is adjusting.
Abby's preschool graduation. She looked cute. She sang cute songs that I failed to capture on video. She was named the class writer. Come September she is off to Kindergarten. She is excited and I honestly think she is more than ready and will do great.
Claire's crib. It is gone. She is currently sleeping in her brand new big girl bed. I am a little anxious. And a little sad that after six years, our nursery is no more.
Tonight in the bath Abby did something unspeakable to Claire like use the very bucket Claire was about to use so Claire announced in her meanest, maddest, firmest voice "ABBY, you're not my best friend any more!!"
Patiently, Abby replied "No Claire, we are sisters. We will always be sisters. I will always be your friend."
So about a month ago, Abby began her campaign for a half piece bathing suit.
"Mama, this year I want a bathing suit with two pieces. A half piece mama."
Please, please, please she begged, grabbing any old two piece bathing suit we happened to pass in a store no matter what the color or style.
"You are too young."
"One piece bathing suits are better for you."
"Definitely not that."
Finally, we agreed on a tankini style "half piece" covered with lady bugs from Gymboree.
Approximately two seconds after we got in the door her clothes were off and her new half piece was on. She pranced. She preened. She bathed in it. She has worn it every day since.
Then today as several neighborhood kids played ball in the front yard, she ran upstairs and changed into her new suit.
"Abby, what are you wearing?" asked the six year old boy from across the street, curious about her random wardrobe change, I imagine.
"Ben," she exclaimed, tossing back her hair and putting her hand on her hip "it's a BIKINI".
And then? She used my hair products in the shower. My good hair products.
Someone please remind me again why it was that I so desperately hoped for a daughter?
Abby showing off her new suit. And notice what little sis is wearing in the background.
Height: Two inches taller! 19th percentile. Go Claire!
Weight: 28.2 pounds, 23rd percentile. Real weight is probably a pound less due to a freshly filled diaper.
Then came the question and answer portion of the program:
Can she string together a three word sentence? Ha! She can spell her name. And the word cat.
Does she ask questions? Questions? Like the ten "Why" questions she asked in the ten minute car ride here? Yes, she asks questions. Plenty of questions.
Does she know that she is a little girl? Let's go with yes, although she would prefer to think she is a cat.
Is your house child proofed? blank stare You know, electrical outlet covers? Medicines out of reach? Oh, um, sure. (Not that this child has ever really required it, plus she is three now).
Bike helmets? Smoke detectors? Does she brush her teeth? Do you work? What does your husband do? Who lives in your house? Any pets? Personal much?? Let's see: Yes, Yes, Yes, No, Yes, husband, wife and sister, No
Sleeping? About 8pm to 8am. The naps are officially no more.
Eating? Yes. OJ, cheese, yogurt, mac & cheese, Cheerios and sometimes even vegetables. Oh, and sushi too.
Potty training? She promises she will start using the potty on Sunday.
So in progress then? Yes, definitely in progress.
Do you have any concerns? Honestly?Not really, no.
And the best part? One entire check up, including blood for a lead test, with NO TEARS (no actual words for the doctor either, but NO TEARS).
