Jump City

More rainy days, balloon dramas, and two cancelled play dates by Tuesday morning called for a new, fun activity to cheer us up. I'd somehow forgotten about Jump City until a friend mentioned it again recently. Anna has fond memories of jumping castles from two of her friends' birthday parties this summer, and she's been talking frequently of wanting to go in one again. She was ecstatic when I told her we were going to a place FULL of bounce houses.

The flash photography isn't great, but here are a few pics from the escapade.

This is just one of two rooms they have with these huge inflatable playscapes.

This was a very big slide...I only wish I could have captured the look on her face on the way down!

Cooperation

Anna's imaginative play has blossomed lately. When playing restaurant or playing with her babies, she frequently "picks up" imaginary objects and gives them to me, or stirs a pretend pot, or offers a pretend snack to her stuffed animal.

The other day I was feeling frustrated with her lack of cooperation. I can't even remember what we were doing - probably trying to get out of the house in a timely manner. What I remember is this:

Frustrated, I sighed heavily and asked, "Can I just have a little cooperation from you, please?"

Anna, quite literally, gave me her cooperation. She bent down and picked up the cooperation in her little hand and passed the imaginary object to me. "Here you go, Mommy. Here is my cooperation."

I beamed. "Thank you," I said.

Easter Weekend 2011

Blake, Anna, and I decorated Easter eggs Friday afternoon. I have vivid memories of egg decorating with my Grandma Mox when I was a little girl - Grandma and Grandpa Mox were Polish and Ukranian, respectively, and she crafted amazing eggs with melted beeswax, known as Pysanky. I've been wanting to carry on this tradition; however it's been maybe twenty years since I witnessed the process. Grandma would melt the beeswax in the top of a mason jar over the stove and create intricate designs on her eggs by dipping the head of the pin in the melted wax and dancing it across the egg. While I haven't seen one of her eggs in years, in my memories they are perfect. For the first time since I was a little girl, I attempted to recreate the experience. Blake and I even blew out some of our eggs so that we could keep them. Last year I purchased this kit, and while I didn't end up using the tools as much as the information, it was interesting to learn more about the process. Blake did use one of the tools, but I found Grandma's technique, with the head of a pin, much easier to control.

Kinda gross, but we did it anyway.

Waiting, patiently, for her eggs to come out of the dye.

Blake drew his design on his egg and used the tool in the kit to apply the beeswax. We weren't thrilled with the outcome - the wax discolored after the candle flame burned the tool.

My red egg - not even close to what I remember Grandma's looking like. She had such beautiful starburst designs on her eggs. Maybe my pin was too small? Or maybe it just takes decades of practice.

We finally saw the sun and some warmer temps after Blake played golf in the sleet and near snow on Friday morning. Saturday, we enjoyed our non-dairy macaroni and cheese dinner outside. I had to take a few pictures, because Anna was SO excited about her meal.

I love this - it shows just how she devours her pasta. She is intense and focused and just plain happy.

I love these piggies, or more appropriately, the girl that wears them.

White wine and mac and cheese on the patio on a warm-ish spring evening - I can't wait for summer!

Sunday morning Anna woke early, of course, and hunted for candy-filled eggs around a dark house. She also searched for her Easter basket, hidden by the Easter Bunny, of course. There were a couple of other treasures to open, too, like a rainbow kite that we hope to try out next weekend, if the wind cooperates. I tried out my Light Scoop, and I'm not thrilled with how the pics turned out.

Already downing the candy and ready to run to the next egg.

Giggles.

Eggs in her new colorful slippers.

We met Blake's family and my mom's side of the family at the club for brunch later. I forgot my camera, but snapped a couple of photos with my phone. Anna LOVED the Easter Bunny, even though she insisted for a while that he was scary. Eventually, she declared him as her favorite (favorite what, I do not know). She also loved her lady bug balloon, made by a very talented and in-demand balloon animal maker.

Waiting in line for a balloon with the Mo's.

Opening presents in the sunshine.

Rites of Passage

The sun shone this morning for the first time in days, and we finally felt Spring in the air. Today arrived with much anticipation, and the sunshine was a perfect addition to a big day for Anna (and for me). Today was Anna's last day nursing, and while Blake and I knew it would be a tough one for her (and, again, for me), we wanted to make it a celebration as well. This is, in a way, a rite of passage - one in a long line of transitions that she'll go through as she grows up. We decided that this, too, deserves a special day.

Anna chose pancakes and sausage for breakfast this morning. Before she ate her first chosen meal of the day, she opened a present I'd been needing an excuse to buy for some time - more footwear. Anna has been complimenting on the colorful wool slippers a couple of the kids have at school every time we go all year long. I kept saying "maybe for your birthday," but this seemed like a perfect occasion. Then we quickly cleaned the house for a showing, and we all headed out to the movie theater to see Rio. She was so excited to go to the movie theater again. It'd been since last summer. I'm not sure if she was more excited about the movie or the popcorn and candy we brought, which became her lunch.

After nap time, we all took a walk and then a bike ride to bask in the sunshine. Anna was thinking only about the dinner she chose this evening - macaroni and cheese (dairy-free, but she still can't get enough of it). And, it wouldn't be Anna's Day if she didn't get to have some of that macaroni in the bathtub.

I think Anna, despite some understandable sadness, enjoyed her special day. When we asked her, as we try to do daily, what her favorite part of her day was, she declared it to be the movie AND the gummie bears AND the macaroni and cheese AND opening a present. It was, for all of us, a very good day together.

I definitely have more thoughts and feelings about the day and about weaning. As I look at what I've written here, it feels rather superficial. But, I'm not up for putting my feelings down for the world to see. I've put them in Anna's journal instead, the one I keep for her to read someday.

Someday, she will read about this, one of her first rites of passage, here and in her journal. Someday, she'll have so many rites of passage behind her that it may seem like no big deal. Today, though, it was a big deal, and I'm so glad we celebrated it together.

Blue

Last week Anna started complaining about her rain boots being uncomfortable. I'm not sure why I was shocked to discover her toes cramped at the end. We need waterproof boots - we splash in puddles whenever they're around (which is all the time lately), and we need mud-proof boots for playschool (because the sand, or mud, box is a main attraction each week).

When I asked Anna what color she would like for her new rain boots, she immediately said blue. It's all about blue lately. While she admires anything colorful, blue is the color she wants for her new room, her new bedding, and now, her new boots. We searched for blue rain boots in her size online, but we struggled to find something blue and somewhat feminine. When we found these Bogs, she (and I) both fell in love. I love that they are warm and mud-proof, even if the warmth factor won't matter soon (I hope). She loves that the have blue circles on them. I bought her Bogs in a full size too big so, hopefully, they will fit next winter as well.

I know I'm late to the game here - I've been eyeing other people's Bogs for a while and wondering what all the fuss was about. Now I know. Unfortunately, the rain boots I received as a hand-me-down from my little sister still fit me, so I have no reason to buy myself a pair. Next winter, though, I'll be in the market for some warm boots, and I'll definitely be buying some Bogs.

Better Late Than Never

Here are a few photos from our weekend at Papa and Mo Mox's. It's also my first attempt at Aperture. It's running so slow on our computer, so I wasn't loving it, but that's not the fault of the software. I'm looking forward to playing around with it some more.

Fishing was at the top of Anna's list of things to do when we arrived. Playing with the colorful hula-hoop and worms (Papa's fishing tackle) were up there as well.

Reeling in the pink fish at the end of her pole.

Just cute.

Pure joy, no?

We celebrated the last of Anna's teeth coming in with chocolate cupcakes. She helped make them, of course, and then licked the bowl.

Big bite!

Coloring with Mo.

Anna wanted to pose for family pics just like we did at Christmas, so we took a few.

Looking very grown up with the hula-hoop.

The most delicious, huge prawns that Papa grilled with a skirt steak on Saturday night.

What on Earth?

Anna exclaims "What on Earth?!" when she sees something peculiar or interesting these days. This is what I was thinking when we woke to snow this morning. Really?!

I have a similar picture from the weekend, one snapped while visiting Papa and Mo Mox at the river. I thought we'd seen the last of the snow there on Sunday.

We'd planned our visit to Papa and Mo's before the house selling and buying came up, but the timing couldn't have been better. We had at least three showings while we were gone. And, it was so nice to do absolutely nothing house-related. Papa and Mo played with Anna, we talked and ate delicious food, and we relaxed with good company.

I'm in the process of playing with the photos from our time at the river. I downloaded a trial of Aperture so I can compare it to Lightroom before buying photo editing software. I'll try to post the pics soon.

Worms!

Anna is, at once, terrified and in love with bugs and little creatures of all kinds. Yesterday we spent some time digging for worms in the warm garden dirt. She so enjoyed her little worm friends. I, too, had a thing for worms when I was little. I'm not sure why - I have never been fond of bug-like things, but I loved my self-created worm farm. We might have to make one for Anna. Grammie Jan would be so proud!

This one is named Sylvie (like so many other things in our house).

Another...

And another.

I'm going to miss this garden (until we have a bigger one next year)!

Official, Part 2

We received a call tonight. Our first showing is tomorrow at Anna's nap time, of course. We're frantically cleaning up and hoping they don't care about the garage - we still have bags and bags of donations to take to the Salvation Army. We still have piles of recyclables that need to be taken away and garbage to be disposed of.

I've been contemplating my sentimentality a lot this week and wondering why this transition, in particular, is so challenging for me. I've already given notice to all the memories and firsts associated with this house. Then, it dawned on me today that this house, our home, is the longest I've lived in any one home, with the exception of the house I was born in, which had only one additional year on this house. And, when I was young moving most often went along with other big changes in my life. I know that I have some underlying associations with this house-moving thing that are coloring my current experience.

I'm glad I'm aware of it. I'm relieved that I can see it for what it is and know, too, that we are so doing the right thing, that this move to our new home is a Very Good Thing for our whole family and for each of us as individuals. Now, I just can't wait to get there.

Official

This...

and this...

make it very official. When he put the lock box on last night, I couldn't stop the tears. I am sentimental beyond words right now.

One Week

We purged the house in the last week, rearranged rooms, and moved so much to the basement. The "handyman" was here today and is returning in the morning to do necessary maintenance. The realtor is coming to take photos of the house tomorrow. I can't figure out how I'm going to keep the house in "showing" condition, even half of the time, but we'll be showing it soon enough, ready or not.

I might use the word extremes to describe the last week or so. The weather, of course, is a perfect example. We've gone from cold, constant, basement-drenching rain to short-wearing, sunny weather overnight. We've been working constantly, and we've somehow managed to fit in play. Blake golfed on Saturday morning, while Mo D and I enjoyed a girls' day out together (the first in way too long) in the afternoon. We laughed and cried at The Color Purple, then dined out at The Grange in Ann Arbor. We broke away from work on Sunday to marvel at Anna playing with her sand and water table for two hours, swayed only by the promise of pasta at dinner outside on the patio. We've simplified our lives greatly, giving away or recycling a garage-full of furniture, clothing, and home goods. At the same time, life feels a bit more complicated with the house on the market and a new home to move into. I've felt elated and energized through it all, lighter from lightening our load. Except when I don't...because, there are many times when I just feel like I want to curl up and sleep for 12 hours so I don't have to tackle a To-Do list that includes the usual stuff AND home-selling and home-buying related items.

Photos from our week are long overdue, but I have no time to edit them, so here they are, as is and in reverse chronological order (don't ask)!

The easel has found a new home on the other side of the kitchen (to be moved to the basement when we receive a call to show the house). We've been so focused on fingerpainting, that it's been covered with paper for weeks. Uncovered, it's a whole new toy.

Serious at play.

The climber...also a "new" toy with the new weather.

I love how the pink of the climber makes the entire photo pink in this pic...and it's the best Anna smile!

Just plain happy!

And so focused.

A very uncluttered kitchen, minus a few drying dishes. I've never seen it like this until now!

The spare bedroom has been turned into Anna's toy room.

The living area...a lonely doll house and a shelf (not visible) of a few toys and books. It barely looks like a toddler lives here!

This was our garage LAST week. Imagine double this with furniture and other household items by last night. Somehow the Habitat for Humanity truck driver fit it all in today.

One of the first of many days of purging. These stacks of magazines, times 4, are in our garage, ready for recycling. I couldn't believe we had this many stashed in various places.

Treasures uncovered during clean out...my high school pom pons. They are now in the dress up bins!

A relic from Blake's past...proof that he was in a band.

Midnight Mind

It's midnight. Anna has been up since I first tried to go to sleep at 10:45pm, coughing and sniffling and asking for water. She has slept maybe 20 minutes in a row the entire night.

I desperately wanted to blog tonight, but the things I've wanted to blog about have been keeping me away from the computer.

Anna seemed to be feeling better, then suddenly today a nasty cough set in. We haven't slept well much of the week, and even when we have, our bedtime has been too late. We are armpit deep in getting the house ready for showing. We had an inspector here and at the new house today. We've had two moving companies come to give us quotes and scheduled a handyman to fix a number of maintenance problems, among so many other things. Reading, exercise, and sleep are not on this list, which makes for a cranky mama at times.

Thankfully Mo D had plans to visit this weekend. We're going to see The Color Purple in Detroit tomorrow, and in the meantime, she helped me tackle the basement cleanout, the pantry, and more. She should be paid for her purging skills. I'm so grateful.

I have some pictures to post of treasures I've uncovered this week as well as some "after" pics (I wasn't thinking about "before" pics), but they will have to wait another day or two. Hopefully once our house gets on the market we can take a little breather before the packing and decorating begin!

Purple Tulips

Anna and I chose purple tulips today at the grocery store. They are my favorite. We needed something to brighten our rainy week and make it feel like Spring around here. We've had a one-thing-after-another kind of week, and this weather isn't helping. Another illness, a minor foot injury, and so many other to-do's have kept us going, going, going with little time to rest or relax. It's made me feel so thankful for our upcoming move, though - it's an hour round trip to and from the doctor's office, the grocery store, Spinning, school, and so many other places we frequent. We spend too much time in the car, and while our new house may not be any closer to downtown, it is closer to a good grocery store, the doctor, the pool, and school.

We're finally parked on the couch this afternoon. It's the best place when we're both not feeling good and it's too rainy and cold to venture outside. The laundry is still in a pile, the kitchen is a mess, and so much is left to be done before our house is due to go on the market next week, but it will have to wait, even if only for an hour. Anna really wants to snuggle up and watch Clifford (again).