Life

I haven't written much in a while. It's been very busy and finding time just seems impossible. My parents were visiting and then Anna's dad was visiting, and of course, there is the usual busyness that goes with 2 working parents and 2 young children. So, not much time to write...or do laundry...or do yard work...

The boys have been changing so much.
Anders just seems more mature all around...and that is so fascinating to watch.

Jakob on the other hand, seems to have hit a patch of stranger anxiety. He's been particularly shy and attached these days. If you know him, this is unusual. In fact, I sort of thought he was coming down with something. Normally he is quite a social butterfly. It makes me curious.
He recently had a bad fall at the playground...and hit his front teeth on the metal teeter totter. It was not pleasant. After two visits to the dentist we thought he might have to have his front teeth removed...imagine that, a 2 1/2 year old without front teeth for 3 years! Luckily, he doesn't. Now, he will just have gray front teeth, but at least they will be there holding the space for his permanent ones. I don't think there is a link here, but you never know. I am so interested in watching my children grow and change and respond to life around them. I think this will always fascinate me.

Dandelion Haiku II

Bright dandelions
now round, white silken fluff
my child's breath sends them

*see May 19, 2008 for the first dandelion haiku

Jessie!

We are really going to miss our babysitter!
Jessie has been watching the boys since September and her last day was Friday - she is off to camp and then to Smith....boy oh boy have we all loved her!

Morfar and Anders

Anders Swedish grandfather is visiting....dont' they look alike?

From the mouths of babes

Kuba was chatting away to himself yesterday in the car and this is what I heard as we passed under a green light:

"Green means go.
Red means stop.
Blue means run.
Orange means skip.
Purple...purple...purple...purple?
I don't know what purple means,
but I do know what pink means.

Pink means walk in the woods."



I also overheard this in the car between Anders and Kuba:

Kuba: "I want to go see the gazebo in the cemetary."

Anders: "Mommy, Kuba said he wants to go see the zebo in the cemetary."

Kuba: "Anders, it's not ZE bo...it's GA-zebo, GA-zebo."

Anders: "Oh, gazebo."

Mother's Day 2010

We have always spent mother's day out of doors. In the woods usually, but one year we were in a canoe. This year was no exception. Except for one thing. Anna rented a white VW beetle bug for the day (my dream car) and we drove to the Adirondaks. Oh, and there was another exception this year...snow. Maybe the weather was just trying to coordinate with the volkswagon.

Italy

Italy. Yes.
I had a wondeful, whirlwind of a trip and I can honestly say it was remarkable.
No glitches, no volcanic ash in the way, the students were absolutely amazing, and of course it was beautiful.
I had some wonderful themes as I took photo's around 12 cities in Italy; doorknobs, locks, fountains, numbers, tiny cars, mopeds, sculpture, arches, etc. It was such a great way to see. I will write more about it when I am able to, but for now, here are some of the themes of my visit...in collage form.