Bath Baby

Guess who loves baths?

The Mural

Mama With a Cane and a Baby

Marker on Sheet Rock

2013

One morning Kyle rolled out of bed and took Tyne into Esmé's room to change her diaper.  As he fumbled with the diaper, half asleep and groggy-eyed, Esmé (our early riser) said, "Look Papa, look at my drawing!" 

Kyle mumbled, "Uh huh, just a sec," still fiddling with the diaper.  

"Look Papa!" again from the proud artist.

He finally looked up and there in front of him was a life-sized portrait drawn with care and precision by our little Michelangelo.  

Kyle, unsure how to react, maintained a straight face and called in backup (me) to set the tone for the situation. My response was much less dignified as I burst out laughing, which quickly turned to snorting as I tried to swallow my amusement.

Once I gained control of myself, I sat down with Esmé and informed her that drawing on walls was, in fact, wrong.  To which her pride suddenly faded into horror as the prospect of a time-out loomed ahead.  But how could I possibly punish such talent?  

We kept the mural up for as long as possible to admire the beauty (and so I could giggle every time I walked past her room.)  

Eat your heart out Sistine Chapel.  

And no, it didn't all come off.

"Can I please do the dishes?"

Can't argue with that.

Chicken Mind Meld

Hold still while I meld your mind...

Did it work?  Do you think I'm as cute as I think I am? 

City S'mores

Chocolate! Sugar! Fire! Yaaaah!

My Loves

A Brighter Dawn

As the sun shines and my daffodils open in the garden, I've been reminded of Lewis Carroll's letter to children (author of Alice in Wonderland).  I think it's beautiful, here is part of it:

Do you know that delicious dreamy feeling when one first wakes on a summer morning, with the twitter of birds in the air, and the fresh breeze coming in at the open window.  And is not that a Mother's gentle hand that undraws your curtains, and a Mother's sweet voice that summons you to rise? To rise and forget, in the bright sunlight, the ugly dreams that frightened you so when all was dark –– to rise and enjoy another happy day, first kneeling to thank that unseen Friend, who sends you the beautiful sun?

This Easter sun will rise on you, dear child, feeling your 'life in every limb,' and eager to rush out into the fresh morning air –– and many an Easter-day will come and go, before it finds you feeble and gray-headed, creeping wearily out to bask once more in the sunlight –– but it is good, even now, to think sometimes of that great morning when the 'Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in his wings.' Surely your gladness need not be the less for the thought that you will one day see a brighter dawn than this –– when lovelier sights will meet your eyes than any waving trees or rippling waters –– when angel-hands shall undraw your curtains, and sweeter tones than ever loving Mother breathed shall wake you to a new and glorious day –– and when all the sadness, and the sin, that darkened life on this little earth, shall be forgotten like the dreams of a night that is past!

                                                    -Lewis Carroll, An Easter Greeting to Every Child Who Loves 'Alice'