Travelingjenny

Navigating the hilly terrain of motherhood

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  • Thursdays with Tess

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    Tess is in school three days a week now, and I have to work for a couple of hours on one of her days off, so Thursdays are our big day together. And instead of running errands or doing laundry, I am going to do my best to devote that day entirely to my little monkey. Because she's only going to be four once. And because I know my days as her favorite playmate are numbered. So for the next nine months, Thursday is "Mama and Tess Day." Today, she wanted to go on a picnic, and so we did. I love Thursdays.

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  • First day of preschool (year two)

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    Tess seemed slightly excited to go back to school, mostly (I think) because Grace goes to school, too. She was quiet at drop-off time, and certainly didn't want me to leave, but she gave me a big hug and a kiss and then went off to play with the teacher and some other kids. And she didn't cry. I was very proud of her (and a little teary-eyed myself). When I came to get her, she was helping one of the new, younger students with her shoes. That made me even prouder.

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  • First day of first grade

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    After school today…

    Grace: "I love first grade."

    Me: "I'm glad. You're really going to learn a lot."

    Grace: "Yeah, I learned, like, 100 things already."

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    And all I can think about is, how did my sweet little Gracie grow up so fast? 

  • Goodbye, summer…

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    We had a wonderful, busy, sunny weekend and I can honestly say we were able to wring every last drop out of this amazing summer. The girls seem ready for school to start back up again (tomorrow!), but I'm not. I'm going to miss those two.

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  • Crawdads

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    We started off our week on the creek in Pennsylvania with some serious crawdad catching. Once again, Grace got really into it, and we discovered that we make an excellent critter-catching team. At one point we had fifteen of those critters in her bucket! I was so proud.

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  • A sneak peek

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    We had a wonderful, relaxing, fun vacation. In fact, there were so many wonderful moments worth recording that I filled up the memory card in my camera. For the first time ever, I had to keep deleting photos so that I could take more. So, dear blog readers, it will take some time, but I'll do my best to post some photos (and stories) this week as I go through them. In the meantime, here's a taste of what's to come. Believe me, it'll be worth the wait!

  • Penny’s first hike

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    Penny is settling in very nicely with us. She is happy and playful and follows us around. Grace and Tess argue about who gets to feed her, and they both shower her with love. We recently took her on her first hike, and she was a joy to bring along. She loves every dog and person she meets, and her unique good looks attract a lot of attention. But not to worry, we still love on the big dog, too. 

    [A side note: Tomorrow we're heading off on our annual roadtrip to western Pennsylvania. Only this year, to prove that we have completely lost our minds, we are going to attempt to make the 11-hour drive in one day. Wish us luck. And cross all of your fingers and toes. And I'll be back in 10+ days to report on the state of my sanity.]

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  • Super swimmers (and super sisters)

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    The girls have been taking swimming lessons all summer, and we've also made several visits to the pool. Over the course of this summer, it has become glaringly obvious that I gave birth to two little fishies. Tess has gone from not wanting to put her face in the water (in May), to jumping into the deep end and swimming across the pool — with no flotation device. And Grace's swim teacher has told me for a year now that she is ready for a swim team. So, when those two super swimmers get to play together in the pool, it is quite a sight. Not only because I am in awe of their skills, but because I love seeing them have so much fun together.


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  • Parrot and Kitty

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    For some unknown reason, the girls decided the other day that they should put on their Halloween costumes. (The costumes haven't been out of the closet since November 1st of last year — so where did that idea come from?!) Then, dressed as Parrot and Kitty, they were inspired to put on a performance (of course!). But first, they decided they needed decorations for their performance (obviously!). So before I knew it, Parrot and Kitty were sitting at the counter painting. A peculiar sight on a mid-August afternoon, but we're just crazy like that. (Also, note the use of Scotch tape for the parrot beak and kitty nose. Priceless!)

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  • Apparently we live in the crazy house

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    Yesterday, we let them eat s'mores in their pajamas. Right before bed. What were we thinking?

    [And another question: Why are they wearing their flannel chicken pajamas? In August?]