Travelingjenny

Navigating the hilly terrain of motherhood

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  • The genius doesn’t fall far from the tree

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    The other day, Grace asked me how the very first person was able to create all of the other people in the world. I'm not quite sure where this came from, except, of course, that our children are geniuses (and have a current fascination with dinosaurs). Anyway, I immediately launched into a clumsy explanation of evolution. This morning, I heard Grace trying to explain evolution to Tess. This is how the conversation ended:

    Grace: "… And that means we were all animals."

    Tess: "Is Maggie going to turn into a person?"

    Like I said — geniuses.

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  • The Tale of Peter Rabbit

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    Grace is really into reading right now, and she's getting really good at it. She likes to read out loud to me on the way to school in the morning, and she's even been known to read to her little sister (which, of course, melts my heart every time).

    The other day, Grace brought The Tale of Peter Rabbit to the coffee shop. And she read the entire book out loud to us. We were astonished (there are a lot of funky words in there!), and very proud. We have ourselves a little reader.

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  • Phone photo Friday: Hula girl

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    The importance of wearing a helmet for all outdoor activities should not be underestimated. One can never know what might happen, for instance, while hula-hooping. 

  • Ode to a “punkin”

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    Perhaps inspired by her big sister, Tess has been coming up with her own songs. Her current favorite, by far, goes like this:

    "Jack-o-lantern, Jack-o-lantern

    Once you were a little punkin

    Lived on a punkin farm

    Now you are a big jack-o-lantern

    Now please let your light shine."

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  • A play by two friends

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    Grace had a friend over today after school. They wanted to play outside, but were having some trouble figuring out what to do. So I suggested that they put on a show on the swingset. Oh boy…

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    They chatted excitedly for a while, then ran inside to get costumes. They emerged a short while later, all gussied up and proclaiming a name for their show: The fairy princess and the silly guy.

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    Grace was the silly guy.

  • A weekend with Daddy

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    I went away for the weekend and left the girls in Adam's very capable hands. When I returned, Tess jumped up and down and Grace did cartwheels in the grass. I couldn't wait to hear about their adventures, which included a kid-friendly concert and pizza with friends. When I asked them how their weekend was, though, Tess replied, "Daddy let us eat ice cream in front of the TV! And we didn't even spill!" And Grace said, "Daddy let us cook hot dogs over the fire!" 

    Ice cream and fire… it was that simple. And now Daddy is an even bigger rock star than he was before. 

  • Phone photo Friday: Hipstamatic playground

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    I don't think I've mentioned this before, but I'm completely in love with my iPhone. I can check my email anywhere, anytime! I can read my favorite blogs while waiting outside of Tess's ballet class! I can even look up driving directions or restaurant hours while on the go! And I always, always have a camera with me — a camera that can do funky things! {This photo was taken using the Hipstamatic app, with the John S lens and Kodot film.}

  • Our ballerina

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    Last week, Tess had her first ballet "showcase." It was just like a regular class, except that visitors were invited to sit inside the ballet studio to observe. This was a big deal for the parents, because usually the doors are closed and we have no idea what goes on during class. (And, in case you were wondering, there are very few things cuter than ten 3-year olds standing at the barre, or doing curtsies.) But it was an even bigger deal for the kids, like our own little aspiring ballerina, who was beside herself with excitement. I know she loves ballet, but I couldn't figure out exactly why she was so very excited to have all of us there, watching her. And then I realized that this was Tess's first really special moment — the first time that she could show us something that belongs to only her. Ballet is her special time, and her special skill. She can spin, and leap, and pretend to be a butterfly — without a big sister, or a parent, telling her what to do. As I watched her, I was impressed by how serious she was. She paid close attention to Miss Juliette, and followed her instructions intently. She's proud of her ballet, and rightfully so. I'm proud of her, too.

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  • Card shark in training

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    One of the things Tess got in her Easter basket was a cute game of Go Fish. We've tried playing this with her before, back when Grace's whole Uno craze began, but it didn't really click until today. And it only clicked today because Grace very kindly explained the game to Tess and got her started. And then Tess won, and did a little happy dance. And then she won again, and there was more dancing. And all the while, sweet Gracie, who hates to lose, just smiled. She was proud of her little sister.

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  • Easter at the beach

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    On Easter Sunday, the high in Portland reached 76 degrees, which set a new record (by almost 10 degrees!). Of course, we had to take advantage of this unbelievable weather, and headed to our favorite beach. We flew kites, sailed boats, ate "ice cream," dug holes in the sand, and played tag. It was incredible, beautiful — indescribable really. And I was reminded, yet again, of why it's worth it to suffer through the long Maine winters. Because days like this are priceless.

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