Travelingjenny

Navigating the hilly terrain of motherhood

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  • There’s a first time for everything

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    On Saturday morning, we went out to breakfast at a funky place in Portland. I brought special sticker books for the girls, and they sat still and played quietly while we waited (not long, thankfully) for our food. Right before our breakfast was served, a middle-aged couple walked by our table on their way out and said: "What well-behaved children!" Adam's response: "You're leaving just in time!" And he was right – within ten minutes, Grace was under the table and Tess was strutting around next to it. But still, I was proud – I think that's the first time anyone has ever complimented us on the behavior of our children at a restaurant. I suppose there's hope for us yet.

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  • That hurts a little

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    This morning while I was cooking breakfast, Grace entertained herself by drawing pictures on a dry erase board. Her first masterpiece was a drawing of me, and she kept asking me to turn around so she could take a good look at her subject matter. She wanted to be sure to include everything: eyebrows, feet, teeth, ears.. and wrinkles. As she proudly showed me her artwork, she said: "Look Mommy, I drew everything – even the little lines around your eyes when you're smiling." Great – I don't have a body, just a huge head and wrinkles. At least she didn't give me gray hair…

  • Happy birthday, Maggie!

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    Yesterday was Maggie's birthday, and she celebrated by getting groomed. Okay, this may not have been the celebration she would have chosen for herself, but how do dogs celebrate, anyway?? She turned eight years old (that's fifty-six in people years!), but she still bounds around like a puppy, and she looks like one, too – especially with a dainty bow in her fur. To make up for subjecting Maggie to the torture of a bath and a blow dry on her special day, her daddy got her a "pupcake". She really liked it.

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  • School’s out!

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    Today was Grace's last day of preschool, and she was very excited about that. I am not sure if it's because she's excited about summer break, or because she feels so grown up to be heading to the "pre-k/k" classroom next year. Her daddy wanted to celebrate the occasion, so we made pizza together and gave her a special cupcake with a candle – we even sang "Happy Last Day of Preschool to You." Grace felt very special. And was very hyped up on sugar. Summer break, here we come (please keep your fingers crossed for me)!

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  • Things that are NOT boring

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    According to a 4-year old, and in no particular order:

    * presents
    * baby sisters
    * climbing trees
    * being an animal rescuer
    * hiking in the woods with your dad
    * looking at motorcycles and bicycles
    * getting a new toy
    * getting a new pet
    * going to a barbecue at your friend's house
    * talking
    * flying in an airplane
    * going to a farm or aquarium

    According to the mother of a 4-year old:
    * life with a 4-year old

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  • Down on the farm

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    On Sunday we headed to a local farm to visit all of the animals. The girls got to pet lambs and baby goats. Grace held a one-week-old duckling, saw a nest of baby birds, and came nose-to-nose with a mama sheep. Adam checked out the roof on the chicken coop, and the construction of the chicken run (I'd like to think this was because he loves our chicks, but really I think he just likes using power tools). Tess mostly liked the play tractor. All of this is good practice, though, as we embark on our own little farm adventure. Maybe next I can convince Adam to build us a barn…

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  • Being chickens

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    On Friday the weather was warm and sunny, so Grace and I let the chicks out to play in the half of the garden that hasn't been planted yet, but is fenced in. It was very fun – and hilarious – to watch the chicks get to act like real chickens, pecking and scratching and flapping their wings. Afterwards, when they were back in their dog crate, they collapsed in a happy, exhausted heap together. They may act like real chickens sometimes, but they're still babies.

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  • A neat mess

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    The other night, Tess decided that she didn't want to eat dinner. We didn't make her sit at the table with us (sometimes it's nice to hear yourself think, or – heaven forbid! – have an actual conversation while eating), and instead she busied herself with her toys. I really didn't pay much attention to her – she was being so quiet and good! – and it wasn't until after dinner was over that I realized she had been carrying her toys from the playroom to the stairs. And everything was neatly lined up. I love this child.

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  • What have I been up to?

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    Helping Adam work on the chicken coop, so the little darlings have a nice, secure place to live. This is how I've been spending my "free" time while the girls are napping. And we've been spending our evenings out in the garage, too – with me painting and Adam doing the real work with his power tools. It's amazing how much trouble – and how sweet – a $2 pet can be.
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  • Yes, I’m ecstatic

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    Me: Grace and Tess, stop kicking each other, turn around, and eat.

    Me: Girls, stop it.

    Grace: Mom, aren't you glad you had kids?