Better Late than Never

 

So when we had ponies in our backyard, Kit wanted nothing to do with the hat, kerchief, overalls, and boots.  When it was Halloween, she shunned her custom-made western shirt with pearl buttons--in fact, she screamed mightily at the thought... but here, on some random Tuesday, she donned some dress-up gear to be a Tuesday-evening cowgirl.  Yes, this is our life with Kit--always on her terms!

Storytime

 

Elsie was thrilled to have big boy Ellis to read with her one evening last week.

Elsie Makes Friends

 

And just as much as Kit is talking, I'm finding Elsie gabbing to keep up... with long involved anecdotes involving school and inside jokes about Peyton and lamentations about how she got a "bleed" when she fell down.  These ramblings tickle me to no end and already I am anticipating their waning and mourning their fleeting quality.  So while I nag her to quit dawdling, I must remember that I never want this sweet musical chatter to abate. 

I dit

 

Sometimes it feels like I don't have babies at all... then I change diapers and remember that I am still very much in the baby stage and then I hear Kit talk and I revel in the fact that I am very much in the baby stage.  Kit is talking up a storm and referring to herself in the third person in decided and assertive ways with declarations such as, "Dit do it," "Watch Dit," and upon inquiring where is Kit?, "I Dit."  I must say that "I love me some Dit."

Happy Birthday D!

Elsie says "I love my Daddy because he makes me chocolate chip pancakes and because he plays whack a gopher where he whacks us and because he plays with me and because he reads me books at night and because he loves me and also because he loves me."

When I asked Kit why she loves her daddy she raised her hand and said "me!"

And it would be hard for me to even begin to count the ways why I love him as a father, a husband, a friend.  We tried to show him this weekend in celebrating starting Thursday night at a Sharon Jones and the Dap King concert opening the Savannah Music Festival--his appetite for music was whetted and it is a good thing we have lots of shows to follow up that fabulous one over the next few weeks: Avett Brothers, Band of Horses, Citizen Cope, Iron and Wine.  Music is always a good way to pay tribute to D.

And we celebrated with good friends, good food, and good drink Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.  Whether we are out on the town or hosting at home having D make us laugh is one of the best ways to pay tribute to him.

And then yesterday on his Saturday birthday extravaganza, we made all his favorites for breakfast in bed after he slept in.  Then, we spent a glorious morning at the Spring Festival at the Bamboo Farms picking strawberries--you'll find a few shots here.  And I think spending time with his girls is probably the best way to pay tribute to David.  We love you so, D!

Pre-Siesta Fiesta

Taking a Walk

Bryce and Elsie have long been passionate about playing together, but now we are starting to see the second wave of cousins getting in on the action.  Brooke, Kit, and Tad are veering from parallel play into playing as this video of Kit and Brooke suggests.  I find myself enjoying a cold beer and actual conversation with my siblings from time to time now at this point with the cousins frolicking happily on their own in the back yard.  The future is bright for a lifetime of cousin fun!

Cause and Effect

Hello Cousin!

Adorable Tad!

Big cousins reunite!

Kit and Brooke reunited!

 

With David on call and having put in some of my spring break to grading papers and writing a conference talk, I thought the girls and I deserved a getaway so we headed up to Atlanta on St. Patrick's Day.  I know it seems sacrilegious to leave Savannah on that most holy of holidays but single momming with two toddlers at a raucous parade seems more work than festivities, and so vowing to go next year (and hoping to take up on so many friends' fun invitations next year), we took some time this year for an Atlanta weekend to check in on Grammy, Poppa, the cousins, as well as poor ailing Addie.  It was a gorgeous weekend with lots of fun outside including a trip to the zoo.  We missed Aunt Kate--who was on a girls weekend in Boston--but we enjoyed quality family time with those she left behind.  Here are a few shots of our trip to the zoo!

Back to the Future

Elsie and MaisyWithers

 

Margaret and I met about 30 years ago. And here we are.  Thirty years later, here we are with little ones playing on the same playgrounds we once played on, hung out on, and grew out of.  I've never grown out of wanting to hang out with Margaret.  We love to see each other when I am in Atlanta on double dates with our Davids, on double dates with our fabulous moms, or on double dates with our girls that look just a little bit like we looked back when we met.  And here they are getting along just as famously as we always have.

This week has been a sad strange one for us, the Pace Class of 90.  We lost one of our own--Sharon Casey was one of our circle and we shared in many adventures together and grew up together.  She was 39 and living in Naples, Florida when she lost her battle with cancer leaving two girls just a bit older than those playing together here.  Many of us have been back in touch since our 20th reunion and over this and on Friday I reunited with some of the women from our class over some wine.  It is truly amazing how after all these years away how these folks stick with you.  Even though for some of them there were long periods where we were not in touch, I know them, their parents, their siblings, what their childhood homes were like, the names of their pets, their favorite songs.  I remember their favorite outfits, first cars, first loves.  There were only about 70 of us in our class, and while at one point, I was desperate to get away I find such consolation, recognition, reassurance, and understanding in returning.  There is simply so much I don't have to explain, to perform, to clarify, and then there is so much to discover at the same time.  When I meet up with these old friends, I find myself riveted finding out how the story went from where I left off.  And I found myself profoundly shell shocked to hear of the untimely conclusion to Sharon's story.  Her loss reminds me to value what I left behind from that era of my life and reminds me to treasure all of this beautiful life's blessings with the utmost of care. 

Sadie's Visit

 

Elsie and Kit loved having Sadie come to visit.  There was a slumber party, bike rides to Forsyth, taco dinners at Tybee, cupcakes at Gigi's, and post-dinner party shows on the trampoline.  What more could girls want from out of town guests.... and the parents aren't so bad either!

Elsie the Artist

 

Before Elsie was born, just after moving into our house, we bought a piece of art at the SCAD grad student art sale to hang in her nursery.  It is a whimsical piece with boats and balloons that still hangs there to this day.  Clearly, we were destined to have that artist be a part of Elsie's life because years later Carrie Christian started teaching art classes and our girl enrolled.  On Saturday mornings over the past year or so, we have had her attending to do three art projects with her dear Miss Carrie.  And our buddy Miss Carrie raves about our Elsie's spirit, style, and spunk.  Miss Carrie is a saint and our Elsie isn't so bad either ;)  Last night on our way back into town we attended the art show Miss Carrie put on for our students and we've included some shots here of the artists, art, and admirers. 

Salty Dog St. Pat's 

 

It was a gorgeous day for a beach visit yesterday so we headed over to HHI to the Salty Dog St. Pat's fest and enjoyed some fun in the sun with the grandparents.