April 26, 2011
We went to Easter Vigil Saturday night. First time since Zoe was born, I think. When they turned off all the lights in the church I realized just how much I missed it. The dark sanctuary slowly lit with candles, one by one. The rituals and rites. The feeling of community. The incense. The music. The reverence.
Outside, a storm raged. The stained glass windows were lit from without in brilliant flashes. It was beautiful, and only added to the mood.
April 26, 2011
After weeks of doing her chores and saving her money, and some generous donations by loved ones, Zoe had enough to buy her Build-A-Bear. We went tonight. She was so excited that we couldn’t help but be excited for her. I’m also so damn proud I could cry. For the $18 bunny, she had worked for about $11. While this might not seem like a lot, keep in mind that she got there five and ten cents at a time. Sundays are special as she earns a quarter for emptying trash cans. She was laser focused on her goal, too, looking at things at Target frequently and saying, “No, I won’t get that. I’m saving for my Build-A-Bear!”
She selected a pink bunny, and instructed the stuffer that she wanted it “squishy.” She typed in her name, and her bunny’s name, Strawberries, for the birth certificate. She was just beaming the whole time.
After, she wanted to look around at clothes and accessories. She has some new savings goals in mind, having found some things she likes. First up? Party underwear, of course!
April 22, 2011
April 22, 2011
April 22, 2011
I love fun new photo apps. Especially when they’re free! Hello, Tiny Worlds.
April 21, 2011
April 21, 2011
I talked to M this morning. He and Zoe chatted about how excited she was today because (warning: double whammy ahead) it was Pajama Day and Babaloo Day. Pajama Day is, well, pretty self-explanatory. Babaloo is an entertainer who comes in once a year for an all-school assembly. He farts and throws toilet paper all around and blows bubbles and does other things that preschoolers find incredibly hilarious.
April 21, 2011
Ever notice how hard it is to get the ice cream truck to actually stop?
It’s the universe’s way of saying, “You don’t need no ice cream, fatass.” To which I reply, “F*ck the universe. I’m going to The Custard Station.”
April 20, 2011
Zoe’s teachers have been telling us that she’s thisclose to reading, so we’ve been encouraging spelling and sounding out words and such. This week at her Scholastic Book Fair I picked up a kindergarten level 1 reader (Splat the Cat Sings Flat, if you must know). Last night, she carried it in and wanted to read. by herself. So we snuggled together on her bed and sounded out words together. I was reminded again just how tricky the English language is (we have lots of silent letters, and it seems like “i” is pronounced about a bazillion different ways). She continued reading this morning, doing quite well on her own, and wanted to tackle it again tonight. She is determined to read, and she seems to be really getting the hang of it.
April 20, 2011
My last night in France, I walked the streets of Bordeaux with a colleague after dinner. I needed a tripod, but didn’t have one so there’s some handshake in here. It’s okay. I still love how it captures the feeling of a Bordeaux evening.