Moving right along
May 22nd, 2008
May is two-thirds over. How did that happen? It seems like just the other day I was planning Annalie’s birthday party and picking my mom up from the airport. Of course, we’ve been keeping busy. There are several May birthdays in our playgroup, which means lots of parties this month. When Christa celebrated her 4th birthday a week after Annalie with a fun party at a local park, I knew her mom would be busy so I took the Nikon and chased kids around all afternoon with it. It’s taken me a while to get used to my new camera, but I love it now. (Joe, you were right about driving a stick shift, and you were right about using a DSLR: they’re both way more fun.)
Keeping in mind that our time in Maryland is growing short, we’ve been spending lots of time with friends and doing local activities we enjoy. We have not had the chance to go to the park and play outside as much as we’d like since it’s been raining every other day. So on the days when it’s not raining, we’ve been playing outdoors and enjoying the beautiful spring weather.
The other day, we filled various containers with water and stuck them in the freezer, so Annalie could have some fun with ice. I don’t remember exactly how we got the idea in the first place, but when my mom suggested it I remembered a long-ago photo from The Trixie Update, and stuck various plastic toys in the bowls and cups so Annalie could have the fun of melting them out later.
And have fun she did. You would have thought the dice and plastic broccoli were pure gold from her squeals of delight when she was able to free them from the blocks of ice. I don’t want to romanticize childhood, because I remember being a kid and it’s not all carefree summer days and romps through flower-filled meadows. Being a kid can be hard, and annoying, and frustrating. But being a kid also means you’re not jaded yet. Kids are so thrilled by the little things. I don’t want to romanticize parenthood either, because being a parent is definitely hard and annoying and frustrating. But being a parent means that even though you’re a jaded adult, you get to re-live some of those little thrills with your kids.
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oohooh, a Nikon DSLR, what are you shooting?
Well said. And thanks for the great idea! We are sooo doing that when it gets sweltering here in the summer.
Oooh what a good idea! I know what we’ll be doing the next time hot weather hits.
Sticks shifts are definitely more fun! Now I need to get me a DSLR… Great idea with the ice. I have a niece now, I’ll have to keep that in mind.
I don’t envy you the packing and driving and moving that’s coming up soon. On the one hand, it’s thrilling and exciting starting over somewhere new. On the other hand, leaving behind good friends and all that’s familiar can be scary. Unless you’re me. I can’t wait to blow this pop stand and move back south!!
May is definitely flying by. I hope the rest of the summer flies by just as quickly, so that hubs will be home again and I can take a 2 hour nap!! :)
First of all, I loved the Trixie Update! I discovered it when I was pregnant with my first son. Too bad it’s not updated anymore :-( However, there are some Trixie photos on flickr and that’s pretty cool.
Secondly, I love what you said about childhood and parenthood. I’ve been thinking a lot about my children’s innocence and how precious it is. I’m so blessed to see the world through their eyes.
The ice experiment looks like fun. We might have to give it a go one of these days. I usually put ice cubes in the water table but actually freezing objects in the ice sounds much more fun!
I loved this, B. You have a natural, soothing way of writing that I love. It’s rare you read someone’s blog/book/article/whatever and that have that. I’m going to do the ice thing with my nieces. I bet they would love it. That’s such a good idea. Your Nikon is taking AWESOME pictures. Isn’t it so weird the difference in your pictures from a point-and-shoot to a DSLR? I couldn’t believe it when I got my Rebel.
Annalie (or, probably you) has excellent taste in clothing. I have a pink polo dress that I *LOVE* to wear in the summer :)
Well said! That is exactly one of the reasons that I want to have kids. Reliving those little joys. It was one of the main reasons I enjoyed working with adults with developmental disabilities. They see the world differently and usually better than I tend to!
I miss driving stick, Hubby says I will get used to it, but a whole year later and I am still clutching the air and shifting from Drive into Overdrive. The DSLR, however, grows on me more everyday even three years later.
And Annalie playing with melting ice, that is such a great idea for warm summer weather. You just come up with the greatest fun ideas.
where will you be moving?
You are right – it is hard to be both a child and an adult. At times, I’m too bogged down with responsibilities of being an adult.My children remind me that life is precious and I should stop and enjoy it more.