a day in the life

12 | 12 | 12

May edition! Despite the fact that I put it in the June folder and named the collage June. It is still May. Renaming all files ensued. Just wishing it were June. Can I get an "Amen?"
1. Charlie before the game. Looks like an absolute pro. Lining up. Listening. Rocking the foot skills.
2. Charlie during the game. Won't play. Won't listen. Won't cooperate. Turns to jelly. Any advice? I really don't want to throw in the towl just yet.
3. Jack LOVES Maya. This is his hide from strangers pose. Maya is a safe place to go. I love that.
4. Charlie. On the field, but with legs spread because HE wanted to BE the goal. *sigh*
5. Lillian. Tall. Long flowing hair (snicker.) Looking about eight in her new glasses. Goodness these kids grow up way too fast.
6. Oh Jack. You are too cute. Seriously. Just too cute.
7. Daddy playing some catch. Not with me. Have to say that despite the fact that I used to play football every day at recess in fifth grade I am a bit skittish about catching a football. Now softball, sign me up.
8. Doesn't it look like Charlie just slammed that ball out of the park? Yes, let's just go with that.
9. This dear old man came up to me and asked if he could take our picture. Bless his heart, another blurry stranger photo. But I love it because he was funny, sweet to offer, and urged me to vote for Obama. Of course sir.
10. I love tickling children trapped in swings. This may be the last summer of the baby swing. Wow. That is a sad thought.
11. As Jack just learned to walk, he is doing it all the time. The shuffle thump is pretty much gone. How sad.
12. Run, Jack, Run.

And as there seem to be a lack of Lillian in this month's 12 on 12, the official I just got my glasses today picture. May 8, 2012 you are excited. We will see if you are as excited in 20 years...

Grandma

Her hands made things. Lots and lots of things. Cherished ornaments, knitted blankets and sweaters, my Christmas stocking. She was crafty, and she passed that love on to me.

I used to call her for knitting advice. Often.

She was strong. She was knocked down and got back up. I hope I will always get back up when I get knocked down too.

She was daring. She was a roller derby champ. She used to tell us such stories. I wish I would have written those stories down.

She loved butterflies. Many butterfly pictures and trinkets gifted to her by her grandchildren graced her home.

She smoked, for a very, very long time. Since she was 12. But somehow still managed to quit. I was really proud of her for that.

She had three children. So do I.

She gave us the My Little Pony barn. My children still play with it today.

I share her name-Eleanor. If I had another daughter, she would have shared that name too. She made me promise I would never use Viola, her middle name.

She made the best zucchini bread. She made the best everything. Just not with microwave dishes. That one didn't turn out so well. One of my favorites was a chicken casserole with some kind of light orange tomato sauce. I remember it being my favorite, but I have no idea how to make it. It has been years since I have eaten it.

She was my grandma.

And I will miss her.

May the fourth be with you

Contrary to what the title says, this post is actually not about Star Wars, but as I have never once in my 34 years ever thought that this indeed was "Star Wars Day," even with my super geeky fanatic husband, I thought it was still a perfect title.

So no, this post is not about Star Wars, but yet again about my little sister's beautiful book, Any Day a Beautiful Change.
Last night I got to go to Katherine's book reading, my very first book reading. It was, cool. She was introduced by David Hassler, whom considers himself the reason the book was written as he was responsible for their meeting.  Perhaps a joke, but an inspiration to Katherine to say the least.
Then we got down to the reading.
I stood in the back, quietly snapping photos, and looked at the faces of the listeners. Great big grins at times, only to be traded with eyes welling up with tears at other moments. I shared those grins and tears. When I read it the first time, the second time, the third time, and when I heard my sister read her own words. They are powerful. And helpful. And beautiful.

Questions came next, one from Maj Ragain, her old poetry teacher, whether she was still writing poems. She sheepishly answered, no, they didn't come as often. But later, after a particularly moving chapter, he spoke up and said, "No. You still write poetry."

This book is poetry.

Then came another question from the audience. "Do you feel you have aired out all the cobwebs, or do you think there are still more to come?"

Katherine replied, with perfect comedic timing, "This is my father." Chuckles ensued.

I am so glad she wrote this book. And I know you may get tired of me saying it, but it is my job as the dutiful older sister, to tell you as often as I can, you must read this book. You will love this book. So thank you Ben, the ginger haired boy, for telling Katherine "You should write about us."
I'm so glad she did. And for those of you wondering, and asking "Now it is your turn (to write a book)" I will say, no, I'm just happy standing in the back taking the photos.

Any May a Beautiful Change

Katherine, Elizabeth and I are beginning May in a whole new way this year by writing about a beautiful change in our lives. We are doing this to celebrate the release of Any Day a Beautiful Change. We have also invited many others to share personal stories of beautiful changes in their lives to get you in the memoir-reading mood. If you have a blog, won't you join us? You can link your post here and not only get a chance to celebrate the release of this wonderful book, but you will also be entered to win your very own copy. Won't you join us?

A beautiful change.

I love those words. A beautiful change. I feel like I have had many beautiful changes in my life-saying yes to the ring in the little white box; the moment I found out I was expecting my first child; my second; my third. These are the big moments. The moments filled with fireworks and a swelling orchestra. But any day can be a beautiful change. Not just the giant life changing events. One of my every day beautiful changes is coming. Soon. Actually on June 19th to be exact. I am finally getting an iPhone. Did you just laugh? Roll your eyes? Yes, perhaps that build-up was a bit over-dramatic, but so has my journey to get this little piece of technology. I have waited five years for this phone. Almost five years to the day. It has been a long wait.

So why do I predict this will be a beautiful change? I will take more photos. Yes, I take so many photos already…but not always photos of the every day moments. Checking on the boys to see the boys laughing hysterically at one another in the toy box. A self portrait of Lillian and I while we wait for dance to begin. I won't always have to lug around that big camera. I will start Project Life.

I will tell Siri to remind me to put dinner in the crock pot. Or that we are out of toothpaste, or milk.

I will play Words with Friends when waiting in the doctor's office.

I will entertain my children with spelling apps, Angry Birds, and Scribblenauts.

I realize my frustration over my broken "r" or my spotty reception, or the fact that my phone freezes up at least ten times a day is really inconsequential in the long run…but if you know me, you will know my current mantra "June 19. June 19."

Any day a beautiful change. No matter how small. iCannotwait.

Would you like to read about more beautiful changes? With eloquent and poignant writing? Beautiful stories and hilarious moments? Then you should read Any Day a Beautiful Change by Katherine Willis Pershey. There will be several opportunities to win a copy of Any Day a Beautiful Change; until May 10th you can leave a comment on Elizabeth's blog for a chance to win!

Ten on Tuesday: Family edition

Let's go over a few things

1. My schedule has gotten a bit...crazy lately. My calendar is packed to the brim with things. Crazy May is beginning with crazy April. I have a Saturday coming up where I have six different (but all fun) things. Like I said, crazy.
2. In the past two days I have lost my phone (which I called 26 times while walking around the house, looked in the fridge, in the trash can by the curb...) and my glasses. Phone was found in Missy's couch (after making them think some toy went deranged and was coming to get them...ha) and my glasses were found in Charlie's bed. Where he took them. Note, I am BLIND. And it is hard to look for glasses when you are BLIND. We had a...talk about that.
3. Jackson is still mostly shuffle thumping along, so much so he nearly has a hole in a pair of my favorite jeans-so much for reselling those. Until the kids stop shouting "Jackson's WALKING!" every time he takes a few steps, I am not going to consider him a full blown walker.
4. He is also...OH MY GOODNESS cute. His laugh, his smiles, the way he giggled with pride when I gave him a banana still in the peel to eat like a big boy. He gives kisses. He snuggles. He wrestles with me all the time. He says "YAY!" Man do I LOVE that little boy. I saw a teen-aged boy in Acme a few days ago and thought to myself "I need to wrestle and cuddle and kiss these boys as much as I can now, cause someday they won't want to...and it may be inappropriate." Ha.
5. Charlie is all set for school next year-four days of school. Now I am having mini freak-outs as Jack and I will miss him SO much. I know it is just one more day than normal at that age, but what will I do without him? I may have to rethink this one.
6. Today he came down and said "Mama? Can I sing you a song?" then preceded to sing his version of "Hey Soul Sister." In his teeny voice. Oh love. And a note to myself-remember when Charlie came down in his blue and brown moose jammies and said he wanted a hug and a kiss? I said Jack will do that someday. I promised Bj I would try to remember that.
7. Lillian is currently attending her book club meeting. I am excited that she has FINALLY started reading chapter books with ferocious abandon, instead of reading her princess books and comics books over and over. But, need to work on her comprehension. I think she has a tendency to read very quickly and forgets key parts. Hoping our summer book club will help with that.
8. She is also gotten on an organizing kick. Oh be still my organizing heart.
9. Bj is getting over a wicked case of bronchitis. Like every time he coughed it sounded like he was being stabbed. Ouch.
10. He has also started grilling for us more-oh how I love that $25 grill I found while walking. In addition to his growing grilling skills, he is a master at the Whirly Pop. Goodbye microwave popcorn...forever.

12 | 12 | 12

Once again the 12th came around on a Thursday, which is officially my busiest, craziest day of the week. I remind myself that preschool M-TH is only going to add to that craziness next year. And, Jack and I are going to miss Charlie like CRAZY.
1. Apparently Mick Jagger's favorite new place to play is in the toybox. Don't ask me why he is unzipped like that, but I think it may have something to do with Charlie as when I sent him upstairs to get dressed, his jammies were the same. Weirdo boys.
2. Ahhhhh-haircut! While the during is fairly awful and horrible, the after is much better (although I will miss those curls.) After the cut we stopped by to hang out with Grandpa and play a little hide and seek around Great Grandma Watson's chair.
3. Bj was home today with a horrible case of bronchitis. Now there is "man sick" and there is "wow are you being stabbed in the chest every time you cough" sick. He had the latter. Smoothies make everything better right?
4. After naptime. My goodness you are handsome Jackson.
5. And, your tiny feet are also very chubby. And the crib is dirty. Hey, it has been used almost non-stop for 6 1/2 years.
6. Driving again. Let me just recap. Drove to Charlie's school to pick him up. Got a smoothie. Back home. Drove to get Jack's haircut. Drove to M&D's house. Picked up Charlie. Home. Drove Lillian to dance. Drove home. Went back to pick up Lillian. Drove home. Drove to Cassie's house. Drove home. Lots of driving...
7. We actually arrived early and had time to stop next door to pick up a new skirt for Lillian (50% off, whoo hoo) and just hang for a moment before class. I love that she finally gets to take dance here. Makes me very, very happy.
8. Well bighugelabs cut it off, but goodness did I have Charlie laughing hysterically after I asked if I could take his photo. He is a bit INYOURFACE during photo time.
9. And again, laughing hysterically. I kept yelling at him NOT to look at the camera. He either thinks I am crazy or hasn't caught on to reverse psychology yet.
10. This is Lillian's "WHY are you taking my picture AGAIN" face. Because your Aunt Elizabeth said I had to honey. Now smile.
11. Thank you.
12. And me. After all that running around. Of course I looked this refreshed after a long day. Or perhaps I use a bit of Fotoshop by Adobe'. Perhaps. Just keeping it real here folks. Don't think I even had time to shower that morning...

12 | 12 | 12

This did not go as planned. I woke up on the 12th excited for another new day of photos. I planned some shots, took some candids, concentrated on how lucky I am. Got a shot of Jack that was just perfect-he was looking out the window at the trash truck. Kinda looked like he was going to break through the window with the toy in his hand.

But.

They are gone. Somehow I lost every photo I took on March 12. I don't know how. I have the surrounding days. Didn't lose anything else, but somehow, they just disappeared. Even that perfect one of Jack. So I had to do something different this month. I just chose 12 photos that I loved. And although I am really (really, really) sad I lost those photos, I love the photos here. They are a true picture of our busy month.
1. Lillian lost her second tooth. 2. I got new studio lights in the hopes of next year doing some pre-school photos for the schools. Charlie was my first subject. 3. We took some fun shots in preparation for his Superhero birthday celebration. I think he looks quite hero like, don't you? 4. One of my favorite shots of Lillian ever. It is SO hard to get her real personality and smile in the camera. But this is it. 5. And here is Jack's serious face. NOT hard to capture as he really is quite a serious baby. Until he isn't. 6. Shuffle, thump. Shuffle, thump. 7. I gave Jack a spoon for the first time. It went as to be expected. 8. An excited little birthday boy. The party was a success I think, except for the poor sister who was suffering from a sad tummy. 9. I got to go to a wonderful and rare event. My grandfather was inducted into the Ashtabula Basketball Hall of Fame, posthumously. And my mother was the one who got to speak for him. I know she was nervous, but her speech was perfect and touching and made me so proud. 10. Cupcakes, cake balls, gluten free cupcakes, gluten free cake balls, and one last birthday cake for the birthday boy. Let's just say this is my fanciest and least "wrecked" cake I have ever decorated. It is just not my speciality. 11. After all the brother celebrations I thought it would be nice to take Lillian to see Mirror, Mirror with some friends. Before hand we stopped for a few photos. Not natural, but I love her laugh. 12. I even managed to get my monthly self portrait in. Just before the movie. Me and my girl.

Not how I planned it, but still, a month documented. Perhaps they will turn up in my computer somewhere. I hope...

Shuffle, thump. Shuffle, thump.

That is the sound Jack makes when he crawls. Upright, one hand down.
See that nose crinkle? He is one part mischief, one part stinker, one part snuggle monster. He does not like new situations. But when we are in them he snuggles me so close I can't bear to make him get over that shyness. He can wave (when he wants.) He can clap (when he wants.) His hair is crazy long, but on days like this when it curls just slightly, well, it makes me put off cutting it for longer. He adores his brother and sister. He is now down to one nap a day (boo) but if he falls asleep for even ten seconds, that's it.  No more sleeping for him. He is, cute.
(Shuffle, thump. Shuffle, thump.) 

6 1/2

In February Lillian turned 6 1/2. You know what that means? Yes. 6 1 2. My favorite all time number. So apparently, this may be one of my favorite ages (apart from 61 and 2 months old.)
It kind of shocks me lately how big/old she is getting. I mean really, didn't she just learned how to walk? Say caT? Now she is tall and gangly. She has huge feet. She just lost her second tooth. I see fun trips to far off lands like Pittsburgh in our future. She says things like "this carpet is ridiculous." Ok she may have heard something like that from me, but the way she sounds when she says it. Just so grown up. Slow down, my dear. SLOW DOWN.

Ish eyes

A few years ago I did a layout about Lillian's ish eyes. They are greenish brownish, which I suppose would be considered hazel, but I prefer ish (although I think that probably won't fly on a drivers license someday.) A few days ago I was testing my new lights and got this shot of Charlie
Sad to say, but I think his eyes are now blueish. But I love those deep ish eyes...