ballerina

Lauren had her ballet recital last night -- a variation on Peter Pan titled, "Peter's Shadow." She loves wearing a pretty costume, having her hair done, getting a little blush on her cheeks, dancing on stage with a big smile on her face, getting flowers and congratulations, 

and sharing it all with her bestie, Olivia. 

Brava, Lauren! 

on the other foot

As we searched for Audrey's red sandals, I asked her, "Have you lost them again?"
"I don't know," she said, exasperated. "I keep track of them, but they don't keep track of me."

happy father's day

I think Kim had a great day! It included homemade cards, a SodaStream, the U.S. Open, a dish of 7-layer dip, and burgers on the grill. But if you ask him, I'm sure he'll say his favorite part was this: 

If you guessed that this was Lauren's idea, you are correct. She came to me a few days ago and said, 

"I know what we should make Dad for Father's Day!" 

"Yes?"

"A FUZZY CELL PHONE CASE." 

I must have given her a quizzical look, because she immediately launched into a how-to: "We could get some pompoms, the NEON kind, and glue them all over the case." I laughed, but I knew she was onto something. On an errand to the craft store I spotted the pompoms and brought them home to three very happy girls who quickly went to work. The results exceeded their expectations, though this photo suggests the prototype might need a little work.

Lauren is not dissuaded. Thanks in large part to the confidence and entrepreneurial spirit her father has instilled in her, she's announced a plan to trouble shoot and mass-produce her fuzzy phone cases in a new Etsy shop! The large crowd of people who gathered around Kim and laughed hysterically in the church lobby will be pleased to know that they, too, can have a fuzzy phone case of their own, 

unless . . . 

instant gratification

June 21st

As I packed lunches for the last day of school, I announced to Audrey that today is the first day of summer. I heard Ella shout, "WHAT? Today is the 21st? I MISSED the SUMMER SOLSTICE SUNRISE? Aww, man. I told myself I was going to watch that this year."

before, during & after

sweetness

Kim seemed to have homework and bath time under control, so I slipped out to finish some yardwork I'd started earlier in the day.

Just as the sun was setting, Audrey came down the front steps. "I put my shoes on, in case you need some helping hands. Do you need some helping hands?"
"I would love some help from your helping hands!" I told her. She beamed.
"I thought you did. That's why I put on my shoes."

I asked her to hold the trash bag while I filled it with yard trimmings. She asked if she could help with the ivy, but I told her there were some prickly things in there I didn't want her to touch. As I filled the bag, some of the trimmings brushed her arms. "I didn't touch the prickles, Mama! I didn't do it. They touched me." She smiled at her own cleverness.

We finished our cleanup in the dark and Audrey exclaimed, "It sure would be handy to have a jar of fire flies right now!" Indeed.

Could it be that this funny little person is going to kindergarten this fall? That my short season having her to myself is almost though? I am resolved to savor every sweet day with her.

I love you, D$!