Great Project over at ScrapMatters

Hey All.... I do a little eco-blurb over at Scrap Matters for their Project Re-new it blog entries once a month. With all the envelopes arriving in the mail at the moment... I thought I would pass this timely project along that Kate created. You can find it here.
Wile coming up with the eco-facts about junk mail I learned that the average American adult spends 8 months of their life dealing with junk mail. The link has links to get off all those awful lists and save some trees!

Sweet Sleeping Babe

All is Calm...
All is Bright...

My little Ci. She has had a few tough weeks. First she got that nasty cough,and finally she got better... but she got used to being around me full time again, and is having separation anxiety every time I drop her to pre-school this week. I HATE leaving her in tears. I'm hoping she will be ready to go back after the holidays.

I had to snap off this picture. She looked so peaceful!

Oh my - where has the month gone?!!

So it is the 16th, and my holiday cards lay in pieces waiting to be assembled still. I hope to complete them this evening.

Here are the photos I didn't used for the card from the same afternoon. We made a gingerbread house, so I thought it might make a nice "prop" for our pictures.

 

 

 

 

Thanksgiving Cough Cough

We made it through the Thanksgiving Break. We picked up one eye infection, four colds and one still bad stomach. We took Zach to the doc the day before Thanksgiving and the Doctor decided that dairy and apples might be upsetting his stomach. So he says, "ok... no daiy for the next three weeks starting now... oh and by the way - almost everything has dairy in it - you need to really watch the labels.

I walked out of the Doc's office in a daze, and since both the kids were sporting an awful cough along with the stomach ailment,we cancelled out of our Thanksgiving plans. After a short meltdown, I gathered myself up and headed to the new Whole Foods. An hour later we were set to cook for Thanksgiving.... sans dairy. Gotta love Whole Foods. Unfortunately I got the cough we are passing around, so I was zapped of energy on Thursday which made cooking a less than delightful event. By Saturday Mark was sick too... I think in his case it was the early morning shopping that got him. My husband loves a bargain!

Fast Forward to Monday and Zach is still complaining about stomach upset. I'm not sure how long it takes for the dairy to get out of his system, or if that is even it. Sela missed school today too, both are still coughing and I'm kind of doubting they will go tomorrow either.

On a happy note, our kitty Chumba gets to lose the lampshade tomorrow, and get her stitches out from her ittle surgery.

Gosh - just call us the house of ailments!

A Sweet Moment

 

 

It seems like I have been saying , "zach don't push your sister, Sela don't hit your brother so much lately." I was so happy to be able to capture this sweet moment between the kids the other day while they were waiting to go into a bounce house.
Yah! For sibling love!!

Zach's Soccer Games and Sela Being Silly

 

 

 

 

Zach has had such a great experience playing soccer this season. His coach is great... patient but also teaching the kids so much about Soccer. They had their end of season party last week and their last game today. I snapped off these pictures last week at his game. He loves playing goalie - and I was especially proud that he didn't let the other team score once! He also scored a goal - so that was fun!

I also had some fun with Sela snapping off some shots of her entertaining herself during the game.... pretending to be a butterfly and just plain being silly.

When I asked Zach is he had fun playing soccer he said, "I would have more fun if we would win more."
Me, "But Zach - this is about having fun - not about winning."
Zach, "but Mom - winning IS fun!

He is definitely got my competitive gene - poor child!

Boooo!

 

 

 

 

I am so slow in posting these days. Here are the kids for Halloween. Zach was quite the brave little guy this year - not even flinching at the older kids scary outfits... Interestingly our little ballerina (who isn't scared of anything usually) was spooked by the scary halloween noises some houses were playing. Scared enough to blow off getting a piece of candy from them - which is alot from our little treat monster. We had such a nice time trick or treating with our friends the Hays. They are the nicest family!

I was happy with their costumes this year. I made Sela's tutu. Mark and I and Nama created Zach's robot costume. He was by far a favorite costume and got rave reviews both at school and while out trick or treating. The best paert... we spent hardly anyhing putting the costume together! My personal favorite was the milk carton robot helmet.

Zach and Ci

I forced myself to slow down and notice the nuances of my kids behavior. I have been running crazy - distracted, and not paying attention, and realized that many days had gone by without my really noticing just how amazing my kids are. How awful is that? So I just stopped. I stopped nagging about the dirty socks on the floor. I stopped worrying about being late for school, or for the lost blue folder (WHERE is that folder?!), and I just enjoyed. Truth is... my family is pretty amazing.

Sela is wondering around the house saying Pppp Pppp P is for princess. P is for Pony. P is for pretty, P is for pp purple. Yep... my 3 year old is figuring out sounds... I love it! I looked at her beautiful face and realized that I need to slow down and savor the moments... because before I know it she won't ask to just sit with me.

Zach is recognizing words and starting to help read his good night books. He is so sweet. He promised to save up all his kisses for me while I was sick. I didn't want him to get sick - so he said he would save them for when I am all better.
He seems so big to me lately. It isn't easy to pick him up and carry him around anymore... and that makes me teary just thinking about it.

Mark is still driving to Oakland a few days a week. We all miss him when he isn't here. Sela said this morning.. "Where's dada? I want to share my gummy vite with him!" (gummy vitamin) Zach sometime asks me questions only Mark would know - Mom - how far away is the closest star? What is the temperature on Jupiter? etc.
Mark is teaching Zach to play Chess... I love how they are both such smarties together.

We are so so blessed.

Change is in the air

Tonight, history was made.
Tonight I am proud to be American.

Tonight I am sad at the intolerant beliefs that marriage needed to be protected.... from what? Recently I was "found" by an old classmate. I knew him for many years... you know - the smiling always friendly guy who was in your class. We didn't really hang out in school, but I always liked him. So... we reconnected via Facebook... turns out he is gay, and happily in a relationship. I thought about him when I voted today. I crossed my fingers things would go his way, because he is a good person.

I wonder how people stand behind religion to say homosexuality is wrong. We are all God's children. I really can't imagine how so many people have decided it was their place to judge what is a sin. I thought that was God's job.

As the Backyardigans say....Huka Pele!

I am so sorry I have been ignoring my blog. I have been BURIED in work, and am just starting to feel like I'm getting in the groove. Life is dramatically different here from a month ago. My sweet Sela is now going to preschool 5 days a week. She is enrolled in a Montesorri program and loves it. I never knew much about their philosophies - had heard about the kids having "jobs" and didn't understand it. Sela has completely embraced it, and has channeled her energy in very positive ways. They call their learning activities "jobs". She is so happy to be learning so much.
Zach had his first field trip last week, and Mark went with the class to the pumpkin farm. I had agreed to present reCREATE to the Kiwanis Club - so I had to miss it.
They had fun - I'll post pictures soon!
Soccer is more than half over and Zach is still really liking it.
Mark has been an awesome husband while we settle into this new schedule. He has really gone above and beyond - and surprised me last weekend by organizing the storage unit. It was AMAZING! This is all awesomely nice of him because he has been working some long hours on top of it. Yep... my husband rocks!

The pictures are from a few weeks back. We made a volcano in the sand box from vinegar and baking soda - it was fun! And as the Volcano Sisters say - Huka Pele!

reNEWit and reCREATE

I am excited to be part of a hybrid scrap blog over at Scrap Matters. My friend Heather asked me to be a guest on the blog each month. We are talking about ways to take stuff we trash, and create with it... scrapbook style.

Check it out!

Sorry I have been so absent

Before:

After:

I am wishing that sleep was a optional thing, that way I could have recorded the funny things my kids did this week - but I have been scrambling to get reCREATE underway.

First - on Monday - We got our Truck back Wrapped and almost ready to go....

Tuesday my dad and poor sick husband finshed putting the shelving up for the supplies on the inside. Tuesday night I stocked it. Wednesday morning our first field trips!! My mom came along as a volunteer - and was an awesome helper. We visited Sierra Elementary in Rocklin and had a great time teaching the kids to be good environmental stewards and then they made some great art!

My favorite part of the day? When this little boy came and gave me a HUG and said thank you... and also sittong on the back of the truck in the playground eating out lunch and being surrounded by kids who thought we were cool. Nothing like a group of 3rd graders to make you feel like a rockstar!

Its a Wrap!

I am so thrilled how the reCREATE truck came out.. the pictures don't do it justice...
But you can see it be clicking on the button to the right on my other blog.
First class sessions in two days ... not quite ready yet... soon!

And the Winner to the Vehicle Wrap is....

April Dawn - with this entry.
I'm not sure we will use all of you design - but you definitely win the inspiration prize. I have the desgn at the wrap company - and should know exactly what they come up with shortly!

April Dawn, Please email me your favorite digi store and we can arrange your prize!

Thank you to everyone that submitted entries!

Help us Design our Vehicle Wrap!!

Details on my other blog - here:

http://a-bit-greener.blogspot.com/

It is a quick little contest - $50 is up for grabs!

The Coyotes!

 

 

 

 

Zach and the Coyotoes had their 3rd soccer game today. The first two games were pretty rough on thier team - they played teams that seemed like they were playing together for so long. Today - the Coyotes did so good. They were passing and calling out to eachother. Zach got an assist and a GGGGGGOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLL! I think they ended up tying the game in the end - they don't keep official score for them at that age. The weather was nice and there was cloud cover for at least 1/2 of the game - so the kids weren't so hot today, which was nice!

I've been putting my Face on Facebook

Do you Facebook? I have been playing around over there for the last few evenings, and it is kind of an interesting site. I'm thinking I'm more of a blog girl - but it is kind of fun to connect with old friends that way!

Zach is settling into Kindergarten, Sela is still adjusting to preschool... but she likes it.

I'm plugging away at reCREATE.... trying to get the vehicle wrapped and loaded by October.

Mark has a three day weekend - so I am hoping we can actually catch up on life this weekend... we are all frazzled.

Ci's Busy Day of Firsts

Ci started Preschool and ballet today.

I asked he what her favorite was... and she say, "I loved Ballet-in the most! There was beautiful princess music."

She told Zach now she is a "Ballet-er".

She seemed to have fun at both. They said she did "awesome" at preschool today.

sorry my pictures are less than stellar - I accidentally was shooting not in "auto" when I thought I was.

So I heard about this on NPR...

This woman a resident of Wasila got handfuls of emails from her friends asking what the story was on Sarah Palin. She wrote one letter, and told her friends while it was ok to forward it to friends - before long it was posted in several places on the internet. Here is what she said. Regardless of the side of the fence you are on - it is an interesting perspective from someome who knows her personally.

But here is the email Kilkenny wrote about Palin:

ABOUT SARAH PALIN
I am a resident of Wasilla, Alaska. I have known Sarah since 1992.
Everyone here knows Sarah, so it is nothing special to say we are on a
first-name basis. Our children have attended the same schools. Her
father was my child’s favorite substitute teacher. I also am on a
first name basis with her parents and mother-in-law. I attended more
City Council meetings during her administration than about 99% of the
residents of the city.

She is enormously popular; in every way she’s like the most popular
girl in middle school. Even men who think she is a poor choice and
won’t vote for her can’t quit smiling when talking about her because
she is a “babe”.

It is astonishing and almost scary how well she can keep a secret. She
kept her most recent pregnancy a secret from her children and parents
for seven months.

She is “pro-life”. She recently gave birth to a Down’s syndrome baby.
There is no cover-up involved, here; Trig is her baby.

She is energetic and hardworking. She regularly worked out at the gym.

She is savvy. She doesn’t take positions; she just “puts things out
there” and if they prove to be popular, then she takes credit.

Her husband works a union job on the North Slope for BP and is a
champion snowmobile racer. Todd Palin’s kind of job is highly
sought-after because of the schedule and high pay. He arranges his
work schedule so he can fish for salmon in Bristol Bay for a month or
so in summer, but by no stretch of the imagination is fishing their
major source of income. Nor has her life-style ever been anything
like that of native Alaskans.

Sarah and her whole family are avid hunters.

She’s smart.

Her experience is as mayor of a city with a population of about 5,000
(at the time), and less than 2 years as governor of a state with about
670,000 residents.

During her mayoral administration most of the actual work of running
this small city was turned over to an administrator. She had been
pushed to hire this administrator by party power-brokers after she had
gotten herself into some trouble over precipitous firings which had
given rise to a recall campaign.

Sarah campaigned in Wasilla as a “fiscal conservative”. During her 6
years as Mayor, she increased general government expenditures by over
33%. During those same 6 years the amount of taxes collected by the
City increased by 38%. This was during a period of low inflation
(1996-2002). She reduced progressive property taxes and increased a
regressive sales tax which taxed even food. The tax cuts that she
promoted benefited large corporate property owners way more than they
benefited residents.

The huge increases in tax revenues during her mayoral administration
weren’t enough to fund everything on her wish list though, borrowed
money was needed, too. She inherited a city with zero debt, but left it
with indebtedness of over $22 million. What did Mayor Palin encourage
the voters to borrow money for? Was it the infrastructure that she said
she supported? The sewage treatment plant that the city lacked? or a
new library? No. $1m for a park. $15m-plus for construction of a
multi-use sports complex which she rushed through to build on a piece
of property that the City didn’t even have clear title to, that was
still in litigation 7 yrs later–to the delight of the lawyers
involved! The sports complex itself is a nice addition to the
community but a huge money pit, not the profit-generator she claimed it
would be. She also supported bonds for $5.5m for road projects that
could have been done in 5-7 yrs without any borrowing.

While Mayor, City Hall was extensively remodeled and her office
redecorated more than once.

These are small numbers, but Wasilla is a very small city.

As an oil producer, the high price of oil has created a budget surplus
in Alaska. Rather than invest this surplus in technology that will
make us energy independent and increase efficiency, as Governor she
proposed distribution of this surplus to every individual in the state.

In this time of record state revenues and budget surpluses, she
recommended that the state borrow/bond for road projects, even while
she proposed distribution of surplus state revenues: spend today’s
surplus, borrow for needs.

She’s not very tolerant of divergent opinions or open to outside ideas
or compromise. As Mayor, she fought ideas that weren’t generated by
her or her staff. Ideas weren’t evaluated on their merits, but on the
basis of who proposed them.

While Sarah was Mayor of Wasilla she tried to fire our highly respected
City Librarian because the Librarian refused to consider removing from
the library some books that Sarah wanted removed. City residents
rallied to the defense of the City Librarian and against Palin’s
attempt at out-and-out censorship, so Palin backed down and withdrew
her termination letter. People who fought her attempt to oust the
Librarian are on her enemies list to this day.

Sarah complained about the “old boy’s club” when she first ran for
Mayor, so what did she bring Wasilla? A new set of “old boys”. Palin
fired most of the experienced staff she inherited. At the City and as
Governor she hired or elevated new, inexperienced, obscure people,
creating a staff totally dependent on her for their jobs and eternally
grateful and fiercely loyal–loyal to the point of abusing their power
to further her personal agenda, as she has acknowledged happened in the
case of pressuring the State’s top cop (see below).

As Mayor, Sarah fired Wasilla’s Police Chief because he “intimidated”
her, she told the press. As Governor, her recent firing of Alaska’s top
cop has the ring of familiarity about it. He served at her pleasure
and she had every legal right to fire him, but it’s pretty clear that
an important factor in her decision to fire him was because he wouldn’t
fire her sister’s ex-husband, a State Trooper. Under investigation
for abuse of power, she has had to admit that more than 2 dozen
contacts were made between her staff and family to the person that she
later fired, pressuring him to fire her ex-brother-in-law. She tried to
replace the man she fired with a man who she knew had been reprimanded
for sexual harassment; when this caused a public furor, she withdrew
her support.

She has bitten the hand of every person who extended theirs to her in
help. The City Council person who personally escorted her around town
introducing her to voters when she first ran for Wasilla City Council
became one of her first targets when she was later elected Mayor. She
abruptly fired her loyal City Administrator; even people who didn’t
like the guy were stunned by this ruthlessness.

Fear of retribution has kept all of these people from saying anything
publicly about her.

When then-Governor Murkowski was handing out political plums, Sarah got
the best, Chair of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission: one
of the few jobs not in Juneau and one of the best paid. She had no
background in oil & gas issues. Within months of scoring this great
job which paid $122,400/yr, she was complaining in the press about the
high salary. I was told that she hated that job: the commute, the
structured hours, the work. Sarah became aware that a member of this
Commission (who was also the State Chair of the Republican Party)
engaged in unethical behavior on the job. In a gutsy move which some
undoubtedly cautioned her could be political suicide, Sarah solved all
her problems in one fell swoop: got out of the job she hated and
garnered gobs of media attention as the patron saint of ethics and as a
gutsy fighter against the “old boys’ club” when she dramatically quit,
exposing this man’s ethics violations (for which he was fined).

As Mayor, she had her hand stuck out as far as anyone for pork from
Senator Ted Stevens. Lately, she has castigated his pork-barrel
politics and publicly humiliated him. She only opposed the “bridge to
nowhere” after it became clear that it would be unwise not to.

As Governor, she gave the Legislature no direction and budget
guidelines, then made a big grandstand display of line-item vetoing
projects, calling them pork. Public outcry and further legislative
action restored most of these projects–which had been vetoed simply
because she was not aware of their importance–but with the unobservant
she had gained a reputation as “anti-pork”.

She is solidly Republican: no political maverick. The State party
leaders hate her because she has bit them in the back and humiliated
them. Other members of the party object to her self-description as a
fiscal conservative.

Around Wasilla there are people who went to high school with Sarah.
They call her “Sarah Barracuda” because of her unbridled ambition and
predatory ruthlessness. Before she became so powerful, very ugly
stories circulated around town about shenanigans she pulled to be made
point guard on the high school basketball team. When Sarah’s
mother-in-law, a highly respected member of the community and
experienced manager, ran for Mayor, Sarah refused to endorse her.

As Governor, she stepped outside of the box and put together of package
of legislation known as “AGIA” that forced the oil companies to march
to the beat of her drum.

Like most Alaskans, she favors drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife
Refuge. She has questioned if the loss of sea ice is linked to
global warming. She campaigned “as a private citizen” against a state
initiaitive that would have either a) protected salmon streams from
pollution from mines, or b) tied up in the courts all mining in the
state (depending on who you listen to). She has pushed the State’s
lawsuit against the Dept. of the Interior’s decision to list polar
bears as threatened species.

McCain is the oldest person to ever run for President; Sarah will be a
heartbeat away from being President.

There has to be literally millions of Americans who are more
knowledgeable and experienced than she.

However, there’s a lot of people who have underestimated her and are
regretting it.

CLAIM VS FACT
•“Hockey mom”: true for a few years
•“PTA mom”: true years ago when her first-born was in elementary
school, not since
•“NRA supporter”: absolutely true
•social conservative: mixed. Opposes gay marriage, BUT vetoed a bill
that would have denied benefits to employees in same-sex relationships
(said she did this because it was unconsitutional).
•pro-creationism: mixed. Supports it, BUT did nothing as Governor to
promote it.
•“Pro-life”: mixed. Knowingly gave birth to a Down’s syndrome baby
BUT declined to call a special legislative session on some pro-life
legislation
•“Experienced”: Some high schools have more students than Wasilla has
residents. Many cities have more residents than the state of Alaska.
No legislative experience other than City Council. Little hands-on
supervisory or managerial experience; needed help of a city
administrator to run town of about 5,000.
•political maverick: not at all
•gutsy: absolutely!
•open & transparent: ??? Good at keeping secrets. Not good at
explaining actions.
•has a developed philosophy of public policy: no
•”a Greenie”: no. Turned Wasilla into a wasteland of big box stores
and disconnected parking lots. Is pro-drilling off-shore and in ANWR.
•fiscal conservative: not by my definition!
•pro-infrastructure: No. Promoted a sports complex and park in a city
without a sewage treatment plant or storm drainage system. Built
streets to early 20th century standards.
•pro-tax relief: Lowered taxes for businesses, increased tax burden on
residents
•pro-small government: No. Oversaw greatest expansion of city
government in Wasilla’s history.
•pro-labor/pro-union. No. Just because her husband works union
doesn’t make her pro-labor. I have seen nothing to support any claim
that she is pro-labor/pro-union.

WHY AM I WRITING THIS?

First, I have long believed in the importance of being an informed
voter. I am a voter registrar. For 10 years I put on student voting
programs in the schools. If you google my name (Anne Kilkenny +
Alaska), you will find references to my participation in local
government, education, and PTA/parent organizations.

Secondly, I’ve always operated in the belief that “Bad things happen
when good people stay silent”. Few people know as much as I do because
few have gone to as many City Council meetings.

Third, I am just a housewife. I don’t have a job she can bump me out
of. I don’t belong to any organization that she can hurt. But, I am no
fool; she is immensely popular here, and it is likely that this will
cost me somehow in the future: that’s life.

Fourth, she has hated me since back in 1996, when I was one of the 100
or so people who rallied to support the City Librarian against Sarah’s
attempt at censorship.

Fifth, I looked around and realized that everybody else was afraid to
say anything because they were somehow vulnerable.

CAVEATS
I am not a statistician. I developed the numbers for the increase in
spending & taxation 2 years ago (when Palin was running for Governor)
from information supplied to me by the Finance Director of the City of
Wasilla, and I can’t recall exactly what I adjusted for: did I adjust
for inflation? for population increases? Right now, it is impossible
for a private person to get any info out of City Hall–they are
swamped. So I can’t verify my numbers.

You may have noticed that there are various numbers circulating for the
population of Wasilla, ranging from my “about 5,000″, up to 9,000. The
day Palin’s selection was announced a city official told me that the
current population is about 7,000. The official 2000 census count was
5,460. I have used about 5,000 because Palin was Mayor from 1996 to
2002, and the city was growing rapidly in the mid-90’s.

Anne Kilkenny
August 31, 2008

More pictures from Apple Hill

Here are some more pictures from Apple Hill. I wish the collage program didn't chop them off... oh well.

Woo Hoo! Week 2 of Kindergarten

I got the most wonderful present in Zach's folder today - a little progress report from his teacher. He got Excellents and Wow's
across the board. She said he was "a great kid!" I'm so proud of our little Zach.
It felt really good to get that... a validation that somewhere along the way I must have done something right as a mom.

Tomorrow morning is our first "real" soccer game. Zach said he is a little nervous. I told him it is just supposed to be fun!

We signed Sela up for "ballerina school" - aka ballet class today. She has her first lesson on Tuesday. Here is what she was saying on the way some from getting her little pink ballet shoes.
"Mama is it Tuesday yet?"
Me - "no honey, it is Friday."
not 3 seconds later..."what about now... is it Tuesday yet?"
This went on for 3 miles.

I have NO idea where she gets her lack of patience! (I type as I laught to my impatient self.)

Poor Mark has to work this weekend.

My little cowgirl

Today we took the kids to Apple Hill in Placerville. It is a group of several apple farms that have banded together to encourage tourism. At the first stop Sela spotted a cutout of a cow.
She said to me, "Mama. I like cows very much."
Me, "Really? Why do you like cows, Ci?"
Ci, "Because I like cow milk!"
At this moment I was quite proud of my smart little 3 year old.
Then she said, "I like cow juice too!"
Me, "Like apple juice?"
Ci, "Yeah, cow apple juice is delicious!"
Me, "Oh sweetie - I'm glad you like cows... but they don't make juice, just milk.
Ci, "And chocolate milk!"
Me, "close enough!"

They had ponies and horses to ride at one of the farms - here is a pic of Sela riding one.

On the way back to the car she said, "Mama. I liked that beautiful pony. Her a really big pony that I rode!"
I'll post more pictures tomorrow.

Zach's First Day of Kindergarten

 

 

 

Here are the pictures of Zach's first day of kindergarten from earlier this week. He was really excited. I told him I would iron his shirt - and he said, "Wow.... I better call Namie and tell her... you NEVER iron my stuff." (My mom actually likes ironing - me - I think I'm allergic to it). But hey - he had to look good for the pictures right?!

Zach lined up right away when the bell sounded, and was SO SERIOUS. The last picture was him leaving after the first day - he is smiling and happy. He really likes his teacher!

OH My... I'm a Soccer Mom?!

 

 

Next thing you know I'll be shopping for a hybrid van - ha ha!

Zach is LOVING soccer - his team is the Coyotes, and he previously knew 3 of the kids on his team - which is nice! How about those cool shoes?!

I'm really proud of him - he is trying hard, and listening to his coach, and despite the heat - not complaining! He even got the team ball for trying hard and not complaining last week!
(Sela is on the sidelines breaking into the snacks I brought for after practice and keeping me running to find a new bush for her to pee behind - despite potty runs before practice.)

Letter to Zach

Oh Zach;
My boy who I love so deeply. My boy who can get under my skin like nobody else can. I can't believe it is almost time for me to drop you off at your first day of kindergarten.
You are so ready. You know all the "stuff" you need to know for school... your numbers (to 10 hundred gazillion million if I let you count that long - without asking you to take a rest), your letters, your sounds, how to sit and listen to the teachers.
You know how to be a caring boy. Too caring I worry. Please don't let the other kids make you cry... because they can be mean. And please don't make other kids cry... remember to be your sweet self.
Zach, I know I tell you to hurry up probably a 100 times a day... do me a favor and keep not listening... and I will try to slow down and savor these little every day moments that make up life.
I am so proud of you, and I don't tell you enough, but I think I am the luckiest mom in the world to have you for my son.
Now go do great in kindergarten - and when you are packing away childhood memories, please don't remember me nagging you to pick up your toys... remember the laughter of us tickling eachother, or how you can never get or recieve a kiss without rubbing it in. Always have that unrushed curiosity - to explore bugs and think about how things work. File away the special times of reading books together at night, because I know in a blink of an eye you will be telling me you can read your own book. Oh, and Zach, even if you need me less, every now and then, let me do little things for you, that let me cherish being your mama. I love you.

While Zach was Away...

 

A few weeks back Zach went to my parents for a few days. Sela talks about princesses and parties ad nauseum, so I told her we could have a Princess Tea party - just her and I. As you can see she picked her favorite princess dress - never mind that it was over 100 degrees outside... this is her favorite.
We talked about Cinderella and Ariel and sparkly things and ate fruit and drank tea. It was quite lovely!

When Little Worlds Collide

Zach: I am Alien Joe (in Robot speak)
Sela: Hello, I am Princess Ariel. (complete with sparkly lip glass)
Zach: Come into my Rocket Ship - Lets go to Outer Space!
Sela: Ummm Zachie - I mean Alien Joe? That isn't your rocket ship it is ACTUALLY my castle. (Actually it is their kid couch sitting on end)
Zach: NO Sela - it is my rocket, now come aboard right now!
Sela: Oh ok... but my name is Ariel!

Family Pictures

We had the pleasure of meeting the nicest photographer a few evenings ago. I had asked he to take pictures of my parents and kids for my mom's birthday. Jen Stewart has an amazing eye... and I have been oogling her pictures on Tezra's site for a while now. I LOVE the pictures. (except I need a diet)

Check them out here: