Memories

Yesterday Bill and I went to lunch and to the Georgia O'Keefe & others exhibit at the museum of art. We had such a good time just being grown ups together. It reminds me that I want to share photos from our winter visit to the Dryers' magic cottage. Just looking at them makes my shoulders relax.

This short film says everything I believe about children and nature. Anyone up for a trip to Torrey Pines?

http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/quest_series_focuses_on_nature_deficit_disorder

Welcome to the cat I said we'd never get

We have a new family member: Emma Alice Pen Kitty. She was adopted "temporarily" to intimidate the rodentia in our walls and attic (known as the 'bad rats' to differentiate from the 'good rats' - Molly's pets Antithesis and Antonymus), but she walked in and made herself so at home that she won my heart. She understands that Riley is no threat (to cat or rat), we keep our rats locked up and Patricia and Hoenheim on a high shelf, and everyone seems as happy as can be. I guess we have a cat.

Molly in College

My baby girl is enrolled in her first college class: Japanese 101 at Mesa this summer. She loves Japanes, loves learning languages, and loves not being at high school. I love her growing sense of competence in the world. It's a good thing I have my kinder friends to help me stave off pangs of empty nest syndrome.

It's Still the Del Mar Fair to me

Yesterday at the fair I experimented with a new parenting technique called, "Let them eat whatever they want." Between them, they ate: a Tower of caramel apples and whipped cream, a pizza on a stick, shaved ice, polish sausage, and deep fried oreos. In between pushing the bounds of gastronomic good sense we played games and watched the pig races, and just generally moseyed around. Now if we get to the beach this week, summer will have officially begun.

I'm back

Blogging seems to be a summer thing. I'm sitting here, drinking a cup of tea, no report cards to write, no articles to read, caught up with my housework (more or less) and ready to rejoin my blogging community.
So, summer plans... this is my summer of creativity. I'm going to sew, try to learn to play the guitar, and Go To Mexico for an art class with Candace Lopez: http://www.sdccinsanmiguel.com/ . In the meantime, I'm up for getting in touch with neglected friends, going to the beach, and lots of reading what I want to read (starting with The Kite Runner).

Speaking of creativity, I'll close with a photo of the painting Molly made for my Mom for Mother's day - it's about 2" by 3". Someday I hope to have the talent of my daughter.