Cats in the Sewing Room

Oh my Goodness: I didn't take pictures today.

I carried the camera everywhere but couldn't make myself take a shot.

Carried it to the gym but left it in the locker.

Went to the pool but left it in the locker.

Brought it to the grocery market but left it in the car.

Finally home again in the afternoon: I sewed (and took these pictures).

I guess I'm in a mood to sew cat stuff lately. I liked cats before. But now that I have a cat, I really like cats a lot more. It's a cat thing. I'm still a "dog person;" but I like cats a lot too.

In my defense - it's raining again.  How can a photographer keep up her motivation to take pictures when it rains the entire month of June?  It's cool and feels almost like Fall.  I'm going to need some bright sunshine to get my camera moving again.

Play Date Play Dough

We had a lot of fun this morning hosting friends over for a play date. Play dough was a big hit. Wii came in second place.

Puzzles came in third place. The cat and dog were a little jealous that the spotlight was not upon them.

Smiles all around.

During nap time, Mama enjoyed tea time and Wimbledon on TV.  Since I didn't hop the pond to be there in person, I figured I would splurge on a box of imported cookies and good tea.

Also I sewed a few items.

A Wonderfully Boring Day in the Deep, Dark Woods

A dark, cool, rainy day in the woods of New Hampshire. We were all in the mood to do absolutely nothing. The girls built a pretend boat with pillows. Mama scrubbed and mopped the kitchen. Papa set up the Wii game in the newly cleaned upstairs play area.

Julia napped. Papa and Ellie played Mario Party on the video game. The cat and dog caught a chipmunk and brought it inside. That was a thrill.  Poor creature. We managed to spare him and let him outside but it's unclear whether he sustained injuries during the chase.
I sewed chenille pillows. Love, love, cozy, cozy, sweet and shabby chic. I want them for my own snuggle area but I'm curious if anybody else loves them too. I'll put them up for sale at a modest price and see. Meanwhile I better sew more for myself. 
Mostly leftovers for dinner, re-concocted with herbs and butter. Also I tried to make this carrot recipe from Ina Garten's book: Barefoot Contessa at Home. They were OK but I think I actually over-buttered them. I'm certain that every food would taste better if Ina was actually in my kitchen cooking it while I admired her talent.
Not the most glorious photo day. Just a quiet home day, hanging out, cleaning, taking a walk, avoiding the rain... chasing a chipmunk out of the house... you know, the regular.

Poor Mama

Went to tennis this morning. Julia did not come because she said "I don't want to go to the Kids Center," with a pathetic, sad face. Ellie had a reservation at the Kids Center but when we got there, said she really wanted to watch my tennis class instead. She sat at the shaded picnic table next to the court. She asked, "Why do you take tennis class if you already know how to play tennis?" I answered: "Because I don't have anyone to play with today. And because I learn a little something new each day."  

Today's best tip from Coach Bruce:  Do not take on the personality of the ball.  If a light shot is tipped over the net to you, do not assume you have to be as slow as the ball. Jump on it, move to it, be quick and hit.  If a hard hitting smash zooms at you, do not take on the personality of the ball and try to kill it right back even harder. Absorb, adapt, spin, direct the ball with control.

After the one hour class, all the other ladies went off to play drop-in doubles. One lady said she stays until 5 pm. Sounded like such fun. .... only.... there was Ellie, looking pathetic with a little sad face. She said "I have to go to the bathroom."

Then we went to the pool.

Then our day took a terrible turn as we decided to go Boogie boarding at the ocean. Bad idea! It was too far out of our way. I chose the wrong beach. The traffic was outrageous. The people were dubious. The sun was obscured by a bizarre cloud cover right over the shore line. Ellie saw the waves and started fussing about her fear of seaweed.  We left and ended up in a lot more traffic.  Horrible wasted hours with Mama driving in a wet swim suit.  Not good.

During these wasted hours, I began questioning my entire theory of parenting. What am I teaching these kids by my example? Is our life just one pursuit of entertainment after the next? One coffee shop to the next? Ellie asked for a donut at quite the wrong time and I concluded it must be all my fault that she is turning into the Blueberry Girl from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Naturally I started to explain this to her and she started to cry.  

So..... we went back to Plan A, of getting groceries after the gym.  We went to the healthy market, Philbrick's Fresh Market. It's beautiful there. They seem to have priorities.  No aisles full of junk food in colorful, noisy wrapping. The prices are a bit higher, which in a way is good because it makes you think harder about whether you really need this food.  I chose a small cart and tried to figure out what I can eat that won't make me fat and stupid.  
Seeing flowers always cheers me up. We changed out of our wet swim suits in the bathroom. 

Fruit seems like a no brainer. 

I knew I wouldn't be able to cook dinner. But hey - I took a first step. I got some dishes that will inspire me to try harder to cook.  I got some take out, organic, healthy, etc. veggie rolls and wheat noodles with peanut sauce.  I took a picture so hopefully I will learn to cook this meal and make it myself next time.  (Or someday, like when my kids go to college).
A lot of my parenting decisions are based on what I want my kids to think when they are older. Today I asked myself: What would I expect or advise my daughters to do if they were in my position?  Would I tell them the best thing is to get a job and send the kids to preschool?  Is the best thing to devote every minute to the kids and never make them go to the Kids Center or preschool or anywhere?  Is there really any happy in-between or is the lack of routine a downfall?  

I asked Ellie: "Do you know what a goal is?" 

She answered, "Yes. It's how you get a point in soccer when you kick the ball into the net."

I explained the other meaning for goal, that we aim our life towards a dream or larger purpose. I told her this goal would guide our daily decisions.  We decided one of our goals is for her to go to the best school we can find (and get to).  Another goal we have is for her to learn to swim. 

We decided Julia's current life goal is to learn things that will help her in life, such as potty training.  

We decided Mama's goal is to become healthier, more attractive and fitter so I feel better about myself.

Right.... so.... Somehow this made me feel like our day wasn't quite as wasteful as I felt earlier during our wild goose chase to the beach.  It is very difficult to draw the line between the benefits of routine (like swim lessons and groceries), versus the benefits of new experiences, like boogie boarding at the beach.  

Personally, I crave routine.  I have been enough places in the world that I don't need anything new anymore. I'd just assume leave the world behind and spend the rest of my days on a tennis court, perhaps with a trip to my favorite cities now and then.  Work, home, hobby: simple routines equal happiness.

But it's summer vacation so I figure I should give the girls some variation. I don't want them to only experience toys and toddlers in the Kids Center, and never see the ocean.  

This must be why society invented weekends. Routine 5 days. Adventure 2 days.  Work 5 days. Relax 2 days. So maybe my kids should go to the kids center, swim and tennis -- 5 days, and adventure 2 days.   For summer.  Then in the Fall we look to develop school and work routines. Hmnmmmmm.... Many dilemmas for Mamas.  Probably everything would have been just fine if I had left Ellie at home and had a couple hours of tennis alone, then picked up some groceries and gone right home.  Or if I had just pushed her in the door at the Kids Center.  Or if little elves had come and clean the entire house while we were gone.

This summer is just a warm up for the insanity I will experience this Fall when Ellie begins kindergarten and I have to drop her off and then leave, with Julia.  Then it will be the same question--- what is better:  Stick Julia in Preschool so I can spend x number of hours working?  Or dedicate myself to providing Julia with a broader, nurturing-mama-type experience in between all the driving involved with kindergarten drop offs and pick ups?   

I know the answer is a mix.  Today I saw a really cool glass cocktail mixer with measurements of all the ingredients for each drink written on the side.  It would be nice if motherhood came with a set of directions for the precise amounts of motherly care, routine, alternative care, novel experiences... that a child needs for ideal development and well being.

Zoo for You

One of the things on our brainstorming chart for "Best Summer Ever," was going to the Zoo. There are not many zoos in this part of the country. Luckily there is one we can get to that is open summer only, called York's Wild Kingdom. I highly recommend going there first thing in the morning on a weekday. We were first in the gate at 10 am this morning. The animals at this zoo are particularly happy looking and often quite active and alert.

Hard to name a favorite today. The exotic birds were putting on a stunning display of sounds, to chime in with their mesmerizing colors. 

Stark contrast to the zebras. Photographers must always feel a challenge and frustrating at the zoo. You've got the most amazing animals on earth staring you right in the lens. But there is a fence blocking any natural looking shot. Any good photo you manage to capture is somewhat less rewarding because the audience was captive.  Sometimes I get so annoyed with the situation that I take the day off from the camera. But today... I was just snapping away for the fun of it.
The butterfly pavilion was exhilarating. Large, colorful butterflies fluttering by your face. One landed on Ellie. Julia was not exactly pleased with the closeness of the experience and cried out to be carried. "Let's go out," she demanded.  Too bad because there is nothing blocking a good picture in there.
Several babies this morning: baby monkeys, baby bears, baby lemurs, baby quails, baby emus, baby pot bellied pigs.  Kids get an extra thrill to see mama and baby animals.  They identify with the baby animal.  On another level, they want to nurture the baby animal like the mama is doing.
The owl looked right at me while I took a picture of the fence. After I figured out how to stick my zoom lens through the fence, he looked at something else.

Animal: Deer.

Deer petting zoo. 

Sister shot.

The girls looked cute and were cheerful. They were on their best behavior all morning, just up until about lunch time....  and then it was time to leave the zoo and go find lunch.
Never go to York Wild Kingdom and then grab a hot dog on the way out. No, no, no. That would be crazy talk; because just down the road on the way to the highway is the mother ship and cafe at Stonewall Kitchen.  I am a huge fan to the point that I would like to be employed there for the next 20 years. Hire me, Stonewall Kitchen!
The girls await their food while trying (not very hard) to maintain decorum on the cafe booth bench seating. Decorum is a key word in Mama's vocabulary.  Let's save the Kookaburra bird imitations until after lunch, girls.

Preschool Graduation Day

A day of celebration and achievement: Preschool Graduation.

Seven days of rain ended this afternoon. The clouds cleared as the little graduates marched out onto the lawn for their ceremony.

Hooray! Give a cheer!

The children sat in an orderly row of appropriately sized chairs. They were clean and well dressed. Songs and poetry graced the air. Adults took notice. Teachers guided the performance. Balloons tangled themselves in the breeze. Cameras clicked. Siblings looked on with interest. 
Getting a diploma is a unique experience in life. It takes you by surprise as the present moment catches up to weeks of preparation. Suddenly you realize this marks a culmination of years, not weeks. Some flash of thought ponders what is written on the rolled scroll of paper, so carefully handed to you. An instant later, you look out to your proud supporters. The moment is ending. Your turn on stage is now your turn to return to your seat. You have graduated.

Ellie, the graduate.

Somebody's grandmother made treats shaped like graduation hats. 

Kids are natural party people.

Ellie enjoyed a special connection with her teacher this year.  Thank you, Jana!
And that's it, folks!  Pre-school years are history for this kid. She's learned all she needs to go to kindergarten fully confident and able. A lot of teachers helped her along the way. No matter how much effort I gave, or could have given, at home, she got a little something extra by joining in with other kids, teachers and a wide variety of circumstances during her preschool involvement.  I hope we struck a good balance between home and school. We tried our best. Now we celebrate and look ahead to the school age years. I'm definitely not one of those moms who lament their baby growing up. I say Amen to maturity, man. Thank goodness my daughter is growing up right.

Best Mama in a Supporting Role

Swim lessons are going well. Today was the first day that she really did swim. Up until now, it's been floating along while holding the instructor, then a floating noodle.

She is still swimming on the noodle a lot too. This is a clever way to let kids get the feeling of moving in the water, but still keeping their heads up. At one point today (which eluded the camera), she did swim a short distance without any noodle. This is major progress.

Julia and I opted for the side line today.

When my little Julia fell asleep for 3 wonderful hours, I was able to play with nice fabrics and sew beautiful things. Oh boy, adult-level concentration and productivity! Look at this cute kitten fabric, a reproduction print from the revolutionary era.

Velvety goodness.

This antique glass button is nifty.

Baking cookies (oatmeal, coconut, chocolate chip) on a rainy afternoon. And cartoons. What did moms ever do before 24 hour a day "preschool on TV" Noggin channel?  Wonder Pets definitely save the day.

Lake Winnipesaukee, Hidden Gems

Lake Winnipesaukee has all kinds of towns to see as you drive around it. One of my favorite areas is Center Harbor. I drive there for the fabric store called Keepsake Quilting. But this summer, I'm trying to expand my experience to include lesser noticed places in between here and there.

Meredith's gazebo is just a short drive from Center Harbor.

This antique boat is waiting for the sunny weekend.

There was an old rose bush about the size of a shed, covered with blooms. Saved forever now in my camera.
On my way back around the lake on Route 109, I stopped to climb up Abenaki Tower, in Tuftonboro. It's just a few minutes walk right off the road.
The view was very wide so imagine this picture extended to each side. The lake is very big with endless curves and bays. My favorite part of Lake Winni is the way the islands polka dot the water. It must be fun to have an island house.

I came upon this well kept shop just past the tower: Apple Hill.

Great little garden here too.

Inside the little barn was a very big space with many rooms of unique items. 

Who do we have out back?

Icelandic sheep.

Flowers look bright even in cloudy weather.

Such a cool summer so far. I was surprised to see giant peonies in full bloom at the end of June.

Iris calling for attention as well.

Eventually my morning wanderings lead to the wonderful fabric store in Center Harbor, and back home again. I sewed some ipod cases, which I have been wanting to make for a long time. This blue one will be for me. My ipod looks happier already.