My quiet corner of the earth

When we moved three summers ago, I couldn't help but be nervous about living in a new place. What if there wasn't anyone I connected with? But I quickly realized that I didn't need to worry about such things. Over the past three years, I have been fortunate enough to know the majority of my closest neighbors on a first name basis... something I didn't even have where I had grown up my whole life.

As I walked out the door yesterday evening, hand in hand with my daughter, a cool breeze washed over us. We could hear children playing in their backyards...we waved at neighbors lounging on their porches... we strolled along our bumpy sidewalks talking about our day and the week to come. After we returned, we picked the ripe raspberries from our meager front garden and I carried the harvest to Neighbor Jenny.

We are so fortunate to live in a place where we feel at home, know our neighbors, look out for one another and have a sense of community. I can't imagine a better thing.

NOT shy

During yesterday's orientation, there was a space on one of the MANY forms to relay information you might think the teachers would like to know about your child. I wrote, "She has older brothers, and is NOT (underlined four times) shy." I think if I was her teacher I would want to know!... LOL

This morning Neighbor Jenny relayed that while the children were being asked if they would be "trays" or lunchbox kids at lunch, there was a child that responded in a hushed tone. The teacher said, "Now children, you will need to speak up so I can hear you." The next to answer was Aurelia, who very loudly and very clearly, responded, "LUNCHBOX>>>>>>". Fortunately, this highlights her ability to follow directions!! Thanks for that story!

Hippo Happenings

This week has flown by as Cory started Marshall, Aurelia turned 5, Daniel had his first day of school.... Things are just racing ahead of me and I am trying to keep up! :0)... Fortunately, Cory only had to endure two days of campus life on his crutches. His cast was removed on Wednesday morning and he will wear a walking boot for another three weeks. I think he was most relieved to be able to scratch and wash that forlorn foot! Aurelia had orientation on the first day of school and made sure everyone looked at her new shoes, that light up, you really cannot miss them. It was also her birthday, so she told everyone we saw that day, the police officers guarding against speeders in the school zone, the crossing guard, the teacher, me (although I did remember without the help...)... On our way out of the orientation, we ran into Daniel and my first day fears were soothed when he announced, "Ms. Perry is AWESOME!". My boy had a great day and was anxious to get back to school and try to get a pass (one of the many incentives she has available) by having his name drawn out of her bowl... Thank goodness for good teachers! We had an impromptu neighborhood cake party and Aurelia now has to wait another 364 days to be the birthday girl!

Verbal diarrhea

I was out in the woods of Wayne County (not really the woods, but close enough) last week with a friend and we got a little turned around. Basically, I said "Sure I can get us where we are going, trust me!!" Previously, I would have said that those words from me could be relied upon to deliver, but today I would say that is something you should question... My over certainty and absence from my GPS having Prius took us on a "scenic" tour of the county. Being misplaced and having extra time to gab apparently opened up my internal databanks, because poor Sandy now knows more about me than 98% of the general public. Granted, our exchange was mutual in places, but I haven't had that sort of verbal diarrhea in quite some time. I like to lurk in the background with a Cheshire cat grin and observe people (the observation is intentional, the grin is not). On an average day, I'm not what one would call a sharer. Now that there is one more person in the world with intimate knowledge of my life, I may have to relocate!

Time just dashed on by

My baby has her first day of kindergarten in a few short days. We'll get her picture taken, walk her to school, meet her teacher... all the normal things... but I think the thing that will really get my emotions rolling is that our big boy will start college that same week. If he holds still long enough, I might snap a picture of him on his "first day of school" too. Then I will scan in all his first day pictures... and it will hit me in a more complete way that this portion of his life has passed... that we are finished with this section of involvement... morphing will occur in our exchanges... he will venture off to parts unknown in so many ways... I wish him all the best in the new things that he will experience and discover... Now where the heck did I put those tissues...?

We are in the home stretch

Recently, our oldest broke his ankle in an attempt to obtain a Taco Bell Volcano Box in the wee hours of the morn. We have had some ups and downs with that injury, including his going off to camp, walking on the non weight bearing cast, and not healing at all. But also we should not leave out that he was exposed to the swine flu while he was there. Thankfully he did not come home with that particular virus, but he did come home ill. After our trip to DC, our neighbor's pre schooler went ill and it has been dominoes throughout since then. In the last couple of nights our daughter has been up with alternate expulsions beyond her control. Gratefully, those things seem to be winding down. Cory has a new cast (albeit he does have a head the size of a basketball that ate two baseballs from the wisdom teeth coming out), and Aurelia is convalescing. School draws near and some prospective changes in my life have me more than a little giddy. All in all, life is good and I am glad to be here.