Constantly amazed by the blades of the fan on the ceiling
The clever little glances she gives me can't help but be appealing
She loves to ride into town with the top down
Feel that warm breeze on her gentle skin
She is my next of kin
Chorus:
I see a little more of me everyday
I catch a little more moustache turning gray
Your mother is the only other woman for me
Little miss magic, what you gonna be?
Sometimes I catch her dreamin' and wonder where that little mind meanders
Is she strollin' along the shore or cruisin' oer the broad savannah
I know someday she'll learn to make up her own rhymes
Someday she's gonna learn how to fly
Oh that I won't deny
Chorus:
I catch a little more dialogue comin' my way
I see those big brown eyes just start to lookin' astray
Your mother's still the only other woman for me
Little miss magic, what you gonna be?
Yes she loves to ride into town with the top down
Feel that warm breeze on her gentle skin
She is my next of kin
--J. Buffett (1980)
When I lived in California, I fell in love with the music of Jimmy Buffett. Ten years later, there is something about hot summer days that inevitably leads me to pull out my old CDs, close my eyes, and relax to the music and lyrics that compare to none. During these times, life seems so simple, easy, and carefree. Many (especially here in Oregon) think Jimmy Buffett is only Margaritaville and Cheeseburger in Paradise. While those songs are classics for Parrotheads like myself, I would much prefer One Particular Harbour, Tin Cup Chalice, or The Wino and I Know. Or I Have Found Me A Home, or Little Miss Magic, or...
This summer, perhaps because of the long year we only just recently put behind us, his songs seem particularly calming and comforting--we know all too well that Theres Nothin' Soft About Hard Times! But now, although I am not looking back, I am not rushing to look forward either. For now, I intend on taking a very deep breath, turning up the volume, and enjoying the summer. May it be a long one.
We had nearly six units barkdust blown into our flower beds this week. It was quite a show for the two kids and created much commentary until we left for playgroup a few hours later. And honestly, it was quite exciting for myself, as well, just for different reasons!
Franny and her Auntie Noelle have a very special relationship. They play, color, read books, have all sorts of fun, and get into all sorts of trouble. On a recent visit, I came into the dining room to see what they were up to and found the two of them sharing a Diet Coke. Since Franny doesn't drink soda on most days, this was an exciting treat. I realized, that Franny has finally reached that age where we need to establish an appropriate balance of all the fun treats that she never seemed to care about before. Treats have their place, and are important, especially to an independent toddler. For Franny, the one thing she wants more than anything else is soda. Whether or not she really likes the actual flavor of diet drinks I am sure we will never know. But to her, it has the sweetest taste and it makes her grin from ear to ear!
With Franny and Cole's music class on hiatus for the summer, we had a rare opportunity to have a morning adventure. So, after Cole's morning nap we headed out to the Rose Garden to enjoy the sun and have some fun. The three of us haven't branched out on many adventures, so this was an unusual treat for all of us. Both Franny and Cole enjoyed the fountains and all the different roses and flowers. Franny, of course, liked the orange ones best. We ended the trip with a treat at our neighborhood Starbucks before everyone headed home for naps/quiet time. Having not experienced many outings on my own with the two kids, this mama needed some quiet time too!
This Spring has been fun with Franny's new interest in gardening and planting. Sunday evening, she came up with this creative transport and helped me out by moving my yard debris to the compost (as well as up and down the driveway). Oh, what fun! I'm just hoping her interest in helping continues long enough to allow me to take some real advantage from it. Right now, she likes to help me weed, but for only about a minute at a time. Given the size of our yard, I think I need to try and extend that a bit! In the meantime, I just love to see and hear her run around the yard as we work--it makes an otherwise tedious job actually enjoyable.
Although my favorite pictures are rarely those that are posed, it is nice to have those types of shots on occasion. I am finding, however, that while it was difficult enough to capture a good picture of Franny and R together, capturing one of Franny, R, and Cole is next to impossible. Good thing I like the action shots!
Over the weekend, we joined in the Rose Festival fun by viewing the floats from the Grand Floral Parade, and then enjoying a fun walk that included checking out the dragon boat races. I've never watched the dragon boat races before, and was surprised at how fun it was. We were able to sit just off the river bank and see them close-up, as well as a great scenic overview from the Hawthorne Bridge. Franny called them the "snake boats". Everyone had a great time--it feels like summer is finally here.
Cole, Franny, and Daddy enjoying the sights, sounds, and sun
"Love is in the Air"
Dragon boat races from Waterfront Park
View from the Hawthorne Bridge
Beautiful Portland, Oregon
Around our house, we all have a great time doing laundry--at least the folding and putting away parts. It actually becomes a big event. We sort, make big piles (folding gets a bit procrastinated, here) dump, fold, re-fold, play peek-a-boo, bury each other, make the laundry basket into a boat or a train or a house or any number of other things. The list goes on and on. Before kids, I just never knew how much fun the laundry could be! And that's a good thing, because we have a lot of it!
Monday, Franny fell and skinned her knee on the sidewalk. Amazingly, this is the first tumble she's had that has even warranted a band aid. I bought these Sesame Street band aids last year before our vacation, and this was the first time we have used them (much to her disappointment). Once home, she was quite pleased that it turned out to be a two-band aid injury. Of course, now that Doll and Big Elmo have somehow managed to skin their knees as well, I may need to buy more band aids...
