Hello Summer 2015

The Nolidan clan helped us welcome summer 2015 in the right way - freezing visits to the pool - crowded visits to the zoo and City Museum - and lots of good cheer and amazing food cooked by Chef Patrick and visits to the West Side of Ladue. :)

That Aoife is a smart cookie - and wisely opted out of the pool. Notice the lack of children around here...the air may be a warm 88 degrees, but not the pool.

We also had some good ol' fashioned cheating - I mean trading going on. Jamie - also wisely opted out of said trading with the wily 10 year old.

And more freezing visits to the pool! My son - not the wisest in some cases - enjoying the freezing delights of the giant swan.

While I get lots of sugar - or maybe salt - from my daughter.

Thank you Sheila and Patrick for sharing your children and memories with us!

Farewell to our Preschool Years

This year, Claudia rejoined several of her Green Room friends in the Blue Room. A few days of shyness in the beginning fled and led to a great year - where she made new friends, solidified her bonds with some old ones, told us she was marrying not one - not two - but three of the boys in her class...and had lot of opportunities to learn the ins and outs of friendship. Oh - and also  learned how to write her name. :) And spell a few important words like Mom and No. :)

We have spent five years now at this preschool - in one form or another - and I didn't think today would be a sad day...but it was.

I thought about my mom - and how she isn't here to enjoy this milestone with me. I feel like I'm leaving her behind...as things change and move on...how much she would have enjoyed this day.

I'm also sad to see my youngest now finish this phase of life...our preschool days are over. I'm no longer the mom of two young children...I have two elementary aged kids - and that's something different.  But this isn't about me...or not all about me. This is about Claudia - who is ready to move on. Her fierce determination - her inner tiger - they can't stand still.

 

We love our strong, beautiful, creative girl who is now ready for Kindergarten....and joining her brother on life's next adventure.

(As I wipe my tears away....)

Curse You Ice Cream Truck

The happiness of the jingle, jangle -- you can't ignore.

But too many times a week leaves you poor.

The children, how the weep, when they don't get their treat.

Oh how I curse you Mr. Ice Cream Man.

April Showers, Bring May Flowers

Mother's Day

I was dreading it.  Not as much, of course, as when I flew out to take my mom home from the hospital to hospice care. That was a very hard build-up.  But it was a day loaded with implications. I had friends worried about me.... terribly sweet and kind ... But the day itself was grand.

Dom and the children made a lovely breakfast, I had a lovely walk, and we went on a family outing. Later, neighborhood mom friends gathered together for a chat. I thought about my mom, of course, but I was OK. 

The next day - I felt like I was under water again with grief. And struggled through the workday. Grief is unexpected - and wily. I miss my mother - and my children and niece and nephew's grandmother. I have no bright words tonight...but I am comforted by the love shown by my family and friends.

Five

For the second year in a row Claudia wanted to spend her birthday at the Magic House. One day - probably sooner than I would like - that won't be on the agenda for the day. At 10, 15, 20...

But for 5 - it still was. And a great time was had by all.