PIXIE STICKS

Action Shots

We're home from our wonderful trip to New Zealand, where we spent lots of time DOING things!  I'll post more redux later, but for now here are a few action shots to fill the void.  :)

Here are Maddy and I collecting scallop shells at Onetangi beach on Waiheke

And this is a common sight these days - Maddy always likes to be 'chased' and 'caught'.  Daddy is a most willing participant.  This one is in the driveway of Nana and Poppy's house.

Another chase scene.....this one in a park within easy walking distance from Nana and Poppy's.

Maddy building sandcastles.....let's just say she's not going to be an engineer.  She's more of a big picture thinker at this point!

And of course the ubiquitous sheep shot.  Hey - it's New Zealand.  More sheep than people.  In fact, here in Cornwall Park they use the sheep to tend the grounds.  No lawnmowing fees!

I love you so much. Compost is yucky.

Life is busy these days.  What's new, right?

We're off to New Zealand on Monday.  I'll be better about updating from there.  (Hehee....I think!)  It's a good way to stay in touch while we're not really in touch, ya know?

The other night, as we were falling asleep, I caught a glimpse into the crazymad90mph brain that is a toddler.  I looked over at Maddy, said "I love you so much"....and was answered in her gorgeous-I'm-going-to-hate-when-she-talks-like-a-grown-up voice, saying: "Compost is yucky."  Then she closed her eyes and fell asleep.  Let me tell you, that exchange made me laugh so much (on the inside of course - don't want to wake the child!) and I just love it!  Perfect subtitles for these pictures, taken with one of Maddy's best friends, E.

E: I love you so much!

M: Compost is yucky!

In reality, they do adore each other.  (When they're not both trying to play with the same toy, of course.)  Seriously - he is so good with her that he lets her drive his Power Wheels!  She thinks this is the cat's meow, and loads the little boot (battery compartment) of the vehicle with all her precious worldly goods, then drives away saying: "Bye guys!  Be back later!  I haf'ta run some errands!"

Life is good.  :)

Southwick's Zoo!

Someday I'm going to find the picture of me, a few years older than Maddy, holding a baby goat at the Catskill Game Farm.  I know you remember that, Mom and Dad.  It's in the same group of pics that has Gramma locked in the entry way, trying to avoid the animals!

Now that you've got that image in your head, look at this one:

Does it get any better for a little girl than holding a week old baby pygmy goat?  I just don't think so!

Binoculars in the backyard

We love the Lutz.  Or as Maddy used to call it, "Da Yutz".  Her pronunciation is getting much better now, so it's rolling off her tongue in a much more correct manner these days.  (Sigh!)

A few weeks ago we went to a class there called "In Your Backyard".  We learned about the different animals that are local to us, and we saw the pressies they leave behind.  This fake poo fascinated Maddy, and once she realized that it was the kind she could touch, she ran around the room with some fake beaver scat in her hands, giggling like a madwoman.

Then we went outside and looked for birds with binoculars.  First, though, she had to practice how to use them.  Here she is with the binocs upside down.  Apparently it didn't change much, because she said that she could see birdies already!

She brought along her bird identification book too! 

She talked about seeing the birdies with the binoculars for days afterward.  I'm calling this class a winner!  (Except that now I will realy have to watch her if we happen to come across beaver poo in the back yard!)

I know you peeked, Dad!

Just for you - two of your fave girls!

Love you, Grampy!

City of Brotherly Love

Mom's stem cell transplant is taking place here in Philadelphia.  She had a week of 'collection', and was admitted into her private room this morning to begin the process.  That means this past weekend she was ALL OURS!  We headed down early Saturday morning, and returned late Sunday night.  Fun was had by all.  Because I am a bad mother, I forgot the camera.  Because I am a geek-techie at heart, I of course had a camera phone.  We were able to capture the moments after all!

Saturday we walked around downtown Philly.  One of the first places we went was Reading Terminal Market.  What a neat place this is!  I could have spent hours there.....and we did return Sunday!

Maddy loved being with Grammy.  Grammy didn't let her out of her sight....or her grasp!

We decided the 7-11 was a great place for a family pic.  (Actually, we had no idea until I reviewed the pictures that we managed to position ourselves *right* in front of that sign.  Lovely, eh?)

When we weren't strolling around in the chilly but sunny air, Grammy taught Maddy about money.  Maddy likes money.

Duane, Dave and I even managed to geek out on Segways while Grammy napped with Maddy on Sunday.

We're definitely too sexy for those helmets!  Funny story - after a 2.5 hour ride on the Segways, we ended our tour.  We unpacked our bags, tipped the guide (thanks, Devin!), and were ready to walk back to the car.  Still wearing our helmets.  What a couple of eejits!

Let me tell ya, this boy was HAPPY!  He was in geek glory.  It warmed the heart to see him unashamedly telling people on the street who invented Segways, how they work, etc etc. 

I confess to enjoying the experience as well.  What a neat way to get around!

In sum, a great time was had by all.  And in case you were wondering, Maddy is still playing with the money Grammy sent home in her Altoid tin.

My sometimes blog

It's been ages since I've been here.  Blog, I miss you.  (Some days.  Other days I forget about your existence.  Keepin' it real, blog.)

Things are wild and crazy in these here parts.  Mom has been fighting a difficult battle with Hodgkin's Lymphoma and that has kept us rather busy helping her out and spending time with her.  She is currently away undergoing a stem cell transplant which we hope will be super successful and return her to us a brand new woman!  Well....brand new in health, at least.  We're kinda partial to the other parts of her and have no wish to change those.

Little Monkey is turning into Not-So-Little Monkey.  She's SO! MUCH! FUN! to be with.  I even like running errands with her.  Heck, today I put off a trip to the grocery store while she was napping/nanny was here so that I could do it tomorrow when she's with me.  Who does that?!?  We do.  And we're good with that.  I adore the fact that I dig my daughter.  Doesn't get much better than that.

Mind you, I wouldn't hate having some time to myself once in a while.  Last night I wanted to take a bath and Daddy was out, so Monkey came with me.  I *mostly* relaxed while she 'washed' me.  What actually happened is that I ran it hot enough for her to not want to join me and she stood next to the tub and molested the parts of my body that she could reach, while complaining that the water was "too hot!"  Oh well.  It worked.

 

Here's a picture of her in a dress that mom made.  She's quite the little poser!  Usually she adopts the 'cheesy-smile-grin' look for pictures.  No worries - we've got plenty of those for future posts!

She drops her S's when she talks sometimes, so when she asks us to pose for a picture she says....."Fmile!"  True business.  She puts an F where the S should go.  It cracks us up every time.

Just for Mum

Hi Mum!  When you were on the phone the other night, you asked for some pictures.  There are some 'real' ones on their way, but while you're waiting for them to get there I thought you might like these.  I love pictures of daddy and daughter.  :)

This one was at a friend's house a few months ago.  We took Maddy's wagon and Duane was the pied piper of small giggling girls.  I don't know who loved it more - Maddy or Daddy!

And one of him pushing her on her trike....

Again, a common view - him chasing her!

And one of my faves - I don't know what they're looking at, but they're both in sync.

If you want to see bigger pictures, just click on them.  Much love to you and Poppy!

I see red, I see red, I see red

Bonus points for knowing the song referenced in the title....

I've cast on for this project - I've liked the look since I first saw it (several years ago now, argh!) and now it is time to tackle it.       

It's a lousy pic, I know.....I'll have to remedy that.  Maybe.  This is the yarn/color I'm using.

Yep.  Red.  I've cast on and knit several rows.....now it's time for bed.  I doubt this will go as quickly as the last project, and I'll probably have to throw something less tedious in there to shake things up.....but dang it, this jacket will be mine!

No words.

Last night around 10:00pm, we received the call we knew was coming since learning about Gram's aneurysm several years ago.  After a poignant night filled with family, memories, and unconditional love, my beautiful grandmother closed her eyes at 6:30am.  Her passing was peaceful and dignified.  She was a strong woman and the impact she made on our lives is a legacy we will pass on to future generations. 

At one point last night, she held me and said, "I'm sorry I won't see Maddy grow up."  I had no words.