How time flies

Wow! Have I really let this much time pass? The obvious answer is yes. Well let's get caught up. We picked Lilly up from camp and it was emotional to say the least. She was happily skipping down a gravel trail then saw me, ran into my arms and started crying. It was all I could do to not start balling myself. She overwhelmed and just could not contain herself. I spoke with her counselor later on and she was shocked. She said Lilly displayed no signs of homesickness. Go figure.

"Camping"

"Camping" Here is my big girl Lilly on our recent family camping trip to Luray, Virginia. We dropped her off at sleep away camp this past Sunday and I miss her so much it hurts. Her camp is lovely. It is a very traditional all girls camp set in the mountains of Virginia. We were worried leading up to camp but when we got there she was little shy at first and then let us go without a fuss. Not even an overly tight hug. Just - "see ya in a week!"

I believe in camp. I think girls and boys need a place where they can be themselves and flirt with independence. I am hopeful that letting her go away for a week, or two or three (eventually...not yet though I can only handle one week right now) will alleviate some of the need to rebel at home. I also love that camp is internet and computer free. I want her to enjoy nature make friends with other girls her age and to see how teenagers can be responsible and nuturing.

She is so hard on herself and often lacks confidence. I am hopeful that camp will fill her with self confidence and help her to lighten up and giver herself a break. Simply put - I want her to be happy.

A perfect evening

Last night was the absolute perfect evening. The sort of night you want to freeze in time and then repeat over and over again looking for any clue as to how exactly it happened. Life isn't like that though. It just sort of happens. Some nights the girls bicker and I can't figure out what to make for dinner, the dog poops on the carpet and the cat executes a mole. But last night was perfect. I came home from work to boxes brimming with fresh fruits and vegetables from our CSA share. The girls dug into the cherry tomatoes, yellow plums, and freshly picked green beans as if they were candy. It makes me feel so good to see them truly appreciating fresh local produce.

The girls continued to munch while I made a fritatta for dinner using up much of our swiss chard. Finding a use for the neverending swiss chard always makes me happy. Much to my delight both kids devoured the fritatta! You can make anything palatable with eggs, cheese and garlic!

After dinner Lilly and I cozied up on the couch and read. She is engrossed in her "Warriors" series by Erin Hunter and I'm addicted to "Sunshine" by Robin Mckinley. John and Jane practiced Jane's reading in the other room. After reading for a while the girls and John began playing Animal Trivia, one of our favorite board games, while I cleaned the kitchen and continued my book.

Laughter drifted in from the other room while I cleaned and read. John and the girls were being silly and sounded so happy. I went in to join them and before we all new it the evening had flown by and it was almost 9pm. We all went upstairs to get ready for bed and then John read stories until it was time for sleep.

The evening was so simple yet perfect and beautiful. We are so lucky to have each other and it is moments like those that I can almost feel love for them seeping out of me. It is all I can do to stop myself from holding onto them, smelling their hair, and starting to cry.

We are taking Lilly to sleep away camp this Sunday which might have something to do with why I am being so sentimental. I am getting a little anxious about but I feel certain it will be a wonderful experience for her. I promise to post pictures soon. Promising sounds so funny since I think I'm the only one reading this blog..... Oh well I promise myself.

Pictures...or the lack of them

Busch Gardens was fabulous. I haven't even looked at the pictures yet. We let Lilly use the camera and she managed to lock it into some function that neither John nor I could unlock. It was kind of like an episode of a bad sitcom where the dog or baby sets the tv to Spanish mode and everyone is impressed until they can't figure out how to get it back to English.

The girls were not terribly brave and mainly kept to the little rides but did have a great time. The highlight of any outing for Lilly is junk food since she never gets any at home. I love to bake and cook and am not opposed to sugar, just the heavily processed stuff that she apparently craves. She has the most insane sweet tooth. It is completely insatiable. Overall she's a fabulous eater and loves her fresh fruits and veggies so I suppose it all evens out in the end. Jane likes her sweets too just not with same intensity.

First Post

but oops it's actually the second. I started the blog because I'm too lame to write a journal or keep a proper baby book. Reading Catherine Newman's blogs for the last few years have finally gotten me motivated enough to do this myself. Besides the whole world is desperate to know all about my family...right?

Busch Gardens...Again

Ok so we bought the Virginia Fun pass and feel compelled to go to Busch Gardens again. Actually we are all very excited. Hopefully the lines won't be too long and the girls will have the courage to ride the Big Bad Wolf again. Maybe we can even get Lilly on the really big coasters this time! Even if they just want to play in the water spouts of kiddie land that will be fun too. All that matters is that we're together and having fun.

"Jane waiting for "The Flying Machine" at Busch Gardens"