elemental love

earth:

air:



water:

fire:

spring green

Sweet Moments

I hardly want to add any words to these pictures. I love them. The week was bittersweet, but these pictures were the sweet. On the bitter side, two pet friends died this week: Spaetzel from The Farm and other friends' cat, Thunder, Rob broke his pinky when he couldn't clip out of his bike fast enough (forgot he had his new clips, I think) and Jasper and I are a bit droopy with runny noses. Who knew that a broken pinky would require a cast up to the mid-forearm?Hmmm... As always, we remain dedicated to keeping it real around here...

Freakingly Cute

Lucy performed two evenings in a row last week in the world premiere stage production of Close Encounters of the Hilarious Kind. The play was written by an extremely creative and clever homeschooling mom, who used as a starting point a list of characters chosen by the children. Each child in class got to choose and develop their own character, so the play included a Jedi knight, the captain of the Titanic, an alien, a unicorn, etc. (Some characters are not pictured above.) I was a little dubious of this approach at first, but I must say I came out of it all a fan and a believer. And this production was not only the work of talented adults and adorable children, but also a beautiful display of community, commitment, and just plain old fun. I loved watching from the sidelines as the production came together... and the performances themselves... funny, adorable, truly a pleasure to watch. I mean it! Lucy is standing on the far right in the picture above, Ruby the forest fairy.

In other news, Jasper is becoming more adept on his scooter by the day. Although on the very steep curvy walls at the skate park (I'm sure there is a name for those - anyone?), he jumps off the scooter and goes down on his bum. Also, is anyone out there into throwing balls, catching balls or batting balls, because Jasper would really like to hang out with you. Lucy and I, when we finally agree to bat, throw, and catch with him, just can't match his enthusiasm (or skill) and it is kinda sad.... He slept with his new baseball mitt last night...

Eight's Great

Lucy's comment about her own 8th birthday party was that the only thing she didn't like about it was that it had to end. It started at 1pm, and the last guests didn't leave until some time after 8. We all enjoyed it because what's not to love about seeing many of one's closest friends and relations, all gathering to celebrate a bright little light in the world named Lucy Brown? And did I mention the chocolate cupcakes Rob made? Obscenely delicious. We don't have a picture of them because they disappeared too fast... And Lucy's flower garden is beautiful...

A Moment

So much of our time is undocumented in pictures, because I don't take them and Rob is at work. Fortunately, a fellow homeschooling mom, Deb, captured this moment. Lucy is on the right; Deb's daughter Jasmine is on the left. Two strong, fearless climbers. Look out, world...

Life and Another Farm Visit

Life has seemed decidedly action-packed and intense lately. None of us have had time to integrate the last experience we've had before twenty more are piled up on top of it. It was so perfect to take a break out at the farm. Thank you so much farm friends - Megan and Keith and their sidekicks from the city - Richard and Arlene. The animals got me this time. I fell in love over and over with various feathered and furry friends. First are a few random shots of the kids: Lucy's nature art, Jasper in Rob's tie, and kids in snow, then the farm.

Now that I think of it, I'm not sure if this duck is male or female, but it makes no difference to me. I am in love. I think it is the way she/he tosses bits of lettuce and asparagus in the water before splashing her bill around in the dish to eat it. Also the stature and the waddle, and just all-around sexiness, OK?

Broody hens.

Farmer Megan who cares for all this wonder.

Jasper and Vanessa the goat.

There are 13 barn cats total, I believe. This first one is Ginger, who Megan let Lucy name on our last visit when she was just a kitten.