Saturday, June 20, 2009

Happy Father's Day


How does a girl describe her dad?

Especially my dad. Especially because I'm my dad's daughter...well, my father's daughter. 

[One of my favorite movies (before I had kids b/c now all my favorites are Pixar films) is Elizabeth, starring Cate Blanchett. And my favorite line from the movie, one I frequently proclaim (Woody can attest to this), loudly, in my best British accent is,

"I am my Father's Daughter!"

so true Queen Elizabeth, so true.]

So, 35 years and a few months ago I became my father's daughter. And I hit the jackpot--luckiest little girl born that day.

My dad, because he's super cool and extra smart, was in Corpus Christie, Texas flying airplanes instead of in the delivery room in Pensacola, Florida with me. No matter, in fact, good timing because of all the birthdays to miss that was the best one, as I really didn't notice:)

Anyway, I could go on and on about how awesome the man is but it comes down to this...three things: 

1. We're so similar - not in a scary way just in a (sorry Woody) 'it is what it is' kind of a way. On the bad side, we're both hard-headed control freaks that have to win all arguments (although I've still never won one with him. Darnit! One day I will take you dad, on a conservative vs. liberal issue, I will, I will!) On the good side, we get over the arguments quick, value exercise, and love, adore really, our families.

2. Still today, as a 35-year-old married mother of two, if "it" was going down, I'd want my dad there. The times I've been scared to death (the first time I went SCUBA diving, anytime I fly, etc.) I just know I'd feel and BE safe if my dad was there. He knows what to say and more importantly, I know in my soul he'd keep me alive or at least try harder than anyone else to do so.

3. I'm certain he's the only one reading my little blog here, word for word, day after day. Looking forward to it when he wakes up & checking for another post before he goes to bed. 

Thanks for always supporting me and being so proud of me dad.

I love you. Happy Father's Day. 

(I thought you might enjoy a little trip down memory lane of me as a happy little girl and being there for all the big (& small) moments in my life:)









I wasn't the only one that scored him as a dad:)


And to all the other father's out there...great job, happy dad's day!



*The careful reader may be wondering, WTF, where are all the pictures of her wonderful husband w/ her kids that she thinks are so very brilliant she writes a blog about them?

It's a surprise. 

Meaning, sometime, someday there will be a post entirely about W. That said, the careful reader already knows his fathering capabilities are top-notch...and that the blog abounds with photographic evidence of his superb fathering of OM.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Growing hydrangeas and bowling...


This hydrangea plant was just one stem and bloom when Elee gave it to me when Owen was born. This year it really took off. I guess it loves its' new home.
Oh, and see that hideous shed in the background? Hopefully the next outdoor pictures you view will be sin the shed. We're tearing it down..can't wait.


Last night Owen came up with his own version of bowling. He came running in the kitchen asking for cups. "Why" I asked, "so I can go boning" he replied. "What?" 
Finally Woody intervened to help us understand each other.







The future!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Vose elementary and more graduation moments



Woody would always take OM to Vose, the elementary school by our house, on the weekends while I was in grad school so I could write my papers and I never got to go. But, yay, this weekend I got to!!

So they have this game that they play where Owen lays on the top of the slide and yells "help me Maya, help me" and Maya comes over, they grab hands, and they slide down together on their bellies...Owee feet first and Maya head first. It's hilarious, especially to them.



We've been talking a lot around here about birthday's:) Owen has a whole list of things he wants: 
super soaker water shooter, 
t-ball holder, 
bionicles, 
flashlight (smallish w/ an LED bulb), 
sea creature anything (I had a dream last night I was pregnant with thresher sharks..we have a book about sharks I read to Owen every night and the visual image that goes with it [they live in uteri and eat unfertilized eggs after they hatch, it's pretty gross] is so vivid that I guess my subconscious took over), 
dinosaur-anything, 
Legos...he's got a lot he would like.

When you ask Maya what she wants for her birthday she gives you the same one-answer response every single time:

"cake"

she says, ever so sweetly. When she's feeling bossy instead of sweet she likes to stamp down her feet in front of other kids, in say Target, and shout,"NO! That's my mommy!" No kid has even looked at her or me but she just likes everyone to know I guess. Sweet little baby sis:)

The rest of these photos are from my graduation...

At the restaurant(we've been to this place many times and were talking up the burgers and fries to AJ, Owen  & Maya prior to arriving but the menu changed and now they're more pizza-ish with not a burger or fry on the menu. The tater tots they did offer were practically ignored completely...ahh kids!

A & O...

Sassy baby sis...

This was the toughest moment of the day when Maya cried for me as I marched by..I barely controlled bawling my eyes out. Everyone witnessing it thought it was sweet but definitely tough for mom.

The three of them having a much better time before the ceremony (I was stuck in a small sweaty, windowless gym downstairs being put in alphabetical order for the procession).


Before the ceremony...

Owen took this one of me @ home. 

Sunday, June 14, 2009

The Celebration!


It was the best graduation party I could have hoped for. I had a really, really, really great time. I should graduate more often:)
Owen & Brook (5 weeks)

Aleck & Brook

The Rhoads family: Rosa, Sophie and Jason (baby Sam not pictured)

Elee, Brook, M & me

Randall & Lily Brenner

Steve & Jamie Riley

Maya & AJ

The Alleckson's


Aaron, Ollie, Coop & Aleta Haugh