California trippin'

Who knew?

Big B called me into the living room the other day exclaiming proudly that Little C could count to 11. Nope, I said...no way. She can repeat the numbers perfectly if she's copying what I am saying, but all on her own, without either of us knowing she could...I had to video it for my own eyes and ears. Listen carefully...2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11!!!

Mum

I grew up spoiled. Not like you think...not with 'things' but with love, hugs, loyalty, pride, sincerity, and empowerment.
Throw some good old fashioned British sarcasm and wit and that's what's made me who I am today.

Ask around - go ahead. I'm sure other than that crazy ex-friend of mine who insists I am the devil incarnate (WTF? more on this another day) most folks would say I am pretty even keeled, nice, friendly, and even offer a good shoulder to cry on.

I owe it all to this fine lady.



Virginia Gabriella Ferrari.
September 1, 1945 to October 29, 2005.

Miss you mummy. xoxo

The nod

Quite simply put, I feel above earth, abundantly blessed, lavishly loved, and firmly nailed down with the knowledge that this is it. This life. These 3 souls that surround me, unrelenting in their love, loyalty, and devotion to me, and I to them. I tend to their needs like a growly grizzly, frequently handing out piss and vinegar instead of sympathy...but it's OK. My little piece of Heaven, right here, right now.

Acceptance is a strange thing. I mistakenly thought long ago that I was nestled in for the long haul. Gave myself permission to believe that this life I was living was really truly the right one for me. There was no cyclone that was going to tear me away - But was there a small part of me that wondered if "we" would be happier with a little extra?
A little extra money? A little extra square footage? A little extra patience? A little extra 2007 Lincoln Mark LT?

It seized me like an embrace from a long lost friend. The absolute knowledge and understanding that I am complete. WE are complete. My loud, sometimes frequently unruly, freakishly wonderful, affectionate family.
On the waves of Lake Chelan, the warm summer sun setting my skin on fire, the smell of gasoline mixed with oil and the sputter of the stubborn old Johnson; I opened my eyes for a brief but precise moment and for all intents and purposes saw the words written on the blue sky above. This is it. This is what I was born for. This is why destiny brought B and I together. The 2 exquisite children we brought into the world, the happiness we feel together as a family, as a module. It all made perfect sense. We are whole. We are perfect. Nothing else; not money, fame, fortune, or material objects could bring us closer to what we have achieved by ourselves.

Proof is in the puddin'...or in this case the photos.

The END.....

Proud mama

Daddy Daycare is in full swing as our daycare is shut down for 5 weeks this summer. Big B and the little ones have been enjoying mornings out on the boat, getting brown, building waterfalls, and meeting all sorts of new friends.

I am very proud of Little B as he decided to go tubing with a family they were chatting with at the beach. Little B is cautious around the water, and has only JUST started going in up to his waist - with his life jacket on. So the fact he agreed to go on a near strangers tube out in the middle of the lake surprised the hell out of me! I wish I had been there to witness it, but Daddy took a photo for proof.



One week down and 4 to go....how will Big B be changed after his stint as Mr. Mom? That I am unsure of, but I do know Little B isn't the only "B" I am terrible proud of. Not only has Big B packed the pic-nic lunch for the beach this past week, he slathered the kids in sunscreen, kept them safe in the water, fed them at least 1 fruit or vegetable, hydrated them, AND got them all back to the house for Little C's nap time. whew!

One thing for sure, this Daddy Daycare is making a real Daddy's girl out of Little C. She's probably having flashbacks to last summer when her mommy mysteriously disappeared for 3 weeks on an European Vacation. See for yourself; her reaction to that news...12 months ago.....

and down it came

Something we've been meaning to get done for the past few years is cutting down the great big tree in the back yard. We are NOT tree cutters - but this one in particular had been strangled over the years by vines, and was withering away, on the brink of getting blown over in the next wind storm, and had branches falling off periodically throughout the year.
Not such a terrific thing with kids playing in the yard.

So we took the plunge, called the tree cutters, and waited this morning for them to arrive.
Working feverishly on July 1st (bless them), they prepared, scaled, de-branched, chipped, hacked, raked, carried, and cleaned up in less than 3 hours.
Hurray:)