a christmas pickle

So I'm trying to get Lil to make a video for Santa, highlighting all of her "nice" accomplishments for the year, and requesting all the loot she'd like to find under the tree on Christmas morning. This was moderately more difficult than I anticipated. 

Here is what we got:




This leaves just one question— Lil, sweet or dill?

lil art

California, tempera on paper

Last week, Lil wrapped up her first semester of play school. It wasn't an academically intense class, just meeting two mornings each week, but Lil was certainly excited about it. Her teacher, Sheri, really fostered Lil's creative side. Lil's enthusiasm for her class showed in the artwork she brought home each week, and her new skills and even new techniques carried over to her art-play at home. Discovering that red and blue paint can make purple paint was not only a novel trick, it also gave Lil a sense of pride. She could make a color that Crayola so thoughtfully included in their palette! And as much as I try to be that parent who's like, "Yeah, whatevs. She's just two. Those are just scribbles," really, I'm the parent who photographed an array of her paintings, collages, and prints and posted them on a blog —that's dedicated to her.

Even though Lil won't be in Sheri's class in the fall (and boy, does she miss it already!), we have decided to enroll her in another co-op pre-school starting in September. Her new class will meet four times each week. Wait till you see what she brings home next year.

Egg, tempera on paper

Mother's Day Card, stamped ink and markers on construction paper

Purple, tempera on paper

Glue!, mixed media on paper

Scratch Art, scratch art paper

Red Card and Painted Rock (lower right corner), tempera paint on paper, tempera on stone

Lady Bug with Eyes, and Monies, paint, construction paper, and googly eyes on paper plate, paint and magic marker on clam shells

Funny Valentine, mixed media on construction paper

More Shapes, construction paper collage

Spin, tempera on paper, spun in a salad spinner

*I made up all the titles, except Lil does call the clam shells her "monies."

Kitty

Lil and Kitty, 1.1.12

Found out today Kitty has cancer, and while we're waiting to find out if it's a treatable form, I'm  mentally preparing to explain kitty-angels to Lil.

It's a sad evening here, but with both girls asleep it's like being in a cloud of melancholy. Lil had a magical way to keep my mind focused on happier things after Granmary died, but this is going to be a lot tougher for her. I don't know how or what we will find to distract ourselves when Kitty isn't pit-pattering around, stealing Lil's tiny mousies, or cuddling in her bed.

Sometimes there's just no way to "be strong" for your kids. It's just gotta be messy and sad and ugly crying. I have a feeling that Lil will be the one surprising me with her resilience, and Bitty babe will smile in the face of my sadness.

happy retro mother's day

This vid is not from Mother's Day. It's from August or September of 1978. There is a very cute baby in it, and a very happy mama. The baby is me. The mama is my mama—Lil's Granmary. And I'm pretty sure this is one of the only time my mom and I appear on film together. So this post is less for sharing and more for posterity.

california calling, pt. 2

This next installment takes us south to San Diego for the second leg of our journey. We spent a few sunny days on the beach, and spent an overcast Saturday at Legoland California. I was hoping we would be able to take Lil to the San Diego Zoo or Sea World, but she was battling pink eye for a few days, so we stayed close to our home base. Mostly we just lounged on the terrace, basked in the sun, and enjoyed the oceanfront view.

insane cuteness

super insane cuteness

post-nap yogurt, beachside

beautiful Beco baby at Legoland

aboard the Legoland tour boat

and one more of Baby Sista. Just cuz.

california calling, pt. 1.

We took our first trip as a family of four last month, and despite a weary plane ride, it was a joy. I don't know if it's just being out of Brooklyn, or if California really is a golden land of happiness and sunshine, but we all enjoyed ourselves. No one more than Lil, of course. Our first stop was Santa Cruz, where we surprised Uncle Jeremy, Josie and Liam (Aunt Sarah knew we were coming). Daddy has footage of how we completely shocked Josie, and I hope to swipe in from him soon enough. In the mean time, I have some amazing photos that I didn't take (Dada had camera duty this trip), all ready to share. I honestly cannot share them all at once because they are so beautiful I might just slap someone. So we'll do little bites.

Lil became a sand worshiper

queuing up for Lil's first amusement park ride, Bulgy the Whale

with cousin Josie on the flying dragons

riding again with Mama

happy dance for sprinkle time

girls gleefully getting sprinkled upon in the garden

the wet look

I just caaaaaann't with this girl.

(And thank you to Eban for capturing Lil's loveliness... and you even got one or two decent shots of her mama too, which we know can be a challenge!)

weary wee flipperling

Lil got these duck slippers for her first birthday, and although they're a novelty item, I can't convince her to take them off. Or put anything else on. I doubt that has much to do with the ducky slippers though...

motions

I'm not exactly sure how, but the little one managed to roll over then move herself from 3 o'clock to about 9 o'clock. And she did all that before getting dressed and putting on makeup.

roll call

So for the time being I've kind of moved over to instagram to keep track of pics, since I barely have time to pick up a non-phone camera, let alone edit and upload any shots. So here's my instangram "roll" that's all saved to my phone (in no particular order). I did pick up a real camera today, so here's hoping I can get a chance to upload some beautiful shots of these lovely little ladies soon.

hugs with pats

let me in!

PSYOP bebe

PSYOP sisters

Easter artwork, printmaking and drizzles

Dino bones with dada, at AMNH

Playdoh Snake

flash baby

wiggle your big toe

ponytail

first bump, courtesy of Lil

waiting for sleep

pigtails, circa 16 months old

mornings

braid, circa 2 years + 2 months

ducky girl

comforting Piggy

"this goes on your head"

late day play

smoosh

January

handmedowns from Leo

Maileg mousie takes Calico Critters for a hayride on the Little People tractor