We had the television on, to watch our beloved Tigers blow it in the 11th inning, but Ella doesn’t care if they win or lose. She says “beesbowl” and when we’re up to bat, she wants to “hugga!” the players. I’ll bet if they knew that, they’d play better.
It’s opening day in more than one way around here. I just read a beautiful article about Lunar Based Pranayama to be published soon which inspired me to add 5 minutes of focused breathing to my day. I need to open my mind and heart a little more.
Also, we registered Peter for baseball. Our first foray into organized sports since a couple 6-week seasons of indoor soccer 3 or 4 years ago. Jack is signed up, too, but we didn’t get any input on that choice, so they boys will be playing on different teams (in different leagues, with different practice and game times, etc. unless of course they play against each other). It will be an interesting Spring, that’s for sure. I’m sure Ella will enjoy all the outdoor time, but I’m nervous about what this will do to my available work time and creative time….see why I need the pranayama?
Om.
We were lying in bed with her to get her to take a nap the other day. We pretended we were asleep (sometimes works) and she said “SHHHHHHHHHHHH” really loudly and slid off the bed, opened the hotel room door into the living area where the boys were playing (quietly) and said “HI!” as she closed the door behind her, leaving John and me in bed.
Goodbye baby, hello toddler.
Legos with the brothers.
After an uneventful (thankfully) trip on the plane, we arrived in DC. None of the kids have been here other than Peter in 1999, so it was an adventure the boys were really looking forward to.
Our first night here we chilled at the hotel and ordered in Indian. The hotel staff is not helpful, so we had some major sorting out of sleeping space to accomplish, but once settled in, and after a gentle reminder from our 10 year olds that “We’re lucky to be on vacation, so let’s make the most of it!” we did. Nice to be reminded of my own teachings from time to time.
On Saturday we traveled to VA to meet our little nephew, Reed. Ella was thrilled, but not as thrilled as Jack was! We all went to eat at a neat diner and pick up some food from TJ for the kitchenette.
The entire time we have been here, Ella has resisted naps. It usually takes her a couple days to adjust to a hotel, but she has been so active in mimicking her brothers and sister and simply excited to have all 6 of us together, she’s not made time to rest…even under duress. Finally crashed at 8 until 7am on Sunday and is like a wild animal all day long!
Snuggled into bed with her brothers:
We met with the parents-in-law and Stephanie and baby Reed on the National Mall and began our patriotic adventure.
Peter couldn’t WAIT to see the Lincoln Memorial, but we walked from the Capitol side of the Mall. Ella couldn’t wait to walk, herself, so she walked from the Washington Memorial to the WWII Memorial, ran really, and then danced after seeing the ducks in the reflecting pond and sped like like a Wild Animal toward the Lincoln Memorial.
We paused to reflect, and look at the reflections. Steph and Reed are beautiful, aren’t they?
Grandmom has a conference with Ella after we bribed her back into the stroller with an apple.
Peter and Jack went with Grandpa into the memorial so the babies could have a quick nursing break. Naturally, Ella wanted to join them, so she walked with us up the steps.
Learning a little etiquette:
Ella and I had a discussion about Freedom on the way out.
I love that we live somewhere we can say what’s on our minds and not fear retribution. I love that the tradition of this country is revolution. I love that our kids can speak their minds, even when I disagree.
Peter and Jack behind the White House.
Filed under: sewing
It took almost a week and a half, but this jacket is finished. A bit too big for Ella, but with a temporary tuck at the back neckline, it will work until it’s needed again this fall. I’m so pleased that the effort yielded such a lovely finished product. I took the “slow sewing” article in Threads to heart and focused on the process.
Filed under: creativity
Working in superfelted wool while Ella sleeps…so obviously it’s taken over a week to get this much done….more soon!
We had such a nice night tonight. How can it not be great when “Brainless Banana Pancakes” are on the menu? Ella wasn’t thrilled, but Peter and I love this recipe from How it all Vegan, and make it regularly.
After packing away the groceries and finishing the dishes, we went to the basement so I could make Peter a fleece …I had a great idea about making one with exposed seams, etc. A nicer (hopefully) version than this one:
He and Ella played on the sewing room floor just how I always imagined they would…Playing Cariboo, building “towns” and when Peter was released to play GameCube while I tried to finish the neckline, Ella went to work on her sewing machine (no needle)with her drill (no bit). She learned to say “needle” and “looper” today, so clearly, she’s staying downstairs long enough to learn something. Peter watched me make the seams on his raglan sleeves because he was actually interested. Maybe he’ll sew someday too?
Peter thanked me (again) for teaching him how to cook tonight.
I have great children.
You know how there are some days that you meet new people and everything seems to make sense again? I had been so secluded out here on the West side…30 miles from everywhere…and feeling kind of lost. I have my beautiful family, and my fun hobbies, and my darling husband, and my old, dear, cherished friends spread all over the world, but I was missing one mighty important facet in my near-complete life: Community. Some people have their church, some have their social circle, some have their neighborhood, but I have none of that.
My visit with Tracy in Sebastopol was inspiring. She talked about planting some roots by getting involved in her new community and really getting to know people so she didn’t feel like such a nomad. I have been carrying that around with me, wondering how I could apply a similar strategy. Working at home, having SO MANY children (odd constraint, but true) and not really needing to leave the house for much has even changed my personality, and not necessarily for the better. When Peter was young, I was involved in my neighborhood. That was easy, since I lived in such a vibrant place. Living in the suburbs is everything I feared. Sure, we have a beautiful backyard, and Peter can walk to and from school by himself, but it’s also taken me out of the neighborhood…the stores in town aren’t even open in the evenings, so it’s not worth the 2 mile trek with a reluctant stroller passenger after dinners. It’s so different. I’ve tried to be open to it, but this is a bedroom “community”, and not a vibrant, open, social one.
What I’m re-learning now is that community isn’t about location or schedules, social standing or common background as much as it is a truly shared goal. I feel like I’m starting to find that…and the goal is to create conditions in which enlightenment about living a purposeful life occurs. Creating an environment where people feel like it’s worth the risk to try something courageous.
I have made some wonderful new friends in Gregg and Angela through their business the Detroit Evolution Laboratory. Peter and I attended some cooking classes there, and Ella and I have since gone weekly to the City to pick up a healthy dose of nutrition and inspiration. How often in life are we fortunate to meet people who share similar beliefs and principles by chance? I am so awe-struck by their courage and their mission, and inspired by their loving kindness. They invited me to a beautiful event full of inspiring people on Sunday night and I cannot remember when I was more “at home” in a crowd of people I had never met.
I’m so thrilled to be on a journey where my prevailing thought is “what can I do to make a difference?”
Oh how I love BurdaStyle. I just noticed that Threadbangers has a video on “How to read sewing patterns” with the ladies from BurdaStyle. Have a look!
Filed under: creativity
her first orange…actually a tangelo. She insisted.
