This is my mother

Adventurous,

funny,

spontaneous,

and generous with her annual leave. 

Rather than checking out the camel auctions in Timbuktu, she comes to visit me or my sis.  I managed to keep her from redesigning the house too much this trip (though we did install some lovely, and hopefully leak-free, window wells).  Not because I don’t want the house to be redesigned, but because I didn’t want my mother to have to work on her ‘vacation’.  Instead we went on several long hikes, ate tasty food, and lazed around.  Too bad she left.  Now I have to work again.  If anyone else feels like using their vacation time to come hike with me, I could use a break from working—I’ve had to do it for the last three days straight.

 

Oh.  And this?

This is my dog.

A little more fall cleaning

More pictures I’ve found, of another adorable kid.

Fall cleaning…

I recently was going through my camera cards, making sure they were all cleaned off, and happened upon some pictures that I’m not sure I ever downloaded.  Even if I did, I’d completely forgotten about them, so it was like seeing them for the first time.  This one just had to be shared because it illustrates 1) the proper way to raise your child (note the camping apparel and book reading) and 2) a very happy child.

Waterfall walk

I used to think there wasn’t enough elevation in Midwestia for a proper gushing waterfall. 

Last week I learned I was wrong.

It sounded just like Yosemite, and if there’d been a couple of pine trees I could have imagined I was there—not that I needed to. 

The spot was perfect right where it was. 

Besides, in Yosemite you can’t go underneath the waterfalls.

I think it is my newest favorite hang out.

Alex the Insane

On weekends, after going to school all week, taking care of a baby, and doing homework, Alex likes to participate in bike races.

Only, they’re not normal bike races.  They’re called ‘Cyclo Cross’.  And they’re done in urban settings (say the park by Sus and Alex’s house) with a road bike.  The course consists of lawn, mud, hills, barriers, more hills, and tight turns around the baseball diamonds.  The race is 45 minutes long.

Here are pictures from his races this last weekend.

I’m tired just looking at these again. 

Last of Abby for awhile

If you recall, Abby was born not liking baths.

Like many of life’s finer things, it appears to be an acquired taste… 

One that she has, no doubt in my mind, acquired.

Sus

In her past life she was: impatient when I was late (which was/is always), impatient when I talked to much (which is usually), and impatient when I made a mess (which is often).

In her new life, she doesn’t have time to worry about me.  And she is patient.  So.  Patient.

Consider Halloween evening.  She was duct-taping together Alex’s costume, making her own, and holding Abby, who couldn’t stand to be out of her arms.  When Sus would set her down Miss Abby would scream bloody murder—like the kind of screams that make your ear drums rattle.  After two hours, I really thought I was going to have to take a walk around the house—I couldn’t listen to it anymore!  As I am slowly working myself into a panic, I look over at Sus, who is patiently watching her baby scream as if the world is ending, and hear her say (calmly):  “Maybe she’s teething.” 

She floored me.  No anger.  No frustration.  No panic. Just genuine concern for the Munchkin.

My sister is amazing.

And patient.

I am addicted

To this little thing:

I can’t get enough.

I think about her all the time

And I’m so jealous that Sus and Alex get to see her everyday.

I may have to move to Ann Arbor to satisfy my craving.

Its that or check myself into a clinic.

What to do with duct tape and tinfoil

Wait for Halloween.  Then go crazy.

Crablegs

I tried crab legs for the first time the other night.  Melissa heard I’d never had them and made it her mission to remedy the situation immediately. 

Crab legs, it turns out, are tasty.  Sweet.  Not fishy.  And look uncannily like spider legs to me.  This last part is a little disturbing.

Thankfully, crab legs are served with an ample supply of butter and salt, which kind of makes up for the fact that they are glorified arachnids.

p.s.  Like my new shirt?  Me too.  Note to any of you who may be thinking of buying a trendy shirt like this.  When you bend down, that droopy part opens all the way to your belly button.  Not a problem unless you are tying your shoe in front of your plant biology students.