Ellie had her "friends party" recently, after various circumstances forced a delay.
There were party games...
They painted flowerpots, then planted them with annuals.
Who wants cake (brownies) and ice cream?
note: Nico wanted cake and ice cream too, but refused to participate in such an insulting poll.
They all had a great time. Ellie had the interesting idea of asking her guests to bring books to donate to African schools instead of presents. That's our idealist daughter. Of course, now we have to ship these books to Africa (or at least the company in South Carolina who passes them on).
And then we had Mother's Day. Pretty low-key this time, but oh yes, there were presents.
The inevitable kitchen items...
Gardening hat, picked out semi-democratically by the three of us. (Nico's first choice was vetoed, for reasons you can probably imagine. Alas, no picture).
In other news, we are often visited by a practically tame raccoon. When I shouted at it one night to vacate the premises, it turned and climbed slowly, dutifully as it were, up an adjacent tree -- as if it just happened to want to climb that tree just then, nothing to do with me. And there it sat, with a baleful glare. Harriet the cat stopped by to see what was going on and we all three stared at each other for a little while. I recited a few lines of "Rocky Raccoon," to no effect. There was nothing more we could say to each other, so I gave up after snapping this photo.
And our final news item: For the past week, Ami has been in DC pursuing a legal career (I will leave it to her to explain this, along with the timing, in a subsequent post). The childcare has been charged to a joint venture between myself and our endlessly patient friends Monica and Minna. I have thoroughly enjoyed spending some time with the kids -- it's been awhile. The experience has come complete with Daddy-centric dinners:
Yes, they are fish sticks, and no, I am not ashamed. Much. Ellie was scandalized and after trying a piece of one, opted for cold cereal. Nico and I polished them off with tartar sauce. Ami comes back today, and we are all more than fine with that!
4 comments:
I think that is awesome that you saw the raccoon and could get a picture of it. There is something about seeing animals in the wild that fascinates me.
It looks like Ami doesn't have to much of a "baby bump" yet. She looks good!
Daddy-centric meals are great for making food a toy, and played (or spelled) with more than eaten. It also offers perspective, making regular meals that much better.
I'm surprised the raccoon didn't bite you on the leg. Or bite Harriet. Maybe it was really after the fish sticks. Looks like you are having good times.
You have had a busy life, as of late. Ami's going to law school?
And I LOVE Ellie's idea about donating a book in lieu of a bday gift. I detest the mounds of Barbies and such that often come along with a fun party. She is a genius, and an unselfish one. :)
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