6 Dec
Ava, sharing news of her Wednesday night Girl Scout meeting via FaceTime: “And I got to bring home a guppy! And, IT’S PREGNANT. Pregnant guppies can have 2o to 200 babies!”
Me: “Wait…what? We’re going to have 200 fish? This seems like a significant oversight on someone’s part.”
19 Nov
For their first year, I carried all three of our babies up the steps from Diane’s, inhaling as I buried my head in their necks, recovering from a day apart.
By 16 months, Owen walks up independently, a milestone I noted with each growing kid. It’s a slow trip now, with little hands down on cold concrete to navigate the incline—not to mention several stops to investigate pathway lights, little bugs and fallen leaves.
On Friday, I ran a few steps ahead to grab my phone to capture this photo. The sight of my first baby walking my third up the same steps she took years and years ago was too sweet to pass up.
8 Nov
The girls had a Halloween parade at school last week. There were so many incredibly creative costumes–a great tin man, a cute little Dorothy, Wii Miis, and a tiny, little old lady with an “I brake for bingo” sign on her walker. Here are two of my favorites, though…
I’m also pretty enamored with these spectators.
1 Nov
We celebrated Halloween in grand fashion, thanks to custom-made costumes from my mom, and a visit from my family. More photos to come!
25 Oct
Ava was looking for a book she was just sure we had. She was right, as it turns out—and we’ve had it for quite a long time, it would appear!
10 Oct
I spent the first part of this week on the east coast, holding alumni events in New York and Washington DC. I always enjoy the opportunity to travel, especially to big cities. The entire trip is energizing, and I love connecting with happy alumni (and potential donors). I also appreciate a quiet hotel room, and the chance for drinks with friends who are no longer close by.
My trip was nearly flawless from a travel standpoint and even included an Amtrak journey between the cities (a first for me). The best part, though, was an unexpected early flight home, which allowed me to catch Ava Kate’s after school volleyball game. I picked up the littles (and Aunt Katie and Uncle Tom), and made it just in time to see Ava serve.
30 Sep
We woke to chilly temperatures Sunday, but by noon, it was clear, sunny and nearly 80 degrees. Tom and Katie accompanied us to the pumpkin patch (as did Bryan, though Ava noted I’d prefer he’d have stayed at home: “You buy A LOT more pumpkins when Dad’s not along.”) Halloween decorations are up (as is our fall task list) and we’re looking forward to the best season of the year!
20 Sep
These silly girls celebrated Thursday’s much needed rain with a crazy dance in the front yard.
10 Sep
Ava: “Mom, you forgot to call Grandpa Gary on his birthday.”
Bec: “No I didn’t, I talked to him last night.”
Ava: “Really? When?”
Bec: “Remember when I was putting laundry into the washing machine and you were standing behind me saying, ‘Mom? Mom? Mommy? Mooooom? Mom?’ Then.”
Ava: “Oh, right…”
Smith Family Weblog 