What started as an effort to capture Owen’s “Ted Koppel” hair turned to to a surprisingly sweet last shot. This kid has the selfie down pat.
22 Jun
No place like (Kansas)
My friend Jen works for an organization that seeks to bring major events to our capital city. She’s pretty good at her job, and she just nailed down the 2015 national horseshoe throwing championship.
She’s traveling to the 2014 host city to build excitement for next summer’s trip to Kansas, and she’s taking 50 glittery horseshoes with her. The shoes match the Wizard of Oz theme for 2015.
I’m not sure why I was selected for the project (I totally know), but I was happy to help. I started with an unbelievably dusty box of very used horseshoes. It wasn’t until I was soaking them that I realized I wasn’t only dealing with dirt. Despite trying several methods to remove the debris, I finally gave up and just tried a coat of paint.
My cherry-red spray lacquer looked gorgeous and shiny on the metal, but it soaked right into anything more “organic.” Fortunately, though, the glitter spray stayed on top.
My friend Lori suggested the horseshoes were more authentic with a bit of glittered shit still intact, so there you go.
By this afternoon, I’d finished and wrapped all 50. It was tempting to use the last half-can of red glitter on something of my own, but decided it was best saved for post-travel touch-ups.
Plus, it also comes in pink…
21 Jun
Summer Saturday
We kicked off the weekend with a trip to the Farmer’s Market with Katie and Tom. Up next: gymnastics, then boating with a friend for Ava and a playdate with Cleo for Livie.
Owen’s plans include a long nap, while I spend some quality time with the deck.
What’s on your itinerary today?
14 Jun
Owen Fix
You know how hard it is to wake up, especially when you’re exhausted and feel as though you haven’t slept at all? You roll over with no hope for even another minute—reality has set in. It’s morning.
And then, you remember there’s such a thing as coffee. You’re overcome with love and warmth, remembering the joy it brings to you. In mere moments, it will be yours, and all will be right in this bright little world.
That feeling—that is how Owen feels about the blender.
13 Jun
Camp, closed.
Ava and Olivia attended Girl Scout camp this week, returning home every afternoon wet, muddy and utterly exhausted. They had a blast learning how to build fires, hiking creek beds and preparing their own food.
Ava tent camped overnight last night, and both girls came home with awards for their efforts today. Despite a rainy, warm week, socks that just needed to be tossed and more bruises and bites than we can count, it was a huge summer success. Next week’s art camp may pale in comparison.
10 Jun
Owen fix
It has rained and rained and rained here—nearly four inches in less than 24 hours. The girls are at Girl Scout camp this week, trudging around in galoshes and ponchos. Owen doesn’t need either…
9 Jun
Happy birthday, Bryan!
Today is Bryan’s 36th birthday. Some of us began celebrations quite early this morning, which explains the little tantrum below…
The girls and I did a bit of shopping to prepare on Saturday. Bryan’s sort of hard to buy for—he rarely admits to wanting anything, and he insists you not spent too much. So, we gathered an assortment of his favorite things: cool socks (constellations, and a pair that says “Bad Ass” with an arrow pointing up–Ava suggested these were more appropriate for the weekend than for work), a gift card to the record store, assorted beers, his favorite fancy soaps (really!), and a few other little things that hopefully remind him how much we love him.
The girls and I talked a lot about him while we were out and about. They absolutely adore him, and not just because he’s so easily charmed. He’s funny and attentive, and he’s warm and kind. He always gives them the benefit of the doubt, and perhaps most importantly, he wants to be sure they have a whole lot of fun.
Owen loves his dad so much I think it might make my heart burst. He runs to the door when he hears the garage, hollers “My Daddy!” when I give Bryan a hug, and calls him “buddy.” They snuggle up on the couch and snooze together when Owen wakes up at night. They might be best friends.
Bryan’s had a hell of a year at work, with more good things to come. The “Bad Ass” socks are truly fitting—this guy is owning it. He’s flying all over the country (hopefully something that comes easier to him with every trip), and he doesn’t miss a beat at home. He’s on top of it all in a very big way.
I am incredibly proud of him.
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