Last summer when I went to New York I sweated my way through the city, but when Roman and Mimi asked if I wanted to ride along in February, it was quite a different story. Icy winds whipped through the city, and I was happy to spend most of my time inside buildings, looking out at the world. I had several days mostly on my own, so I would start the day with French pastries in Flushing with Roman and Mimi and Hudson, and…
Several years ago I left my family and moved thirteen hours away to teach school in a little farm community in Illinois. It was my first time living on my own for more than a couple months, and I wanted a way to easily keep in touch with my family and share my adventures with them. I had tried blogging before, but it had petered out, as most blogs tend to do when started by visionary teenagers. So I opened…
I have a lot to live up, you know? After so many of you read my post about complaining about the weather, I’m just going to have to tackle my rocky relationship with summer head on this year. As the days get longer and warmer, and spring is most definitely here to stay, I’m mentally preparing myself for what is to come. North Carolina summers are nothing to sneeze at. In the past, I’ve made effort to not complain about the…
Guest post by Philip, written from a tiny airplane seat. Dirge in an Airplane Aisle Ladies and gentlemen, we gather here today, To put this large and awkward duffel bag away, That young man struggles with vigor and vim. Note that he is trying, and be patient with him. The audience grows, the crowds in the aisle, Behind the dimensionally inept boy begin to pile. Work harder, young lad, if you push hard enough, Your duffel bag just…
Rosie messaged me and asked if she could write a guest post for my blog. I happily agreed, having no clue what it was about. When she sent it to me, I may have blushed a bit before being prevailed upon to post it anyhow. So without further ado, here you go. To all of Rachel’s faithful readers who slogged through all 23 posts about her family members, wouldn’t you like to hear a little about her, too? Since she’s…
Lakelyn brought the score to an even five nieces/five nephews, and she has been such a fun baby. She is not a year old yet, so there’s still much to learn about her personality, but she already has a great sense of humor, and I look forward to hearing what she has to say when she learns to speak. She grew herself four little bunny teeth, and they make her cheesy grin completely heart-melting. Lake is energetic and bouncy and vivacious,…
Alyssa was born in the yard, too anxious to see the world to wait on the ride to the clinic. The winter she was an infant was a crazy one for her family, involving multiple moves, and fights with house mold and pneumonia. But she was the most serene baby you could have wished for through it all. She is not too quick to make friends, but when she deigns to grace you with a smile, and even better, when…
When Leilani Skye was born, the second of the cousin triplets, I fell in love with her name before I even met her. Leilani means “Heavenly flower”, and if you’ve met her, I think you’ll agree she is aptly named. Ani is delightfully sweet, and just as adorable as can be (in my completely unbiased opinion, of course). She is also beginning to talk, and is at such a fun stage- repeating words in her tiny little voice, and spouting…
Before Hudson was born, I knew Roman and Mimi’s children would be completely darling. I was not mistaken. Hudson is serene and placid and super laid back, seldom getting his feathers ruffled. He makes friends easily, and if he takes a fancy to you he might come running up with his arms outstretched, as if you’re his best ever friend. He also loves dancing to music or to the sound of the KitchenAid mixer- whichever is available. Basically, he is a…
Judson got a rocky start, as a fussy baby, but has made up for it since then with his hilarious personality. He refused to speak for a long time, but made his meaning clear with his personal tonal language. His lack of speaking never deterred him from being a complete dork though, taking after his father. He cracks me up constantly. He has strong opinions about clothes, which include wearing pants backwards, and mixing prints. He’s adventurous and sweet, rambunctious…
I think Alannah must have been born into this world for the purpose of spreading beauty into all the corners she can, and I have to say, she’s done a pretty good job of it already. She was a pretty baby from the moment she was born, and she hasn’t ever stopped since. She is petite and graceful and easygoing, and full of the kind of questions only a three-year-old could dream up. I think Alannah can best be summed up in two…
If you ever need entertainment, just listen to Declan “read” the book “Make Way for Ducklings”. Once you’ve heard all the ducks “querwacking with their little querwackers just as loudly as they can querwack” you’ll never read the book quite the same way. His memory is amazing, and he can sing obscure songs and quote whole books just like his Uncle Philip could. His imagination is lively, his personality is quick to make friends, and his red curls and freckles…