spring-summer update

Sorry for not posting here for a while; we've just been too busy doing other good stuff! Leighton keeps getting praised at work (and given more and more work and responsibility); Lilly is thriving at her Montessori preschool (the school keeps a photo album of their activities here); and I'm looking forward to the fall publication of my book on feminist porn.

We had a lovely Memorial Day weekend, spent one day family birthday partying, another day at the beach, and a final one at our local Memorial Day service followed by a local afternoon baseball game. We barbequed on the sunny days, sipping margaritas, and felt quite lucky about our lives. (Beach day pictures here.)

Lilly got her first two-wheeler this spring (hand-me-down from good neighbors). Pictures from our first family bike ride outing are here (confession: Leighton and I had to bike really slowly... But it was so much fun to bike together! And we all enjoyed our lunch and ice creams afterwards at the cafe in Welch village.)

I've been teaching Lilly ballet since this past winter when she first expressed interest. Then it got boring for her with no other kids around. In March, she joined (as the youngest student in the entire school) a class that had been practicing for the spring performance since January. I'm proud to say Lilly did wonderfully at the final recital at the high school theater Friday a week and a half ago. Not afraid of being on the stage at all! Just so happy to have her mom and dad there watching her and cheering her on. More pictures here.

It's just wild to us that Lilly will be finishing her first year of preschool on Friday; in three days! Thank you family for your financial support with that. And to think she will turn FOUR two weeks after that (BTW Cheryl: ladybug-swimsuit still fits!). Lilly is writing and reading letters, excited about the pool opening on Friday (goggles are on her wishlist), and speaks enthusiastically about our vacation to look forward to this summer. She is grateful for her friends (and so looks up to her older ones), in love with her mom and dad, and totally into changing clothes every ten minutes, especially dresses. It's that stage. And it's very cute.

Oh, and we got new IKEA patio furniture last week! And we are so into barbequing and eating outside on the porch. Lilly is loving her (cold) hotdogs with ketchup (Leighton and I prefer both those and our chicken grilled). We got a big nice umbrella too for some shade when it gets too hot.

Here's to a good summer to us all!

summer fun, kid's books, and role-play

Every weekend in August, Lilly and I have been getting out for some summer fun. We've been to the Walker Art Center, the Como Park Zoo, the Children's Museum; to a fun day event for my job at Laura Baker, the nature center in Faribault, and more.

A couple weekend's in a row, Lilly and I stopped in at Garrison Keillor's Common Good Books to read kid's books and found a really great new picture book that I'd recommend called The Woods. Actually, Lilly and I often stop in at the Wild Rumpus children's bookstore but have just recently visited The Red Balloon Bookshop for children too. I think these stops to "read books" are more for me than her (as might be the case for all the other stops elsewhere) because Lilly really just enjoys being out and about doing new things wherever.

Here's a video of Lilly "role-playing" at the Walker Arts Center; that is, learning to wield a sword, something I was a bit hesitant to have her do. But, while she did want to "hit" things with it for about a week afterward, the fun has apparently waned.

summertime!

Drinks outside this spring

It's "summmmertime" as Lilly likes to say whenever the sun is out. We've been enjoying hanging on the porch again, planting in the garden, playing outside. It's so interesting to see what a difference a year can make. Whereas last year, we found ourselves constantly worrying about Lilly running out into the street, we can now let her play outside some by herself, close to the house (with a frequent eye on her). She'll find her toys in the garage: her trike and chalk and bubbles. She'll play in the sandbox. And slide a little. Look at the growing plants and flowers.

Mostly, of course, she prefers us to play with her, or, rather, that the girls next door come over to play with her. They are both ten and Lilly so enjoys their attention.

Sorry we haven't posted much here lately, but it's been a busy time. Leighton's gotten more hours at Laura Baker, giving me less time to write. The time that I have been getting, I've devoted to polishing my book manuscript, putting together a proposal to lure the interest of an agent to help me find the right publisher, and developing my three websites: two blogs and an online resource center, which Leighton has been helping me with a lot: we envision it as a family business down the road.

Though we've been busy, never feeling like there's enough time, we've also been feeling truly blessed by the generosity of friends and family in the last few months. First, dear friends decided to bestow upon us their super nice Subaru. Then my parents offered to buy us all tickets to come visit them in Norway this summer. -- We're leaving on Wednesday, and the same friend who gave us her Subaru is taking us to the airport. Are we lucky, or what?

For Easter, Lilly got a garden kit from grandpa Kent and grandma Cheryl. We planted the seeds in the pots outside last week, and she worked so carefully to do it right. -- And fortunately, her idea that stirring the soil again after planting the seeds, did not kill the spirit of these hardy plants: radishes, carrots, beans, peas, lettuce, and spinach are already sprouting.

We've been planting together in my garden too, and though her helping me sometimes feels like it's undoing what I want to get done (or at least slowing it down significantly), her joy in helping me do real work is definitely worth it.

We return from Oslo just in time for Lilly 's three-year birthday, the day after which she'll begin preschool at the Montessori children's house in town. Preschool summer program that is, but still?! Such a big girl. Not a baby. Not a toddler. -- A preschooler.

Big girl on her trike this spring

Other recent landmarks include me not having to lie in bed with her at night till she's asleep. Though putting on pajamas and brushing her teeth are not among Lilly's favorite things to do, as soon as we're through with those tasks, we can go to bed, nurse and cuddle a little, and then I can get up after ten minutes or so, usually by 8:30 P.M. and with her still awake (she always wants the door ajar, just so, just as I remember wanting it as a child: precision is key). -- As opposed to before when I'd have to lie there for up to an hour, waiting for her to fall asleep (and often falling asleep myself).

It's pretty amazing to me how smoothly this transition evolved; she was just ready for it. Though it was exasperating at times before to lie there with her for so long in the evening, I'm glad we never did the cry-it-out (or monitored crying) method.

In July, Leighton turns thirty. A big day that deserves celebrating in style (please: any creative ideas?).

Speaking of parties; Leighton and Lilly are at some friends for one as I write this post on this warm Memorial Day holiday, giving me some peace and quiet to enjoy myself on our porch. And smell the fresh grass being cut by our neighbor; the lily of the valley in full bloom and the few lilacs holding on. Not a bad holiday.

At the pool last summer

Also to look forward to, is summertime at our city's pool. It opens the weekend we get back from Norway. We've purchased our summer passes and I look forward to picnics and playful (hopefully also some lazy) afternoons there this summer. It's been a wet, cold spring, so I foresee plenty warm summer days. Hey, it's summmmertime, you now?!

holding on

I love the change of season; spring thaw and the arrival of the first crocuses, daffodils and tulips, followed by forsythia and lilacs. The end of the academic year, the opening of the city pool, and boom summer's here. The back-to school anticipation, the crisper air and change of colors to sparkling red and orange hues. The first snow.

But seriously, summer is really the only season I hold on to. I mean who, in Minnesota, holds on to winter (aside for compulsive skiers and ice fishing enthusiasts) after it's been around for about, oh, half a year or so. With loads of snow and sub-zero temperatures. Spring is really just a flash around here, fall can be beautiful (till it turns dark and gray and chilly). But summer, oh summer. Even when it's a steaming hot (with the tornado siren going off with heat advisories; and yes, we've had several tornado warnings this summer too), muggy buggy summer like this one has been (with our house besieged by colds from about mid July to mid August). And to be honest, summer usually lasts from way before school's out. This year we had HOT summer weather in May (but of course we had our month of sick then too).

This week, we're seriously holding on. Labor day is on Monday and then it's back to school on Tuesday. The city pool closed for the season on Sunday. It was the last day Grism's corn was available. On Saturday, Walker Art Center will have its final outdoors Free First Saturday for families before heading inside for the rest of the year.

This holding on is not a sad bad thing. It's slightly nostalgic, but it's more about savoring each and every moment of these final precious days of summer. Be they with friends in the park, or at the zoo as a family. At the pool with friends and/or as a family. Out on the porch (when it's not too hot). In the garden (when it's not too buggy). Stopping by Hogan bros downtown after dinner for ice cream and to hang out with friends. Spending time preparing delicious dinners with fresh ingredients from our garden and the farmer's market. Creating memories to savor when winter gets long...

With friends in the stone ring at the Arboretum

Lilly taking a break in the stone ring

Hanging out in the porch

Fun at the zoo (there were real giraffes too...)

Happy Leighton and Lilly at the zoo

The lily in bloom

Making a splash at the pool

Playing in the park by the farmer's market

 Spicy shrimp over red quinoa with black beans and fresh garden salad

Lilly likes shrimp

summer highlights

We're approaching Labor Day, which to me introduces fall. The pool closes for the season on Sunday. School's starting up soon. It's a time of holding on, and looking back.

Here are my summer favorite memories so far:

- Lilly's birthday and birthday part
- day trip to Lake Pepin with dinner at Harbor View
- picnic at the beach at Lake Byllesby
- our mini vacation in Duluth
- a fun family day at the Walker art museum
- Leighton's birthday (including a yoga date for the two of us, lunch out as a family, an afternoon visit to Cannon Valley Winery, finished off with a dinner date out for Leighton and I, and then a drink on the patio outside of the restaurant before getting Lilly who was at a playdate at the house of some dear friends)
- the times we've been at the pool (including for three hours this afternoon, pushing nap time till 3)
- a day at the farm with my friend with our kids
-visiting a friend of mine at the hospital the first day after she gave birth to a precious baby girl
- following another friend of mine stay in hospital for a month till giving birth to twins end of July
- spending a weekend afternoon (that Lilly wouldn't nap) at the pub patio sharing a pitcher of beer with Leighton while we played with Lilly
- spending another weekend afternoon at the pub patio with a girlfriend for cocktails, NO kids
- a girls' night out at a restaurant in the cities (got to wear heals and got NOT to wear a nursing bra)
- more playdates with friends who were off work (and because I had more time too, what with being with Lilly all day everyday and less scheduled classes to attend), doing fun different things like river walks and ice cream making
- going to the farmer's market and the new weekend market along the river
- taking a summer music and movement class for Lilly at the YMCA
- spending an afternoon as a family at an outdoor barn fest concert in Red Wing
- summer time cooking, including harvesting from the garden (interspersed with weeding) and making my own pesto with basil from our bountiful basil garden
- BBQs in our backyard and at friends' houses
- some nice walks with friends, in the Arb on Sunday mornings or in the evening around the neighborhood
- leisurely strolls with Lilly

Lilly at the Barn Fest concert in Red Wing

Lilly in the garden over at some friends' house for a BBQ

Lilly in our backyard pool

 Lilly at the city pool

Lilly in our backyard at a family BBQ

Leighton at same said BBQ

Me, the chef of homemade pizzas with homemade pesto

Lilly and papa on a stroll around the house

Leighton on his birthday, having lunch out

Me hanging out in our porch

summer time

and the living is easy. At least right now it is. We're in a good rhythm. We've had our little Duluth vacation, and a day at the Walker, playing outside, listening to live music while enjoying our picnic.

And for the rest of this month, I'm taking a break from work, spending full days with Lilly, while Leighton gets to either work on his thesis or help out a friend with some cabinet/furniture work. While I've been with Lilly at the pool, or played in the park, etc.

I've given up the struggle with naps; some days she naps, other days not. Yesterday she did not, but then went to bed in a minute, around 8, and slept till 8 this morning. Nice. Since the nap and bedtime thing have gotten to be so frustrating for me, we decided around her birthday to make a change. First we decided I'd be with her all mornings and then Leighton would take care of the afternoon with naps. Mostly she wouldn't nap then that second part of June. But now with me, she sometimes naps. She clearly still needs it. But it's ok when she doesn't. She's still very sweet to be with.

Another thing we've tried is, as of Friday, both Leighton and I have go in to bed with her at night together and then I leave after she's nursed, and he's there with her till she sleeps. So far so good.

So, we're trying some new things, being a little more relaxed with things, not so much following the clock as much as how Lilly seems, and how we're doing. And it's working really well. At least for now.

gardening

We've enjoyed so much tending to our garden this summer. It's amazing how rewarding the work is, including weeding and watering. And we're learning lessons. Like I planted so many things too close together, especially the radishes and green onion, not giving them enough space to grow. And I had no idea a couple envelopes of lettuce would produce THAT MUCH. We do eat salad with all of our meals, but it's too much even for us. Also next time, I'm going to spread out the seeding of the salad seeds more. And I'm going to be more patient with the perennial flower seeds ...

Nonetheless, much to be proud about. Compare these pics, taken just a few weeks apart:

EARLY GARDENING STAGE:

MATURING GARDENING STAGE:

The best part about it is how fun it is to garden as a family. Leighton clears land, cuts down branches, mows, and waters; Lilly walks around with her bucket and spade, points to the growing plants saying "blomst," and picks twigs and rocks; and I plan the garden beds, purchase the seeds and seedlings, sow seeds, plant seedlings, weed, tend to the garden, and harvest. We've already savored bountiful amounts of salad, arugula, cilantro, basil, parsley and chives. Yesterday and today our first HUGE cucumber (with Greek salad and tzatziki yesterday; Norwegian cucumber salad today as a compliment to salmon). The hot peppers, bell peppers, and tomatoes are coming. Today all three of a poppy, cosmo and zinnia came into bloom. The purple and yellow UW pansies (from seeds dated 2008) are in bloom. As are marigolds (as you can see). And more. Hostas, day lilies, lambs ear, campanulas, iris and more plants in the two flower beds behind the garage, most received as transplants from friends. The hostas in the front of the house facing east are not included in these pictures; they're just there tending to themselves. As soon as the lily is in bloom though, we'll include a snapshot of it too where it stands among the hostas and ferns.

first day of summer

Monday did not start out feeling much like the first day of summer. It was another dreary day (just about all of June has been rainy so far); and we can't afford to go on vacation this year, while with school having been out for a week "everyone" else was doing fun summer stuff but us. After lunch, when it was my time to work, we all got ready to go for a walk instead. Of course it started raining even more, so we got into the car and started driving. Lilly fell asleep, and so we just kept driving; down south, passed Nerstrand big woods state park and eventually, through the stormy weather, all the way to Pepin, Wisconsin. After two hours in the car, just as we arrived in Pepin, Lilly woke up and the sky cleared. We had coffee at a cute coffee shop, drove by some impressive looking houses overlooking Lake Pepin, played on the beach, then had dinner at the much-raved-about Harbor View Cafe. And it was amazing! The food and wine were excellent, though way above our budget. (The meal was covered thanks to gift credit cards from grandpa Kent (Leighton's dad) and grandma Cheryl!) And Lilly was just her sweetest little self, nibbling on the food, playing with the guests around us, smiling to the server. What a fun first day of summer it turned out to be!

We did not bring our camera, but here are a couple of photos of Harbor View Cafe from their site. (Actually, since the restaurant doesn't accept credit cards, we were told to just send a check when we got home!):

We decided to keep up the fun the following day and headed out to Lake Byllesby beach in Dakota county (which Lilly had fun wading in, even though it was filled with alga). Afterward, we strolled around in charming Cannon Falls.

When we came home, we reserved a cheap room at a motel in Duluth on Lake Superior for next Monday-Thursday. We've both been missing Greece, looking out on the Mediterranean sea from our deck at Alechos' in Drios, Paros, surrounded by his vineyard. Lake Superior is the closest we can get here in Minnesota to something resembling a sea coast. I've only visited once, briefly stopping on my way further up north, and Leighton and Lilly have never been. We'll bring a cooler with food for breakfast and lunch, and will probably have dinner out. We hope to spend just about a total of $300 though, plus gas money; a fairly affordable mini-vacation. Together with this week's summer kick-off, it should fill our vacation needs so we can buckle down for work during the month of July--with an occasional day off to go visit other towns and beaches, or just go to the pool when it's nice out and we feel like we need some time off.