Today's Civics Lesson

Tonight's election results are personally gratifying and inspirational to me (and believe me, I'll start doing a major happy dance once the reality sinks in), but no matter which candidate won today, I was honored to share the experience of this election with Max and Emma.

Although Emma is really too young to understand, Max was definitely interested in the campaign and election process, and I was proud to teach him about how each citizen's vote is important, no matter which candidate they support.

Not surprisingly, given his parents' feelings, he decided to support Barack Obama, and we even volunteered today, waving signs and generally being a visible presence outside a polling location. It was an awesome moment for me - watching my six- and two-year-old children eating sandwiches and coloring with Meemaw, waving their "CHANGE!" fans and smiling at voters.

Today was a great day, the best kind of day, as we learned and shared together, and witnessed an historic event that filled my heart with hope and love for every person this wonderful world.

"The true strength of our nature comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals - democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope." - Barack Obama, president-elect of the United States

Life Without Training Wheels

Today Max learned to ride his bike without training wheels.

Actually, it turns out that he already knew how to ride his bike without training wheels, but the training wheels had been there as a kind of crutch. He didn't need them. As soon as I took them off, and Daddy gave him a big push, he was flying! He just rode... and it was amazing to watch his confidence soar.

Now, we're still working on starting up by himself, getting the momentum. And, navigating turns is still a bit tricky. But, when he feels like he's in trouble, or headed toward something he can't avoid, he gleefully heads into the grass and falls rather gracefully off the bike.

Wish I would do that - face something big, stop using whatever crutch I've devised for myself, and just go for it... fly with full confidence, knowing that if I need to, I can just fall.

The whole situation reminds me of a quote from one of my favorite movies, Better Off Dead.

"Go that way, really fast. If something gets in your way, turn."

Bad Day, Good Day

Bad: Another one of my mom's kittens died. Sigh. That is the third kitten in a month. First- she was given a feral kitten whose mother was hit by a car, the kitten had some horrible anemia and died almost before she knew it was sick, but not before my two kiddos had completely bonded with Sugar and I had taken 20 photos.

Second and Third - Adopted from the Seminole County Animal Shelter, picked out by my kids with her help. Named them Black and Whiskers, they came home with the viral respiratory infection that is rampant in shelters, apparently. After a trip to the vet first-thing (and sub-cutaneous fluids), she had to hand-feed them goat's milk and sardines, they seemed to improve, they started eating and frolicking, so the kids bonded. Yesterday, she woke to find Black had died during the night, brought Whiskers to the vet where she was put in ICU and given more fluids, only to die today.

I keep having to have these difficult conversations with Max. He's actually okay though. He has a serene attitude about it, and suggested yesterday that maybe Meemaw should get a grown-up cat who is stronger.

But, it still makes him sad, and it is hard for me to have watched him get so excited and fall in love the first time, only to distance himself a bit with the next two, and now to be somewhat resigned. I want him to have the experience of interacting and bonding with a pet without fearing it is going to die immediately. Darn those husband allergies!

Good: My friend Kristin visited with her brand-new son Logan. He is adorable and strong and sweet-tempered, and she looks so happy and glowing! I got to hold him for quite a while, which always puts me in a baby love mood, just what I needed today.

Also good: I heard that one of my best friends has a new job. Not an easy feat in this job market, and she's thrilled and excited, and so am I! (Of course, mine is somewhat selfish, as her new schedule will allow our families to spend more time together. Yay!)

And, always good: My children made me laugh, I didn't yell (much), and I made a delicious dinner. The little things are really the big things.

It's My Dance Party and I'll Cry If I Want To

So, my darling husband gets rather bemused and befuddled when I cry for "no reason".

Like last night, we're out with our friends at Downtown Disney (anyone remember when that was called Disney Village?), and we've had a yummy dinner at the Earl of Sandwich (fantastic tomato soup and the All American - yum!). They've set up a kids' area where the spurting fountain sprays little ones with water during the summer, but instead of the water, they're having a kids' dance party.

Lots of little kids, running around and dancing wildly to Hannah Montana and the like, flinging hula hoops and waving inflatable plastic guitars. Then "We've Got the Beat" comes on, and all of us start bopping. Do children today even know that song?

Anyway, our kiddos ran to join in the fun, and we had a fantastic time, just watching them run and jump and boogie. Max rocked out on some inflatable strings, while Emma stood mostly on the sidelines, hands in pockets of her tiny jeans, wiggling from side to side and taking it all in. Every few minutes, she'd glance back at us, then come running to hug Daddy's legs tightly for a moment, then run right back to the circle.

The air was cool and crisp. The wind blew softly. Max paused, mid-guitar-riff, for effect, as he screwed up his face in a "rock n' roll" look. Emma's face was wild joy as she ran and laughed. It was all so perfect. They were precious, and their beauty overwhelmed my heart.

So, okay, I cried. My love and happiness were suddenly overwhelming, too big for my heart and mind to contain. So they leaked out a bit. It happens. But definitely not for "no reason". Only for the most important reason - love, joy, utter contentment. Simply being absolutely happy in that moment, and thoroughly grateful for the awareness of it.

I am so thankful for them. So thankful for him. So thankful for those moments and those tears.

Shout Out to the Dedicated Dad

Here's a semi-public THANK YOU to my wonderful hubby, who watched the kiddos for four days and three nights, just so I could scrapbook. I had a fantastic, kick-ass retreat filled with tasty food, fun times with my dear friends, tons of dedicated scrapbooking time, and very little sleep.

I love being able to get away from the daily routine and just focus all of my energy on the process of creating. It fulfills me, and lifts my spirits, and reminds me to appreciate all of my moments.

I always emerge inspired and full of enthusiasm - a great way to head into autumn and the holiday season!

Thank you sweetie!

Happy Birthday Max!

Favorite memory of Max's sixth birthday today: he asked for Cracker Barrel pancakes for his birthday breakfast.  When we got seated and the server came to take our order, he said: 

"Um, I have noticed that sometimes, in other restaurants, that you sing when it is people's birthday.  Can you sing?... Are you going to sing?"

This kid wanted the whole center-of-attention-celebrate-me thing very badly (in direct opposition to his godfather, who once gave me the silent treatment for weeks because I dared to inform waitstaff that it was his birthday).

He was thrilled, and just beamed with joy when the entire serving staff paraded to our table, singing loudly and carrying pancakes aloft, serenading him by name and basically making his day.

That was a great moment.  Happy birthday, my sweet boy.

Birthday Wrap-Up

Max's 6th birthday party was Saturday, and it was a huge success.  For a six-year-old at least. The adults were rather uncomfortable because our air conditioning didn't really come through with a cold house, but since we've been keeping it at 80 degrees, and probably didn't start lowering it soon enough, and since we had a LOT of people in the house, and since we opened the blinds in our living room to let in the lovely hot sun, we shouldn't blame the AC.  I don't want to AC to take anything personally and decide to punish us.  I love you AC.

The party theme was robots.  We made robot costumes, built robots out of Legos, ate a robot cake, gave out robot keychain favors, and played pin the button on Super Mario (what?)  What's Mario got to do with the robot theme, you ask?  Well, I guess Max would have to answer that question, but somehow it all worked.

It was a madhouse, as usual, but all of the kids seemed to have fun, and all of our friends and family were creative and generous in their gift-giving.  On the invitation, we explained that we have lots of toys already, and that Max didn't expect gifts, but if guests wish to give them, we would love recycled/handmade/re-gifted items.  We were amazed at the variety and creativity Max's friends displayed!  

He received hand-drawn pictures and sculpted clay pieces, including a very cute drawing of himself and a friend as pirates walking the plank and saying "R".  He got an awesome crocheted robot, a handmade beaded necklace with the cutest fishy beads, a homemade toolbox complete with a wrench glued to the top and rocks and sage inside.  More beautiful artwork in cards and signs, some fantastic books and games, a couple of remote-controlled vehicles, the movie Robots and his very own headlamp.   Then there was Mario.  

Have I mentioned the Mario obsession?  I need to post some photos of the evidence, but suffice it to say that the boy is on Mario time all the time.  So, we clearly had winners with the three Super Mario brothers t-shirts he received, and the two Mario DVDs.  Boy, am I grateful for the blessing of magical mother's patience.  We've watched the DVDs three times already.  They are... (annoying!) awesome!  :)

Mommy and Daddy even got gifts, though they weren't meant for us.  :)  The Lego book was read cover-to-cover by Daddy after the party, with lots of sighs and exclamations about moving to Sweden.  Mommy, meanwhile, can't stop playing with the Harry Potter Twenty Questions (that thing is amazing - it hasn't missed one, and I've come up with some pretty insignificant items!) And Emma keeps stealing Max's RC Jeep to give her little dollies a ride. (Note to self: Emma needs a big vehicle.)

A good time was had by all!