Sunday, February 24, 2008
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Sometimes the little things make all the difference.
Claire is sick with some kind of stomach bug, and like other times when she's been sick, I'm so thankful to have a washer and dryer in the basement. And I'm glad I didn't throw away all of the old sheets and towels last time I organized the closet.
Claire is a really sweet sick person, as far as moods go. She'll quietly go through a list of questions about her symptoms as she is falling asleep, and then assures me that "Its not your fault I'm sick, Mom. I just got some bad germs." She almost always appears more calm than I feel inside, which is comforting to me, though I know it should be the other way around. She has always been a very healthy kid, so even at four years old, I'm just not used to her being sick. So I do what I can, which doesn't feel like much. A back rub, a song, a cool pillow and some clean-up is just about all that is required. But she appreciates it. As she snuggles down under the covers, she'll reach a warm hand up to rub my cheek and say "Thanks Mom", and I feel like I should call my mom and thank her for doing the same for me. But I'm guessing she would appreciate it more if I called at a time other than 12:30am.
Claire is a really sweet sick person, as far as moods go. She'll quietly go through a list of questions about her symptoms as she is falling asleep, and then assures me that "Its not your fault I'm sick, Mom. I just got some bad germs." She almost always appears more calm than I feel inside, which is comforting to me, though I know it should be the other way around. She has always been a very healthy kid, so even at four years old, I'm just not used to her being sick. So I do what I can, which doesn't feel like much. A back rub, a song, a cool pillow and some clean-up is just about all that is required. But she appreciates it. As she snuggles down under the covers, she'll reach a warm hand up to rub my cheek and say "Thanks Mom", and I feel like I should call my mom and thank her for doing the same for me. But I'm guessing she would appreciate it more if I called at a time other than 12:30am.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Eclipse
Last night was the lunar eclipse, and we (mostly me) were really excited to see it through the telescope Claire got for Christmas this year. It was very cool, all rusty red and brown. And we had the bonus of seeing Saturn, which is at its closest and brightest this month, and its rings as well. And for even more fun, the telescope comes with a camera, so I was able to take a few pictures. I am still learning how to use it, there are a few features I didn't figure out last night, but here is what I got:
The rosy red moon and Saturn. I believe there is not a zoom option with the camera, but there are features for sharpness and contrast/white balance etc. And also, Saturn is pictured on its side, but it was level, like everyone imagines it, when looking through the telescope so I have something to figure out there as well. But anyway, through the high-power lens Saturn was crystal clear and amazing (and the moon was too, of course). We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful night to see the sky.
The rosy red moon and Saturn. I believe there is not a zoom option with the camera, but there are features for sharpness and contrast/white balance etc. And also, Saturn is pictured on its side, but it was level, like everyone imagines it, when looking through the telescope so I have something to figure out there as well. But anyway, through the high-power lens Saturn was crystal clear and amazing (and the moon was too, of course). We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful night to see the sky.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Obama in Bangor
The three of us drove up to Bangor, ME yesterday to see Barack Obama speak. 7,500 people packed the auditorium, and 2,000 more were turned away. The line to get in was over a half mile long. Fortunately, we decided to walk with a group of people who knew about a side entrance. If we hadn't, I'm sure we would never have gotten in. We didn't have the best seats, but we went to listen, and we could do that from the nosebleed section.
The energy was unbelievable. The crowd was excited, to say the least. And loud.
It was the best speech either of us have ever been to, and the first one to be broadcast on national television. It was a lot of fun. Today we had our caucus, another first for us both. I was surprised at how unofficial it all was. And they are already claiming it as a victory for Obama. I guess when you don't have to count actual ballots, you get the results a lot faster!
The energy was unbelievable. The crowd was excited, to say the least. And loud.
It was the best speech either of us have ever been to, and the first one to be broadcast on national television. It was a lot of fun. Today we had our caucus, another first for us both. I was surprised at how unofficial it all was. And they are already claiming it as a victory for Obama. I guess when you don't have to count actual ballots, you get the results a lot faster!
Claire on the phone.
What? Thats okay. Where were you? You couldn't make it to the phone in time?
Do you want to hear a song? We're going to make it to the church on time... (repeat and repeat and repeat) Isn't that a great song? Its about someone getting to the church in time. No dilly-dallying!
That means waste time.
WHAT! You have a groundhog? Whats a groundhog?
Is it a pretend groundhog or an alive groundhog? MOM! Maddie has an alive groundhog!
How did you get it?...Mom! Someone bought an alive groundhog and gave it to Maddie!
Oh. Actually Mom, its just a pretend groundhog.
I have a purple mermaid crown. It has jewels on it and its not alive. I can bring it to your house to show you, if you want.
When does the Flyman show start. Oh. 4:00.
Okay. Well, goodbye, I'm hanging up now.
Do you want to hear a song? We're going to make it to the church on time... (repeat and repeat and repeat) Isn't that a great song? Its about someone getting to the church in time. No dilly-dallying!
That means waste time.
WHAT! You have a groundhog? Whats a groundhog?
Is it a pretend groundhog or an alive groundhog? MOM! Maddie has an alive groundhog!
How did you get it?...Mom! Someone bought an alive groundhog and gave it to Maddie!
Oh. Actually Mom, its just a pretend groundhog.
I have a purple mermaid crown. It has jewels on it and its not alive. I can bring it to your house to show you, if you want.
When does the Flyman show start. Oh. 4:00.
Okay. Well, goodbye, I'm hanging up now.
Friday, February 08, 2008
A week makes a difference
We've pretty much settled into a rhythm this week. I ended up putting Claire back in her old preschool three times a week because for some reason, I was a bit distracted with her in the classroom with me every day. Its difficult enough to learn about a class full of kids and their behavioral plans without your own 4 year old begging you to play at every turn. She's happy to be back, it sounds like the class is happy to have her back, and I'm definitely happy to send her again. Everyone wins.
Other than that, not much is happening. Claire did draw a picture of us all in our individual showers, however. She's been learning to draw one new thing every day, and yesterday she chose a shower. So here we all are.
Thats Mike on the left, me in the middle and Claire on the right. And the sun is up there in a window. Its kind of obvious that Claire has put herself in some kind of Kohler Dream Shower/Spa what with all the rainbows and ribbons and balloons. Mike and I, on the other hand, aren't so lucky. I believe Mike's shower is outdoors, since Claire said that the green floor of his stall is actually grass. I at least have a few hearts to dress up the walls, but we definitely were denied the luxury she saved for herself. And she doesn't even like showers. I guess maybe if rainbows came out of the shower head instead of water, it would be a different story.
Other than that, not much is happening. Claire did draw a picture of us all in our individual showers, however. She's been learning to draw one new thing every day, and yesterday she chose a shower. So here we all are.
Thats Mike on the left, me in the middle and Claire on the right. And the sun is up there in a window. Its kind of obvious that Claire has put herself in some kind of Kohler Dream Shower/Spa what with all the rainbows and ribbons and balloons. Mike and I, on the other hand, aren't so lucky. I believe Mike's shower is outdoors, since Claire said that the green floor of his stall is actually grass. I at least have a few hearts to dress up the walls, but we definitely were denied the luxury she saved for herself. And she doesn't even like showers. I guess maybe if rainbows came out of the shower head instead of water, it would be a different story.
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