And other news...

Ivan's first words, besides "mama" and "hi" are apparently "up/down." This is related to his favorite game, also called Up/down, which he still initiates playing everywhere he can. He used to pull himself up and just shriek as he fell, but now he says, "Up! Dowwwwn!" The other day we were playing in the pool, me lifting him up and then splashing into the water, and he looked at me and said it so clearly. Cutie!

Cannonball Run

My camera has a mind of its own. Sometimes when you press the button, there's like a three second delay before it takes the picture. Other times it's instantaneous. If there's any rhyme or reason to it, I haven't figured it out. This is what framed our challenge yesterday evening. I was trying to get a picture of Maxine doing a perfect cannonball into the baby pool. I took about thirty of these, and not once did I get it just right. But we came out with some good pictures, anyway.

Summer Reading

School has started up again, and my beautiful summer reading has turned into reading my Special Education textbook. But before that, I cranked out (almost) enough books to qualify for my free umbrella from the St. Louis Public Library reading club. Yay! And since I'm into lists that do the work of representing my life, here are the ten books on my little Pageturners form:

1. Sue Grafton, T is for Tresspass
2. Naomi Aldort, Raising Our Children
3. Alfie Kohn, Unconditional Parenting
4. Maya Angelou, Letter to My Daughter
5. Tom Robbins, Villa Incognito
6. Dworkin/ Wachs, Body Panic: Gender, Image, and the Selling of Fitness
7. Julia Alverez, Once Upon a Quinceniera
8. R. Crumb, The R. Crumb Handbook
9. Jeanne DuPrau, The City of Ember
10.

All right, I don't have 10 yet. I actually keep starting big, juicy epic novels and not continuing them. I just don't have the time and mental space to read like that right now. Non-fiction seems to work out better. I started James Baldwin, who I love, but again, not the right space. Cherry by Mary Karr might fare better. Or I might just go to the library today and find another graphic novel.
The City of Ember is one I'm reading to Maxine. It's a good read-aloud, I recommend it to anyone looking for a high-concept book for a kid. What else. R. Crumb? R. Crumb. I just can't hate him. In fact I just can't not love him. But I like his wife more.

Later: Yeah, hit the jackpot at the library, I am excited about my new stack o books! There's a librarian at Kingshighway branch who's clearly a graphic novel fiend, they have the best selection there. Also this book called Mississippi Solo looks like the perfect summer book. Ed Special can wait.

And...after!

One more.

testing... maxine took this movie on ivan's bday

ONE!

Happy Birthday Little Sir! Thanks for one of the most joyful years of my life!

First day of summer...

It's the first day of summer vacation! Remember that feeling from when you were a kid?
Today is a little rainy, muggy, and overcast. Not much going on other than Azumanga Daioh (her) and coffee (me). And.. what's Ivy doing? At the moment, playing with blocks and chewing on his hands. Ah, the complicated life of a baby. He also enjoys a good game of "Up/Down." Which is, pull up on anything and everything, then let yourself fall down on your diaper-butt while shrieking, "Whoa!" Hours of entertainment.
Anyway, back to summer. Last year we were stuck inside for the bulk of it, with a newborn and no car. This year will be different - I want to get out there. I'm inspired by my brother's blog to get out and bike this year. I've lived here for almost 6 years, and still have never been to the Katy Trail. I'd like to plan a little trip. Need to enlist friends to go with.
Another main goal of the summer is to get Maxine swimming. At this point she doesn't know how, we just haven't been around pools that much. So my goal for summer is to seek them out. Try out all the area pools that don't require memberships (and bum guest passes of my friends that have them. )
Finally, we want to go camping at least a couple of times. And do summer reading book club at the library. And eat ice cream four to five times a week. Anyone have any other great ideas for us? What are your favorite summer memories?

More Poetry

File under: My Daughter Freakin Rocks. Just looking over the book of poetry her class made, and I love hers. It's called:

I know...

I know a puzzle piece spins like a merry-go-round.
It can do a cartwheel.
It has something I'm afraid of on it.
The puzzle piece looks like a merry-go-round
because it has different colors.