April 23: That's so college.

Worked again today.  Saturdays are much easier to handle when I'm really "on" in my information sessions.  They're like these mini-performances, and as with any enthusiastic public display, the success is often determined by the audience reaction.  Today, I had a great audience, maybe 25 families, around 70 people, all agreeable, engaged and interested in what I had to say--no "doubtful dads", always a good sign and a big confidence boost--I'm feeling pretty money today.

After work, I brought Hen & Kitten back to Dickinson for the "Just Art" portion of the Japan Benefit Festival.  I love being within walking distance of the college--there is so much to do on campus and so many opportunities for our kids to learn more about the world around them.  We perused the booths, watched students making paper cranes, listened to some poetry and live music, had Henry's name written in calligraphy and then made our way down the hall in the HUB to Union Station for yogurt and juice.  I offered french fries, but he requested yogurt.  I guess he's more like his dad in that way.

Henry with calligraphy--he paid for it himself...super grownup thing to do

Yoplait and Citrus Peach Punch?  That is sooo "college" of you, Henry.

JBF has just begun.  Tonight Mike and I will go on a little date (our first in I have no idea how long) to JAMnesty for Japan at the Carlisle Theatre.  Since I'm the staff advisor for this event, it's technically work-related, but it's as close to a date as we get these days!  

April 18-April 22: Back to Life, Back to Reality...

Dumb April.  The month that is so busy that it doesn't even leave time to update the calendar

Tulips stayed in tact even though our dog (the "other" one) dug up the flower bed

Ohh. Well excuuuse me fancy two-toned tulips? Show off much?

Alice is in the Navy, thanks to vintage vixen Aunt Sarah T.

In Henry's pajama shirt.

Well THIS is awkward.  A four day hiatus is relatively unheard of on kitten&hen.  It's a really funny story, one that ends with me being in the hospital suffering from memory loss, and then having one of those "awakening" moments and returning to real life, kissing my husband and children and delivering a tear-filled, poetic monologue about life and how we have to pay attention or it's just going to pass us by...sigh! 

Oh...wait...you don't buy it?  Yeah, ok, it's a bit of a stretch,  but it's fun to imagine, in sort of a "Dallas" soap opera-esque way.

Above are photos for 365 project from the days that I've missed this week (aka the entire week).  Working today and tomorrow but will get a good post sometime during the weekend.

April 17: "I run so fast, I did!"

Photo and video (sideways and a bit blurry...hate when that happens) of Hen in his new kicks AND bathing suit from Aunt Brigid.  I like that he demanded to wear both as soon as he got home.  This look is so fashion forward you haven't even seen it on the runways yet. 

April 16: Rainy Day Activity: Creating my Summer List

 From me, to me.  Twenty things that I will make an effort to do this summer.  Mostly serious...

1. Plant beautiful things. Plant delicious things. Attempt to keep said things alive.
2. Make a kite and fly that kite
3. Use the ice cream maker often. Use it to make Lavender-Lemon Sorbet. Try not to eat it all yourself.
4. Move picnic table onto front porch for more family dinners outdoors
5. Yard Sale all of that tacky crap in the basement
6. Seek out more interactions with neighbors. Attempt to be less awkward around neighbors...I'm just sayin', they think you're a little strange
7. Read for pleasure
8. Sew a sundress for Alice in honor of the Magpie (Great Grandmother)
9. Make Project Share or Goodwill donations a monthly event (and get Henry to help)
10. Go on family walks
11. Picnics!!!
12. Martini Picnics!!!
13. Porch Parties!!!
14. Dance Parties!!!
15. Dance Club Martini Picnic Porch Parties!!!
16. Go on bike rides...once Mike fixes my bike...which he was supposed to fix two years ago...Mike!
17. Turn...er...can't say it...30.
18. Hit up the pool on weekday afternoons
19. Bug hunts with Henry
20. Finding joy in simple things

April 15: Baron Von Coolguy & Rosie O'Shades

There is major "radditude" flying around in this picture.  Kitty & Hen know how to rock some sweet-A shades.  Can't get over Kitten's flowery rose-colored glasses and Hen's specs are just ba-nan-as (b-a-n-a-n-a-s).  I will share that I did make sure that these Buzz Lightyear Faux Ray Bans fit me before we bought them...in case we might want to share...that's totally normal, right?  Wearing plastic sunglasses that belong to your three-year-old?

Eh.  Normal=overrated.

April 14: Please Dora, don't insult his intelligence

Dora the Explorer: "Come on everybody, wiggle your hips to bounce the ball back to me!"
Dora & Boots: "Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle!" (demonstrate hip wiggling motion)
Henry, with mouth full of Apple Jacks: "Dora, I can't bounce the ball to you, I'm in my house, not in the TV."

I decided not to challenge the fact that Dora couldn't actually hear him, although it was in line with the reality that he couldn't bounce a ball back to a cartoon character. We'll let him get there on his own.

Apple Jacks

"I'm being friendly!"

April 13: Twinsies ( or Triplet...sies...?)

Check us out in our matching yellow slickers!  Rainy days are not the most fun days to give campus tours, but our guides are the best, the cheeriest and, obviously, the most fashionable (AND sensible! College kids in rain-appropriate gear?!  Miracle.)  Just to be clear--I am not giving a campus tour, I just like situating myself between adorable, energetic college students hoping that I might absorb some of their youth and charm.

Wednesday was a fine day.  Only downside was that I didn't get to spend a whole lot of kid-time, which is why these April posts are kept short.  Longer diatribes when May 1 hits, including a connection I recently made between spending time with my friendle Joey Kirk and listening to/watching the Snow White song/scene "Whistle While You Work".  In short, seeing Joey, and watching Snow White and woodland creatures picking up dirty clothes and dusting furniture while singing leaves me with the same glowy, joyous giddiness.  With that said though, who really feels comfortable with a chipmunk using his tail to wash your glassware?  Unsanitary?  Seems like a shortcut, Snow White.  Do it yourself.

Aghh!  April!!