Birthday fun

We got back to Africa today, and Calvin taught me a little something about memory. He has a lot of it. Animals upon animals and countries upon countries of it. This exploration has clearly been the most real for him, was brought the most alive. He is living it, feeling it, and clearly enjoying. Africa has that effect. We didn't have much time today, just a skimming over what we already learned and time to discuss what he wants to explore next, and after talking about it we're moving north starting tomorrow, just far enough north to explore the pyramids of Egypt. He's geeked.

The rest of today was the first of spring swimming lessons, paczki enjoyment, qwirkle, paper crafting, piano, and a birthday celebration dinner. My mom's request for her birthday was dinner together, and have a great time we did.

When I read the menu options to him he immediately opted for crab legs. He's never had them before, mind you, nor do I think he's ever seen any of us eat them, but he wanted them for sure. And who knew dinner could be such a learning experience. Crab. Legs. Crab legs. And lobster tail, too. And lobsters in the tank.

He ate.

He cracked, and he ate.

He discovered tendons and how to work the claws.

He explored the tail.

And when he was done with that, and before the birthday ice cream arrived, he visited the lobster tank. It was a lot to absorb, the thought that those things were the same as what had been on our plates, and for me it's as near an argument for vegetarianism that I might cave to as anything else, but he was really just absorbing the idea, not upset by it. Me? I don't want to think about the before and after.

If you always look through inquisitive eyes, then the whole world is your classroom.

The soul of Sunday—family

A rare treat. Jon, who usually teaches (piano) at the institute on Sunday afternoons was with us all day today. We soaked up cuddles in the morning, snow play at noon, errands after lunch, games at tea time, live music during quiet time, and a coincidentally timed extended family dinner in the evening. Family, family, and more family, and still there is never enough. Every Sunday could be like this, please, although in the future I would add more sun.

Camp

Qwirkle

Spring bird houses to decorate our table

Charley Harper on the iPad

Slinky

Goodbye Lighthouse Cafe

We got up kind of early this morning, or actually not got up early but got dressed earlier than usual (for a Saturday) in order to have breakfast one last time at our local cafe.

I don't know yet what we'll do for our morning meal on book sale days when I have to be at the library before 8:30. Those were the days when we would enjoy coffee and breakfast as a family, along with all the older gentlemen who have probably been doing this for years, sitting amongst the drawings and pictures of lighthouses from around the world. The U.S.? Maybe even Michigan. I don't know, but they had lighthouses, and big fishtanks, and unlimited coffee, and pancakes no better than I could have made at home but just as laden with pecans and without the preparation or the dirty dishes to clean after. We will miss them.

We had nothing, absolutely nothing, on our schedule for this weekend, and that's exactly why we were busy all morning, not making it home (and back into our pajamas) until lunchtime. That was one breakfast and two library trips later. We came home lugging an armload of books about Africa, two videos about Africa, and the next Oz book, plus two Jim Arnosky books that we scored at the Ann Arbor Library book sale. I love that their sale is open every weekend, but visiting regularly could be a dangerous proposition.

I'm pretty sure the highlight of the day was becoming pawns in the afternoon. The pawns in chess, after all, are meant as foot soldiers or pikemen. After making shields and swords Jon and Calvin chased each other around the house while the dogs and I took refuge in the corner.

The boys played Qwirkle. Saturdays for us are a lot about soaking up daddy time.

And we watched a video of four different Anansi tales. For doing nothing it was a full and wonderful Saturday. Relaxing, enjoyable. Especially because there is a Sunday to follow it.

North for New Years, 2010-2011

It has become a tradition for us to head to Harbor Springs for the new year, and we don't mess with tradition around here, so with an ice storm looming we packed up a day earlier than planned and headed north on the 29th. It was as relaxing and enjoyable as ever, with a little extra fun since Lonnie adopted a really great yellow lab named Blue and Polly brought her 4 month old daughter over to play. Unfortunately the first two days were warm and wet, but the next two were frigid and snowy to make up for it. Again with the pictorial account:

Keyhold Bar for perch sandwiches. Yum.

Long walks with beautiful scenery.

Snowman with snow hat. :o)

Snow man, Calvin cam (note that while Jon is in the picture, the focus is clearly on the centered snowman).

Dinner with the Kiffer family. This is Calvin giving me a "don't get any ideas" look.

This is me giving my mom a "don't get any ideas" look.

Making Pot Pie/Bot Bie with three generations of Kiffers.

The rather hilarious New Years gift exchange (free or nearly free gifts only, basement shopping, regifting, or passing back and forth highly encouraged).

Jon dancing to his "Whoop, There it is!" music button.

Downtown Harbor Springs all decked out for Christmas.

Calvin building trains.

Feeding the deer before leaving town (it's the one thing Calvin earnestly requested doing while we were there, something he remembers having done every time we visit).

Thank you.

One last view, downtown Harbor. Happy new year!

Christmas 2010

There is so much we could say. We had such a beautiful holiday with so many thoughtful exchanges and loving and hilarious moments that I wouldn't know where to begin, so I'm going to let the pictures tell the story, and though that doesn't really go deep enough, with so much to do and so little time that's the best I can do right now.

The older he grows, the earlier Christmas gets...

Socks and underwear, gifts of the champions...

Starting work on his new Lego train...building one car at a time.

Iris and Calvin played hapily together with the dollhouse...in the dark with head lamps on.

Day two of Christmas, glasses included...

And the head lamp makes another appearance, this time accompanied by finger lights as well.

A family coloring moment.