potent tates

2008-07-23T20:40:00.000-07:00

Steve Maxon spent a happy few (too few) days with us...after dropping him off at LAX, we went to my Mom's house for the night. I ended up staying to help hang pictures and enjoy my Mom and sister and niece, and Josh went back up the hill in my mother's car. Rosie often fed Jack and Selah at the same time- like two little birds, mouths open, peeping for more.
My Jacky, of course, wanted me when he saw me, but I did catch him happily eating without his Momma. It can be done.
Rosie just left my house after nearly a week here- I hope I was as much help as she was to me.

2008-07-22T23:15:00.000-07:00

Jack is our Cinderella...Cinderello. We make him sleep in the ashes, in the fireplace.
He also does all the chores.

Not very well.
(Actually, the nicest thing about all this is that our fireplace has been cleaned out for the summer, so he didn't end up too messy.)

2008-07-20T23:06:00.000-07:00

Aunt Rosie and Aunt Lisa are well-loved by everyone in this house.
Rosie has been visiting, and Lisa is always good for some good-natured hair pulling.

Aunt Rosie reads, even when Momma won't.

2008-07-20T22:59:00.000-07:00

I went to Sylmar earlier this week and ended up staying for four days or so. I slept out on the folding bed, and every night before I went to sleep, I brought Lucy into bed with me to keep from having to wake up in the middle of the night and sooth her back to sleep.
Sleeping babies are sweet, and sleeping children retain that even once they've lost all of the other charms of infanthood. I like waking up in the middle of the night to see a little face next to me, close and safe.

2008-07-20T09:54:00.000-07:00

Nanny is sometimes over-run with chickens.
Jack is the worst to read to- all he wants to do is grab the pages and make the book his own.

They seem to like being together.

2008-07-20T09:49:00.000-07:00

I like being part of the Fusano family. Sylmar is our town, and I like Sylmar.
I like being a Paulson, and a Menard, and a Tate, too. Look at what those families have produced! How could I not be a fan?

2008-07-18T15:51:00.000-07:00

What have we been doing recently? Enjoying the summer! There are many wonderful things about living at Camp, but the pool is one of the coolest. Ha. Ha. Ha.
Bowden in his borrowed princess floaties.

Lucy warming up the sun.

2008-07-10T13:47:00.000-07:00

Happy Fourth!

2008-07-01T08:12:00.000-07:00

First of all, I have to say that no pictures were taken during the party. I invited a monkey-load of kids, and I didn't have time to take pictures, and no one else thought of it. Rosie took some of the before, and I took one or two after, so that will have to make up for it.
Bowden is lying on one of the two crocodiles I bought to wrestle with, the party being a reptile hunting party.
He wore his reptile hunting vest, and a straw pith helmet most of the time. The crocodiles were mercilessly pounded until they had huge holes and deflated. Poor crocodiles. Selah and Lucy and Bowden enjoyed lounging before the party started.
Princess Lucy in her castle.

I have decided that the parties I have from here on out will consist mostly of cardboard houses. The castle survived, being occupied mostly by princesses, but the reptile hunter headquarters?
It will live forever in our hearts.
I had princess dresses to wear, and the tea set from Grandma Tate last year ready to use.
The aftermath. Too many gifts, but not too many guests. It was insanity that lasted only three hours, but everyone got along and enjoyed themselves.
The chickens are pecking their way through the pile of gifts, excited about each one they find. I am just glad that all birthday parties are over for the year...

...but maybe next year, superheroes?

2008-07-01T07:32:00.000-07:00

We went with the rest of the staff to Oceanside beach on Saturday.
I lathered the children up to protect them from the harsh California sun- on Jacky, I try to reach through that maze of mane and put it on his scalp. Poor white baby. I was successful, and the only burnt ones were my husband, who I forgot to lather up, not being a child, and the small of my back that was apparently uncovered. Not bad. As a child I used to go with nothing on at all, and if I burned, which was rare, it would become a lovely tan just the next day.
As I've gotten older, my skin does not heal the same way...ah, age. With it comes the patience to apply sunscreen. Jack's favorite things? Balls- including balloons- I made a nice big sandcastle the perfect distance from the water, meaning, just far enough away to be dry and built up, but close enough to be in near constant danger of being washed away. I never build for beauty.
I build for the battle.
The staff kids all helped, and we beat the ocean off for a time, but lost in the end, predictably. I would have taken pictures, because it was great fun- the staff all working on the protecting wall, Jack playing in the lagoon, Lucy and Bowden running through like wild turkeys- Jack was not afraid when the surf came up over the wall and flooded the lagoon up to his chest. We were always close enough to pull him to our laps so that he wouldn't be toppled, but he would just raise his hands and bring them down, splash! in the foam.

Bowden met some boys to play with from Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Church. The big boys dug a hole, put the umbrella in it, and proceeded to keep the little boys out. You may think that it's strange that Bowden has on jean shorts, but it was one of those times when I rush out the door and say, "I know I forgot something!"

This time it was Bowden's bathing suit.

Lucy did what she's done on every staff beach trip since she could walk away from me. She stretched out with the big girls on their towel and talked and talked. Our staff kids are very nice and seem to enjoy her.

She also filled up the bucket with sand and got into it, as if she needed a smaller space to enjoy all that sand. Jack would have if he could have.

Rachel enjoyed the beach and actually touched the water- she was quite the sandcastle warrior.
Nathanael and the boys, off to the side. I don't really know if Nathanael really even got wet.
I love the beach. Our staff this year seems very cohesive and friendly- I think this summer is going to be as good as the summer of 1996! We Tates left early to get home in time for bath and bed, and the staff played volleyball while the sun went down.

2008-07-01T07:23:00.000-07:00

A long afternoon in Hemet with Momma, finally completed.Three roosting chickens take it easy on the ride home.

2008-06-28T00:02:00.000-07:00

Don't worry, even my virtual villagers have been suffering.
Tomorrow we go with the staff to the beach, and on Sunday, Bowden and Lucy are having a joint 3 and 5 year old birthday party!
So, many pictures to look forward to, but I need to slow down a little.
Bowden and Lucy just finished their first week of swim lessons, and Bowden had his first week of Vacation Bible School ever at church this week!
We have two weeks of summer done- already- and we are...in it to win it.

The best news- maybe ever?
Bowden asked Jesus into his heart on the twentieth with Josh! My son is now my brother! Praise the Lord, and praise the Lord, and praise the Lord!

2008-06-24T00:02:00.000-07:00

This baby was cranky. He's been cranky for a few months, now. I thought that the advent of crawling would lessen his manic obsession with being held by me...I know, I know, he just loves me....but I do get tired of holding him. I hate to let him cry, so I hold him. I'd like there to be a happy medium.
He was especially cranky on Saturday. I think he might not be feeling great, and it breaks my heart. Finally asleep, I captured one of the few happy moments in his morning.
Actually, after this nap, and then a second nap- unheard of for this boy- he was feeling better, and played on the porch pretty happily. So what am I complaining about? He won't want to be held forever...
Lucy's tongue was on display, as is the custom of her people, the long-tongue-big-mouthed-stompy-feet sort.
Bowden played with an empty soda bottle and asked more times than he is supposed to for a real soda.
The answer was no.
Sodas are reserved for those with stomach issues.
And mommies and daddies who stay up too late because they need some alone time with free hands and no crying, and are then tired during the day...

He's still a sweet boy, even without the sugar.

2008-06-21T09:49:00.000-07:00

What prompted this madness?

(Abigail made Jack this lovely shirt- the best shirt he owns.)

Nathanael Peck gave Josh this Redskins hat at devotions a couple of days ago. In accordance with the wish of the Vermont masses, I here post some pictures of the Pecks.
Rachel on the swing with Shannon.
Nathanel between Chris and Nathan.

2008-06-21T09:44:00.000-07:00

My Bowden will be attending kindergarten next year, and our little school had a week of "Kindergarten Boot-Camp."
Dressed himself, backward, and enjoyed the week enormously.My biggest boy, an ancient five years old and off to school in the fall. It's the last summer of his babyhood.

2008-06-16T11:34:00.000-07:00

Skinny-Bone-Jones?

Here's the proof.

This baby eats. I've seen it myself. And he's a chunk. That's what I call him, most-times. Chunk.
But my doctor said that he was in the 25th percentile for height, and 10th for weight!!!!
She must have read the chart wrong. He weighs just under 20 lbs, and look at those rolls! His feet are fat.
She told me he needs to gain weight. Humph.

2008-06-13T21:55:00.000-07:00

"Momma. I have a joke for you."
"Okay, what?"
"What can you hear, but you can't see?"
"Is this a joke, or a riddle?"
"A riddle!"
"Oh......the wind!"
"Yeah! That's a good riddle and a good joke."
"It's a good riddle, but it's not a joke. A joke is funny. It makes you laugh."
"Oh..........What does an ant do when you touch it?
"I don't know, what?"
"It wiggles around! (laughs) Now that's a good joke!"

2008-06-13T21:45:00.000-07:00

Bowden caught his first lizard today- all by himself. Our round birdcage of a bird feeder had actually trapped a pygmy nuthatch in the empty seed chamber, and we all went out to watch as Josh set it free. I casually pointed out the lizard on the wall of the house, and Bowden went after it.

He said, surprised, "I caught it!"

I talked him into letting it go pretty quickly, after he'd pet it for a few minutes, and he raced around looking for others to catch. So begins this boy's lizard hunting.

2008-06-12T23:31:00.000-07:00

Bowden's birthday began on the ninth...and keeps going...it has density, this fifth birthday. We went to Chuck E. Cheese early on Monday...avoiding crowds.

Umpa took Bowden on a special trip to get a wagon, but ended up with a bike...
Bowden loved it, but fell asleep before the ice cream Umpa had planned to get.
Today Teacher Kathy let Bowden wear his "five crown" and be line leader all day. What a birthday!

2008-06-12T23:22:00.000-07:00

We spent Jack's first birthday in the Valley. My grandparents came to my mother's house for cake- a chocolate one not smashed by the birthday boy- bringing my Aunt Angie. Cousin Andy came with Leyla, too, so it was actually a party! Jack really didn't want to sit for the cake. He really wanted to be with his balloons. When we finally got him to try it, he liked it.

Mostly he liked the frosting, although he did eventually try the cake.
Happy birthday, my littlest man!

2008-06-12T23:18:00.000-07:00

Why no posts recently? I am mourning the loss of my memory card, full of memories...

I am reminded of the time in Bowden's early days when I was video taping him doing nothing and realized that the tape had been rewound, and that I had erased a large portion of his first minutes.

I tend to get too attached to the physical reminders of meaningful moments.
I'll move on.

2008-06-05T12:31:00.000-07:00

A moment in the life of Lucy Spoon...

"Hi! I a baby anaconda!"
Speaking for a spaghetti noodle at the lunch table.
"Meet my friend, Tuppa!"
Showing noodle purple rubber band in other hand.
"Mmmmmm. Mmm."
Eating baby anaconda.
"Hello, everybody!"
Talking to forkful of soon-to-be-digested baby anacondas.

2008-06-02T13:30:00.000-07:00

Lucy had a chance to feed Selah this visit. Lucy also likes to feed Jack.

Selah was very democratic about it all.
Jacky was not so easily assured that Bowden could feed him as well as Mama.

2008-06-02T13:18:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was meant to be the day that Bowdenitsu graduated from preschool. Teacher Kathy had been teaching all the kids a series of dances and signing that the kids were to perform at the "show." She even bought them this t-shirt, star necklace, and bandana. Bowden had a motorcycle solo, had all the signs down, and couldn't wait to do the chicken dance with his dad onstage. "We're going to go so fast that time! It's a surprise!"
But, alas! Bowden woke up with a stomach bug, and while in the early stages we thought that he might possibly still make it, he threw up two minutes after this picture was taken. He was pretty upset, and so was I.
How much of my disappointments and celebrations are wrapped up in our children. I can't remember the last time I felt so sad.
He's doing much better today, and has left it all behind. What a troopa!

2008-05-30T15:16:00.000-07:00

We're home from camping! More posts to follow.