Angels Among Us

This morning Charlotte and I walked with her buddy Sofia in support of the Duke Cancer Center. I was not terribly organized and did not realize until we got there that we were doing the "Family Fun Walk" and not the 5K, much to my delight.

The event was amazing, with thousands of people there to run and walk. Charlotte really enjoyed spending time with Sofia on Team Warrior Princess, and got a better idea of what cancer is about.

It was a beautiful day--the perfect temperature and sunny with a cool breeze. The walk took us through the Duke Gardens, which were incredible. They definitely require a repeat visit.

Charlotte managed to hitch a ride toward the end, although I think it was really our teammate who took a hankering to Charlotte and invited her to ride.

"Walking" actually involved more yelling at the kids to stop running, stay out of the multiple lakes, ponds, and creeks, and stay on the path and keep with the adults, than actual exercise. To remind us of that, we were handed free fried chicken sandwiches, potato chips, fully loaded Coca-Cola, and ice cream as we crossed the finish line.

We also spent time with my very good friend Kari Kelly and her team. She walked in honor of her late husband, Pat, who died from a brain tumor when their son, Patrick, was 2. Below is our friend Lorry on the left, Kari on the right, and Patrick in the middle (he's 10 now). Pat was an NFL football player, and his number was 86, so their shirts say, "Let's get together and 86 cancer!" with a photo of him on the back.

It was a really moving event, and I'm so glad we participated. Thanks for all of your kind words and donations.

The Royal Wedding, Stateside

We didn't actually wake up at 4 am like so many other American fans, but we did wake up early to watch THE wedding. I kept the children home from school, and served up a bit of English-themed food (at least what I could find in the pantry at 6 am, which included scones, tea cookies, and apple juice to look like tea). Thanks to Sue and Graham, we had the perfect napkins!

We snuggled on the couch and watched the procession of royalty ride down the streets and enter the Abbey, and then the ceremony began.

I realized I had not really ever discussed modern royalty with the children, nor had they ever seen a wedding, so it was quite an education for them! When I first told them about the engagement, they thought I was kidding. They honestly did not realize kings and queens were real, and not just something made up for Disney.

During the ceremony, Charlotte decided she needed to dress like a bride, and we pulled out an old Snow Queen Halloween costume and made a bouquet from some faux roses.

As it's Charlotte I'm talking about, she made a wardrobe change when we decided to head to the neighbor's house. (My neighbor had a party starting at 5 am where the guests could wear pajamas and hats.) We decided to go by for the big balcony kiss(es).

Check out this hat that my neighbor Emily made!

You'd have thought that we were royalty ourselves when we arrived at both schools to drop the children off. Staying home, with permission from your parents, to watch TV and eat cookies was pretty cool, and Charlotte even wore her ensemble--gloves, hat, and all--to school.

Anson's teacher told me that just as school started, they turned on the TV in their classroom and were able to see the kiss. Mike's response was, "Is that it? That wasn't very romantic!" Nelie then said, "That's the kind of kiss you give your husband when you get home from work, not when you get married!" They were very disappointed. Then they practiced their royal waves and went on with the day.

All in all, the children responded exactly as I expected...a little awed, a little bored, but found it definitely something out of the ordinary, and memorable. I know they're Americans, but England is a huge part of their heritage. I remember my mother waking me up to see Diana and Charles, and they'll remember this.

Feast or Famine

That's what I should call this blog.  I either post every day, or not for weeks.  We've been traveling for spring break and Easter, and this week has been all about "catch up."

The weather's been very random around here. Cold and then hot and lots of spotty storms. I'm sure you've all heard about the devastating tornado, which came very close to us (not that we noticed at the time).

As I was pulling into the driveway today, I decided to take a couple of shots with my iphone of the house, since the rain had stopped and we have a few blooms.

I'll try to catch everyone up soon, but you know I don't always follow through on my blog promises!

P.S.  It's not too late to make a donation in honor of Charlotte's friend Sofia. We'll be walking with her on Saturday.

Proof

Dad Someone who will remain nameless in my family seems to think my children always look like they need a haircut. I think that's probably true, but to prove that haircuts do actually happen, here are the before and after.

BEFORE (they are trying to purposely look strange to create a better AFTER)

AFTER (not sure they look any less strange)

It will be even better once I wash and comb their hair, but at least I hope you can see some difference. Charlotte thinks I'm letting her grow her out to her waist, but for the moment, I'm just letting it grow.

On another semi-unreal note, Charlotte visited with the Easter Bunny today.

Lastly, here's a hair/unreal combo for you: Molly and I in the 80's. Let's just say there are some much more embarrassing examples, but I'm gonna go with this one.

Matching mullets. Check.
Boom Box. Check.
Jean Jacket. Check.
Leggings (or are those tapered jeans?). Check.
Oversized sweatshirt. Check.
Too cool for school. Absolutely.

Team Warrior Princess

Some of you may have heard about Anson's friend Rhys, a new friend who just moved here from Santa Barbara, CA last fall. They became fast friends, as did Charlotte and Rhys' sister, Sofia. Sofia is in kindergarten, but also 5, and Charlotte and Sofia soon realized they were two peas in a pod.

Except Sofia had a brain tumor when she was just 2, and now has severe nerve damage in her face. She cannot smile, and one of her eyes does not work well, among other things. Despite these challenges, she and Charlotte have enjoyed sleepovers, movies, playdates, and lots of giggles. Charlotte knows a little about it, and asks lots of questions, and we actually find her adjusting her face to be just like Sofia.

Sofia just had her latest of frequent MRIs, and came through with flying colors. That's almost three years clear, with two more to go!

For the first time the other day, Charlotte saw Sofia with her daily eye patch. She wears it every day for two hours to help her poor eye improve. Immediately Charlotte had to have one. No more pirate patches; these days it's designer band aids!

We have joined Team Warrior Princess for a 5k walk/run in support Sofia to help raise money for the brain tumor center at Duke, where Sofia is treated.

If you'd like to help out, visit our Angels Among Us web site. Thanks!

A Cold and Rainy Morning

Anson's lacrosse team played this morning, and at half, the coach threw him in, unwarned and unprepared, as goalie. Anson was a trouper, and although it required a save or two with parts of his body NOT padded, he came out of the net with a new appreciation for the sport. He understood better how to take a good shot on goal, as well as how to set up a shot. He definitely understands better the importance of a good defense!

I was really proud of him, especially since he stayed strong in the face of defeat (the team has lost every game, and this one was no exception), and had fun. We've really showed him how being on a team that doesn't win actually gives him an opportunity to take risks and try new things, with less fear of failure. Go Anson!

These photos of Anson in goal are bad because it was cold, rainy, and my battery died as I was taking them. Next time I'll get some action shots. Russell and Anson are watching the UVA/UNC lacrosse game on TV now, and it's fun to listen to them talk about it. :)

The Living Museum

On the heels of our Charlottesville visit, full of Jeffersonian history, Anson's class put on a "living museum" today. Each student had to read a biography, dress as the historical figure, and write a brief history of their life. Anson chose....drumroll....Thomas Jefferson! To be honest, he chose him long before the trip, and without even realizing who he was.

The entire third grade participated, and for about an hour, parents and second graders strolled through. The kids each had a sign with a "PUSH ME" button, and when someone pushed it, they started talking.

(In case you are wondering why there is an ice cream cone on Jefferson's sign, it's because he first ate ice cream on his trip to Europe, and vanilla was his favorite. I'm guessing he didn't eat it out of a waffle cone, but I'll allow Anson some literary creativity here. Obviously a VERY critical part of Jefferson's history.)

Doesn't he look suave? He didn't want anything to do with the wig/ponytail thing, and I almost convinced him to wear one of my ruffly shirts and a doctored pirate hat, but he backed out at the last minute.

Here he is demonstrating the use of the writing box. Jefferson designed it to use as a lap desk, and he drafted the Declaration of Independence on it. Note the details, such as the DOI scroll reproduction and quill pen. (It's such a burden having a C'ville townie as a mom and parents who went to UVA on a day like today.) If I could have hauled it up the stairs, I would have made him sit in our Jefferson chair. I had a nickel and a $2 bill, but accidentally left them at home.

The star of the show (after Anson, of course), is the gorgeous writing box replica handmade by Philip. The kids and parents were definitely wowed.

Some of Anson's classmates below....  It was truly interesting to see whom the students chose and how they dressed up, what they decided to say about them, and so on.

I won't show you everyone, but let's say that there were some questionable choices out there. Ke$ha, anyone?? What parent let their child dress as her? Is there really a biography in the Lacy Elementary library on her?

John F. Kennedy:

Nelson Mandela:

Pele:

Sacagawea and Pocahontas:

Leonardo daVinci:

Bill Gates:

Betsy Ross:

Michael Jordan:

Milton Bradley and JK Rowling:

I was really impressed with the production. Not only did the kids learn a lot about the person they studied, but about everyone's character in the class. I even learned about Mattie Knight (first female inventor of the paper bag machine), random!!! Kudos go to Ms. Avis, Anson's teacher, for steering her class in the right direction. After peeking my head into some of the other classrooms, I realized that at least 50% of most kids dressed as a relatively modern sports figure (Tiger Woods, Dale Earnhart, etc.).

It's looking to be a beautiful few days here in Raleigh. Minus the pollen. Have a great weekend!

Brutal but Brief

That's how my dad described the upcoming weekend when I arrived in Charlottesville last Thursday. With love, of course!

Molly, Reese, and Jake were already there, and Charlotte, Anson, and I met them and Dad in Richmond Thursday morning to see a wonderful Picasso exhibit. Mostly the kids giggled at the sketches of naked ladies and pushed and shoved each other, but I do think in the end they absorbed some of the culture and learned a little about Picasso.

Then the three-ring circus really began. I took Anson and Jake to Monticello, which they loved.

(Meantime, Dad, Molly, Charlotte, and Reese headed to the downtown mall to ride the glass elevator, the carousel, and have milkshakes at Timberlake's.)

Jake and Anson were perfect gentleman on the house tour, even asking the guide questions. I had to drag them away from the new discovery room, where they had replicas of items in Thomas Jefferson's home that the kids could try out. They were fascinated by how the household and plantation worked, and why Jefferson designed it the way he did. All in all, a big success!

Jake and Anson pose with TJ before heading up the mountain:

View of the vegetable gardens, Charlottesville, and the back of the house:

The boys heading down the mountain after seeing Jefferson's grave:

You can see Jake doing a "fake" rubbing of Jefferson's grave above, while Anson builds his own creation with blacks based on architectural elements used to design Monticello.

Jason joined us Friday night, and Saturday we all attended a UVA lacrosse game, which started well but ended in disappointment. The team played terribly, although we stuck with them until almost the bitter end, when it started to rain, and then sleet. A good excuse to pile into the car and head home, stick a movie in the DVD player, and relax. Molly and I shared many belly laughs over a few boxes of old pictures Dad pulled out. I just might have to scan some in and devote a post to it!

We can't forget our favorite food haunts, like Riverside, Bodo's, and Spudnut. They kept our tummies full and satisfied.

Dad nicknamed the girls Thelma and Louise because of their adventurous, sometimes dangerous, but wholeheartedly good-natured ways!

Molly, Jason, and their kids had to leave early on Sunday, but Dad, the kids and I headed to the Corner and the Lawn. We toured the Rotunda and the gardens, showed the kids the Colonnade Club where we had our wedding reception, and played and ate lunch on grounds. It was a beautiful sunny day, and I may have convinced Anson that UVA should be on his short list for colleges.  :)

Charlotte and Anson played in their favorite magnolia trees across the street from the Corner:

Papa and Anson kicked around a ball outside Brooks Hall:

Anson was amazed by the dome room in the Rotunda (see above), while I got shots of my future (hopefully) Jefferson Scholars (below).

Charlotte took a photo of Anson and me in the garden of the Colonnade Club, where Russell and I had our wedding reception. For those of you who were there, the Club has since been restored, including the installation of an amazing skylight in the main back room (where the band was), and still looks wonderful.

The University is working on restoring the buildings on the Lawn to their original look, which included unpainted stone, almond trim, and a forest green color on the shutters and doors.  Currently, the Rotunda and Lawn building have white trim, white painted columns, and an almost black green for the shutters and doors.  The Pavilion below is the only one that has been restored, including an addition of an extra level on top that was included in the original plans.

Just some pretty shots of the gardens that the kids and I took below. Even though nothing was much in bloom, and it looked like most of the pathways had been cleared for new pea gravel, the gardens were still beautiful. Even the kids said "Wow....." when they walked through each gate.

They came across a student studying with his puppy. It reminded me of Jefferson's intent that the University be enjoyed by its students and the public.

If you're not familiar with the University of Virginia (founded, designed, and built by Thomas Jefferson in 1825) and want to know more of what I'm referring to, check out this web site.

More than anything, it's always special to spend time with my family, and to see the cousins overjoyed to have time together. I also really loved sharing these historical places with my kids and niece and nephew. What a glorious place in which to grow up!