Paper Towel Tube

A great toy and unfortunately edible... he didn't have it much more time than it took to snap these pictures.  But he enjoyed these few seconds!

Just a Picture 6/19/10

Pensive boy on the Red Line, watching the world go past.

This was actually one of his rare thoughtful moments during the trip; very quickly he began looking at the people on the train - smiling and making friends.  And it made me pensive, in turn; what would the world be like if we were willing to look openly, and smile, at all whom we encountered?  What would the world be like if we could look upon one another with the eyes of childhood - without cynicism or judgment - and be willing to risk ourselves in a fully open smile?

We might just have a lot to learn from a boy not ten months old.

Our Favorite Diva

In Heaven, there is a huge field of catnip, and the sun squares never move.  Enjoy them, Gracey.

1995 - 2010.

I'd write more - heaven knows there are thoughts and stories buzzing through my head at dizzying speeds - but I just can't.  Even for a cat who hated me on sight, who loved nothing better than to squeeze herself in between me and M. and put me in my place... How could such an opinionated, difficult cat become so firmly entrenched in one's heart?  

Boston Pride 2010

A lot has changed since last year!  (A lot has changed in 40 years, but that's a post for another day.)

First of all, the weather didn't cooperate, so I don't have nearly as many pictures of the parade as last year.  M. wisely remarked that we should sit under a large, sheltering oak tree, so we stayed a lot drier than most through most of the parade.  Until it began raining hard, about halfway through, and we decided that we weren't quite that dedicated, and that a cup of coffee indoors sounded like a lovely thing.

Oh, and my favorite photo subject (and Uncle Jeremie's favorite photo subject, for that matter) has changed somewhat.

When I pointed out a particularly awesome hat to Asa, the biker chick wearing it invited us over for a picture together.  Unfortunately, we couldn't quite all get it together - people kept shouting to her, and Asa was distracted by the revving of engines...

Oh well.

A few minutes later, the Governor walked by.  I didn't get a picture, because I was busy pointing him out to Asa... and I think he heard, because he gave a very particular baby-wave in our direction and made eye contact.  (Didn't know there was a particular baby-wave?  Check it out - watch how people wave to kids under about two and a half.  It's distinctly not a political wave.)  I'd like to think Asa was as excited as we were, but he really just wanted to get down and walk around.  

The walking continued after we finally broke down and went inside, wet and dripping.

Tying Uncle Jeremie in knots is kinda like wrapping him around Asa's little finger...  that day, both were true.  Uncle James is right there, also.

Sharing beads might seem to Asa to be adequate compensation for being tied in knots... Not quite sure Uncle Jeremie agreed, but neither did he seem to mind all that much.

After a full day of parade watching, getting wet, and playing with friends and uncles and mothers:

Our little angel, all day long.

(You might note a brief reprieve from the threatened two-week hiatus; our vacation got pushed back a couple of days, but will still begin this week.)

Mummy's Getting Aht-sy

Hey, it happens.

A whole bunch of recent photos to hold you over for the time that we're on vacation (nope, not bringing the computer.)  If I'm feeling inspired, I might schedule a post or two to appear while we're away, but there's a lot going on in the next few days... I know, I know - I don't post all week, and then I hit you all with two weeks of Asa-withdrawal.  Ah, well, what can I say - a little anticipation is good for you.  ;)

Heya, Uncle Mike - any guesses what's going on in this picture?  (Although note: he's smiling...)

All by himself.

A new trick that even he doesn't quite understand: when he holds his mouth like this and inhales, he can whistle.

His new favorite growl-y smile.  Makes us laugh every time.

Nowhere is Safe

Oh, look!  If I pull up on the futon, I find Gracey!  Hi, Gracey!

(It should surprise no one who knows her that Gracey remained mostly immobile over the course of this onslaught... or to find out that she paid us back in spades later on.)

Just a Picture 6/5/10

One giggling, one thoughtful; identical but for thirty-some-odd years.

Memorial Day

A good weekend overall, with lots of gardening and a chance to clean out the little garden shed, but Monday was simply a day to hang out with friends.

Front-row seats for our town's parade, which passes right in front of our house.

Playing after the parade.

Asa and Anna are rather fascinated by each other, and seem to enjoy their playdates.  They're just about a week apart in age, so Anna's Mom and I also enjoy comparing notes on sleep patterns, teething, feeding... Nice to have someone with similar instincts, who's going through so much of this at the same time as we are!

Asa introduced Anna to the joy of the kiddie pool.

Not a very "memorial" Memorial Day post (although some of what I would have said, had I taken that tack, was very nicely said for me) but M. and I often find ourselves looking into Asa's eyes and seeing there the love of so many whom we have lost.  For them, what greater memorial could there be than the continuity of love, poured into the next generation?