goof off week, day #2

Feed the Ducks!

We went to Feed the Ducks at the Arboretum. Roo and cousin X. found out that, yes, ducks and geese will peck at you if you don't move fast!

Piglet and Tigger enjoying the day.

Kanga and nephew A.

Me and A. watching the wildlife.... kids and animals!

Tigger and Piglet's favorite animal to feed, the squirrel. They did get him to come very close, only to be scared away by Roo and X.

Afterwards we went to the 'Cows' and I took more pictures. Enjoy!

6 months to live

What would you do if you had only 6 months to live?

Don't ask me why, but I've been thinking about this lately.
For me, the first thing I would do is cut back...on everything...of course the extras, but even important, good things stand in the way of the most important.
Secondly, I'd spend more time with my family. Not sure how to spend more time, as I am with my crew 24-7....but maybe I mean spending time AND being present to them more often. I would love them more and better. I can't control C. Robin's work, but I could hope he'd be home more often too. Then I could love him more and better too!
Third, though I know my olders would remember me and would remember how profoundly I love them, I would need to find a way to translate my love to Roo. I would want him to know that I love him beyond imagination. I love them all wildly, without reason.
And fourth, I would try to finish my scrapbooks. To which Pooh said, "you better start scrapbooking again then!"
And I guess I should, if it ranks on a 6 month to-do list!
-kanga

flu

Something might be wrong with me, but when my kids are sick I love them a little bit more.
So, Tigger was the first one to get it. He didn't really let us know that he was sick, but after practice and a game (16 points, no less) he was wiped out. Then he let on that he isn't feeling well (fever, bones ache, tired, etc). Pooh was just bedridden and HOT! Roo woke up early yesterday with what I originally thought was a bit of a temperature...'til I took it...103! Yikes. We went to the Dr. (thanks to my sis A-L who was wise and emphatic that I take the kids in)
'Twas almost impossible to get an appointment. Roo got in first and a positive flu diagnosis was made. Tigger's doc was double-booked all day, so was every other doc in the office. The nurse found one in another office (last double booking in Austin, I think!?) These 3 are now on Tamiflu, which should help shorten the sickness and reduce the symptoms. Piglet has, what I think is, a general cold.
Ah, but the part about loving them just a bit more. They are quiet (rare in the hundred acre wood!), thoughtful (when not asleep =)), snuggly (well, maybe not Tigger), and warm. Maybe I am understating the warm part, and maybe it wouldn't be so nice in the summer....but I haven't been cold in days! But seriously, I do love my lil sickies. They aren't complainers and how many more chances do I have to mother them? I don't know, so I'm making the most of it!
kanga

lost luggage

As if 12 hours in airports or airplanes wasn't enough, American Airlines also lost a suitcase. It contained all of my, C. Robin's, and Roo's clothes for the week and a half that we were to be in Utah for Christmas. I was in a state of denial, continually thinking that they would find it and soon we would have our things.
C. Robin finally convinced me to go shopping, at least to have more than one outfit. We bought bare minimum (2 outfits for 10 days...thankfully we were at mom's so we could do wash!) I was sad, especially when I realized that there were certain things that are irreplacable... a wool sweater C. Robin gave me when we were dating, Roo's advent calendar, a Royal's T-shirt last year's version, etc....sigh... I consoled myself that all these material things pass away and I shouldn't be attached. I did cry, though, when I realized that the stockings that I cross-stitched for each member of the family was in the bag. Luckily I was mistaken! but what a fright.
We are home and I am satisfied that the airline will never find the luggage. I must go shopping to replace some things that I need. 'Tis been almost a month. Did I mention I'm not a big shopper? But Roo does need more than shorts and sport pants.
And then ****riiing, riiing*****We get a phone call, and unbelievably they have found our bag!
Apparently it had a piece of tape on the back that had C. Robin's first name...only...on it, and the employee remembered that someone with this first name had lost a bag.
Can you believe it? They found it!!!! Woo hooooooo!
-kanga

pooh's birthday

18 years ago, today, at 3 in the morning, a beautiful baby girl was born.
She changed my life. She expanded my heart. She made me understand what it is to give of yourself until it hurts....and still love. Love until my heart wants to burst.
We didn't understand what having a baby would do to our lives, our marriage, our souls. We just knew that we loved each other and wanted to expand that love. And, boy! does a child do that!
Some memories......
newborn: she was skinny, red, and dark haired. she came 5 weeks early.

toddler: she pudged up, and had curly blond locks.

preschooler: she had a interminable smile, very happy!

ballerina:she wore a pink leotard and had loooong legs.

first ski trip: she fell and I made her ski the whole way down (20 min !) when I checked her at the bottom, her goggles were busted and so was her cheek....but she got down.
recent ski trip: she can ski.....fast and fun....any run!

homeschooling: nature walks, reading aloud, history on the trampoline, a feild trip to Germany :-), watching her learn and grow in maturity, having talks anytime.

big sis: 'it was the best of time, it was the worst of time' just kidding! Pooh is a good first child who loves to help her younger sibs....usually appreciated.

teenage: so glad to have skipped the daughter/mother divide that often happens when girls are teenagers. To watch her mature into the young lady that she is now, and to have this open loving relationship is a blessing beyond words.

This post will have to be edited and embellished later. I am boohoo-ing so hard that the tears are interfering with my eyesight and the headache with my thinking.

She is too complex to express.
I love you, Pooh!

your mommy forever,
kanga

saturday in the 70's

It's true. Today was in the 70's here. After being in Utah where it was snowing almost each day and in the teens temperature-wise, it feels downright balmy!
We had an out door BB game: C. Robin and I vs. Tigger and Piglet. It was so fun, even if they pulled out the win. OK, they didn't exactly 'pull it out' ( they were never in danger!), but age and effort (parents) couldn't trump athletic ability and skill. Still too fun, and Roo was happy 'cause his cousins, J and A, came also.

I was happy 'cause I got to see my lil cutie neice, Love, (she is so delicate and perfect, but she burps like the best :-) )

In the afternoon, we cleaned and washed all the cars. And now we are tired, so eating pizza and watching BB on TV.
I love Saturdays with my family!
-kanga

Vitus

We just watched 'Vitus', which my bro recommended and lent to us. It was so good! Makes me want to fly an airplane ~o~
Thanks, Mike!
-kanga