Author Archives: Vale

Justin Morgan Had a Horse

19 Feb 2012

(This post is late – oh well.)
Two weeks ago, maybe 3, I read Justin Morgan Had a Horse to Oscar. It took a little while, because I just read a couple of chapters each night.

The story was perfect – it’s about a young boy who grows up with a special horse in his life. It takes place in Vermont, in “the Old Days” a.k.a. the 1790s. Oscar had some trouble picturing the world the way it was then, but I think it’s important for him to get a little historical imagery. I could tell when he was having trouble understanding a concept, so I’d stop reading and explain. We talked about the way horses were used then, and I explained some words and phrases that aren’t in use anymore. I had to explain a lot, but it was okay.

The illustrations are really nice, and helped Oscar with the story. I wonder which book I should read him next?

Babysitting Ellie

19 Feb 2012

I want to post these ’cause they are sooo cute :)

Lucy’s First Soccer

19 Feb 2012

Did you know they have soccer for 2 year olds?
It’s kinda silly, but fun – if the weather is nice (it was). And if you like the coach (I really do!). Actually there were two coaches – horribly excessive considering the talent of these soccer playing professionals. Over qualified is an understatement, but they coach all the different age-groups in “Soccer Kids“, so I get it. Coach Tim is Oscar’s coach, of the Lightening Strikers. They play on Saturdays, with late afternoon practice on Thursdays.
Tim invited me to come to a couple of weekday morning 2-3 y.o. practices with Lucy for free.

Lucy is not quite ready for organized sports yet. The “practices” were fine, but I won’t be signing up for the next session. She has plenty of time. In the fall she will begin preschool. The way it will go, due to her October birthday, is she’ll have 2 years of preschool, followed by a year of pre-K, before enrolling at Clarendon for kindergarten.

Still, it was a fun moment for me to be there for her first practice ever on a field! I was inspired! May there be many more!

Valentine’s Day ’12

14 Feb 2012

Happy Valentine’s Day! Oscar and Lucy have just Gorged on chocolate and cookies, and now they are shredding the living room while I escape the sugar madness, and write this post. Crossing my fingers I can get this done before Lucy runs out of candy hearts. (Considering how many she shoves in her mouth at once, my chances are slim.) Here we go:

This was a couple nights ago, but it was a blockbuster when I posted it to facebook. iPhones get all the best moments.

Cookies on the agenda! Nanu took the day off from work (yesterday) and we baked together!

The recipe was, ah, a fun adventure

Manual labor, and another recipe where we just winged it.

Midnight photo

Oscar’s valentines – 25 3-packs

Kristi’s goodies made the morning! K – you are a True Fairy Godmother!

Lucy is 100% infatuated with the tiny Dora lunchbox, with candy hearts inside

Must eat some cereal.

Our parrots joined us

okay – go get dressed!

Oscar made this for me and Dad.

What time is it?

“It’s Love Time!” – yes he actually said that.

Lucy and I got matching tats.

The Whitman Sampler, in mini, for Lucy! Thanks Nettie!

Georgia investigates

The smell of plum blossoms is in the air (“Pink Trees!”)

The loot Oscar brought home

And the best Valentine of all:

Chief cleaned my kitchen!!! XOXO

A Week In February

12 Feb 2012

I often wonder where the early months of the year go. Ours are low-profile, and mixed with an odd assortment of things. No big parties or trips. Here is last week, roughly: an assortment. (click on any to enlarge)

The Niners missed the Superbowl by one game. We distracted ourselves with Kiera’s chicken wings (the only wings I’ve ever loved) and Mark’s Superbowl Squares, which kinda sucks these days ’cause I don’t know enough of the players/winners.