Audrey's 4th Birthday Party

John and Rachel's Wedding

I am in the kitchen cleaning. I can see the kids playing in the backyard. The sliding glass door is closed to keep the muggy hot air outside where it belongs.

I look up from my work to see Colin crouching on the patio and examining something. My gaze is redirected to a white and brown spot on the cement about the size of a golf ball. Alerts are sounding in my head as I nearly simultaneously 1. realize this is bird droppings and 2. notice Colin is extending a pudgy index finger toward the glistening smear 3. run across the kitchen 4. shout "Colin, NOOOOO!"

But he cannot hear me through the glass. Split seconds seem to pass as full minutes. Slow motion horror strikes as I'm dashing through the dining room, reaching for the door and see my pure, innocent baby dip and bring his once beautiful finger.....to his mouth.

A hair cut, and then another hair cut, and then one more

I quickly cut Audrey's bangs on Wednesday night after bathtime. When we were finished I lifted her off of my bathroom counter and I headed downstairs to take care of dinner dishes. I recall about halfway down the stairs thinking - "I should put those scissors away." But I was more intent on the kitchen and so I ignored the thought.

Fast forward 45 minutes. I discover long blonde locks littering my bathroom floor. I review in my head. I cut 1/4 inch of bangs. I left the scissors on the counter. I see 4 inch lengths of hair. A lot of them. I shout "AUDREY!!!!"

It wasn't pretty. She cut all of what she could reach on the sides and the back was left long. Like a mullet. On Thursday I took her to a friend's house who is a hairstylist. Much better. Audrey was very sad when she looked in the mirror and all her hair was gone. Maybe she will remember that feeling next time? Maybe I will put the scissors away too? She's better now. And I like her little fairy hair cut.

Yesterday while we were out a man asked the kids what their names were. Audrey responded appropriately and after thoughtfully watching his sister Colin smiled and said proudly, "My name Colin!" I think this was the first time anyone has asked him what his name was. A few hours later at the store the kids were looking at small fish in tanks. I noticed Colin was saying something so I stepped closer and heard, "My name Colin," he then turned his head toward another fish and repeated, "My name Colin." He probably introduced himself to six or seven different fish.

During the same run of errands I looked in my rear view mirror at one point and noticed tears streaming down Audrey's cheeks. A bit shocked, since I could recall nothing that would have brought on this emotion, I asked her what was wrong. Audrey sniffled and wiped a few tears before saying, "Everyone keeps thinking I am a little girl."

Greg is working some long hours as tax season hits high gear. The weather is getting warmer (40F?), the snow and ice are gone, and there is now an extra hour of sun - or at least not darkness. So in the last couple weeks the kids and I broke the confines of our winter quarters and have been exploring. The water in the ponds and streams near our house is high and fast. This makes it doubly fun for hunting and throwing rocks. The kids are great at spotting red-wing blackbirds, Canadian geese and ducks - all of which are plentiful. I learned that some post-melt gear is essential - like rubber boots. And my washing machine is feeling the brunt of our muddy excursions.

Today we went on our longest bike trip ever - to the toy store. I don't know how far it was but my legs are still warmly numb and tingly. Things grew very quiet on the ride home.