Nerds + children

Sunday, August 14, 2022

The Cincinnati Zoo

We finally got to see in person some of the animals we visited virtually during lockdown.

ROAARRR!!!

Fiona the Hippo!

Queen Bee

Brothers

This little town claims the world's largest mailbox, birdcage, knitting needles, rocking chair, ruler, and lots more. Matt and Marian sat on the world's largest pitchfork, and Marian ruined the American Gothic photo by being utterly incapable of keeping a straight face.

The Headstone

Just before we left for Grandpa Peter's memorial service in New York, the headstone was installed. We got to visit, leave roses, and take photos to show friends and family back East.

Sycamore Springs

Trailmen and American Heritage Girls pet a baby fawn at Sycamore Springs during their Summer Adventure. There was also a walking tour of the woods and spring, miniature golf, a playground, and lots and lots of roller skating.

Fairy tale tea party at the Lighthouse

Bernadette and Kateri brought treats and fairy tales to the Lighthouse to practice the skill of "bringing hospitality to others" for our Little Women Hospitality Club. Rhys was sick and couldn't make it.

Kateri reads "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves"

Rosemary enjoys the story.

Bernadette reads "The Firebird." Karen is having a good time.

Haircuts--New York, here we come!

Birthday Gift for Grandma

Sunday, July 03, 2022

Sweet Pea with Kitty

Flowers for Grandpa

Moving on...

I delivered our birth pool and leftover home birth supplies to our last midwife, Rachel Andresen. We bought this birth pool when I was pregnant with Bernadette. Kateri was born in it. It was among the possessions we moved from Connecticut to Kansas. Mara and Pia were born in it. It helped me during my labors with Bernadette and Gideon, though both of them were born on "dry land." For me, this birth pool signifies the resolution of all the mixed feelings I had about my C-section. It signifies the comfort, warmth, and sense of home that surrounded me during five HBACs. Letting it go is poignant, but I am glad to know other women will be experience that same comfort and warmth as they bring their babies into the world, surrounded by love and home.