singer island

We drove over to Singer Island, to see Steve and Lisa, on Friday. We left late and the car ride was long but we had so much fun catching up with them when we finally arrived that we stayed up way past my bedtime. On Saturday, we walked around Worth Avenue and had lunch at The Breakers. Then more walking around Delray and Cuban for dinner. Lots of eating, lots of talking, lots of memories . . . It was so nice to be with people that have known us forever. How did 21 years go by so quickly? Leslie was a trooper through it all. I can't believe that this kid never complains or whines or says she's bored. I am very, very, very lucky and thankful. (She did have a good time playing with her new camera. This photo is courtesy of Ms. Leslie.)

camp update & all the reasons i love grandma

Okay, so - I get home from work & check on sick bunky girl (feeling better), say "bye" to sweet grandma who came to care for/cook for/entertain sick bunky girl, and sit down with the mail. And . . . it came! Leslie's acceptance letter to camp. It must be an acceptance letter, right? It's really thick. Rejection letters are thin and to the point. But this baby is thick. (I vaguely remember this from college!) So, I tear it open and read: Congratulations! Your daughter, Leslie, has been accepted into the intermediate bass orchestra. Huh? What's this? Leslie, is there something you aren't telling me? Another instrument? No, I know this must be a mistake. So I get on the phone. And I get the run around. Of course. Yikes! This is frustrating!

Now, on to why I love grandma. Leslie's grandma, I mean. My mom. I love that she is so nice to come and spend the day with Les whenever I need her to. I have this insane compulsion to go to work no matter what but I don't like to leave L when she's sick so . . . Mom gets in her car and drives 45 minutes to cook, clean, run up and down the stairs, and play slave girl to my girl. While we're on the subject, I also love how close Leslie is to my mom (both of my parents, actually). We have such a wee little family that it makes it extra important for L to have close connections outside of B and I. And she and my mom have always been crazy about one another. My mom used to make up these crazy sea creature stories for Leslie and Leslie couldn't wait to hear them. When we still lived in Michigan, mom would call L on the phone to tell her the stories. It was so cute. So, those are two reasons that my mom rocks.

sunday morning's 10 things

1. bret's making his yummy really thin pancakes downstairs in the kitchen
2. we found leslie's dress for graduation yesterday in boca (who knew it would be so difficult to find a white dress?)
3. we spent yesterday with char/carlos & it's always fun to hang out with them and laugh and talk and talk and talk (oh yeah, and eat)
4. in 2 weeks i am going to have 10 days to sleep in (love spring break)
5. have been thinking about 3 weeks in michigan this summer - that makes me very happy
6. thanks to stanley steamer my carpet is really clean and soft and fluffy
7. i found a new blog to follow: angrychicken.typepad.com and rediscovered an old favorite: soulemama.typepad.com
8. i don't have any plans today and the day is stretched out before me - a nice big empty slate just waiting for me
9. matt nathenson's 'come on get higher' is playing in my head and i kind of like it as my soundtrack today
10. it is a beautiful sunny day :)

the blanket is here!

It arrived in the mail today. A simple little priority mail box. Not too big. Not too small. Leslie found it first (as she went to the front door to check for the elusive pants on their way from Australia). Of course I let her see it. Of course I let her pose with it. Of course I let her have it!

the blanket is coming! the blanket is coming!

I am so excited - the t-shirt blanket is finished and on it's way! I have been collecting Leslie's old t's from schools, camps, vacations, etc - pieces of her baby life and toddler life and school life - to make into a blanket as a graduation gift. Well, even though she's only graduating from middle school, it was time. You know me - I don't like to wait. Oh yeah - it is going to be hard for me to have that sweet little blanket in my possession and not be able to show it to her until May! May! How will I wait?

We saw 'Wicked' today. Loved it.

art girl

Okay, I actually have butterflies in my stomach right now. And they aren't even for me!!! Who knew that when you have a child they are forever connected to you with this invisible cord that allows you to feel their pain, and their joy, and their hope?! I just got off the phone with the admissions director at the camp Leslie wants to go to for three weeks this summer. Sleep away camp. Yes, I guess I figured that one day that little one who couldn't let me out of her sight would be ready to fly the coop. But who knew that I'd actually let her go? And, on top of it, I am so over the top excited for her. You'd think I was going. Okay, okay, I know, I am running ridiculously close to living vicariously through my child. But I am so happy that she is going to do something so potentially fun, and cool, and life changing. I just know that she is going to come home a different girl. Still my sweet girl. But my sweet girl full of her own independent experiences. My sweet girl who had a summer she'll never forget. My sweet girl who is ready to take on high school.