Memorial Day Fun!

Why hello friends! This is Aunt Brite and I've hijacked the blog this week along with our favorite little girl. Uncle Mack, Squeaker and I are in Ohio this weekend visiting family. We began our journey by stopping to see friends south of Pittsburgh. These sweet girls have only played a few times, but they are certainly kindred spirits. It was delightful to watch them jump right in where they left off last summer. The grownups enjoyed the time to visit together as well. We are so grateful that these dear friends live on the way to Cleveland.

We also had a wonderful visit with Dave's Grandma Z and Aunt Tina. How often do you get to see a 4 1/2 year old playing with a 89 1/2 year old? It was just beyond precious to see them enjoy each other so much. There was dress up time with a very life-like doll baby. We also chatted about Grandma's childhood with 8 sisters and 5 brothers. It was certainly very different from Squeaker's experience. They even had a mini piano recital and Squeaker got to play her little 12 note piece she's been learning. Oh it was so much fun!



















After a fun filled evening with Dave's parents, Little Squeaker and I headed to the playground together. It was a cool, crisp morning and the river below this bridge is swelled from extensive rain. She stood quietly looking at the water and listening to the sounds for at least 10 minutes. It am always amazed by how time in nature calms her down. I think she could spend hours just looking at flowers, seeds, and sticks.


Last night, we spent hours playing in the backyard. I think Squeaker threw the over-sized Frisbee 50 times. She also loved playing volleyball with the grownups. Of course, she slept like like a rock last night. She had a blast visiting, but she'll be so happy to see Daddy tomorrow!

On the Road

Squeaker and the Daddy person had a fine weekend, even if the Daddy person spent most of it grading or thinking about grading. Unfortunately the camera spent most of the weekend in my backpack. She and her Aunt Gidget spent most of the weekend dressed up as Disney princesses (Snow White and Rapunzel for those of you who are curious).

Have a good week!

Mother's Day

Squeaker and the Daddy person spent yesterday visiting our Mothers and in the process trekking around the state. Given some of her struggles recently the trip was a good one for her. These can pretty well be summed up by a conversation we had last week. Not the one about the paleontologist and soldier (but I will repeat that one later for those of you who haven't heard it).

Squeaker and I were riding in the car and without any preamble she ask "Will you get married again Daddy?" I answered successfully, with a question, "Would you like me to get married?" Her answer, and the crux of what has been bothering her much the few months was "Yes, that way I will have someone I can call Mommy." Our striking out on our own has disrupted her balance. Even though she's spent almost as much time with Brite as she did before the move thrown this absence into focus (not that I think it is every that far from her mind). As perceptive as she is, as organized as she is, and despite having a classmate with two Moms, she is having more trouble with the absence than she's had in a long time. Squeaker seems sure, with a child's perfect logic, that being able to call someone Mommy will fix the problem.

I think we are coming through it though. We had a wonderful afternoon at the Garden yesterday. We, which is to say she, picked out some flowers to last the summer. It was a colorful bouquet with purple, orange, teal, and at least two shades of pink. I claim credit only for the purple roses and the credit card. Squeaker still being four, one of the pink roses came home with us, too (technical difficulties - having started the video recorder in time to get seven minutes of pocket time mean that we will be all text this week). After we arranged the flowers, we spent a long time wandering the garden. She asked often about people and with the exception of an AAF Sargent, I was unable to provide her with much information.

On that note, Friday I was putting her in the car when she asked about the suit bag hanging in the back. I responded that it was for a funeral later. I told her that funeral was for a soldier who was killed in Afghanistan. Her response was "That's why I want to be a paleontologist and not a warrior. No one ever died from a little sand in their eyes."

It is hard not to smile at that and hard not to smile for her. Have a good week.

Rough Week

Squeaker is having a bit of a rough week. She's fighting off a spring cold right now, so she's sleeping a fair bit, but Squeaker is also having a little trouble adjusting to the new situation.