Dull knives that cut deep

Our knives have not been sharpened since Papa died. He used to check them when he visited, cluck, and shake his head at our clear negligence. Oozing exasperation, he'd say "You kidz," then dutifully sharpen all he could find into tip-top cutting form.

I love the way he talked with his whole body, moving his hands, shuffling his feet. Character! Hair to toenails, full of it.

I miss his gestures like I miss his voice. Which is to say, a whole heck of a lot.

Alas, we have a knife sharpener but I can't get myself to use it. Don't try to cut a tomato at our house. It's a sad affair.

Really bad photography, true commitment to hide and seek

Like father, like son.

Love you - my stealthy hiders,
Mama

Backyard happiness

Thanks to the dear Blooms, our new backyard structure is up. And just look at those faces! Such a moment of joy!

What could be better for you climbing monkeys?! I dearly hope we have many happy days together in our new backyard castle.

Love you,
Mama

Boobie love

I made this knockers bag in honor of breastfeedinga dventures about to begin with her new baby and newly functional rack.

I packed it with some boobie goodies as well as some personal, new-mommy favorites.

• Breast pads (for top leaks)
• Maxi pads (for nether leaks)
• Pacifiers (comfort sucking doesn't need to be on mom)
• Vitamin C packets (don't get sick, mama!)
• Hand sanitizer (don't get sick, mama!)
• Prunes (pain meds + blown out birthing parts = yikes!)
• Gum (totally counts as brushing your teeth)
• Lip balm (breastfeeding dries everything out)
• Working Hands moisturizer (did I mention, breastfeeding dries everything out?)
• Liquid silk (because - surprise! - breastfeeding dries everything out.)
• Soothies (cool packs for the tatas that you can keep in the fridge)
• Ear plugs (sleep = sanity)
• Lanolyn (heals the melons fast)

Sending out love to new mamas everywhere!
m

My most important everything

It has been difficult for your dad and I to find any time together lately. So dad stayed home from work today so we could talk and walk the hood like we did all the time BC (before children). This situation is also known as bliss.

Little known fact: though dad is several inches taller than I am, our legs are almost exactly the same length. We are pretty much invincible in a three-legged race.

Across the internets, news sources were still quoting dad after a city council meeting yesterday (if you haven't noticed, the guy is basically badass). But lucky me, got him LIVE and all myself for the whole school day.

Nothing is more important than your dad to me. Nothing (though you two come a close second). He is numero uno and hands down THE best thing that has ever or will ever happen to me. Our life, this love affair of my lifetime, happens to be fantastic. The best and most important thing I will ever do is to put my whole self into loving him and savor as much time together as we can find.

Sometimes you complain about going to bed when the bigs of the house are clearly staying up together. I tell you "This is my time to be with my prince. Happily ever after doesn't work if you don't make time for your perfect prince!"

I hope you get to find out for yourselves how true that is. And if you are really lucky (and I do mean really), happily ever after might even include playing hookie now and then.

Xoxo,
Mama