Summer Lovin'

Hallelujah, summer is here! The best time of the year. One thing I've realized, however, is it is an expensive season if enjoyed properly.

We joined a pool club for the summer, and spent our first day there this past Sunday. It was wonderful! There are three baby pools, and Kaya had such a great time splashing around. Someone had left a bunch of toys in one of the pools, which Kaya played with. It inspired me to go to Toys R Us yesterday to get a few great pool toys of our own: squirty fish, baby sea animals, and the best of all, an Ariel (The Little Mermaid) doll that swims. Kaya is all about The Little Mermaid, watching it at least once a day.

Our pool club is really nice. I had a glass of wine at the cabana bar, and there was a band playing all afternoon. We dove off the diving boards a few times, but I spent most of my time at the baby pools while Bruce and Phil swam together. There is a large picnic area with grills, and we rested and read under a big tree while Kaya tried to nap. We plan to take full advantage of the club this summer, going as often as possible. I think I'll even stop by after work some evenings to have a quick dip all by myself -- ah, the luxury! In fact, we're going this evening and packing a picnic dinner.

Kaya and I will be tagging along with Bruce on a business trip to Chicago. We were there this past Fall, and were impressed with its size and beauty, not to mention the awesome shopping! I am so excited to experience it in the warm weather, and to explore as many outdoor attractions as possible, like Navy Pier and Millennium Park.

Work is going well, a little busier lately. No complaints for a change!

We're gearing up to meet our grandson soon, as Max, Jessica and Chaose will be coming for a visit in early June.

Mother's Day Blues

For the second year in a row, I had no Mother's Day. Last year, it was because I worked from 7AM to 7PM. This year, we were in Jacksonville, FL celebrating our niece Amy's Bat Mitzvah. This is not to say I didn't have a blast this weekend, and Kaya is too little to understand what Mother's Day is anyway so I didn't expect much, but still . . .

My sister-in-law Susan sure can throw a party! We arrived in Jacksonville on Friday, drove to St. Augustine for a quick tour, and then checked into the hotel and greeted family. The kids swam in the pool, and then we all were treated to a nice dinner of Chinese food. We went to Friday evening services, and then hung out together. Saturday morning was the big event, with a two-hour-long, very beautiful and moving service. Amy was beautiful, brilliant and so composed. We were given box lunches and sent off to enjoy the afternoon, which we spent napping and swimming in the pool again. Then the best part -- the party! Kaya stayed in our hotel room with two young second cousins and a babysitter who Susan arranged for, and the kids had a blast playing together and ordering french fries from room service. The rest of us dressed up and enjoyed cocktails, Italian food, fun music, dancing, games, and a performance by Amy's dance team. If you've never been to a Bar/Bat Mitzvah (meaning "son/daughter of the Torah"), you have to make some Jewish friends. It was incredible!

On Sunday we enjoyed Brunch at Susan's house, and enjoyed the fabulous pool in her development. It was sunny and hot, just a perfect day. Despite hitting traffic on the way to the airport, we made our flight by the skin of our teeth (not unusual for us to be cutting it close, sad to say).

We got home very late Sunday night, and I worked the next day. I'm still recovering from exhaustion, but it was worth it. We had so much fun spending time with Bruce's family, as we always do.

Tonight, we're asking Phil to babysit so Bruce and I can go out for sushi, my belated Mother's Day celebration. A date with my husband is the gift I want most (besides that trip to Jamaica).

"It lasts for always."

Today, Kaya was looking on her bookshelf, and chose a book we have never read together before: The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams. This is my very favorite story; I love it so much that I own at least four different copies (different sizes and illustrations, same text). I hadn't read this book to Kaya as of yet because it is too long to hold her attention at this point, and also because I can't even read it silently to myself without sobbing. The part that chokes me up the most is when the skin horse talks about becoming real.

Because she chose it, we sat on the sofa and began to read. She got enough of the gist to go grab her own beloved Bunny and squeeze her tight, but, as I suspected, she got restless about half-way through the story. Which was fine by me, because we were about to get to the very sad part.

You see, I have a velveteen rabbit. Cowie has been with me since I was two years old, and I still don't think I could do without her. I distinctly remember going to Stewart's department store with my parents and seeing Cowie on a display. She drew me to her; I fell in love instantly. I reached up and took her down, hugged her and ran to my mom, begging please, can we buy this cow? She was expensive, but I was a very loved little girl, and of course I got my cow, who I named Cowie in the car on the way home. (Mom later told me that she had previously seen Cowie, had also fallen in love with her, and planned to give her to me for Christmas.)

Cowie slept with me until I was about 21 years old, and currently hangs out on my bookshelf (not because she is no longer loved, but to protect her from a rambunctious dog and a cat who pees on things.) I admit that she is horribly neglected, but when she catches my eye, I can't resist spending a little quality time with her. She still has that wise sparkle in her eye.

Kaya has Bunny, who was given to her by her big brother Phil. I think she was about six months old when she plucked Bunny from her pile of stuffed guys, and a love affair began. Bunny goes everywhere, and is usually filthy, though Grammy gives her regular baths in the washing machine. I spend a good deal of my time looking for Bunny and insisting she stay in the car during outings, constantly fearful of losing this precious friend.

The Velveteen Rabbit is so rich with emotion, the themes so touchingly explored, it is a treasure. To teach children about unconditional love and acceptance on a level they can really grasp, and in such a deep yet simple way, well . . . it is a classic for a reason.

We visited my in-laws while I was pregnant, and would you believe my mother-in-law had a serigraph by Sister Mary Corita featuring the excerpt on "what is real?" Of course I noticed it, and as she loves to do, she gave it to me. It hangs in Kaya's room.

Cowie and Bunny may be shabby looking, but they are loved, and they are real.