The girls’ school had a Purim-themed game night on Thursday, and we brought out two princess costumes for the occasion…

-M

Purim is fast approaching, and Avery’s class made hamantashen today. Q joined the kids, who he said did a great job rolling out the dough, filling the cookies with jelly, and pinching them into little triangles.

-M

A familiar site in our house these days… (She just started the third Harry Potter book.)

-M

Several winters ago, when we were making our way to Wisconsin to see my parents, our plane got delayed. I remember hearing the news in the Minneapolis airport and expressing my displeasure loudly – the girls were little, traveling was tough enough without delays, and I was extremely tired and frustrated. (I may have even sworn out loud.) I flopped down in a chair and looked to my right, where an older woman – some sort of airport employee who was clearly on her break – was sitting with a smile on her  face. She was watching the girls (who were then, I’m guessing, about 2 and 5), and she pulled from her pocket a few packages of Pepperidge Farm crackers. She obviously didn’t speak much English, because she gestured for me to take them, which I did, stuffing some in my pocket and giving the others to the girls. (All the while feeling embarrassed about how I had just acted.)

Long after we – finally – boarded the plane, that scene with the little old lady stuck in my mind. She had been so sweet and generous – such a contrast to my grumpiness – and she had reminded me, in that moment, that the small stuff (like a delayed flight) isn’t what matters in life. What matters are things like the innocent look on my sweet girls’ faces and the random kindness of strangers. I purposefully left one of the packages in my coat to remember her…

Fast forward to last month, when we were getting ready to go to Tahoe and I plucked from the back of my closet a warm down jacket that I hadn’t worn in years. I took it upstairs to try it on and when I reached into my pocket I felt it: one of those little cracker packages from the airport. I immediately burst into tears. The girls, who were standing near me, looked horrified – but when I managed to get out the story I think they got it. Sorta.

I put the crackers right back into my pocket. For next time. Should I forget again.

-M

When we got home from school one day last week, Avery walked into our garden and starting exploring the various plants and flowers. She was wearing a floral dress and fit in so well that I had to snap a few pics.

-M

Though Avery is extra-affectionate with us these days, she’s less interested in being so with boys. During one of our cuddling sessions the other evening, she asked me, “When you get married, do you have to kiss on the lips?” When I told her yes, she replied without hesitation, “Well then, I’m not getting married.”

-M

I’ve been a parent long enough to know that kids go through various phases – some short-lived, others on the longer-time side. Both girls seemingly entered new ones over the last few weeks: With Zoe, there’s a lot more tween-like eye-rolling and expressions of disgust; she started yelling out “OMG!” or “Really, Mommy?” when frustrated. Needless to say, I don’t love it – and am hoping it will pass quickly.

Avery, on the other hand, is Miss Lovey-Dovey. Both Q and I have experienced a marked increase lately in the number of hugs and kisses we get and the number of times we hear from her, “You’re the best Mommy/Daddy in the world.” And her favorite thing to do lately is to snuggle on our bed; she’ll jump up right next to me, press her face next to mine, and caress my face or stroke my hair. I’m not sure how long we’ll get this extra-affectionate treatment, but I’m eating it up!

-M

We all had Presidents’ Day off, and for the long weekend we hit the beach (as mentioned below), the park, and the zoo…

-M

Though we live minutes from the beach, I never really think to go there: It’s usually too chilly and windy for my taste. But the weather was so nice and toasty over the long weekend that it felt like almost a requirement to stop there – and so we went Sunday evening and all played until the sun slipped into the water…

-M

Per post-holiday tradition, we walked over to Walgreens today to check out the half-off Valentine’s Day candy and treats. And look what Zoe spotted and loved so much that she bought with her allowance money…

-M

…from the girls.

-M

Avery slept with me last night (since Q is out of town), and she woke me up this morning with a tap on the shoulder and a whisper in my ear. “Mama, mama,” she said. “I’m so excited for Friday. We’re making necklaces out of Fruit Loops and out of beads. It’s going to be a double-awesome day – I can’t wait for Friday.” Friday is her 100th day of school, and I’m glad she’s looking forward to the celebration – I just wish I would have heard about it a bit later than 6:10 AM.

(yawn)

-M

Someone got a hair cut…

-M

I told my mom I wanted to start blogging, and she said, ‘Why don’t you work on our blog?’ So I said okay, and this is my first post.

I have been shopping for American Girl doll clothes lately. I think Penelope looks great in her lounging outfit (see below) and her spring outfit. I’ve also been shopping lately for Valentine’s Day presents for my friend Zachary.

In school, we’ve been starting our Japanese unit – and my name is Akira. It means “bright and clear.”

It’s raining today, and it’s sunny right now. But there’s no rainbow!

How do you like my first blog?

-Zoe

Here’s one of the songs that Zoe and her classmates sang recently. It’s one of my favorites…

-M