A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. (Hosted by Soulemama)
Friday, November 04, 2011
Thursday, November 03, 2011
Rachel's Poetry
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| Our little poet, picking blueberries in Vermont this summer. |
Last night, at Parent Teacher Conferences, Rachel's fourth grade teacher presented me with some of the poetry that Rachel has been writing in class. With Rachel's permission, I present two of our favorites here...
Poems by Rachel Cormier, age 9
Pets
Going to the pet store to get the perfect pet,
I'm going to get the best one that you will never forget.
I spy a little brown puppy,
That's the cutest one so far,
But what about that silver fish that shines just like a star?
That little orange tabby is the shade of a tangerine,
Although that little hermit crab looks the roughest one I've seen.
That bunny rabbit probably can jump up really high,
But that colorful parrot flies like an airplane in the sky.
Too many pets, too many pets,
They have to, have to stop!
Maybe I should have thought of that before I bought the shop!
Food Chain
The worm ate an apple that was juicy, ripe and red.
The bird ate the worm and that's all that I have said.
The bobcat ate the bird and that's all that I can see.
I could have made this poem longer if it hadn't eaten me!
Tuesday, November 01, 2011
School Portraits 2011
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| Hannah Zhipan, 6th Grade |
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| Rachel Zhiheng, 4th Grade |
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| Abigail Lihuan, 2nd Grade |
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| David Heshi, Early Childhood |
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Reunion
Over the course of the last year, I have been connecting with a lot of my classmates on Facebook. Our class formed a Facebook group to share information about the reunion and to generate enthusiasm for the event.
I'll be honest - if it hadn't been for Facebook, I doubt I would have attended. I had a few good friends through high school, and knew a bunch of kids from elementary and middle school, but I was not, by any stretch of the imagination, what you would consider "popular". Not that I didn't want to be - maybe a little too much. If it's one piece of advice I'd like to pass on to my kids, it's to be happy with who you are, enjoy your friends, and don't worry about trying to fit in with the "in" crowd.
I was grateful to be able to have dinner with two of my very best friends from high school, Lynda and Dee (and Dee's husband, Brian). We had a chance to really get caught up before heading to the reunion. And it meant I didn't have to walk into the reunion alone, like walking into the school cafeteria and not being able to find anyone to sit and eat lunch with.
Thirty years later, I was worried that no one would talk to me.
The nice thing about reunion night was that I did spend a lot of time talking with a lot of people. I got caught up with friends I had spent time with in high school, and folks I had known in middle and even elementary school. And, wouldn't you know it, I talked with some of the "in" crowd, too! And they talked back! And more than once, I found myself wishing I could tell my 16-year-old, terribly insecure self, "Don't worry. You'll turn out OK..."
I appreciated the fact that, amid MDs and PhDs and attorneys and all the other interesting careers represented, I never once was made to feel that the work I do at home was less than respected.
I wish I could spend time with many of these folks now. They're intelligent, interesting, funny, and a privilege to know. I'm looking forward to meeting up again with some old and new friends next time I'm in Rhode Island. And the next reunion is only five years away...
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| Group photo taken at the reunion. I'm sitting on the floor left of center in a black dress. I won't share how much trouble I had getting up from that position in that dress... |
Last weekend, I headed to Rhode Island to spend some one-on-one time with my Mom to celebrate her birthday, and to attend my 30th High School Reunion (Classical High School in Providence). I had a wonderful time spending the evening with old friends and a bunch of folks I only really knew from yearbook pictures.
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| Senior Portrait, 1981 |
I'll be honest - if it hadn't been for Facebook, I doubt I would have attended. I had a few good friends through high school, and knew a bunch of kids from elementary and middle school, but I was not, by any stretch of the imagination, what you would consider "popular". Not that I didn't want to be - maybe a little too much. If it's one piece of advice I'd like to pass on to my kids, it's to be happy with who you are, enjoy your friends, and don't worry about trying to fit in with the "in" crowd.
I was grateful to be able to have dinner with two of my very best friends from high school, Lynda and Dee (and Dee's husband, Brian). We had a chance to really get caught up before heading to the reunion. And it meant I didn't have to walk into the reunion alone, like walking into the school cafeteria and not being able to find anyone to sit and eat lunch with.
Thirty years later, I was worried that no one would talk to me.
The nice thing about reunion night was that I did spend a lot of time talking with a lot of people. I got caught up with friends I had spent time with in high school, and folks I had known in middle and even elementary school. And, wouldn't you know it, I talked with some of the "in" crowd, too! And they talked back! And more than once, I found myself wishing I could tell my 16-year-old, terribly insecure self, "Don't worry. You'll turn out OK..."
I appreciated the fact that, amid MDs and PhDs and attorneys and all the other interesting careers represented, I never once was made to feel that the work I do at home was less than respected.
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| Reunion Night 2011 |
Monday, August 29, 2011
David's First Day
Today was David's first day of school in his Early Childhood class. He went back and forth between being excited to go and not wanting to leave me. Getting dressed in his handsome new First Day Outfit seemed to encourage him that this was going to be fun.
Posing under one of our smaller (!) sunflowers...
Posing under one of our smaller (!) sunflowers...
At this point, he was thinking that maybe this wasn't such a good idea...
He went in willingly with his teachers and friends. No smile, but a wave for me...
Getting off the bus. He exclaimed, "Me had FUN!!!"
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
First Day of School: 2011 Edition
Today was the first day of school for the girls. (David starts next Monday.) Everyone took a long time to fall asleep last night, and jumped out of bed ahead of schedule this morning. Wouldn't it be nice if every morning went so smoothly!
Our family's tradition is to have the girls choose a special outfit to wear for the first day of school and then for their school portraits for that year. The outfit Hannah chose was very "her" - sparkly top, capri-length jeggings, super-cute flats, dangly earrings. (Note the oboe case for band!)
She's thrilled with the cool backpack she chose from LL Bean while we were in Maine.
Hannah's bus driver was Mr. O, a dear man who remembered that he drove her to her first day of Kindergarten, and now, her first day of Middle School!
A little over an hour later, Rachel and Abbie were ready to head off to their school - Rachel is in Fourth Grade and Abbie is in Second Grade!
The outfit Rachel chose was also very "her" - cute plaid top (she really likes plaid), green Bermudas and new sneakers. In her backpack is a little bottle of maple syrup she bought in Vermont for her new teacher, Mrs. Richards!
Abbie's outfit reflected her personality, too! There's a little sparkle in the cami underneath her henley, and she chose a flirty little skirt and shiny silver flats. You can see she is holding a little gift for the bus driver - a clay daisy she made. She loves making little gifts for the special people in her life!
Check out the sweet little daisy in her hair! Her own personal touch!
Here they are, ready to take on the world!
Hannah was nervous but excited for Sixth Grade - first day of Middle School.
Our family's tradition is to have the girls choose a special outfit to wear for the first day of school and then for their school portraits for that year. The outfit Hannah chose was very "her" - sparkly top, capri-length jeggings, super-cute flats, dangly earrings. (Note the oboe case for band!)
She's thrilled with the cool backpack she chose from LL Bean while we were in Maine.
Hannah's bus driver was Mr. O, a dear man who remembered that he drove her to her first day of Kindergarten, and now, her first day of Middle School!
A little over an hour later, Rachel and Abbie were ready to head off to their school - Rachel is in Fourth Grade and Abbie is in Second Grade!
The outfit Rachel chose was also very "her" - cute plaid top (she really likes plaid), green Bermudas and new sneakers. In her backpack is a little bottle of maple syrup she bought in Vermont for her new teacher, Mrs. Richards!
Abbie's outfit reflected her personality, too! There's a little sparkle in the cami underneath her henley, and she chose a flirty little skirt and shiny silver flats. You can see she is holding a little gift for the bus driver - a clay daisy she made. She loves making little gifts for the special people in her life!
Check out the sweet little daisy in her hair! Her own personal touch!
Here they are, ready to take on the world!
Monday, August 15, 2011
Simple Woman's Daybook - August 15th
(Hosted by Simple Woman's Daybook.)
Outside my window... sunny, clear, and... chilly! It's in the low 50s this morning! Fall is giving me a sneak preview and I couldn't be happier!
I am thinking... about our new fall schedule. Trying to prioritize all the opportunities. Just because something is "good" doesn't necessarily mean we should put it in our schedule. Trying to keep a balance between taking advantage of great activities and leaving time for family and rest.
I am thankful for... our church. We missed three weeks in a row while on vacation, and I didn't realize just how much I missed the worship, sermons and fellowship until we returned yesterday morning!
I am wearing... my Green Bay Packers flannel pants (green and gold!), grey tee shirt Al brought me from a business trip to Arizona many years ago, a grey hoodie sweatshirt, and socks! It sure is chilly this morning!
I am going... all over the internet, checking out the books for the Bible studies our church's Women's Ministry is offering this fall. Trying to choose the right one for me, though they all look great!
I am creating... a little more order around the house, getting ready for the busy school days ahead. Gotta get my "organized" on!
I am currently reading... trying to finish The Help so I can go see the movie soon. I hear the movie is just as good as the book, which is a rare and wonderful thing.
I am hoping... that the kids feel they had a great summer vacation. Aside from our trip to New England, we didn't do anything particularly spectacular. But we spent a lot of time together and did a lot of little things, and I hope we made some good memories for them.
I am hearing... silence, broken up with little stirrings by David - he'll be up soon.
In the kitchen... gotta make another batch of these granola bars. They disappear quickly! Also, working on a list of tasty, healthy school-day breakfast and lunch ideas for the kids.
Around the house... new school supplies, lunch sacks, school shoes, and first-day outfits.
One of my favorite things... getting ready for the new school year!
A few plans for the rest of the week... finish up back-to-school shopping, sleepover for Hannah, middle school open house, David's school supply drop-off, Hannah getting her new contact lenses, getting back to singing with our church's Worship Choir, an evening with Hannah's China group, hosting David's China group here. (Whew!)
A picture I'd like to share...
Hannah recently started her oboe lessons with her Dad and attended 6th grade Band Camp last week. She loved it, and is really motivated to do well. Here, she is practicing on her own during a 45-minute practice session.
I am thinking... about our new fall schedule. Trying to prioritize all the opportunities. Just because something is "good" doesn't necessarily mean we should put it in our schedule. Trying to keep a balance between taking advantage of great activities and leaving time for family and rest.
I am thankful for... our church. We missed three weeks in a row while on vacation, and I didn't realize just how much I missed the worship, sermons and fellowship until we returned yesterday morning!
I am wearing... my Green Bay Packers flannel pants (green and gold!), grey tee shirt Al brought me from a business trip to Arizona many years ago, a grey hoodie sweatshirt, and socks! It sure is chilly this morning!
I am going... all over the internet, checking out the books for the Bible studies our church's Women's Ministry is offering this fall. Trying to choose the right one for me, though they all look great!
I am creating... a little more order around the house, getting ready for the busy school days ahead. Gotta get my "organized" on!
I am currently reading... trying to finish The Help so I can go see the movie soon. I hear the movie is just as good as the book, which is a rare and wonderful thing.
I am hoping... that the kids feel they had a great summer vacation. Aside from our trip to New England, we didn't do anything particularly spectacular. But we spent a lot of time together and did a lot of little things, and I hope we made some good memories for them.
I am hearing... silence, broken up with little stirrings by David - he'll be up soon.
In the kitchen... gotta make another batch of these granola bars. They disappear quickly! Also, working on a list of tasty, healthy school-day breakfast and lunch ideas for the kids.
Around the house... new school supplies, lunch sacks, school shoes, and first-day outfits.
One of my favorite things... getting ready for the new school year!
A few plans for the rest of the week... finish up back-to-school shopping, sleepover for Hannah, middle school open house, David's school supply drop-off, Hannah getting her new contact lenses, getting back to singing with our church's Worship Choir, an evening with Hannah's China group, hosting David's China group here. (Whew!)
A picture I'd like to share...
Hannah recently started her oboe lessons with her Dad and attended 6th grade Band Camp last week. She loved it, and is really motivated to do well. Here, she is practicing on her own during a 45-minute practice session.
Monday, August 08, 2011
Simple Woman's Daybook - August 8th (Post-Vacation Edition)
(Hosted by Simple Woman's Daybook.)
Outside my window... mid 60s, foggy, and our lawn is very long and thick! It's been nearly three weeks since it's been mowed, and we had a lot of rain while we were gone!
I am thinking... of the 3,820 things I have to get done in the next 2 1/2 weeks before school starts. I have a very long, detailed list...
I am thankful for... the wonderful time we had with family and friends in New England. The safe travel for our family. That we found our house intact when we finally got home.
I am wearing... old Mickey Mouse tee shirt, gym shorts, pink flip flops.
I am going... so many places this week! Band camp, doctor appointment, errands, date nights with girls, school shopping (both supplies and clothes).
I am creating... schedules, routines and a little organization to prepare for the school year.
I am currently reading... The Help by Kathryn Stockett on the new Nook Al gave me for my birthday (and it's got a cute, spring-green cover)!
I am hoping... that Hannah enjoys band camp this week. She's pretty apprehensive, and I'm just holding my breath and praying her through it.
I am hearing... early-morning quiet throughout the house. But I'm looking forward to starting up the new CD my Mom gave me for my birthday (Country Mountain Hymns) just as soon as everyone gets up!
In the kitchen... nothing! The pantry and refrigerator are bare as we've been gone so long! Headed to the grocery store this evening!
Around the house... post-vacation mess! Suitcases half unpacked, piles of laundry, junk cleaned out of the car, kids' backpacks that need to be unpacked.
One of my favorite things... the anticipation of and preparation for the new school year.
A few plans for the rest of the week... band camp (with concert and dinner on Friday), sleepover for Abbie, Winnie the Pooh movie with Rachel, American Girl lunch with Abbie, clothes shopping with Hannah, shoe shopping with all four kiddos (!). Also hoping to whip up some homemade granola bars for snacks and some freezer jam.
A picture I'd like to share...
My Mom brought me to Brown and Hopkins Country Store in Chepachet, RI for a little treat! I am in love with this store! We spent an hour browsing around, sniffing scented candles, and admiring all the lovely merchandise. Patchwork quilts, braided rugs, pip berries everywhere, dulcimer music in the background, the first fall merchandise being displayed, and an awesome penny candy counter!Friday, July 15, 2011
Summer Beauty
Abbie, David and I took a walk down the road to cut some daylilies for my summer kitchen table. Simple summer pleasures...
(Large milk glass vase: $1.99 at Goodwill last summer.)
{this moment}
A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. (Hosted by Soulemama.)
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