Markers, haircuts, and fathers

I promised to upload pictures of Lucas and Tilly caught "Red handed" (literally) with their markers on the playroom wall. Here is Matilda when I entered the room (with camera!) and said "What are you doing?"



Here is Lucas the next day when I joined in and colored with them (see my flower?). I am a brave woman indeed coloring with washable markers on the walls. Ever try it? Its quite liberating.



I was thinking this weekend about my father. I think the trait I love best about my father is that he is in constant observation of people and the situations transpiring around them. These observations become stories that he tells to those he loves. I think I inherited this quality from him.

Growing up I could remember my father relating stories about people he encountered in immense detail. He would regale us over dinner with tales about people he worked with, men he was friends with and funny antidotes about their experiences, and women he met or knew personally. He often became so caught up with his memories of the event as he related it that he would pause and laugh to himself before he was able to verbally express what he was thinking of- Looking up in the air and silently musing with a barely audible snicker- my father often laughs through his nose, so to someone who doesn't know him, this may sound like he has allergies. :-) This tried my mothers patience- the fact that my father is in on a joke he hasn't shared. Knowing that his stories annoyed her made me try extra hard to be an active listener because I can not bare for anyones voice to fall upon deaf ears. And, I don't believe my father has ever met an ugly woman. Its the latter that impressed endearment of my father upon me. When my father describes a woman, she is not ugly unless she is somehow a sour or sullen person. Otherwise, he manages to see a quality of beauty in all of us. He will describe a womans eyes, a personality he thought was especially becoming, etc. But, what he doesn't mention is age, weight, or color. If you want to know these things you have to ask. And with age he is particularly funny- he will generalize with entire decades at once. He often tells me "Oh, she is around your age" and this could mean she is 25-45 years old! Having a father like this made me especially aware of the charming physical attributes of everyone I met, and allowed me to be able to appreciate beauty. Obvious, and hidden.

I went to Starbucks again this past weekend- for Mother's Day. First, I don't expect gifts for Mother's Day. The great thing in my life is my children and I don't need to be honored for what is a daily gift to me on one particular holiday a year. However, Duane gave me the cutest card with scribbles from all the kids on it (he wrote underneath each in parenthesis who was the author of the scribble sentiments). He also gave me a starbucks gift card. Which I used in spite of my contrary feelings on the subject of receiving gifts on Mother's Day. :-)

My corner was vacant and I had the comfy chair again! And while the background noise of the baristas was kept to a minimum in this far corner of the coffee house, there were two women seated at the table closest to the comfy chairs having an excited conversation. While I was there to read, I couldn't help but make practice of my father's observation skills. One of the women had apparently traveled some distance to see the other friend. I gathered this because her companion was talking of the changes to the area since she had last visited. Both women were Christian- and not in a southern way (everyone here is "Christian") but in active faith way. Conversation was peppered with expressions like "God will provide" and "I trust God to...". I really like people who are attached to their faith and speak of it as if its ingrained in their being, not something second hand which has been passed on by coincidence, not understanding. The local woman was very striking. She had sensual eyes. Dark almond eyes which were framed by an out of date hairstyle- a "bob"- but, it was a perfect way to showcase her eyes and seemed very stylish framing her face. It was rather odd to see a middle aged woman with bedroom eyes in a coffee house on a Sunday afternoon. I envied her that she could be an attractive woman without even trying. Mae West had bedroom eyes. I once read that in her 70's she worked with a 20 year old Rachel Welch and West had asked the director who was more attractive. Thats the sort of self confidence I believe all women should possess! Back to Starbucks- the lady with the lovely eyes faced me so I was able to see her clearly. Her traveling friend had her back to me, so my observations of her was kept to her personality. Which I liked very much because she was a gracious listener and an empathetic friend. Had they not been so animated and expressive I am sure my book would of sustained my interest and kept me from eavesdropping! However, instead I was privy to their lunch break and it gave me an interesting bird's eye view of their friendship. What impressed me was how after only five minutes of awkward pauses and required "catch-ups" they resumed their obviously long enduring friendship and engaged in support to one another and encouragement. They switched back and forth from subjects in a lyrical manor, leaning in or waving a hand to punctuate poignant moments, voices rising and falling constantly, but, keeping in harmony with one another. As if they were singing in a choir. It made me miss having girlfriend's locally, or being able to visit my childhood friends. Surely there is a song I sing with my friends. I wonder what it sounds like.

Once they left I draped myself over the chair in a familiar fashion and immersed myself into a new book for 2 hours.

That evening we went to a local park and then out to dinner. This park was fabulous!!! It had four toddler swings so we were able to let all the babies play at the same time and each of us pushed two at once back and forth.

Ewan is now crawling as fast as Rowan. But Rowan is pulling up and trying to cruise. Silly wee one! He hasn't the balance for cruising so after a few moments he teeters backward and then sticks his lower lip out for effect. He also chases his older siblings around the room wishing to play. Lucas and Tilly have become patient with their siblings and good playmates. Matilda enjoys smooching them. Lucas likes to pretend to feed them with play food bowls and empty spoons (Ewan thinks this is horrible and will screetch if his spoon is empty).

Rowan had to have a haircut. Here is the before:



Here is the little fellow now. Duane has taken to calling him "Frodo Baggins".



Here is Ewan looking very determined in crawling. Duane calls him "BigButt Baggins".



Ta-ta for today!