A Spider's Tale

Yesterday I gave my 13-year-old son, T-Rex, a writing assignment. He was to write a story about the adventure of a spider. The resulting tale amused me this morning as I read it and I've instructed him to share it with you here. With no further ado: A Spider's Tale, by T-Rex!

We'd been sitting there for the last hour-and-a-half, watching and waiting. My troops were growing restless. That annoying drainage tube had foiled our plans once again. Well, I'd better start from the beginning.

I am a white spotted, black spider and I used to live in a village just above a gutter on Lynn Blvd. During my childhood I'd learned the ins and outs of gutter travel. I'd recently left home to join the Arachnial Guard at the prime age of 12 days. My regiment was sent to camp right below the spout of an especially troublesome gutter. Our primary objective was to scale the inside and reach the top. What we would find, or why we would attempt this nearly impossible trip, I'm unsure. But orders are orders.

Finally the rain had stopped. The camp was rushing about, as usual. The final preparations were being made. As not sure to when the rain would start again after it stopped, we had to be ready to move at a moment's notice. The camp was now silent, again, watching and waiting. Then the water stopped.

Immediately, group after group shot up the spout. Being an itsy, bitsy spider,one wasted no time, for the journey was long.

Past the three quarter check mark, we heard a faint rumble. Where I stood there was a pin-prick hole in the spout. With my far left eye I noticed a dark shape rolling in from the sky. With the hair on each of my eight legs, I sensed a sudden increase of humidity. Then a brief light filled the sky. But what caught my attention most was a single drop of rain, slowly falling to the ground in a tidal wave. All who didn't want to risk a high speed, watery descent, with a back-breaking halt as they hit the ground, then darted back down the spout.

I got out just before the raging river of water shot past me. Humiliated and cold,I stared defiantly at the top of the huge spout. "One day," I thought, waving three angry fists in the air, "we will find a way, have no doubt." We took our usual places, and once more, we watched and waited.

Three cheers for the literary stylings of T-Rex! I love it.

...and that's my $0.02!

Happy Birthday, Seashell!

Just over a week ago, on the 13th of April, little Seashell celebrated her 7th birthday. Oh, how time flies. I didn't take the time to stop in here to post on the actual day, but better late than never...right? It was a fun day, too. Presents, cake, cards, eating out... she had a blast.

Just today I had the pleasure of taking her shopping...just us two girls. Her Granny gave her money for her birthday and we went out to spend it on her together. As we walked into the department store, hand-in-hand, I was struck by the thought that I was rather enjoying being out shopping with her. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy being with my children, but this was a new kind of enjoyment. This was a "I'm hanging with my girl" kind of enjoyment... a teeny peek into the future.

She knew what she was after. Seashell wanted a pair of dressy sandals, a casual "wear anyday" dress, and toys. So we set out on our hunt...and we shopped! We hit three stores and, in the end, she got everything she had listed and had less than $1.00 in change. We did it, almost to the penny! Yep, me and my girl.

Yetserday evening Ron and I went to the opera the see Porgy and Bess. I only bring that up because while I was getting ready in the afternoon Seashell and Butterfly pleaded for me to paint their finger and toe nails with the same light lavender polish I used on mine (my dress had lavender flowers). So I did.

I'd never done that before and I found it to be fun. And, of course, once they had painted nails the became quite the ladies! Prancing and giggling and picking up things oh so gently so as not to smudge their polish.

My girls are growing up and I am looking forward to what lies ahead. I'm so thankful for my front-row seat to their lives. What a blessing!

Happy Birthday, Seashell. I love you.

Mom

Happy Birthday, Valentine!!!

Today is a very special day. For us it's not only a day to celebrate the gift of love, but it is also the anniversary of the day we welcomed our third child into this world, five short years ago.

Yes...Butterfly has turned 5!

And, what a fun-filled five years it has been. Gone is the pudgy, baby face and here to stay is the humorous, fun-loving, intelligent, and all-around delightful child.

It's amazing how each new child born into a family bends and molds it into a previously unknown configuration. Each special character trait brightens our home even as it changes our home. There's just no going back...and we wouldn't want to if we could.

We have been permanently altered, in beautiful ways, by our sweet Butterfly, and this is the day we get to stop and think about that fact.

We'll watch her prance around in delight as she shows off her gifts. She'll bubble over with joy as I bake her birthday cake. She'll repeat her new age to anyone who will listen. We will see her eyes light up as grandparents show up with even more gifts...

And all the while I'll be thinking,

"Butterfly, you're my favorite Valentine's gift."

With all my love,
Momma

Introducing the Kidlets (well, sort of)

I would like to take this time to introduce my children because they will undoubtedly make many "appearances" in this blog. To protect their animosity..uh, um...I mean anonymity (they are actually quite sweet and loving) I have asked them each to come up with a "blogname" which I will use in place of their real names whenever I write about them here. Disclaimer: Please remember...with the exception of the baby, my children came up with these names themselves. My sanity can not and should not, in any way, be held in question with regard to said "blognames." Upon acceptance of these terms you may continue to read this weblog.

Meet T-rex:
11 year old T-rex is my oldest child. He is fun-loving and studious. He loves to "rough it" with the neighborhood boys and can just as easily find himself lost in a good book. He is easy to teach, self-motivated, and kind. He needs little more than a quite corner and an interesting read to soak in knowledge of all sorts. He is a great big brother always willing to play with, and watch out for, his younger siblings!

Meet Seashell:
Whimsical and artistic, seashell is my 6 year old daughter. She is bright, eager to learn, and talkative. She'd just as soon doodle and paint as go outside and play. She is an active learner, who will sit still, if told, but can learn just as easily (if not better) while twirling around me as I recite some lesson in a silly sing-songy voice. She is a cautious child who adores her baby brother and also has fun with the other children.

Meet Butterfly:
Butterfly is 4 years old until her birthday next month. She is a daring and charismatic child who loves to play outdoors and has little patience for the repetitive and mundane. She would far rather use every shade in the crayon box to color a horse than to make it like it's "supposed" to be. She loves learning and is quick to jump ahead and demonstrate a knowledge of information she has picked up herself. She is imaginative and likes to lead during play.

Meet Li'l Bear:
My youngest child, Li'l Bear, just turned 1 year old in November and is anxious to explore the world around him. So far, his personality is strong, yet pleasant. He knows what he wants and goes after it with great determination. He enjoys his older three siblings and would much rather be down playing with them than snuggling in my lap...until he grows sleepy. He keeps all of us quite busy. An excellent addition to our family!

I look forward to sharing bits and pieces of my family journey within the posts on this blog. What an exciting adventure!

Tonya