M is for Mountain

This week we are talking about Ms (as opposed to a previous week when we were talking about Ks) and yesterday the three of us went to a mountain-- we hiked to Talus Rocks (an impressive collection of large mossy rocks) on Tiger Mountain. We didn't go just because mountain starts with the letter M-- we went because we had a few hours together that weren't being used up by STP training-- but it worked out well that these hours coincided with having a photograph of the Grand Teton labelled "M" hanging in our hallway. And then this morning, when I suggested we go for a walk, Susanna suggested-- and then positively insisted-- that it be on a mountain.

Finger Painting

Today Susanna and I attended a painting activity hosted by UW Family Housing. It was a wonderful activity. I think Susanna loved it, but I was surprised how inhibited-- mostly by her "gooey" hands and feet-- she seemed. The experience left me wondering if my efforts teach her to be clean, obedient, and well-mannered have stifled her creativity. Of course, Susanna's adult nature will not-- and should not-- be entirely up to me, and some of the inhibition she exhibited today may be due to that nature as well as how unfamiliar the activity may have seemed: we've never done an art project on this scale and she didn't really know many of the people there. And then there's the fact that I was not finger painting. Perhaps in this situation it was best that I didn't let loose-- the activity was for the children, after all. But certainly there are places in my life that I am stifled by my inhibitions, and she will sense some of that. So maybe it's something we have to figure out together. Maybe, in fact, it's Susanna who will teach me to let loose, and all I have to do is follow her lead. Maybe if I do that, we'll both grow up to be who we want to be.

We're going to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo!

Today was a great day for the zoo: nice weather, small crowds, and lots of animals. Here is a photograph of Susanna watching the otters and then of her going down a slide in Woodland Park Zoo's "Discovery Loop." Her favorite animals today-- at least the ones she talked about the most-- were the giraffes, hippopotamuses, wild dogs (which she was really worried about because they seemed to be asleep and didn't have blankets), and tigers (which she has been talking about since we saw one pacing and growling on our last trip to the zoo and was the first animal she listed when I asked her what animals we saw, but which we didn't actually see today).

Thanks, Mom!

I am blessed with a wonderful mom. Somehow she has been able to give her children sure knowledge of her unconditional love. Even if she got upset or disappointed, I always knew that she loved me and was doing everything she could do give me the best life has to offer. That's a powerful gift; and it is a gift that I hope to pass on to my own daughter. And so thanks, Mom! And thanks also to all the women who have-- and continue to-- mother me, and to those who will help mother Susanna. Which brings me to me, the mom. Becoming a mother has been a tremendous experience that has brought such richness-- many (many) opportunities for growth, complexity, even difficulty, but most of all joy-- to my life. I am so thankful for her and so very grateful that it is by Scott's side that I get to share the joys of life with her.

Three photographs that make me smile

Sometimes one spoon just isn't enough.

Susanna always builds towers of "daddy's yogurt" while I put groceries away.

This is the photograph that prompted the post. While I was straightening up after I put Susanna down for a nap I saw that she had not only put her three little playmobil people to bed (she calls them Daddy, Mommy, and Nanna), but she also found facial tissues to use as blankets for them. I love this girl!