Only One Fish in the Sea

This is what the 100 yard backstroke looks like to adoring parents. Our eyes are on only one swimmer and there are no other fish in the sea. Maryn is on a swim team, and this is how she has spent two nights per week and the occasional weekend since the season started back in September. She loves it, and so do we. Being part of a team and all that exercise are so good for her. Watching her go off the block and do flip turns makes us smile. We aren't rabid about times, ranks or ribbons, we merely delight in watching her do something she enjoys. She wants to do it next season, and we'll be there watching.

Hail to the Chiefs

Happy Presidents' Day from George Washington herself. Maryn's class did biography book reports recently, and I was thrilled when she came home and announced her report would be about George Washington. I knew a good costume could make a huge difference for a second grade report, so I went right to the phone and told Ame to borrow the colonial man cuffs, jabot, hat and wig from her friend Helen. Helen's 19 and 15 year old sons wore the costume when they were in second grade, and I'd seen Jen in it when she was George Washington in third grade. Just as I suspected the costume was a huge hit with her classmates and teacher. It really made us proud knowing our daughter would be president (for) one day, and you'll be happy to know the father of our country got an A on her report. We're already practicing for the next one - all about China.

Playing Through

Maryn's school is doing a week of special events as a fund raiser for a children's hospital. Tuesday was pajamas, slippers AND stuffed animal day, and she really loves that. Friday is ice cream day. Today was dress as your favorite book character or sports star. That was a puzzle. She doesn't have a Curious*George costume, and she doesn't have a favorite sports star. Last night it was Tom's brilliant idea for her to dress like a golfer. This morning the two hour weather delay for school gave us time to dig through the summer clothes for a costume, so we looked on the internet for the latest fashions in professional golf. When I saw pictures of Michelle*Wie with her long, dark hair, I said, "Perfect." I told Maryn, "If anyone asks you who you are, you can tell them you're Michelle*Wie. She is a fabulous golfer." As I worked to get her ponytail just right for the cap, I quizzed her asking, "Who are you?" "Michelle Fabulous," she said. As I zipped up her winter coat and sent her out for the arriving bus, I coached her a few last times calling down the driveway, "Have a great day, Michelle*Wie. I Love you, Michelle*Wie." With one last, "Mooommm!" Michelle*Wie got on the bus and off she went to a fabulous day of second grade.

Groundhog Day

Without a single ray of sunshine today our little groundhog did not see her shadow, so we're predicting an early spring or at least we're hoping for one after the shoveling we did today. Who knew there were so many people holed up in the houses in our neighborhood during the long winter when the sighting of another human being can be rare. We were all out today putting our snowblowers through their paces and helping those who tried to do battle with only shovels. To clear it today you had to have more than mere muscle power. Now there's all the fun to be had playing in the snow. There are piles to climb, hills to sled and forts to build, and that's all before the next round comes.