First time on skis

Today was Nora's first day on skis, and she was much happier than she looks. Big brother is off at ski school and has ony been photographed from a non-embarrassing distance (see slow-moving speck in the second photo).

The brood

Introducing our as-yet unnamed (and long awaited) flock. From left to right: Barred Plymouth Rock, Rhode Island Red #1, Silver-laced Wyandotte, Rhode Island Red #2, Easter Egger, and Australorp.

Maybe we should have a naming contest: first omelet goes to the winner. Runner up gets feathers from their first molt. Think of the tiny little pillow you could make!

Goodbye, sweet friend

Tonight we said goodbye to the sweetest, kindest, most endearing creature I've ever had the good fortune of knowing. If only we all could embody an ounce of her goodness, the world would be a better place.

Goodbye, beautiful Saffron. Give Daisy a kiss for us.

XOXO

March 13, in Colorado

Lap dog

Filling up

Since we have that new minivan, we may as well fill it a little, right?

Welcome Eden, the newest member of our family.

And before we receive any more sympathy cards (thanks Dennis and Mary Ellin!), I'll clarify that Saffron is alive and well and sort of ambivalent about the new addition.

All in

In case you wondered whether I was holding back on this whole parenting thing, wonder no longer: I'm officially all in. The sporty 4-seater has been demoted to the Dad-mobile, and I'll now be driving this sexy little thing.

Come on now, I know you want to come along for the ride.

 

 I can see you checking out my rear, by the way.

 

I'll be printing bumper stickers that read "I feel cooler than I look." Any other minivan moms want in?

Going home

From Nora: "Daisy died because her feet got old and she needed to go home."

They understand a lot, these little ones.

ETA: Daisy is our dog who died last year; Saffron is still kickin'.

Creature Comforts

Every old dog deserves a fire.

Quickly

So much to update, and yet I just can't seem to make it happen. So let's try an easy, manageable bulleted list:

• After Christmas we took an epic journey east. The whole family met up in Ohio New Year's weekend, which was lovely. First time in years that my father has had all his kids and grandkids together in the same place. It's a beautiful bunch. My dad has been having some health trouble (I won't go into detail, since I know he values his privacy and reads this blog). I will say, though, that it is very hard to see him sick, and I hope (and believe) he'll be well again soon. 
• After Ohio, Greg headed back home, and the kids and I continued on to New York City with grand plans for a homecoming tour—complete with a side trip to New Jersey to show the kids where I grew up, went to school, etc. 
• The kids and I all got strep. Plans changed. We spent a lot of time in bed and at Duane Reade.
• Traveling alone with kids is hard. Traveling alone with kids while sick is harder.
• I am thankful for my sisters, who made traveling alone with kids while sick manageable. They kept me from sinking.
• Sidamo lost our camera while we were in NYC, so I have no pictures. 
• After getting back home, we were well for a few days before getting sick again. 
• My birthday fell in the middle of a sick week. Sucked. 
• I was feeling quite sorry for myself until a few days ago. Something switched. I'm still not entirely healthy, but I feel alive and grateful for my life again. And I have the energy to get out of bed and be nice to people. That makes all the difference.
• Greg got me the new Decemberists album for my birthday. Love.
• We got a new woodburning stove installed yesterday. Love again. Now I need to find the perfect, comfy chair to go next to it. I spent too much of my life in search of perfect, comfy chairs.
• Saffron has been ill, so our search for dog #2 is on hold. Last weekend we thought we were going to lose her. She heard me on the phone with a friend saying as much and immediately perked up, eating for the first time in 5 days. She's down to 63 pounds. (Yes, she's still a Great Dane.)
• The kids are amazing, as ever. Sidamo and I went through a rough patch right around my birthday, during which I felt like he hated me. I think we're past it, and I think my general malaise contributed greatly to it. Nora on the other hand is very communicative about her love these days. She'll lean in, look me in the eyes, and tell me, "I love you sooooo much, Mommy." In the next breath: "I love Sidamo's shoes sooooo much, Mommy." Good to keep things in perspective.