We had a jam-packed long weekend. Two music classes, paddling on a local lake, pizza by the ocean, and an afternoon pool-party. Even with all of that going on, we still managed two trips to REI. No wonder I’m so tired!
Lilian goes to music class with my mom every Monday. Last Monday, she had a nasty rash (it turns out she may have inherited some of my weird allergies). At the time, we didn’t know what was causing it. So, we elected to not send her off to spend 45 minutes with other small children, all of them chewing on the same instruments. My mom’s loss was my gain, because I was able to schedule a makeup class for Saturday. I realized after the fact that overlapping class time with nap time was a recipe for disaster. But, sometimes, my terrible parenting choices are handsomely rewarded… Lilian was perfectly fine and then fell asleep almost as soon as we got back to our car.
I really enjoy going to music class with Lilian. Obviously, I enjoy the singing parts… but it’s also been amazing to watch her develop musical appreciation and ability. When we first started, she basically just ran around in circles while everyone else sang and played instruments. Now she sings along, claps her hands, taps her knees, and plays the instruments herself. Some of that is just her getting a little older and more mature. But she’s definitely learning the songs from class (it helps that I have the CD in my car and we sing them together). I was joking with Kristian that music class is kind of like obedience school…. ostensibly it’s for the kids/dogs, but really it’s for the parents/owners. The teacher coaches us how to sing and play instruments in a way that will engage our kids and teach them naturally. We sing a lot together these days, and Lilian usually claps, or yells “again!” when we’re finished with a song.
We hadn’t seen Kristian’s parents in a while, so I suggested that we stop by for a quick visit. They were ecstatic to see us, and Lilian had a great time playing with her tutu. They live not too far from the ocean, so after we left their house we got a pizza and sat on a park bench near the water to eat it.
As you can see, Lilian is rather fond of pizza.
The view was pretty ok.
(You see what I did there?)
It was lovely looking out over the water, but eventually I had to admit that I was freezing. “I know this was my idea,” I told Kristian, “but I’m not really enjoying this so much anymore. Can we head home? Or can I go sit in the car?” I like the idea of a quick visit with the grandparents followed by takeout on the beach… but next time I am definitely grabbing a sweatshirt.
On the way home, Lilian serenaded us from the backseat with an original ditty. It went a little something like “la la, pizza happy happy.” This kid has some real talent. And a serious appreciation for pizza.
The last few months of the awful winter we just had, I would daydream about what it was going to be like to take my paddle board out on a nice day. The sun on my face, the wind on my back, the water rippling all around me. Sunday was the day when dreams finally became reality. Kristian, Lilian, and our friend Pepper took a stroll around a local lake. I got to spend a couple hours paddling.
Heaven.
I even got to give Lilian a little ride at the end!
The path around the lake goes pretty close to the water, so I was able to paddle up, wave, and say hi quite few times. Lilian would get all excited and wave at me from Kristian’s shoulders. “Mama! Hi! Mama!”
Lilian was somewhat of a reluctant boater last year, but she seems much more into it these days. I’m not sure if it’s all those renditions of “Row Row Row Your Boat” we’ve been singing, or the fact that she thinks that her PFD is a reeeeeally cool coat. But she happily clambered up onto my paddle board and we did a nice loop around a little inlet. A quick little loop, because I know not to push my luck.
“Coat, papa, coat!”
We stopped at REI on the way home (trip number two!) so that we could exchange a paddle board roof rack that we bought on Saturday for something that would fit my board a little better (bonus points for rack number two being a lot cheaper). While I was waiting in line, a woman noticed the race shirt I was wearing.
“Wow, did you really run a half marathon?”
“Yeah, I’ve actually run three.”
“Wowwwwwww!”
I couldn’t tell if she thinks a half marathon is just that impressive, or if I look like I can’t run that far. I’d like to believe it’s the former, but it’s very likely the latter. Sad face.
Monday morning was music class number two. Kristian joined us for that one. Then we had lunch at my mom’s house, followed by a nice long nap for Lilian. Which meant that Kristian and I got to take a nice, leisurely slow to Target! Just the two of us! This is not exactly the most exciting of news, but I will take quality time with my husband any time I can get it.
(We bought a pool float! And diaper rash ointment! And whole grain goldfish!)
(OMG!)
After nap time, we headed north for a pool party at Kristian’s boss’s house. Keeping a small child from drowning isn’t quite as relaxing as drinking sangria and reading US Weekly. But a good time was still had by all. Especially the not drowning bit. I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we definitely enjoyed not drowning.
Looking back at this post, I’m realizing just how phenomenally lucky we are these days. We had a rough winter in terms of sickness and snow, but life has been pretty damn good to us lately. I feel so fortunate to have a husband who is so helpful, supportive, and fun. And we’re really fortunate to have a daughter who is so happy-go-lucky and is willing to do things like let mama stick her on a paddleboard.
If this weekend is any indication, I think we have a great summer ahead of us.