Beginning in 4th grade students may elect to play a string instrument. I thought I knew all the nuances of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” but hearing it from the earnest hands of 9 and 10 year olds has given me a new appreciation of this timeless, childhood song.
Tagged: childhood, photography, violin recital
“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”
― Marcel Proust
Tagged: Christmas, family, photography, storytelling photography
I can drive 25 miles east and arrive in Washington D.C., a bustling center of culture, politics and diversity. I can drive 25 miles west and arrive in the rolling hills of Virginia, where fruit farms and wineries dot the landscape, where history breathes. This is a beautiful place; my country, my state, my home.
“O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
Tagged: apple picking, Hollin Farms, Virginia
“And to all of the little girls who are watching this, never doubt that you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams.”
– Hillary Clinton
“I know we have still not shattered that highest and hardest glass ceiling, but some day, someone will, and hopefully sooner than we might think right now.”
– Hillary Clinton
Tagged: Election 2016, girl power, girls, Hillary Clinton, women
Penny our jack o’lantern
Tagged: farm fun, pumpkins, Ticonderoga
The Westchester Knicks joined forces with Chase and the Village of Irvington to refurbish and repaint the Bobby Speisman Basketball Court at Scenic Hudson Park The basketball court was originally made possible by the Irvington community, Village of Irvington, and friends in memory of Bobby Speisman, the father of three daughters, who was a passenger on American Airlines Flight 77 which was flown into the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.
The project culminated with a grand re-opening ceremony, featuring special guest speakers, a ribbon cutting ceremony, and a free youth clinic. Bobby Speisman’s family was on hand for the event, as were New York Knicks Legends John Starks and Larry Johnson.
Tagged: basketball, Bobby Speisman Court, childhood, Irvington, New York, travel, Westchester Knicks
On Tuesday Penny lost her third, and first front, tooth. It started to wiggle the week before school. We thought “any day now” but that stubborn tooth hung around like a clingy friend, awkward and annoying. So she started her first day of second grade with snaggle tooth in tow. She skillfully ate around it and prayed each night she wouldn’t swallow it in her sleep.
When she came home from school on Tuesday she ran right to the mirror to assess her new look. With a confident nod she deemed it “cool”. I think she looks kinda hilarious and I guiltily chuckle, as only a mom can, when I see that gaping hole.
Tagged: childhood, lost tooth
Four years ago I brought Lucas to Pirate Adventures in Annapolis. His vivid imagination overwhelmed him and he couldn’t enjoy the adventure. He sat closely to me on the boat, clutching my handbag so that the pirates couldn’t steal it.
It was a beautiful summer day, perfect to enjoy Annapolis. I knew Penny and Oliver would enjoy the pirate experience so after four years we made our way back to Pirate Adventures. To my surprise Lucas remembered every detail of that day four years earlier; how he tripped in the parking lot and scraped his knee and the things I said to ease his worries and keep a smile on his face.
Tagged: Annapolis, Chesapeake, childhood, Pirate Adventures, travel
Tagged: childhood, kindergarten, school
Today I say goodbye to the days of pre-school. No more mid-day play dates, outings to the farm, zoo, museum, squeezing in hugs and kisses between conference calls. No more pitter patter of feet outside my office door followed by a tentative knock, waiting to be invited in. No more barging into my office with squeals of laughter.
For the past nine years a baby, toddler, pre-schooler has been home during the day. While I look forward to the quiet and tidiness I will miss what having pre-school aged children means.
It means grabbing snacks, camera and child and heading into DC to enjoy the Sculpture Garden, American History Museum and street performers because the sun is shining on a Wednesday.
Tagged: childhood, Sculpture Garden, Washington D.C.
Our Everyday 