Catching Up

Much has happened in the month since I have posted, perhaps the longest I've gone since Penelope was born. But, since one of the events is misplacing my camera, I have a minor excuse. Thank god for the iphone - it has saved me so many times.

So, here is what I can tell the few readers I've probably got left about life P.D. (that's post-Disney).

We had a terrific visit to New Haven where Penelope was "guest teacher" at her beloved nursery school. I for one was pretty happy to crawl back into the nursery cocoon where all are loved and nothing has changed. We saw lots of friends and managed to visit the weekend of the Bethesda fair. This year Penelope got her own tickets and went wherever she wanted, without a grown up! She was in heaven.



a blurry shot of morning meeting with one of Penelope's faves - Sarah!

We spent many hours after school trying to master the monkey bars at the Bethesda park. Imagine our surprise when Penelope found, sadly, she's too tall now to do these monkey bars!



I don't know which was better - reconnecting with Sylvia or getting to eat cotton candy.



Back on the home front, We celebrated "Communiversity," an annual fair in town with lots to do. My organization hosted a table with a craft for kids - making musical shakers. Penelope was a great helper. Here's one of my favorites.



And here she is with my colleague John.



We've been gathering at friends houses on Monday nights for dinner - finally the weather is warm enough. Last Monday, Penelope led some friends in a meditation retreat. Honestly, some of the stuff she retains cracks me up.



And, recently, we went to Doug's birthday party -a reptile party! Snakes, alligators, and snapping turtles made appearances.



The end of kindergarten is hurling towards us at a mind-bending speed. Where did the year go? Zach and Penelope are on book 12 of 13 in Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events. Penelope and I are on god knows which book number of Magic Treehouse and just today Penelope was allowed to take out her first chapter book from the school library, a privilege that goes only to kids who can read. At the silent auction to raise money for her school, she won the prize of being teacher's helper for the day. A role she covets and will take on happily.

Much to my own dismay (and private fascination mixed with glee), Penelope will perform in her school show - two "real classic" songs - Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry! When I hear her in her room practicing the line "moving my hips, oh yeah" I cringe and then kind of crack up at the pre-teeny bopper behavior. I can't wait to see how it all comes out.

Then there's the closing picnic, school hike, and - gulp -graduation. And somewhere in there, we will welcome a new cousin - baby Hoyt due in two short weeks.

I will find the camera and I will document it all.