"Remember that I love you."

I was reading to Fer and Wendy last night as we always do before bed. Fer chose a re-telling of "The Three Little Pigs" which began with saying how a mother pig sent her children out into the world saying, "Don't forget to write. And remember that I love you." Wendy said as I finished the page, "I do." I asked her, "You do what?" She answered, "Whenever I go out into the world, I remember that you love me."

Fer's First Communion

Happy Easter!

Spring Vacation 2011

We had a lovely vacation, splitting our time between Tivoli, South Orange, and Riverdale. The Cannings were so welcoming as we went through some real estate travails, which thankfully have all been resolved, and we had the chance to celebrate with our soon-to-be neighbors as well.





Up in Tivoli, the big fun was getting ready for Easter with egg-dying and time with family.

5 Points for Fer!!

The first volleyball game was tonight and Fer loved being a part of it. She is on the junior varsity which seems to have quite a few girls just learning to play, so tonight's game was mostly decided by serves. If the ball went over the net, neither team was really able to return it. The first game was pretty decisively in favor of the opposing team Sacred Heart -- I think the score was 25 to 13. But the second game was much closer, 25 to 21, and Fer won 5 of those points single-handedly with her serve! It was very fun to watch -- Wendy and I sat with Fer's teacher Mrs. Guerra, who came to support the team, and Fer's best friend Emily's aunt.

The next game is Friday evening, a home game at St. Peter's Church, and I should have some pics to post after of our powerhouse Fer with her friends on the team!

Shout-out to Fer!

Just wanted to write and say how much we appreciate Fer's steady kindness, generosity and sweetness of spirit. Things at home have been a struggle since the California trip, despite some good times mixed in, and she has really been a rock as far as cooperation. We hope for her sake and all our sakes that soon things will get better and she will not so totally inhabit the "good daughter" role -- she's a deep soul and we know there's a lot going on inside her that needs attention too.

Fer is loving school these days -- special excitement recently is that she joined the volleyball team and is really enjoying going to practice with her best friend Emily and learning new skills. Earlier this evening at the park she was practicing her serve and her set with Chris, using a soccer ball. Tomorrow is her first game, so go St. Peter's! Hopefully I'll have some pictures to post soon.

Two Wendy-isms

On Thursday, we were walking with the dogs in the park and talking about how Happy and Lucky have different personalities. Wendy asked why Happy sometimes stops in his tracks and won't keep walking, and I replied, "Because he's stubborn." Her answer: "Stubborn as a mool! Stubborn as a mool!"

Yesterday Wendy was being the very fierce teacher and giving me and Fer lots of minutes and telling us where to sit. At first we were both on the bed and then she ordered me to the chair to serve out my time. Fer asked, "Why does she get to be on the chair?" I answered, "Because I'm an adult," and Wendy chimed in, "Yes, adultery has its privileges!" (We have a running joke about "membership has its privileges" with our various memberships to the Bronx Zoo, Botanical Garden, etc.)