Kiki's Marriage Proposals

I Tried to Teach My Child with Books;
He Gave Me Only Puzzled Looks.
I Tried to Teach My Child with Words;
They Passed Him by Often Unheard.
Despairingly, I Turned Aside;
"How Shall I Teach this Child," I cried?
Into My Hand He Put the Key,
"Come," He Said, "Play with Me."
~ Author Unknown


I think a lot about being a good parent. Wondering if I am one. How can I be better? Will it make a difference? Do I pay enough attention? Do I pay too much attention? Does Kiki suffer because I don’t always want to play? How much do my actions, thoughts, feelings affect my daughter? Do I even deserve this beautiful child that has entered our life?

It seems like Kiki went from being two to being three in the blink of an eye. I feel like I missed a year somehow and want to do my best to make the most of the time we spend together. I want her to enjoy most moments in life, to be a good person, to respect others, and to respect herself. I want her to be thoughtful, educated, humble, relaxed, and confident. Not too much to hope for, to strive for, is it? How will we teach her?

Not every moment is going to be some profound learning experience, but she is always watching. We spent the weekend visiting with Meemaw (fun trip to American Girl), planting a tomato plant, and attending a “getting to know you” brunch with her new friends from next year’s class at school. Simple, but fun. She does see how we interact with (and treat) other people. How fun it is to be with family. How we can't get everything we want. And, the magic of the word please.

Which brings me to Kiki’s marriage proposals. A few weeks ago, the mother of one of Kiki’s great friends at school told me a funny story. Her son, Jed (on the seesaw with Kiki in the pics), was asking her if he would get married someday. She told him she hoped so. He asked her who he might marry. She said she didn’t know, they’d have to wait and see. He asks, how about Kiki? She said sure!

At the brunch, another mother whose son is in Kiki’s class told me she had a very similar conversation recently with her son. He also asked if he could marry Kiki :-D.

So, with all the worrying, I suppose we must be doing something right. By the way, we’d be very happy with either suitor, but Kiki has declared herself too young to get married ;-).

It's Been A While

In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.~ Albert Schweitzer

My friend Eric (Allyson’s hubby) cut out this cartoon (if you click on it, it will come up larger so you can read it) for me which is funny on it’s own, but even funnier to me because he is always teasing me about putting up blog posts almost every day.

He told Allyson she didn’t need to see me, talk to me on the phone, or even email me, because she can find out everything that is going on in my life just by looking at the website. I like sarcasm :-D. Really.

So, it has been a while, for me anyway, since I’ve written anything. We had another international visit this weekend from one of Amir’s oldest friends and his family. Amir and Oren served in the army together and spent many months in tents on the border of Lebanon. I guess that can bond you pretty quickly.

Elanit joined their group early on, and is generally the only girl allowed when their guy friends get together in Israel. Guy and Joey round out the family and are amazing kids. Such a cool family- I'm glad I inherited them with Amir.

Today Kiki had her first visit to the Dentist. It could have gone either way- heaven knows we struggle with getting her to brush her teeth- but once again she was a complete pro.

She went with the Dentist without Mommy, and he said she did everything they asked without even the littlest fuss.

In fact, she really enjoyed it, and everywhere we went after (including a willing trip to the medical doctor) she announced that she was a big girl who went to the dentist today!

She also told everyone that she and Mommy are twins (we were dressed alike, but I don’t think they bought the twin theory ;-D).

Kiki decided to become a photographer today as well. The pictures of the two of us from today, she took. One of them you can see we are holding hands. That’s because she told me “I want to take a holding hands picture of us together”. So sweet! I also have a gazillion that she took of just me and “her” new carpet, but won’t bore you with all of those ;-D…

She had me smiling and laughing all day- euphoric at times. Do you know what I mean when I say that today was one of the best days of my life yet nothing extraordinary happened? That’s what children do.

Sophie Spends the Night

If you never did you should. These things are fun and fun is good. ~ Dr. Seuss

The girls have been asking us for another sleepover, so Kiki had Sophie come spend the night on Friday. We started off the evening with a trip to Lorraine's house for a children's mani/ pedi. How lucky we are to have the toddler charmers (aka the Loomis') just a few houses down!

Let me backtrack for a second to Thursday night when my husband decided to become a lawn guy and got a terrible allergic reaction to something outside and spent the night in the ER. Turns out it was a spider bite and his toe now looks like a three-fanged monster took a nibble out of it. Check out his blog for the whole saga. Thankfully, thankfully, thankfully, he is fine.

So, as I mentioned, after Amir recovered, we were ready for Sophie's visit. First came the nail painting, then we had a make your own pizza party, followed by a video, bedtime story, and finally, sleep!

The girls nearly came to blows over what movie to watch. Kiki wanted Caspion, Sophie wanted Ariel. Both ocean creature stories- don't see what the problem was! They decided on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

Other than that, they got along famously and generally teamed up on Abba and I. You'll see from the video all the fun names they came up with for Amir, and during my attempt to read them Fancy Nancy at bedtime they pretty much went nuts. I'm sure I was jumped on at least 45 times.

Kept reading though- I can't think of anything more fun! Really.

After the story attempt, Amir and I left the room to let them sleep. Of course we hear some giggling, more jumping, some talking, then some yelling (for Abba- when did I become second choice again???), and then some crying.

We ran up, Kiki insisted a REAL person sleep on the air mattress with her, and Abba obliged.

They both fell asleep shortly thereafter, and we didn't hear from them again until the heart stopping "COCK-A-DOODLE DOO!!!!!!!!!" we were awakened with in our ears in the morning. It was soooo funny even at 6:39 am.

Saint Amir got up with them and let me sleep in a little. Then, Meemaw came over, we met the Balzuweit's for lunch, and sadly gave them back their daughter.

A great evening for great friends, and we look forward to next time as much as Kiki and Sophie do...

Tiffany and Daniel's Wedding

And I love you today, tomorrow, and forever
I will trust and honor you
I will laugh and cry with you
With unfailing love, I will stand by you
Through the best and the worst
Through the difficult and easy
As I have given you my hand to hold
So I give you my life
So help me God.

~Vows from the Senden Wedding

This is going to be a long post full of pictures! Amir and I have just returned from a fabulous weekend in Charleston celebrating the marriage of Tiffany and Daniel.

I won't lie, it was HOT and I'm covered in chigger bites, but we had an absolute blast!

The wedding was beautiful and touching, with the most meaningful vows I have heard at a wedding yet. I used a portion as my quote today. Tiffany has been a dear friend for more years than I care to mention, and I fully believe she married "the one". They looked gorgeous as you can see, but also you can see the joy in both of their faces.

For those of you who are married, you probably can relate to me in that I barely remember Amir's and my actual ceremony. I was so nervous, it all seems like a blur to me.

For Tiffany and Daniel, though, it truly looked like they were in the moment and felt every word.

Both the wedding and rehearsal dinner were on the water- just amazing scenery all weekend- and southern style. They even had a bluegrass band at the rehearsal dinner.

We definitely partook of the spirits more on Friday night that Saturday, and made poor Amir take picture after picture. He pretty much refused to be photographer on Saturday, so you'll see we have many more photos of the rehearsal dinner ;-D.

It was so nice to spend so much time talking and partying with my long time friends that I don't see nearly enough these days.

And, it was also very nice to spend some time with my husband without the pressures of daily life.

It was a great weekend!!!

Take- 1 eyes closed...

Take 2 - can you look at the camera please, Eric Balzuweit is going to be waiting for my blog post and I need good pictures ;-D

Take 3- that's better! See how professional Angela is? She has a beautiful smile right at the camera everytime!

Girls Nights Out

The best mirror is an old friend. ~George Herbert

Last weekend was quite full, and very fun starting Thursday with Crystal's evening of shopping for the benefit of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. She managed to arrange for a local restaurant to donate food and wine for the evening which we enjoyed while we shopped at a charming little store called The Shoppe of Vinings. A portion of the proceeds were donated to CCFA. I was SO impressed with Crystal's planning abilities :-D.

Also, the James family, along with many of their close friends and family, did a walk for the CCFA on Sunday which earned over $200,000!!! Check out their website for more details and pictures.

Friday night I got to celebrate my dearest friend Shannon's birthday. We ate at Parish in Inman Park. The restaurant is beautiful and the food delicious. Can't wait to go back. It's always heartwarming to spend time with old friends. As I have mentioned before, Shannon and I have known each other since we were 11! Her big sis Lori (who was always so cool to us growing up), Dana (who also went to High School with us), and Jennifer (sorority sister from college :-D) made great evening!

Then, Saturday, the girls from the neighborhood had a Sex in the City night. Thanks to Susana's clever planning, we started off at her house with cosmo's and watched the final episode before heading to Atlantic Station for dinner and the movie.

Sunday definitely required some rest, but I'll never complain about being busy. And, I know how lucky I am to have such good friends.

A Beautiful Mind

I shut my eyes in order to see. ~Paul Gauguin

Kiki and I went with her school friend, Molly, and Molly's mother, Sarah, to the Botanical Gardens last week. The girls had a great time exploring the children's gardens, but the flower sprinklers were definitely the big hit.

On the way, Kiki entertained me with a rousing rendition of "Jumping Salad in a Pot" (?), a detailed description of where Molly and Miss Sarah were lost in the forest next to the highway and how we needed to save them (??), and finally she introduced me to her imaginary friend "the Grumpy Old Troll" (not Michael, or Sally, or Jake as some children might name their imaginary friends) who apparently was grumpy because Kiki ate his or her birthday cake (???). I had to wonder if she was talking about me :-D.

Isn't imagination beautiful?!?! For me, Kiki's imagination is an endless source of wonder and amusement.

Of course, this same mind decided the greatest tragedy in her young life was the fact that her Mommy gave her a plain band aid instead of an Elmo band aide for her boo-boo (cue whining, tears, and the mean Mommy soundtrack) :-D!

Memorial Day

Honor to those who never sought it;

Fame to those who never wished it;

Glory to those who never dreamed it;

Immortality, for they earned it.
~ Mike Grissom

Before talking about our Memorial Day celebration, I wanted to take a minute and remind myself that it is intended to be a day spent reflecting on the memory of fallen soldiers. Without revealing too much about my political views, I'm terribly saddened by the loss of life our country is experiencing (and other countries are experiencing as well). I'm proud of those who have volunteered to serve and pray each and every one comes home safely to their families.

In Israel, there is a Memorial Day (Yom Hazikaron) followed immediately by Independence Day (Yom Ha'atzmaut). Memorial Day is somber and reflective and Independence Day is celebratory and festive. I think that is a good way to remember those no longer with us while still honoring those who remain.

That being said, we did have a great time at a poolside BBQ with some of our best friends. The guys did the grilling (or hiding from the kids as we like to say), while we swam, chatted, and just relaxed. Couldn't have asked for better weather or company. Enjoy the pictures :-D.

Braves and Billy Goats

The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned. ~Maya Angelou

Eric B. got lucky last week at work and won four tickets to the Braves game last night, 7th row behind home plate. Amir and I joined him and Allyson for the evening while Lorraine and Rhiannon watched the children.

We started out at STATS for what we thought would be a quick dinner and drinks, but turned into a storm watch. We were happy for the short diversion and joined everyone at the bar watching the news and waiting for the second tornado in history to hit downtown Atlanta (it didn't). In between drinks, we also fielded multiple calls from Meemaw warning us of the imminent danger :-D.

The storm passed and off we went to the game where Eric and Amir tried their hand at pitching- sadly, no scouts came calling. Amir, not being from these parts, had to ask Eric how to hold a baseball. It was very cute.

Ever the gentleman, Amir was hauling around my piece luggage that I call a purse, and the ticket taker told him he was sure he could find some shoes to match at Macy's. Funny!

We had such a great time! Meanwhile, back at the Balzuweits, Sophie and Kiki got manicures and again Kiki declared that I do not have a future in nail polishing.

During the last inning, a player from the Mets was injured. The game was over, the Braves had won, but no one left their seats until he was back on his feet and off the field. I'm no expert in baseball etiquette, but I do know something about southern manners, and was really touched at this display of respect.

Which reminds me of a sign I saw posted the other day at the front of the neighborhood of our newest rental property (see picture). This struck me as very, very funny, but also made me feel nostalgic. I grew up passing farms on my way to school- they aren't there anymore- but after college lived in downtown San Diego and then Manhattan. I'm glad I found my way home where somebody is still going to go looking for a missing billy goat.

The only thing we need is water...

My First Sleep Away From Home

To bring up a child in the way he should go, travel that way yourself once in a while. ~Josh Billings

Kiki spent the night away from home without Amir and I for the first time this weekend!

Meemaw wasn't feeling well, and Allyson and Eric stepped in and offered to have Kiki spend the night with them (and Sophie and Jack of course) so Amir and I could go to a shower for Tiff. I can't think of a better family to look after our daughter.

I didn't realize what a big deal this would be until I got out of the shower Saturday afternoon, and Amir and Kiki were gone :-(. Off she went for her first sleepover away, and I didn't get to give her a kiss goodbye. What a stark reminder of how big she has gotten.
Allyson said the girls were great and had the best time. They did exactly as Sophie said they would "laughed, talked, played, and... slept!" The pictures the Balzuweit's took speak volumes.

I'm very proud of Kiki for being so at ease sleeping at someone else's home. It helps she's known the Balzuweit's since she was 4 months old :-D.
Take a look at Allyson's blog for a better description of the nights events!

Thank you again so so much!!!

The party was also a lot of fun. We drove up to Flowery Branch and got to hang out poolside with great friends, listen to a live band, and be in a beautiful home on the lake. We're so happy to celebrate with Tiffany and Daniel and are ready for the Big Event in Charleston next month!