Questions Scarlett asked us today

1. What's that? (points at nativity scene)
Us: It's the story of Christmas, Jesus in a manger etc etc.

2. What's the story of Christmas?
Us: Explain (she's like yes, maybe I've heard this before). I say, I think Jesus was a hippy, all about peace and love and helping other people.

3. What's cannabis? (she reads the sign as we walk by the pot shop)

4. What's a hippy?

Also, we went on vacation

This post is over 2 months old.  But, vacation is THE BEST.  It's been a while since I disconnected fully from work for so long.  We were away from home almost two weeks.

We hit up Walla Walla for my family vacation for the weekend, then Yellowstone which we loved, then Mt. Rushmore and the Badlands, Devil's Tower, then so much of South Dakota and Nebraska until we finally arrived in Illinois at our final destination, 6 days later.

There were some hotel pools and days of driving in between all that too, and a visit with my brother in his new home in Lincoln.  

We have a million pictures, here are some of them.

We rented a sweet SUV, Scarlett named her Cherry.

Yellowstone IS AMAZING.  We only had one day and really wished for more.  We need to go back.  This is the Grand Prysmatic Spring, and one tired girl.  After this, we had ice cream.

 Buffalo traffic jam

 Devil's Tower

The Badlands, which also deserve more time than we gave them.

Rushmore

 

My sweetheart nephew...

 More family- this is Aunt Nettie in Macomb IL

 And GRANDMA!

 We hit up the Lincoln Park zoo in Chicago and ate some deep dish pizza

Bubbles

This morning, Scarlett and I did a bubble-filled 5K with her buddy Jude.  It was messy and really fun.  At the end, our shoes were soaked through, and Scarlett insisted she would never ever wash the shirt, ever. 

Summertime

Harry Potter Camp

Today for camp, Scarlett had to take a broom, because they're going on a field trip to play Quidditch. 

Last night we finally started reading HP Book 7.  We took a LONG break after book 6 because of the sad events that took place within. 

Donut Dash

Scarlett and Charlie ran a fun 3k with obstacles this weekend.  I took pictures only.  It was like 90 degrees.  Scarlett was really excited beforehand, as were we.  She and I ran a mile together last weekend, with some walk breaks.  Here they are, before the race:

They ran the 3k and I met them towards the end:

Then, there were little obstacles, like cornhole, hula hooping, and this walk through a giant hairbrush outside the beauty salon.

Afterwards, Scarlett said she was very proud of herself.  She was also tired, and hot, so we didn't wait in line for our free donuts.  We got a gift certificate to enjoy them on another day and, bought some donuts on the way home.

Sewing

Scarlett has been sewing some cool stuff lately.  There is fabric EVERYWHERE.  Also thread, half-created fabric projects, and tiny pillows.  We have a strict process in place to make sure no needles or pins end up on the floor, because I do not mind a constructive mess but I don't want to step on a sharp thing.

Pillow case turned into a romper with giraffe art on the front.  She wore this to school, to major applause, and as I type this I'm thinking wow, we are lucky she goes to the type of school where this is welcomed.

Camp!

Here are the things Scarlett wants to remember about desert camp, which she referred to as: "The most exciting adventure Arnie and I have ever been on"

• Her group named themselves the "Awesome rainbow sprinkle-covered wolves". They howl when called.
• Address was Hancock Field Station, Fossil Oregon, 97830 (she told me this from memory and made sure I wrote it down)
• Cafeteria: "a large rectangular room with stairs in the corner leading to the library and a wooden sign about that, that said 'library'.  There were long tables on the floor.  There was a table called the side table, you needed a side table pass to go there.  It had like yogurt and cereal and lemonade and apple juice and orange juice."
• The bleachers were made of wood
• The cabin (Coyote) was so dark at night that they couldn't tell the difference between eyes open and eyes closed
• The girls cabin stayed up late playing something called Abracadabra, until their teacher in another cabin came over to tell them they were being too loud.  

She came home so happy and so tired.  Next year's camp is planned for the forest.

March in Portland

Wow, I wrote this and, now it's not even March. Oops.

 

Blue frosting tongue

Slumber party cookies

Scarlett sewed this hat

I ran a race, then I drank a coke and a milkshake with these fine humans

George

Last Weds was Scarlett's last day of her after-school acting class.  So far, she loves this class, she wishes it was every day.  She had her lines memorized a week in.  The play was Curious George- Scarlett was the man with the yellow hat, scene 1.

In the days and hours leading up to it, Scarlett said she just wanted to wind time forward so it'd be time for the play (!)

Afterwards she said- it went by so fast, it was a dream.  So now, she's signed up for the next round, and is bummed that she's got 3 weeks of downtime before class starts.  I said, write your own play in the meantime. 

Age 7

Dear Scarlett,

Your seventh birthday was a success on all accounts.  You woke up a little early and yelled MAMA.  The night before, you asked 'what will my first word be when I'm seven?'

For school, you colored your hair with pink and green hair chalk, and wore a brand new black & purple dress that daddy bought the night before.  You seem so big. In fact, you are 55 pounds and 49 inches, which the doctor says is the exact height and weight of the average 8 year old.  We offered to let you skip age 7 for this reason, but you are excited about 7.

For the first time, I had lunch with you at school.  On past birthdays I've asked, and you always said no, you want to have lunch with your friends.  But this year, you were excited for me to have lunch with you, and I was very happy. Then your class hosted a Special Friends Day celebration- a party where you all made smoothies and popcorn. Aunt Sally came to that, and you told daddy and I explicitly that you are not hosting us, you are hosting Aunt Sally. 

Dinner was sushi, ordered-in so you could play with your cousins while we waited, and an ice cream cake. 

We had a party with your cousins and family friends, and another with your school friends.  Both parties had a lot of balloons, and some crafts, and cookie decorating.  


Gifts (because you always ask, years later, what you got for past birthdays)
Headphones- which you asked for every time someone asked what you want.  I said- do not ask everyone for headphones or you'll get 5 pair!  You said Mama, I know you already bought me headphones.  It's true that I did.
Lap desk- which we envisioned you using to write or draw on car trips, or while sitting on the couch or your bed.  So far, it's been used for you to draw pictures while going potty.  You said "this was a good gift!"

We are so proud to be your parents.  I love you tremendously.
Mama

In Scarlett's America

Dear Scarlett,
On Inauguration day, you came home from school with this art project.  You'd watched the event, and talked about it class, and your class made flags to explain how each of your Americas would be.  Yours says:

"Fight for equal rights
No matter who you are
No matter where you're from
and no mater what color you are
treat each other equally"

You are my favorite kind of person.  I am so proud to be your mother!

Women's March

On the day of the inauguration, Scarlett said she heard about this march and she wanted to go.  Some friends were going, and they'd talked about it at school.  I have never been to a march or a protest of any kind, but I'm supportive of this cause and I was so proud of her.  It rained.  She wanted to chant, so we tried out a few things.  We made signs. I only wish this didn't feel necessary.

Snow Day # 8

Snow day # 6

We're on our 6th day of missed school (not in a row) because of the weather.  It's been mostly ice related, and some snow, but today it's MASSIVE SNOW.  7 inches so far, and more is flowing.  Scarlett said (with tears, because we wouldn't let her outside at 7:15am) that this snow is like CHICAGO snow. 

Holler girl is taking out the Christmas tree

Christmas when you were 6

My dear Scarbar, You like to ask what you did for Christmas when you were various ages, so here's a recap of this year.  Your favorite gift was a big pillow to lean against and read on, which we stitched a Hufflepuff patch onto. I picture you leaning against it to read or knit in that little cozy spot we've made under your bed.  You carried it to your cousin's house (because Esther got one too, GAAA EXCITEMENT) on Christmas Day, and happily dragged it all around. 

You were so patient in the morning, while daddy roasted coffee beans and made the coffee, and we all brushed our teeth. You didn't rush out to the tree to look at gifts, you just came into the kitchen with us.  Thank you for your patience, that's something I've been reminding you to work on. 

Harry Potter Clue was your other favorite gift, but you also had books and several pair of zany stretch pants, a super warm coat daddy picked out for you, and a stocking full of candy.  Then we spent a few hours playing board games, before heading to your cousins' house for the afternoon and evening.  We ate perogies and went to sleep with very full bellies, thankful for family and food and a warm place to sleep.  I have loved spending my Christmases with you, sweet girl.

With much love, your gracious Mama