one last bit of wonderfulness

We end a weekend of celebrations today. But it doesn't feel like an end really. For one thing, it has so many new beginnings that the terminology here is complicated and not altogether helpful. For instance, this weekend was the first grandchild's birthday that we could celebrate with the whole family since the pandemic. And here's a big first - it was my first time that I could see all five grandkids at the same moment, in the same space. We tried for a photo yesterday and then again today.  Instructions fly for the kids to do this, quit doing that, push the hair back, keep fingers out of mouth, etc. but even though they listen and try, inevitably, there will be a babe who feels put upon and so some soothing words and cuddles take place and then we again remind her to do this, and him to do that and then the other babe will have had enough! It's all very fun and funny. Here's today's best effort: 

But of course, all that came later in the day. In the earlier hours, I could still blend into a Sunday morning with my younger daughter and her family. My breakfast, for instance, was with Primrose.

Though Juniper wasn't too far away!

Primrose has an early morning ballet class (remember? I attended a few weeks ago, when I was last in Chicago) and we drive over to the studio together: mom, grandma and the dancer.

And from here, we head over to the Chicago grandparents' home where we are treated to a splendid brunch. Both young families, together! 

As the big kids play, and Sandpiper wanders around trying not to crash into some unfamiliar object or person, I have a chance to spend some time with Juniper. She and I happen to match today!

I suppose pictures are not the only markers of moods, but still, they do tell the story, or a story very well. As you know, for me they matter. Perhaps I wasn't born with a visual mind, but I surely went in that direction in life. I began taking pictures when I was in elementary school and by high school I was quite serious about it, even though film was expensive and black and white, and I could only do so much with my camera. When we crossed over to digital photography, the doors opened wide for me, not so much for the sake of the art form, but because I am a story teller (good or bad, it doesn't matter -- my days unfold along story lines) and illustrations are very much a part of my narrative.

So let me post just a few more from the brunch. I'm focusing on those whom I don't see on a daily basis. It's my last chance to catch a moment and build a wall of permanence around it as I move ahead with this great project of mine -- to record and to fashion stories out of a day's events -- pieces of which you see here on Ocean.

(We're all taking quizzes to see which character from the movie Encanto matches each of us.)

(too young to participate in that activity...)

(Perfect age for lap play)

I drive home in brilliant sunshine. Not much time to unpack or take stock. Ed is biking, I'm in the kitchen fixing a quick dinner. Yes, the Madison young family is coming over tonight! We'll be missing some Sunday dinners in the weeks to come, so today we get together one more time, in this smaller group. 

Yes, yes, I miss the younger family. I wish they lived around the corner. Nonetheless, we all do live on the same planet and look up at the same sky and come night time, sleep under the same moon.

To all of you patient and good souls -- good night. It's been so very special sharing this weekend with you.

With love...

happy birthday to you...

It's not yet officially your birthday, but man oh man, are we all ready to celebrate! We, your family, Primrose, have waited a long time to sing this to you in person: happy birthday to you...

This day is certainly for you!

Morning preparations. Dress up the baby!

We move the party to the very excellent venue of Jeni's Splendid ice cream -- a neighborhood shop with remarkable ice cream flavors and a crew happy enough to let you use their space for parties, so long as you clear out before they open to the public at noon. [Jeni's is a Philadelphia style ice cream, meaning that it uses no eggs; the richness is in the magnificent grass-fed milk and cream, and the flavors paired with it.]

Here she is -- the just-about-four year old! And her three month old sister.

("That stays there, okay?")

Proud parents...

All those cousins, here to celebrate.

Happy Birthday, sweet sweet Primrose!

Lots of ice cream...

... for everyone!

Seconds and thirds are just fine!

The "two older girls..."

More ice cream, please!

And in the afternoon we are back at the house. Selfies are becoming a favorite for Primrose (and me!). We take one, look at it and laugh and laugh!

"Oh, how quickly they grow..."

(one more present: baby cacti to care for....)

Here's someone who deals well with a lot of excitement...

And now the cousins are here again!

Cousins, grandchildren. Call them what you will. Treasures, beloveds.

So much happiness in one day! We waited a long while for this. A seemingly interminable while. Finally. A most beautiful evening that could go on forever. (Lot's of emotion, can you tell?)

With love, always and forever...

Chicago Friday

If I lived in Chicago, I would do this so often! I'd come to my daughter's house just to hang out.  Especially when she is still on maternity leave. I'd say good morning to Juniper...

I'd watch her do her tummy time...

I'd eat breakfast at their table, all the while keeping an eye out on the little one; she bathes in the kitchen sink, I munch on granola.

Lovely moments, all of them!

Yep, that's what I'd do: evening hangouts at my older girl's home, mornings here, with my younger girl. With school pick ups of kids, a cup of coffee here, a glass of wine there. Or the other way around.

Of course, no one's life is really like that. Time is precious, for her, for me. Schedules permit too little down time for anyone and most especially for working parents.

Still, today I have this lovely image of being that ensconced in the trivial routines of an average day. A chat with my son in law about an article he'd read, a discussion of the superior qualities of baked goods for lunch, and the freewheeling cuddles, stories and games with their ever magnificent children.

Toward noon, I break from the small routines to do something I haven't done for years! Not since I twisted Ed's arm to gift me a session for Valentine's Day (or was it my birthday?) many many years ago. What is it?  Oh, a session with a local massage person to work some magic into ancient limbs and muscles, kneading and grinding and knuckling them into some kind of a divine wonderfulness. I have a friend back in Wisconsin who subjects herself to this every single week. She says it's life saving. Me, I don't want to find out that there are even more expensive life saving items or strategies out there, so I prefer to think of it as a luxurious treat that happens once in a blue moon. And it happened today and it was superb! My muscles feel so coaxed and cajoled into a state of relaxation that I feel I could move mountains once again. Or at least play with a baby on the floor without groaning when the time comes to get up.

Lunch, from Kasama, a Filipino eatery in Chicago's East Ukrainian Village. Exquisite baked goods.

And in the evening my daughter and I walk over to pick up Primrose at school. It's raining, it's windy and freezing cold, but as is her habit, we walk. An adventure to be sure!

And at home, Primrose and I return to our play module, starting off with one story line, but ending somewhere altogether different and unexpected.

Dinner, en famille. Delicious food from the Valle d'Aosta region of Italy.

Bed time should  be early, because tomorrow we need our wits and energies to be in top form. It's the birthday  celebration for the (nearly) 4-year old among us! But, there's this lure of downtime together with the older guys once again. When the children are asleep. 

In other words, when you visit your adult kids and their families, there is no such thing as a good night's rest. It's simply too much fun to be... awake.

Thursday

Time to pack a bag and head down to Chicago. We have a birthday before us!

You want to be there for all your kids' and grandkids' birthdays, but of course, that's not always possible, especially if the offending child dares to live in a place that's a bit of a drive from where you are. Still, you aim to be there. You expect to be there more often than not.

But Primrose (whose birthday it is in a few days) really takes the cake among all grandkids, in terms of birthdays missed by me! She was born early, so I missed her birth day. Both Ed and I made it for the celebration of year one. Then along came Covid and suddenly we were all stuck zooming instead of hugging and dancing and eating cake and ice cream. 

It stands to reason that I am not going to miss this one, her fourth, and indeed, I'll come plenty of days ahead of the family celebration, so that I can settle in and while I'm at it, I can check in on Juniper!

And so very soon after breakfast...

I pack up the car and head south.

Hello, very youngest member of the family!

And hello, soon to be birthday girl!

(I walk over with her mom to pick Primrose up at school. We're "south," alright! First flower sighting -- a Helleborus, aka Lenten Rose.)

(Juniper, looking awfully cute in the stroller!)

(At their Chicago home, with everybody!)

The kids and I play while the parents get ready to go out on a hot date. Well, a date without kids. Which I suppose makes it both hot and calm.

After Primrose and I eat dinner and Juniper insists that she feels left out of that process, I put on the latest Pixar movie for the older girl and attend to the needs of the younger one, and then I let the younger one doze, while I read to the older one, and then I switch fronts once again.  This may sound complicated, but in fact, both girls are sweet and good and awfully patient, in the way that children often are around ancient grandparents. 

I check in with Ed, who, by 9, still hasn't given thought to dinner, which only goes to show that time alone is absolutely necessary so that you can then fully appreciate time not alone.

Later, the parents return and I retreat to my quiet space downstairs and give a lot of thought to how lucky I am  for a million reasons which I cannot even begin to articulate.

Sleep well my friends and dream of peace.