Meditations on Life and Parenting
“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.” – Jimmy Johnson
This week was just a mish mash of this and that. But I recognize that ordinary weeks are a gift in and of themselves.
Miss O was writing and rolling.
Mr D was brushing and flying.
Cooper, Simone, and Rusty were sharing sun spots. Well, not Rusty – he was in his own spot!
The sign of the week and our rugged mountain.
“Water your dreams with fear, and they will wilt;
with doubt, and they will wither;
with hope, and they will grow;
with faith, and they will flourish” – Matshona Dhliwayo
It seems there is a strong Seahawks color trend in the neighborhood. Even the skeleton has gotten into the theme.
Seems this city is pretty excited for Super Bowl LX!!
Our first little flowers popping up and sidewalk hearts.
Mr. D and I were down at Seattle Center waiting for Miss O to finish a dance class. This scooter picture is taken just moments before I asked him to do a trick. The water of the fountain varies in intensity (and reach) as it performs its own show. Unfortunately, our timing was off, the fountain went full force, and it totally drenched him. But it was a great trick!
So I thought the sign of the week was perfect for our little mishap. 🙂
By request, I’ve added the scooter trick… 🙂
“Be a fountain, not a drain.” – Rex Hudler
We spent time at some fountains this week. The first is on the UW campus and the second at the Seattle Center.
If you are thinking that Mr D looks like he’s in a different climate than the rest of us, you’re right. He must carry around his own heater!
Cooper stole (and ate) an entire loaf of bread off the counter. Does he look guilty? Simone the cat is suggesting he mimic her “I ate too much” pose.
The sign of the week. Also, some spooky Halloween stragglers that are keeping an eye, or at least an eyeball, on us.
(featured photo is downtown Seattle from Lake Union)
“Human progress is neither automatic or inevitable… Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.” – Martin Luther King
I have been under the weather this week. My apologies for being slow to check in with all you wonderful friends. I couldn’t understand why I kept falling asleep with my laptop every night until the head cold appeared and it all made sense!
Fortunately the kids, animals and weather were all clear this week even if I wasn’t! 🙂
Nothing like a spot of red to brighten up the day!
In formation…Cooper and Simone might not have the numbers of the flock of geese but still are quite impressive when they are in sync.
The sign of the week and a found heart.
“These mountains that you are carrying, you were only supposed to climb.” – Najwa Zebian
Training with my young peakbaggers on a hike up Little Mt. Si. Ten-year-old Miss O was surprised when she saw the signs for the mountain. “Oh,” she exclaimed, “I thought it was Mt. S-I-G-H.” Well, there are some portions of the hike where that applies too!
Then we got to our January 1st goal — making it to the top of Tiger Mountain on NY’s Day! I’m so proud of these kids – and Cooper the dog too, of course!
Mug shots
The snuggle of the week — and sign of the week
“All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.” – St. Francis of Assisi
This post is dedicated to the bright lights of this delightful WordPress Community. Wishing you all happiness and joy in whatever you celebrate this time of year whether it be Hannukah, Christmas, Kwanza, New Years or simply the change of light that comes with the solstice.
Ten-year-old Miss O smiling after singing in a lovely Christmas concert. The Elves on the Shelf might be smiling but we don’t know because they landed in the bathroom. Mr. D installed a privacy screen so no one had to feel embarrassed.
Before I had kids, I used to do one of my favorite hikes every New Years Day. One of the best ways to celebrate a new year, in my opinion! This is the first year that I think my kids might be able to do it because it has a fair amount of elevation gain. To prepare, we worked out on my favorite Seattle stair climb – 13 flights, 290 steps for each full set! And let’s be clear – it’s me that needs the workout more than they do with their fresh, young legs!
Happy holidays from the grocery store soda display and the neighbor’s skeleton
I’m taking the next two weeks off so this is my last post for 2025. I may even take naps like Cooper during the break. I wish you all a fantastic holiday season and all the best in 2026!
“People think of education as something they can finish.” – Isaac Assimov
We had an atmospheric river over Seattle this week so as I flipped through my pictures, I was pleasantly surprised at how many moments I’d caught of pretty sunsets and time outside.
We had a birthday party in the student union building on the UW campus. I’m not sure I even knew that there was a bowling alley there was there when I attended UW. But it was so fun to be back on the campus that I was jumping for joy on the inside. Miss O was doing cartwheels. Mr. D was practicing his bowling form.
You know how you tell your older child that the younger child will not always be smaller than they are? Yes, that’s six-year-old Mr. D giving ten-year-old Miss O a piggy back. To continue the theme of launching things from the bowling above, he’s been practicing his form for paper airplane flight.
Cooper and I did a foggy day hike. He’s not sure how Miss O’s apple pie got in his bed but IF it had anything to do with him, he’s pretty sure he earned it.
Our dear friend invited us for a wreath making party. My dear friend Eric dubbed it Wreather Madness. No tears necessary!
“You can tell a lot about a person by the way they handle three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.” – Maya Angelou
We didn’t have tangled Christmas tree lights – but we have Cooper the thief who likes to entangle us in his antics!
We put ornaments on the tree — and Cooper takes them off.
We decorated gingerbread houses with my friend Jill. Cooper moves the decorations around.
Singing to the elves on the shelf (top of the piano) and Mr. D wearing a sweatshirt that is perfectly suited for his gap-toothed grin!
Cooper stealing a stocking — and not apologizing for it per the sign of the week!
“No amount of regret changes the past.
No amount of anxiety changes the future.
But any amount of gratitude changes the present.” – unknown
Thanksgiving cooks. Yep, that’s a lot of chefs in the kitchen but we all got along. And for anyone wondering, yes, that’s Mr. D making his famous medium water. I’m so grateful for a houseful of family and friends I adore and love!
It was parent-teacher conference week so the kids had the week off school and got creative doing other things. I’m so grateful for downtime with kids.
Cooper breaking the Thanksgiving boundaries — but fortunately after the meal. I’m so grateful, he wasn’t a gobbler!
(quote from Enlightened Mind 622 – Any Amount of Gratitude)
“Each one of us can make a difference. Together we make change.” – Barbara Mikulski
The rope team for fixing the roof.
Haircuts. Mr. D just got a professional haircut but wanted to touch it up – for himself and also for Cooper.
Giraffes and gadgets. Mr. D was certain he wanted to buy that drinking helmet from our neighborhood gag gift store. Thank goodness it fits a spindrift can. 🙂
I love this sign of the week. And a little more of our stunning sunrise on Friday morning with a layer of Mr. Rainier visible under the clouds.
Surprised By Joy 