Aaarg Matey!

Now It's On

Papas and Babies

Molly's Haircut

Snowball Bushes

When I was growing up, my grandmother had a beautiful bush beside her front porch that she called a snowball bush. Now, my grandmother had her own name for things. So, I was never really sure if that was the real name or if that was something she just called it.

The bush grew as big as the front door. Every year I would get so excited to see the big blooms. Then about 10 years ago, it died. My grandmother had Alzheimer's by this time. I never got to ask her if that was the real name of the bush.

Last summer, while strolling through the endless flowers at Lowes, I saw one labeled "Snowball". So, I HAD to have it. J planted it for me. It was a tiny thing and I watered it and cared for it.

Enter summer. My grandfather died, followed by my grandmother. When I finally caught my breath enough to look at my plants, the snowball bush had withered.

This spring, I was getting ready to pull up the dead bush.  I didn't have the heart to do it last year. As I reached down, I noticed tiny green bulbs were beginning to sprout from the ends of the "dead" branches.  I froze. It was a miracle! I could almost her my grandmother's voice. The bush was alive!

Yesterday, after many months of spending weekends cleaning their house, my family held an estate sell at my grandparents. As I walked around to the door, I saw something out of the corner of my eye that made my heart stop. My grandmother's snowball bush - for the first time in 10 years - was in full bloom.

Now, it didn't have all the glory that it had under her touch. It was a little wild-looking. It was not the perfectly trimmed round bush exploding with blooms. Instead, it was a straight shoot into the air - about my height - with about 10 big snowballs.

I can't remember the last time nature has shown me something so beautiful.

Mysterious Mouth Things

Dear Grace,

Today you went to the dentist. I hated that you had to go. I tried really hard not to show you how completely un-cool with dentists I am. I don't think you fell for it.

You have a mysterious place in your mouth that looks like a canker sore. You have had it for months and your doctor initially thought it was just a blister that you kept biting as you gnaw on everything. This week, she thought we should go ahead and get it checked out. So, we found a pediatric dentist and off we went.

Your dad and I took you into the lobby. They had games! They had toys! They had an awesome tree maze on the wall where you slid the little bugs around the tree trunk with your little hands.

Then they called us back.

You sat in my lap on a big cushion seat and laid your head back into the dentist's lap. She was very gentle and reassuring to you, but you screamed like she was pulling out all your teeth anyway.

She got out her dental book and showed us pictures. She sent you to the oral surgeon to make sure she was right. She didn't charge us for our visit and gave you a sticker.

I wanted to ask her if she saw 31-year-olds, but your dad thought that might not be a good idea.

The oral surgeon visit went better. Your dad took you back and held you. Apparently, you turn on the screaming drama for my benefit. Who knew?

The oral surgeon confirmed that you have a clogged salivatory gland. He and the army of your dad will be removing this gland in two weeks. It's supposed to be NOT A BIG DEAL.

They won't numb you or anything. Just snip and it's over.

Your dad doesn't want me to go. He says he can't handle us both.

I hate this is happening to you, but it could be so much worse. So, at least we are grateful for that.

Love forever,
Mama

Roses in Bloom Again

Bite Me

Today at daycare, some little punk kid bit my sweet precious baby.

According to the teacher, Grace was playing outside having a great time when this mean little kid in her class had the nerve to just come running up to her and bite her. ON THE HEAD!

Now she has a red set of teeth on the top of her forehead.

Okay, so I know. Kids will be kids. They bite. It happens. My kid will probably bite the other kids soon enough (especially since she's being shown how to do it!).

But, this is the first time in her young life that Grace has had to experience the just-plain-meanness of others. I'm claiming my right to be angry about it!

Luckily for that kid, he gets to remain in anonymity - identity only known by the teacher, his parents and my poor innocent baby.

Climbing on the Disney-Princess-Mobile

In the Doghouse