Mixing it up on vacation

We usually do the same things every year at Cannon Beach. That doesn't mean that there is nothing to do or that things get old. It just means we enjoy doing them so much that we like to do them again and again.
This year, we did something different. Instead of being mere spectators at the Fourth of July Parade, we were participants.

It all started last year as a joke, I think. We were watching the parade in all it's small-town glory, and we were amazed by the lack of effort put into some of those enrolled in the promenade- little to no pomp or circumstance. We thought with such little prerequisites and purpose necessary for entry, we could easily join in the march.
So a year later, with very little planning, the members of The Beard Family Cook-Off (that's my family) took to the streets of downtown Cannon Beach.


Our patriotism and culinary flare showed in our attire and accessories, but the main attraction was not the chef hats, candy or the rhythmic beat of various pots, bowls, and oven racks. It was the spectacle three of my brothers made of themselves as they frisbee-ed a pizza pan in a weaving motion at the rear of our procession. The bit of insecurities that may have existed among them before they started had melted away by the warm reception of the crowd. They cheered as the pan was tossed from hand to hand and "ahh"-ed when it was dropped. The tricks became more daring and crowd-pleasing, a sign of their growing confidence. There were a few close calls in danger to the crowd, but nothing worse than when I hit a little girl smack in the middle of the forehead with a piece of hard candy. I felt pretty bad, but in my defense, I had Claire on my front, Jane holding my right hand and I threw with my left. I am not left-handed.


We had a great time and we're pretty sure we had as good a show as any other group.
If we do it again, we might take Dan's suggestion and throw pancakes instead of candy. Everyone kept asking us what was cooking.

Coast to coast

We will be at Cannon Beach for the next week.

Hopefully, we'll do a little of this:

Happy Fourth of July!

When Hannah babysits

Because Claire needs all these things.
Poor Claire.

A nightly occurrence lately

More...

In case you (mom and dad) are likely to only check this blog for pictures of and updates on our kids, there are more of our girls on my photo blog.

Just something to do

This is what I had the girls do today to keep them busy while I was busy.




Shall I say, it was a splash (many), a hit (a few) and a gas (I won't go there).

"Our" "yard"

This is the nearest plot of dirt to play and explore in.

Hannah is constantly asking us if we can have a yard. She also asks if she can have various things when we finally do get a yard.

The first is a dog, of course.
Next, a dog house, obviously.
Then, flowers that she can pick, indubitably.
And I mustn't forget a pool for me and daddy, not to mention a smaller pool for her and Jane, naturally.
Then, a big swing and slide, unquestionably.
Finally, there must be lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of grass, definitely.

That girl knows what she wants! I'm not sure we'll deliver. We can probably promise her flowers.

Does anyone else live in a place where people ask to take pictures of your children?
I find it odd, especially if they want their picture taken with your children.

In the photo above, a couple of guys - tourists we presumed - were walking by Dan, Hannah and myself at the 42nd Street station. They stopped us to ask, or motion, if they could take a picture with Hannah. We just laughed at the strangeness of the request, but we complied and took our own photo. I'm glad we did. We always laugh at it. I wonder if they ever look at this same photo and what they are thinking- "Oh, yeah. That was a cute baby" ???

That was not the only time that happened to us. There have been several occasions. The most recent was at the Pink Martini concert. We had Claire with us. She was hidden and sleeping most of the time but after the opening band played, we pulled Claire out from the sling and held her up. She was all smiles, and a man behind us said, "That is the cutest baby I've ever seen. Can I take her picture?" We said yes. Maybe we won't always.
Even though I think it's weird, I don't really have a problem with it. The requests are usually just for our babies. Maybe if strangers started asking for my children's names and address, then I might get nervous.

Joy School Graduate

We're so proud of such an achievement ;)
On to Pre-K baby!

How she rolls

This is Claire's ride, most of the time. On-lookers are all smiles when they see her little head popping out.

People are ever so friendly when I wear her like this. I feel like a star with her on me. This look is guaranteed to give you a Good-Morning-New-York commute.

~•~

Speaking of rolling, Claire is rolling over. She also is slightly mobile when she kicks her body backward.

More rolls...
Claire has several on her arms, legs, neck. She's a big girl and changing so fast!

Happy Father's Day!

I asked Hannah,
"Do you love daddy?"
"Yes!"
"Why do you love him?"
"Because he's my friend."

I didn't expect that answer, but I thought it was sweet.

Happy Father's Day, Dan!
I love how you love your girls and I love that you love being a dad.
You are the best of the best at it!

I'll stop now before I get all mushy.

Space Deficient, and (trying to be) proud of it

This is what happens when I ask the girls to play in their room only.
I don't ask them to stay in their room very often. It's almost a form of punishment, as their room is smaller than some closets.

Lately, I been feeling more than a little confined by our space and lack thereof. Since we don't see a move in our not-too-distant future (although we'd love one), I have decided to see our space as a blessing rather than a curse.

Here are some reasons our small space is great:

• Our home is easier/faster to clean up
  
• We don't collect much junk
  
• We can hear our kids if (when) they wake up at night
  
• We have what we need and not much more
  
• I can stand in one place in my kitchen and access almost every drawer and cupboard
  
• We always know where the girls are
• When the day comes that we move, it won't take too much effort

If you can think of any other reasons for us to love our small space, please let us know so we can feel even better about living in less than 1,000 square feet with a family of five.

Goosebumps

What does a typewriter, Luis from Sesame Street and a conga line have in common?

Here's a hint:


Have you guessed?

I bet you didn't guess that they were all part of the PINK MARTINI concert we went to last night at Carnegie Hall.
Yeah, you are probably as surprised to know we went as I was when Dan called me during his work day to tell me we had tickets.
What? Seriously? OK then!!!


When my friend Monica was almost rendered speechless in words to describe their live performance, I knew we were in for a treat. Monica did manage to find the word "phenomenal". Spectacular, amazing, inspiring- all those work too. I had goosebumps for about half the show.

We sat in the fifth row, the view from the photo above. We were practically in the band. Too bad we're not that talented.

So, the typewriter...
The opening band Sneakin' Out, had an amazing percussionist. He managed to strike at least a dozen "instruments" in any given song and often played several at a time. One of them was a typewriter that he managed to work into a couple of Beatles songs. Hard to describe. It was a "had to be there" moment, but it had everyone gaping and on their feet.

Luis from Sesame Steet, or Emilio in real life, was invited to come on stage to sing with China and play with the band. He fit into the ensemble very well. He's the one in the left of the photo in the snazzy white suit, looks like China is pointing at him.

And the conga lines? During the last encore song, "Brazil" with a fuller sound than I could imagine, a conga line started around the hall. Suddenly it was a party.
We had a blast. I don't think I stopped smiling until I fell asleep. I may have even smiled after that.

I love Pink Martini.
If you don't have any of their music, put it on your Christmas list. I'll see what I can do.

The Everyday

I wasn't so surprised to see Jane in her "married dress", as she calls it, but padded-envelope head made me laugh.

Jane asks if she can get married every day. There's probably no harm in it, but I wish we never would have gotten that wedding dress. Jane takes it way too seriously. She put this on when the wedding scene in Sound of Music came on. Even without a prompt or reminder, Jane will ask to get married at some point in the day.

As for the Handle With Care...
Well, I don't know what to say about that.

Such a thing as too much PEEP

Quack played a significant role in my dreams last night.
Weird.

Definitely too much PEEP goin' on around here.