Natural History

I loved growing up close to my cousins. They were some of my best friends, and still are! We played together often and knew each other well. During the summer, my cousin Brooke and I would take the number 40 bus to and from each other's houses. (Can you even imagine sticking your child on a bus by herself these days?) Every time our families got together, we would play Barbies for hours, and then, when it was time to go home, we would beg our moms to have a sleepover.

My boys have exactly one cousin. And he lives 5 hours away in Boise, ID. So when James came to spend a week with Grandma and Papa, we squeezed in as much cousin time as we could. We spent two afternoons at the pool, and one morning at the new Natural History Museum.

As an only child, he's not used to having to accommodate weird little kids, but he is a sweetie, and he let the punk talk his ear off and poke him with puppets in the car.

Bell boys

I love the architecture of this building.

Run, Grandma! He's getting away!

You look surprised to see me.

Staring contest

Having Fun Is Hard Work

The slogan of this year's Utah Arts Festival is "Look Dirty. Have Long Man-Hair." I didn't see this slogan in print, but I did see lots of festivalers who took it to heart. 

We took the boys to the Arts Festival in the hope that with exposure to art, music, and diverse crowds (scruffy dudes included), they will develop an appreciation for our lovely city and the people in it. It is my hope that my man and I will always be able to provide a level of exposure to the arts, sports, social groups, and nature that will enhance our boys' lives and help them to grow up to be self-aware, compassionate, and educated. All these hopes and expectations, however, must be tempered during a family outing with two little guys. The lofty goal of cultural enlightenment takes a back seat to the immediate realities of heat (100 degrees), hunger, fatigue, and little-boyness.

We spent 90% of our time in the Art Yard where the boys visited the musical instrument petting zoo, listened to an animated storyteller, enjoyed sandwiches and chocolate milk, and made their own works of art. Maybe someday, we'll be able to visit the grown-up section of the festival. Until then, we will do our best to balance education with enjoyment.

Me: "You look confused."
Tim: "That's just my face."

Play Me, I'm Yours

Ten painted pianos have been installed on the streets of Downtown Salt Lake City for our enjoyment. This project called Play Me, I'm Yours by British artist Luke Jerram is presented by the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, and is on display through the end of June. The public is invited to sit down and play Mary Had A Little Lamb (the punk's current masterpiece), Solfeggettio by Bach (a piece I learned in junior high, and the only one I have memorized), Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater (a black-keys-only number, which Grandma Caryn taught the punk today), or a personal composition (which the basher shared with his grand audience of bicyclists and passersby).

Go! Play! Enjoy!

(Here's the website, with a map of the piano locations.)

Summer Shenanigans

We gave the basher a haircut. It suits him.

We carried a giant diaper box down the street and went grass sledding. This is so much better than snow sledding! Instead of bundling up in coats, snow pants, boots, gloves, and hats, we just threw on our flip flops and walked out the door.

We have lots of fun things planned this summer. All of them will require sunscreen on the basher's head.

Honeybird

The punk and I saw a baby robin hanging out on the railroad ties in our backyard, waiting for its mama to deliver the delicious worm that was dangling from her beak. When she flew into some long vines and he hopped over and joined her, we walked outside to see them. Mama Bird had chosen her hiding place wisely, however, and we couldn't find them. But as we were investigating, another creature took notice and started humming over our heads. A tiny, whirring hummingbird hovered directly over us, then sped off at various angles to check us out. When she figured we weren't dangerous (I guess), she zoomed to a branch directly overhead and landed in her tiny nest. I had never seen a hummingbird nest before! Have you?

The punk calls it a "honeybird."

Solo Date: Downtown

The second hour of my solo date was spent in a tiny sushi restaurant with two books and a notepad. I'm trying to write more. This here blog gives me a nice outlet when I want to share and receive feedback (Is anyone out there?), but I find something almost luxurious in writing just for me. It's not a journal. It's not a novel. It's not a status update. It's just a notebook. There's no pressure for me to record events for my posterity, or to be funny or insightful. My notebook is my safe place where I can write truth or lies and I am the only one with the burden of judging my work.

I spent the first hour on foot with my camera. After I left my boys at the home of a friend (where the legos sucked them in like a tractor beam and they didn't even glance my way as I walked out the door), I was drawn downtown; I wanted to sneak a peek at the new City Creek, which will open later this month.

I was so happy to see that the McIntyre Building is still intact. I was studying math and working in this historic building for a law firm when I met my man. The architect of this building also designed the Utah State Capitol.

When I grow up, I want to be an architect.

It's cold, but there are a few flowers that are trying hard to usher in the next season.

I'm experimenting with different exposures. Obviously, I still have a lot to learn.

I'm glad I wore a scarf. Brrrrr!

In preparing for this solo date, I had considered inviting a friend to join me for dinner or a walk or a pedicure. There are so many friends that I would like to see more often. Uninterrupted adult conversation is so rare these days. But sometimes a girl just needs to be alone with her camera.

Bacon

It is an unseasonably warm night in January. The neighborhood snowmen are being assaulted by drops of heavy rain, and the valley lights are made brighter by the clarifying moisture.

A handful of pretty ladies have gathered in Danielle's kitchen for a night of food. It's our first monthly dinner night, and Danielle is our gracious host. Two days ago, she revealed tonight's secret ingredient... Bacon! Salty, crispy, nutritious bacon.

We each brought a dish containing the most delicious of all meats.

We came. We ate. We talked about boobs and illnesses and children and house demolition projects. And we were happy.