Laowai

Lately I find myself in moments of true happiness, looking on with a dose of worry in the back of my head. 

Things seem odd because we are going through something difficult with Bea, but at the same time I am having some really good times with my daughters. 

We are beginning a process with Bea – a process to get her over some of her fears. It seems like a daunting mountain to climb, but we are glad to have a plan in place. Her school seems so good – everyone I have met seems so eager to help our little girl.

The good part has been going on for a while – as we have gotten settled into our new home the girls have seemed really comfortable. When I picked Bea up at school today she jumped right out of the crowd of kids and gave me a huge (toothless) grin. Claire is loving her ballet class, and getting used to her preschool days. 

Just tonight we got dinner and took it down to the beach to eat. It was chilly, but the waves and the wind had a familiar soothing effect. The girls ran around free and happy chasing see gulls and making up little games. Then we walked along the beach and collected little bits of things that we found in the sand. On the way home Hot Buttered Popcorn came on the radio and I turned it up loud. They bounced up and down in their seats. Claire said popcorn was coming out of her arms and legs and ears and declared it her new favorite song. 

A while back Bea and I watched this video and we both thought it was fascinating. I was just waiting for a moment when we could find some garbage on a beach – yes – garbage on a beach.

Here’s our inspiration – beautiful artwork made from plastic garbage washed up onto a beach*:

_{By Richard Lang and Judith Selby Lang – http://beachplastic.com}

And here’s what Bea collected and arranged:

* Yes, this is what I want for Christmas. They are nice and big – I’d take this one:

or this one:

or this one would be great in the girls’ bathroom: