My sister-in-law wrote a really lovely post about her sister today. When I see Bea and Claire close together I think of my sister. There is a photo of Jennifer holding me – it must have been taken when we were the same ages as my girls. My legs are full of rolls of fat. Jennifer has a bright look on her face and the sun is shinning on her blonde hair. I’ve got to get my hands on that photo.
I gave Bea our little camera and challenged her to take photos of all the pink things she could find. I helped her a little with the outdoor shots because she was busy scooting. She spent a long time on the project on one of our recent rainy days and I was able to finish sewing a shirt for her. It’s actually really fun to go through the photos that a kid takes. There are always surprising angles, and the images that come out blurry sometimes have very pleasing abstract compositions. Reminds me of some of the photos that came out of the disposable cameras at Jennifer’s wedding reception.
So with some creative cropping from Mommy – here is Bea’s pink project – click to see a larger version
The girls have had colds so we’ve been sticking close to home with lots of blankets and pillows spread out on the living room floor lately. Today we just had to get out for some fresh air. It’s been gray and chilly and we haven’t been able to see the mountains for several days but it still felt good to get out. I took a few photos of the new Swarovski building that is just down the road from us. It’s made up of panel after panel of glass. I like it but it kind of sticks out like a sore thumb in this neighborhood. Whenever we walk by I stare into the window and watch the people working.
FYI – Swarovski is hiring.
A girl and her blue jeans:
Her ears stick out ever so slightly:
She’s full of giggles:
Look at that comb over that has developed:
And the blue eyes – oh I really hope she hangs on to those:
One year ago we had a great vacation in Wisconsin. One year ago Bea seemed so much more like my baby. One year ago I was a little pregnant. One year ago Bea had fewer opinions about clothes. One year ago we were thinking and talking about moving to Switzerland.
It’s a typical day and we’ve got some good messes going. We made roads out of the key cards that Brian saves for Bea:
I did a little sewing – I’m making a long sleeve shirt for Bea:
Button play buys me a little bit of time to sew:
Bea asked me to put all her new barettes in my hair:
And we made some leaf rubbings:
I’m trying to think of another meal that I can make in the oven because my stove has been broken since last Thursday. No stove and no microwave – this has been a challenge. Aaargh!
Also, I took a shower last night and only shaved one leg – didn’t realize it until I got into bed. So I guess I should hop back in the shower before we go to the pool this afternoon.
Hope you have a good Thursday.
Yesterday we went to Bern. It’s the capital city of Switzerland. Another beautiful Swiss city that is just about an hour from our house. All we did was wander the cobblestone streets and wooded paths, but we had a great time. The medieval architecture is just so full of interesting details – there’s something to see wherever your eyes land. And the river that goes through town is so clear and beautiful – especially with a little bit of Fall color starting to line it.
Bern’s city symbol is a bear so there are bear images all over and they even have some live bears. Here’s a bit of trivial history for you about the connection between bears and Bern:
Bears have enjoyed – or suffered – a long and rather one-sided relationship with Switzerland’s capital of Bern. According to one legend, Berthold V of Zähringen named Bern after the first animal killed during a hunt when the city was founded in 1191. (If the story is true, the Duke must have decided to honor the victim’s entire species, since “Bären” is the German plural form of “bear.”) The 1923 edition of Muirhead’s Switzerland explains: Whatever be the real connection of the words ‘bear’ and ‘Bern,’ the figure of a bear occurs in the oldest known city seal (1224), and living bears have been kept in Berne at the town’s exepense since 1513.
Here are a bunch of random shots from our roaming around the city.
They had a nice big market – lots of pretty Fall produce and some strange and unusual looking fruits and vegetables too.
We couldn’t pass up a chocolate treat.
And here’s Claire – just so she doesn’t feel left out. She was very good in her stroller all day long.
I came across these photos when I was doing some organizing. They are from way back in August before we left for our trip to the US. We went to a parade on the Swiss National Day.
It was a beautiful day spent with our good friends Matt and Julie so I had to post the photos.
This week I made a scooter bag. Yes, a scooter bag – for some reason Brian finds that funny. I made it for our new little friend Owain (pronounced like a glass o wine). He just moved here from Wales with his mum, Liz and we have become fast friends. He has a scooter just like Bea’s, but his did not come with a bag. Liz mentioned that he wanted a bag and his birthday is coming up next week so I got busy on my sewing machine.
Owain liked his scooter bag and Liz kindly called me clever. You should see Owain and Bea scooting. They are off like two little rockets and Liz and I have to interrupt our chatting and yell loudly – disturbing the Swiss quiet. Bea, Owain, that’s far enough! we say. Bea is more reckless when she’s scooting with Owain. So reckless in fact she bit the dust earlier this week and ended up with a big scrape on her knee and on her elbow. It happened immediately after I was telling Liz how careful and timid Bea is and how she never seems to get hurt. Ouch.
Inspired by these – we also made some Fall decorations. I like the sentiment on that post – she reminds me that you don’t need much to make a good craft. There are enough paper crafts to keep us entertained for years and they don’t require any trips to the craft store. So here are our accordion folded and cut leaves. I told Bea it’s like the leaves are holding hands. We talked about the colors that leaves turn and then when it came time to paint she painted a bunch of the leaves black.
Feeling excited about this crafty time of year – what housework can I neglect, what will my next project be.
Oh Claire – what can I say other than I love you to bits – teeny tiny bits.
Next month will you please stop rolling over every time I put you down on the calendar.
Laowai 