Welcome to flamingobear. We're the Martin family. Jenn cooks a lot. Tim eats it. And the trees are awesome.
While on our way to storytime at the downtown library last Wednesday, we stopped into our favorite place to buy bread in Nashville. After picking up our sourdough boule (unsliced, please), we were on our way upstairs to see the Professor and Mary Mary.
You’ve probably heard me talk about reading to the girls before… Even though Aspen and Oakley are fluent readers, we still read aloud with all three of the girls nearly every night. We’ve cranked through the entire Harry Potter series, the Chronicles of Narnia, and several other books. (That reminds me, I need to tell you all about The Giver sometime, but that’s another post.)
The book of the moment is a classic… Madeline L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time. We’re certainly enjoying it. It led to this moment at the dinner table tonight.
It’s one of our very favorite traditions… a week at the beach with the Haile family. Every year, we find our way to Duck, where Grammie’s family has gathered for 30 years. And every year, we love it.
The kids (ours and the cousins) were all about the waves this year. While it makes me nervous on occasion, I can’t really argue with them. The waves are absolutely my favorite part of going to the beach too. For you, I have a review of the best wave jumping seen at Port Trinitie last week…
I’ve been traveling for the last week or so. For whatever reason, I don’t talk to my girls every night. It might be because I just don’t like talking on the phone, and they really don’t like it all that much either. But when we do talk, it’s pretty fun. I’m amazed by how well they do it… what they tell me… even how they sound.
Tonight, I was talking with Lindy about her experience this weekend when she went horseback riding with Brian, Grammie, Grandpa, and Brian’s partner, Maury. And. She. Said. This.
Today was a good day, a memorable one. Like most Saturdays, it started at the market, where we bought some 32 quarts of strawberries… But that’s another post.
From there, to the soccer fields, where the Purple Pandas (Aspen’s team) managed a 1-1 draw against a team that had beaten them 7-1 weeks ago. Yes, the Pandas ended the season on a hot streak.
Next up? Oakley’s team ran into a wall… perhaps the most physical team I’ve seen in U7 soccer. Some of the girls did physical right, clean, others, well, not so much. But Oakley’s team, the Smashing Dolphins played it just right. They didn’t back down from anyone, they went after them, and they dealt with the checking in just the right way… They put the ball in the back of the net 5 times…
From there, we all caravanned to the Martin house for a soccer celebration… I’ve had a great season with two fun teams of girls… some of whom we’re getting to know really well. I’m thankful for that… even in a season where the Panda’s won but one game, the group of girls is growing closer, and that’s pretty awesome to see.
If you’re a fan of Lindy, and face it, you should be, I have a treat for you. I have 7 minutes of video… and every frame features little Miss Lindy (well, every frame except those in which she bounces away…)
As always, so much credit goes to Miss Donna, who is so kind to me. You see, Miss Donna spares me the tedium of a monstrous dance recital in which my child performs just two songs. And in turn, I can share with you a video that features Lindy throughout.
I enjoy watching my kids grow up. Some parents are crushed by the passing of time, but so far, I find that I like my kids more and more all the time. So, when they move past some moment in their life, I’m happy for them, not sad.
Well, this weekend, we passed another milestone in our familial development. As of yesterday, April 4, 2010, the Martin family no longer needs training wheels (in a very literal sense).
Late Saturday afternoon, Lindy asked me to watch her use her sister’s razor scooter… a two wheeled device that requires control and steering and balance. And you know what? She could do it without issue. So, I thought, why not throw her on Oakley’s bike and see how she does? She couldn’t quite manage the size, but she could balance to some degree.
So, out came the pliers and off came the extra wheels. You can see the results for yourself.
Little Miss Lindy took her place among the great actresses of our age last night in the BUMC Day School Spring Show. She was the doctor, or, the patient, or something.
We’re trying something new with this video… interviews. So, we have some commentary by Lindy in addition to her great work.
Enjoy.
Lindy just walked in here while I was processing some pictures for Jenn (including perhaps her least favorite thing she’s ever made!) She was being sweet and kind of leaning on me. So I picked her up, and gave her a hug.
Tim: Lindy, will you always be my baby?
Lindy: Yes.
Tim: What about when you’re 22?
Lindy: Yes.
Tim: So, if I call you, and say, “Lindy, come and give me a hug,” will you do it? Even if you live somewhere different from me?
Lindy: [_nods sweetly_] Yes… but my name might not be Lindy!