Caity McCardell » Family

Piano Lesson with Stefan

Caity — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 02:04:27 +0000

Gianna and Stefan were just practicing Harry Potter theme music and I couldn’t help spying on them with the camera.

Colin’s New Venus Flytrap

Caity — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 23:43:19 +0000

Maybe I should change my domain name to ColinMcCardell.com

Colin bought a Venus Flytrap the other day… he’s as excited about them as he was about eggs. We’re learning about how to take care of these plants by watching tutorials on YouTube.

Personally, since this *is* CaityMcCardell.com so I’m obligated to share my opinion… it’s like we’ve adopted an animal, since I find myself worrying about them. I keep having to remind myself that it’s a *plant*… it doesn’t feel pain, it doesn’t have a personality, it’s not bored or smiling or frowning or thinking it would rather be swimming in Barbados. If it dies, it’s OK. If half of it’s jaws gets yanked off for some reason, it’s OK.

We were watching a show about the long carnivorous plants that have lengthy digestive systems, and the guy just yanked one out of the ground and slit it’s “throat” down, exposing the interior digestive system of the plant. It was remarkable… black gushy digestive juices, half alive insects crawling out desperately wondering what the hell happened. But what I couldn’t believe was his slitting that throat. For my tree-hugging personality, is that an animal or a plant? Does a digestive system mean anything about aliveness? No, of course not. But to me it ventures closer… even though it’s really just a freak of nature.

Colin Lost His First Tooth

Caity — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:05:19 +0000

Colin was so gentle with that little tooth – never pushing it – and this morning I took his half sleeping body out of bed, brought him downstairs, lay him on the couch and he declared, “my tooth is out!”

Changing My Identity

Caity — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 23:06:01 +0000

I’ve been a HomeSchooling Mama for a long time now (even though the kids are young). It’s been my philosophy, completely and wholeheartedly.

But minds change and circumstances change and kids change and parents change. And my kids are off to Montessori on September 1.

We’ll see how they like it… I think they’re going to love it. Gianna’s completely ready and psyched. Colin’s hesitant, just like he is with everything. It needs to be on his terms.

I’m also not a Vibram FiveFingers Runner anymore. Nope. I’m going back to barefoot running and the basics… short runs, feeling it out. I’ll ride my bike to the beach and run a mile or two barefoot. I was told this over and over by Barefoot Ken Bob and I never listened… I wanted that Marathon!

Now if my foot/heel would just heal!

Gianna’s Balloon Creations

Caity — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 22:59:35 +0000

I bought a big back of those long balloons that can be manipulated into various shapes… and Gianna loved making hats for herself and friends. The boys enjoyed sword fighting with them…

Colin

Caity — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 02:40:05 +0000

Stefan just sent me this photo – they’re on a walk to get Gianna from a neighbor’s house. What a nice surprise to see that they had a detour in an Abowap (what Colin called Arboles – trees when he was 1)…

Jack On High

Caity — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 23:09:30 +0000

How Jack ended up here is unclear, but at least he’s not catching lizards…

Colin Found Baby Mice

Caity — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 18:26:32 +0000

I was working the community compost this morning and my co-worker found two baby mice – so baby that they didn’t even have their eyes open yet and were just huddling there. So Colin got to hold them for a while, keeping them warm while we adjusted the compost. We made a little nest for them and we’re assuming Mama will find them.

Gianna At The Piano

Caity — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 03:19:21 +0000

I’m thinking about Jerry right now. I’m thinking about the photos I’ve seen of his piano 36 years ago and how much pleasure that instrument has given so many people in its lifetime.

And now that piano is in our living room because Jerry gave it to us. It’s changing the children’s lives and that is a gift that can’t possibly be measured. Watch this video and witness that Jerry, the musician, has passed his talent to the “offspring” as he lovingly called the children…

(She plays themes from Star Wars and Harry Potter movies…)

The Lanyard

Caity — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 02:57:30 +0000

Proving that every day is, indeed, Mother’s Day and should be celebrated as such, poet Billy Collins draws a beautiful portrait of motherhood. Effortless and humorous, the poet avoids Hallmark altogether…