The Taylors

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Ode to a farmhouse

This was originally drafted last year -- July, 2009. Never posted. I am not sure why I never posted it, but it seems appropo now, considering the farmhouse is gone. The city has claimed the land via emminent domain to soon build a huge bypass. There is nothing left at the farmhouse but weeds. Ground up tree stumps. A demolished fireplace. An open foundation. And a ton of memories.

Dear farmhouse, thank you so much for all that you have given to so many of us. While I have only known you for less than a decade, Mark has known you for all his life. His mom lived here with her many siblings and has fond memories. For me, you provide the perfect tree for my children to climb and to hit a pinata with their distant relatives. You provide the perfect cement slab for watching the trains go by. You provide the perfect land to run around and play. The perfect sheds to go exploring and discovering old treasures. You provide the perfect home for us to gather at. To reflect on life. To reconnect with family. To appreciate our elders. To think about our elders growing up in this house. The history in these walls runs deep. I don't know much of it, but I can feel it when I step onto your land, dear farmhouse. I will miss you sorely.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Sydney speak and mommy-isms

Sydney: "That's a cacagahlo mommy?"

Which of course is Sydney speak for crocodile. I think. She was pointing to an alligator. (The Crystal Lake South Gator, to be exact, for you locals.)

More of my new favorite Sydney words:

Alacoppa (helicopter)

Bubbatie (butterfly -- my personal fave)
Momocaca (motorcycle)
Bewbie used to mean bird. It's recently changed to bewdie. And those hoppers that loiter in our yard have turned from bubbies into bunnies. (sigh) At least they still eat those orange cae-coes at our house.

And of course, these two words:

Tie (slide)

Bubbos (bubbles)

Her vocabulary is ever-expanding and much to my dismay the majority of it is being articulated ever so clearly now. It kind of makes me sad to see our baby turn into a girl. Not to say we aren't loving every minute of the almost-threes. Because we are. I so love this age.

How can anyone not like this age?

~~~~~~~~~~~

Finally, a statement that can only come out of the mouths of moms:

Me: "No sweetie, you may not clean the table until you put your plate in the sink."

HUH?

As Sydney would say, "da tilly mommeeee".

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Lest you think I'm lying about the whole expression thing ...

Exhibit B. Sweet Sydney's daycare photo.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

First Haircut

Sydney had her first haircut today. She was very excited about it!

Or so we thought. Sydney has a way with expressions when she is unsure of a situation. The change inevitably occurs when she is being photographed by professional daycare photographers or, as evidenced today, when she is getting her first haircut.

Even so, she was very brave. She sat on my lap so that she was high enough for Miss Kim to cut the back. Kim doesn't normally cut kids' hair, but she does cut mine and I didn't want anyone else to touch Sydney's hair. At least not the first time.

Sydney helped count my fingers while she was supposed to keep her chin down.

She was a little unsure about the whole situation, but she was very brave and didn't make a peep the entire time.

She didn't need to make a peep -- the face says it all, don't you think?

In any case, she looks very cute. Her hair is still curly and just slightly changed. No more McGruber mullet, just a cute girly bob.