Run Fox Run

Earlier this month one of Leda’s first grade pals had a rock-climbing party to celebrate turning 7. Watching Leda bravely attempt this new activity, ascending partially and then enjoying the “fall” back down on her belay rope, I was proud of her. Looking at this photo now, I am tempted to wax rhapsodic about my hopes for her continued courage, her willingness to challenge herself; to remind myself of the value of encouraging her always to Try, always to Figure It Out. (Her father has urged me to Keep It To Myself. He’s right: who needs the prideful meow of one more anxious Tiger Mom these days?) But life, as the bard says, moves pretty fast. And if you don’t stop and  look around once in a while, you could miss it. So I’m going to look at this photo, and the other ones in the February 2011 album, just a moment longer.

Silver lining

Lately the news has featured upheavals and protests in some parts of the world — with minute-to-minute uncertainty and suspense.  In our region, however, there has been a certain consistency.  The variation comes in whether the name is Snowpocalypse or Snowmageddon, or whether the proper action verb to describe what Mother Nature is doing to us is “pummelling,” “burying,” or “packing a wintry wallop.”  Even first graders told that school has been cancelled for another snow day have begun to sigh plaintively, “Again?”  So, this week as that famous groundhog peeks outside his hole, we’re hoping he’ll predict something bold and unexpected.  In the meantime we’ll keep sledding, snowshoe-ing, and (sigh) shoveling…as in the photos in the Snowmageddon album.

Antigua: Known as Wadadli to the natives; named Antigua by Columbus — Spanish for “ancient;” pronounced “Antiga” by the locals. That’s where we spent our Christmas and New Year’s this year. A beautiful island made more so by the coming together of the extended family (Crawfords from CO and Grandparents from CA). Stayed in a great house overlooking Falmouth harbor, where we could watch the mega-yachts come in and the sun retreat into the ocean. Some beaches were close and others were a haul, but each had their own mix of sand, sea-life, snorkeling, waves, beach construction, shell collecting, and sun-soaking to fulfill all of our vacation wishes. Most days we the beach to ourselves, but sometimes we had to contend with a few other groups, but such is the hard life.

Seeing the cousins play, pal, and laugh is one of the best parts of these vacations. Since I remember having those experiences with my cousins at the Jersey shore, it is wonderful to see that family camaraderie continued. We look forward to March when we’ll all be together again.

To get a feeling for how much beach and fun was experienced, see the way too many pictures posted in the Antigua for the Holidays Album. Thanks again to Grandma and Papa for making it all happen.

There are no words to describe how awesome this is!