The Little Things

Eric bought a new monitor for our computer. It was hooked up to our television and set up to use with a wireless mouse and keyboard. Which sounds like a great idea, but my eyes just aren't that good anymore. So we found a desk on Craig's List, plopped it in our front room (now "The Library") and set the computer up on it. And here I am. Writing and reading comfortably, without buying a new laptop. It's amazing how a change of venue can improve the tone.

Nora agrees that simple pleasures are where it's at. Nana MJ sent her a homemade froggie pillowcase for a Big Girl Pillow, a smily face bouncy ball ("My Happy Ball") and a bunch of stickers. Nora then had to Aunt Mimi, Bella, Daddy and Nana to tell them how cool this was.

It takes a little more than a bouncy ball to make me happy these days. But not much more.

Why I prefer to be behind the camera

A couple of weeks ago, Eric and I returned to Pennsylvania for a friend's wedding (Hi, Heidi!). It was a gorgeous, moving ceremony at a beautiful location. Afterwards, Eric and I had another friend (Hi, Carl!) take some pictures of us. I know, it's scandalous to use this venue to remind our friends and family (Hi, Mom!) what we look like. Still, it's good to know that my image does record on film.

Then, Eric decided to take some pictures of me, as there is a distinct lack of those. For good reason, it turns out. Even the birds object to me being photographed. This is me realizing exactly how they objected.

So, you sat through that. I'll throw you a bone. Here's a shot of Nora relaxing in the Duluth sun in July. That's right, July.

Making Amends

So, I've been called to task by a number of people for not posting anything here. I know, I know....Life has had a way of getting away from me. If you, too, are irritated by my lack of blogging I recmomend one of the following:
1. Call St Mary's/Duluth Clinic Medical System. Ask for Information Services. Tell them to stop firewalling my blog.

2. Fly/drive/walk to my house. Clean it. Cook dinner. Put Nora to bed. Because that's about all I do outside of work. My life isn't really that interesting, but it takes time, right?

3. Remember, I blog only enough to assuage the guilt. Escalating levels of guilt caused by frequent reminders are likely your best bet.

4. Buy me a new laptop. What? It might help...

It isn't true that life isn't all that interesting, actually. Lately, we've had grandparents in town, flown to PA, leaving Nora in Minneapolis with the fam, and yesterday, we went on a 30 mile bike ride. Nora actually tolerated that quite well. For which, we took her for ice cream. Which she enjoyed immensely and hasn't stopped talking about.

Without further ado, here are some of the pictures from the above-referenced grandparental visit. They are Grandpa Dan and Nora on Rock Knob in Hartley Park, (a marginally toddler-appropriate walk from our house), Eric, Kat, Nora and Nana on Boulder Lake (a short drive from our house), Nora at the PortLand Malt Shop (downtown Duluth) and Nora at Bayfront Park ( on, strangely the bayfront in Duluth). Have I mentioned that I love where we live?

The North Shore

We biked up the shore of Lake Superior ast weekend. It was a beautiful northern Minnesota day- sunny and 60s. It's a little weird for me that this is August weather, but I have to admit, it was great biking weather. Nora had a great time.

Playing near the Split Rock lighthouse:

The view from near the lighthouse:

Hanging out at Iona's Beach:

God, I love those two.

Rainbows

Daddy took Nora to a toy store on Friday night and told her she could pick something out. We were waiting for our food at the Greek restaurant down the street and Nora was a little more rambunctious than could be reasonably corralled with crayons and a photocopied picture of Artemis, goddess of the moon. So what do Nora return to the restaurant carrying? It is an adorable umbrella. And it fits her personality. This is what I found her playing with later on. Her "pretty jewelry" is actually hair ties that I knotted together. A hair tie makes a convincing ring, if you put a tiny clip on the outside as the jewel. Necklaces...bracelets...the possibilities are endless. Well, actually the possibilities are quite limited, but it kept her happy for a long time.

Busted

The other morning, I was getting ready for work and Nora was helping me. We brushed our teeth and I had just spit my mouthwash into the sink when Nora very seriously laid her had on my leg.
"Mommy," she said. "You forgot to floss."

A New Favorite Activity

This is at Bagley Park, about a block away from Nora's school, on the campus of University of Minnesota Duluth. I rode my bike to school this afternoon and picked Nora up, thereby discovering that my cardiovascular health is somewhat subpar. Either that or Nora has been eating cement sandwiches.
This weekend, Nora also caught her first fish (a bass) and immediately asked, "Can I touch it?" I was proud.
This evening, during dinner, she looked over at the dog and said, "Suma lick her butt. Is she hungry, Mommy?" I was less proud of that one.