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weekending: eclipse

2011 December 11

Did you get to see the lunar eclipse Saturday morning? It was stunning in that grown-up, big picture sort of way. I think Col and Rose were expecting something different, more gripping, more like fireworks, less like sitting in a car in the 12F dark while a shadow slipped over the moon ever so slowly.

~oh, humble point and shoot, someday, we’ll upgrade~

And I get that. Because even in the great cocktail party of the Universe, where the Earth, Sun and Moon are the homies I actually recognize, it’s all still very abstract. But, like my parents taking me to the Grand Canyon when I was small and more focused on my next road-stop Happy Meal than that great geological gash, I trust the kids tucked this away in their files titled “life is full of wondrous events, or at least that’s what my parents say.”

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Work has been a bit spotty for Dan lately, which has its financial complications, but he’s been available for tickle fights and lego soccer and leaping into the living room like a kung-fu master, screeching “hiii ya!” and slicing at the air dramatically. “Chop me up Daddy, chop me up!” Rosie howls.

Also, these sorts of shenanigans:

“Okay kids, who thinks I can cut through four pieces of wood in one blow?”

“Okay kids, how far do you think I can launch myself from this stump?”

“How ’bout from this log?”

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As for the holiday confusion, we’re still skipping along through the deep thick wilderness of The Holidays with our kiddie flashlights. Yesterday when Rose and I returned from grocery shopping, Col announced, “Mama! Me and Daddy made you a present, but I can’t tell you what it is!”

Rose: Is it for Mama’s birthday or for that other holiday?

Col: That other holiday.

Rose: Oh. Thanksgiving?

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How was your weekend?



24 Responses leave one →
  1. ike permalink
    December 11, 2011

    I think th e kids will remember getting up early to see something in nature that their parents thought would be worth getting out of a warm bed and into a cold morning to see

  2. ike permalink
    December 11, 2011

    I think th e kids will remember getting up early to see something in nature that their parents thought would be worth getting out of a warm bed and into a cold morning to see

  3. teresa permalink
    December 11, 2011

    just had to say. i love the little flakes of snow falling through your page!!! pure magic.

  4. teresa permalink
    December 11, 2011

    just had to say. i love the little flakes of snow falling through your page!!! pure magic.

  5. Anonymous permalink
    December 12, 2011

    In 1986 my dad and I sat on a chilly night in the middle of Manassas Battlefield looking for Halley’s Comet. I was expecting to see this massive orb streaking across the sky, not a small, stationary white line that was hard to see. Still, I remember that time very well and it always bring a smile to my face.

    -David Smith

  6. Anonymous permalink
    December 12, 2011

    In 1986 my dad and I sat on a chilly night in the middle of Manassas Battlefield looking for Halley’s Comet. I was expecting to see this massive orb streaking across the sky, not a small, stationary white line that was hard to see. Still, I remember that time very well and it always bring a smile to my face.

    -David Smith

  7. Rachel Turiel permalink
    December 12, 2011

    Oh good. So beautiful how these moments *do* count, are remembered, are cherished.

  8. Rachel Turiel permalink
    December 12, 2011

    Oh good. So beautiful how these moments *do* count, are remembered, are cherished.

  9. December 12, 2011

    so, can he chop through all four in one blow?!?! i woke up for the eclipse, which was going to be lovely as it set over the ocean, and would have gotten quinn out of bed for it too, but we had clouds, alas. glad you got to see it!

    • Rachel Turiel permalink
      December 12, 2011

      He can! He did! Sorry you missed the eclipse, I guess there’s always 2014. xo

      • Emily permalink
        December 12, 2011

        oh good, I was wondering too. :>)
        as for holiday confusion, you perfectly put into words (“kiddie flashlights” I tell you!) in this post and the last how the holidays feel in my house also. thank you for reminding me to laugh about it and enjoy the silliness.

  10. December 12, 2011

    so, can he chop through all four in one blow?!?! i woke up for the eclipse, which was going to be lovely as it set over the ocean, and would have gotten quinn out of bed for it too, but we had clouds, alas. glad you got to see it!

    • Rachel Turiel permalink
      December 12, 2011

      He can! He did! Sorry you missed the eclipse, I guess there’s always 2014. xo

      • Emily permalink
        December 12, 2011

        oh good, I was wondering too. :>)
        as for holiday confusion, you perfectly put into words (“kiddie flashlights” I tell you!) in this post and the last how the holidays feel in my house also. thank you for reminding me to laugh about it and enjoy the silliness.

  11. Melissa permalink
    December 12, 2011

    I know, I know, about the ongoing confusion. Today Avi was asking me about Santa’s birthday, the irony lost on him but not on me and I had a good internal laugh while we cruised the Ark on 4th street in search of the perfect Hanukah gift for cousin Isaac. And we’re going to the Christmas carousel at Tilden tomorrow night with friends from Gan Shalom. Leeor is taking a pass and that is fine by me, but Avi has requested some face time with Santa. PS. When I said, in the Ark, that I was looking for Isaac (meaning that I wasn’t, say, looking for a toy for Avi, much to his mad consumer heart’s chagrin), he corrected my grammar somewhat firmly, “No Mommy, you’re not looking for Isaac. You are looking for a present for him.” Touche.

  12. Melissa permalink
    December 12, 2011

    I know, I know, about the ongoing confusion. Today Avi was asking me about Santa’s birthday, the irony lost on him but not on me and I had a good internal laugh while we cruised the Ark on 4th street in search of the perfect Hanukah gift for cousin Isaac. And we’re going to the Christmas carousel at Tilden tomorrow night with friends from Gan Shalom. Leeor is taking a pass and that is fine by me, but Avi has requested some face time with Santa. PS. When I said, in the Ark, that I was looking for Isaac (meaning that I wasn’t, say, looking for a toy for Avi, much to his mad consumer heart’s chagrin), he corrected my grammar somewhat firmly, “No Mommy, you’re not looking for Isaac. You are looking for a present for him.” Touche.

  13. December 13, 2011

    I remember my dad dragging us out of bed in the dark to drive to the overlook above Oak Creek Canyon just south of Flagstaff AZ. We sat on the cold red boulders and watched the sun rise. I remember the smell of juniper on that thin high desert air. I remember the moment the sun rose. We DO carry these things with us.

    I love the pictures of Dan launching himself from things! And I SO GET that holiday confusion…yesterday the girls spent about an hour singing ‘happy birthday’ to the Christmas tree. :)

  14. December 13, 2011

    I remember my dad dragging us out of bed in the dark to drive to the overlook above Oak Creek Canyon just south of Flagstaff AZ. We sat on the cold red boulders and watched the sun rise. I remember the smell of juniper on that thin high desert air. I remember the moment the sun rose. We DO carry these things with us.

    I love the pictures of Dan launching himself from things! And I SO GET that holiday confusion…yesterday the girls spent about an hour singing ‘happy birthday’ to the Christmas tree. :)

  15. December 13, 2011

    Feeling a little overwhelmed, Christmas shopping, working, life planning, worrying about the future, etc. and I wanted to just get away from it all for a bit. First place I thought of? Here. This wonderful blog of yours.

    And I’m glad I did as I’m smiling again. Thank you.

  16. December 13, 2011

    Feeling a little overwhelmed, Christmas shopping, working, life planning, worrying about the future, etc. and I wanted to just get away from it all for a bit. First place I thought of? Here. This wonderful blog of yours.

    And I’m glad I did as I’m smiling again. Thank you.

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