SOLC 15/31

Izzy greets the girls at the door as their dad drops them off. They've spent the first 1/2 of Spring Break with him.  Hugs and kisses all around.  Izzy dances around her people as they kiss and love on her.  Emma then runs to the table and gets her new robot toy.  She begins to play with it, but it is swooped up in the jowls of a pug within seconds.  "IZZY!" I yell and snap my fingers.  I grab the toy and Emma looks at Izzy as she takes her robot from me and says, "No star Izzy!"  Laughter begins to bubble up.  Well done Ms. Owen, you've taught Emma well.  If you don't obey the rules you don't get a star. These are the rules even if you are a dog.

SOLC 14/31

Today I heard bad news. A very dear friend lost his father today. He is the first person my age to loose a parent.  My heart is breaking for him and for his family.  Loss is not easy.  When someone passes it is also a reminder of my own mortality.  Life is fragile.  The skies here are dark and dreary.  The day is cold, a  stark reminder that Spring has not arrived and fooled us once again. But, I also think that the heavens are crying for my friend hopefully consoling his aching heart.

SOLC 13/31

Shuffling of the cards. Laughter bubbling from the table.  Belonging to a loving family.  Time spent together is precious. LOVE.

SOLC 12/31

Authors note:  Signs of Spring Break was the original title.  It has now changed to Perceptions Brought to You by a Single Mom or Might Kill A Pug...not quite sure yet. :-)

Relaxing with the dog after a beautiful morning outside.  Then said dog ran out the front door and was chased around the neighborhood. Thankfully a kind neighbor saw me streak down the street chasing after the flashing dot of a dog and followed us in his car.  Izzy went to him and Kind Neighbor drove us home (Yes that's how far we traveled.) Owner is now thinking dog deserves a spring break at the puppy spa. 

SOLC 11/31

"Mommy, wait until you see the party I made for you!" Gracie said as I walked in from work.

I go into her room and see a beautifully decorated table with her "spotted" blanket.  Jeweled necklaces surround the places where the tea cups are placed.  Each chair has a loved one it: bunny, Pete the Cat, and two places left empty. One for me and one for  her.

Emma comes in and I give up my seat so two sisters can play.

"Here you go! More tea for you pretty princess," I hear Gracie order her older sibling.

"Thank you Princess!" whispers Emma.

The dialogue goes back and forth as tea is passed. Cookies are eaten. Everyone is content and happy at the Snow Girl Tea Party.

SOLC 10/31

Have you ever had a day that you wished you could start over at 8:05 AM? I'm not saying that I had my own version of Alexander and the Horrible No Good Very Bad Day, but it was a little stressful.  But that isn't my story today. My story is about a group of kids who sense when a teacher's day isn't going quite the way she had expected. I was trying very hard not to take it out on them. Then one turns to me and says, "You know we love you right? Ms. Snow?"  I stopped and signed back I love you too.  Our little signal we developed.  Don't kids just say the darnedest things and the most perfect time?  I believe I love these kids. 

SOLC 9/31

I believe deep down in my heart there is nothing sweeter than little girl giggles. I don't mean the quiet tee-hee hiding behind a hand over the mouth, but the kind that erupt from your belly. They escape from your lips with such gusto that the edges of your eyes crinkle.  These laughs are the kind of laughs that prevent your body from staying still. The giggles shake your shoulders, elbows, and legs.  When these laughs bubble forth it is infectious and others begin to laugh too. They may start out small, but eventually they too have a good ol' case of the giggles.