tollipop

happiness is having cousins in the house

 

It really seems too good to be true.  My brother and his family are moving here this summer and are in town for a quick visit.  Oh, I see fun times ahead!

 

The cuteness just levels me.

*****

In other news, last night my girls watched with bated breath the ESPN event du saison, the Scripps National Spelling Bee.  We were thrilled for Kavya Shivashankar...she was one of our favorite contestants from last year, so it was amazing to see her come back and take first place.  I get choked up watching the parents during this event.  Their joy, their raw emotion, their love for their children...it gets me every time. 

Spelling bees make me happy.  They remind me of everything that's right with this world.  I wish they occurred with greater frequency...perhaps I should host one.  I wonder if anyone would come? 

the recital that ended on a low note and a high note

Last week Caroline performed at her cello recital.  From a distance, it's hard to know whether she is steering a barge or handling a musical instrument...an observation which makes reference to the mammoth size of that thing. 

It was interesting to see how my little girl has changed in the space of one year.  At her last performance, she stood smiling and soaking up the applause until people finally stopped clapping and her teacher had to lead her from the stage.  This time around she seems happy enough to be there, though perhaps a bit more shy.  Either way, very sweet. 

Afterward I told her she could choose a celebration treat for the entire family.  She picked smoothies, which met with her sisters' resounding approval...a fact I suspect pleased Caroline more than the notion of the treat itself.  Just as we arrived home, however, the bottom fell out of Caroline's cup and deposited her smoothie everywhere (the low note), Izzy discovered a scorpion and uttered a scream heard by all dogs past, present, and future (the high note).  My husband was, of course, out of town.  In the midst of total mayhem, I quickly gave the sobbing cellist my own drink and went off in search of a very large shoe. 

And now, of course, we will treasure fond memories of the recital wherein Caroline spilled her smoothie almost all the way down to the Las Vegas strip and Mummy hit the scorpion perhaps a few more times than was absolutely necessary.

my kind of homework

 

Sophie attends a school that puts an inordinate amount of emphasis on math and science.  I mean, is it really necessary?  Can't we all just sit around and color?  And this year has been one of major transition as she has struggled to adjust to a much more demanding schedule and work load.

  

May I just say how much I typically resent homework?  My feeling is that school already occupies too much time from my girls' days, time that I suspect is not always necessary.  And so often their homework assignments seem like more of the same...unnecessary.

 

So when Sophie told me she had to create a diorama of a rain forest, my first impulse was to inwardly groan.  But then we started to discuss the matter.  And I realized she already had a clear vision of where she wanted this project to go and how it would hinge upon the use of glue, tissue paper, and modelling clay.  I must admit, my pulse started to race.  If only she would have mentioned glitter...

 

This much I will say:  if one must stay up late fashioning tiny toucans and winding pythons around tree branches, Sophie is the company to keep.  We talk, and it is some of the best conversation I've ever had.  We laugh, and after awhile everything seems funny.  She has energy.  Her enthusiasm actually mounts as the night progresses.  We collaborate.  We simply adore one another's ideas!  By midnight we're both convinced we are in the presence of genius. 

 

And she loves the little things, like placing a bug inside the Venus Fly Trap, as much as I do.

We go to bed feeling tired, happy, more like good friends than parent and child.  As it happens, in the case of this homework assignment, I can't imagine a better use of our time.

and the winner is...

 

Amy!  The lovely Amy who was fourth to leave this comment: Oooh yes please! 

We are simply delighted for you, Amy!  Congratulations and let's get in touch to discuss where I can send your bag of goodies. 

Thank you to everyone for playing along.  Your enthusiasm for this particular giveaway has been so appreciated, as it solves my dilemma of what to do with these darling, yet "extra" prints.  I will continue to host them as long as my extremely capricious printer continues to spring the occasional sullen, cantankerous mood.  Oh, how I wish I could give it a pinch on those days!

And now I must run.  School begins shortly and Caroline is waiting for me to do her hair.

Wishing you a lovely day...

into the wilds

Over the weekend we escaped to the wilds.  It was so refreshing, being out of cell phone range!

 

As you may imagine, we lost no time in roughing it.  Caroline discovered mud...'twas a delightful friendship until mud had the nerve to sully her toe.  Now they are not speaking to one another.

 

Izzy discovered one ant could undermine an entire duet.  One tiny ant.

 

Sophie kept the fire going.  And going.  And going.

 

I became a little less awkward on the guitar...that is, until I practically chopped off my finger.  It would appear I have no business with a bowie knife.  Or a carrot peeler, as the case may be.

 

We foraged in the woods for cute babies. 

  

They're out there: you just have to know where to find them.

tollipop hand-me-down giveaway

 

Dear reader, do you remember this giveaway from a few weeks ago?  The prize being a little collection of Tollipop "seconds"--prints that somehow don't meet with the exacting standards of the Tollipop elves and are therefore looking for a loving home.  Would you like to provide that home?  Simply leave a comment at the bottom of this post and your name will be added to the hat.

I will be away for the next several days and will return on Tuesday to draw and announce the winner.

Thank you for visiting and playing along!  I hope you have a lovely weekend that includes a good book, a nap in the sun, a walk, a pleasant conversation, and something very nice to eat.

it's 97 degrees outside...let's fire up some rice pudding

I came home from a run a few mornings ago to be met at the door by Izzy and her request for rice pudding.  That's funny...rice pudding...don't we usually pair this dish with hearty appetites and cooler temperatures?

To be honest, this is something I secretly adore about my girls--their blatant disregard for seasonal conventions.  On Sunday Izzy wore tights and a blazer to church.  In January Caroline will try to sneak outside in a sundress and flip flops.  With a popsicle.  Since we live in such an extreme climate, I appreciate their little refusals to adapt...it feels like our secret revolt.  A silent mutiny.  Watch us wear sweaters and eat soup in July.  Just watch us.

 

Back to my story...I told Izzy if she wanted rice pudding she was welcome to make it.  That's all she needed to hear.

 

Not too hot, not too cold...

 

Tastes just right.

*****

Dear reader, by now you should know better than to ask me for a recipe.  But some of you did.  So please allow me distill my instructions to Izzy, as I just told her what to do off the top of my head:

Take about two cups of rice (I like that short, stubby fat kind for puddings), wash and drain it (we didn't), and put it in a heavy-bottomed sauce pan with tons of milk.  Like at least 8 cups.  Add a pinch of salt, a dribble of vanilla, and perhaps a half cup of sugar.  And plan on standing there for the next 30 minutes, stirring constantly and gently over a medium (until it almost boils) and then low heat. 

As the milk starts to steam, lean over the sauce pan and breathe.  Let it be your facial.  That wonderful aroma will take you back to the days of your infancy and the happiness you felt whenever sweet, warm milk came your way.

{{Now give each other a hug.}}

If the liquid starts to boil down at an alarming rate, don't panic.  Just add more, darling!  A cup or two.  Whatever.  In my opinion, you want to err on the side of generosity when it comes to the milk.  The thing about rice pudding is, no matter how much milk you add, by tomorrow the leftovers will be completely absorbed.  Rice is so greedy that way.   

In about 30-35 minutes your pudding should be ready (if you plan to eat it hot).  Just take a small taste to make sure the rice is soft (if it isn't, keep cooking, stirring and breathing for another five minutes or so.)

Okay, here is something my mom liked to do (and I should fact check this before sharing...but oh well): whisk an egg yolk together with some whipping cream and a little sugar.  Really whisk it up.  Now fold it into your pudding.  Add a little orange zest.  Wow.  You just made a crazy amazing custard!

I usually sprinkle some cinnamon and sugar on top for the girls.  Raisins, berries, and bananas also taste terrific.  It's a lovely warm dish, but as others have mentioned, you will be so happy if you put it in the fridge and find it the next day, all chilled and delicious.  Enjoy!

*****

the concert that was no concert

The concert this evening was lovely, inspiring, and (unbeknownst apparently to me only), not a concert.  It was a competition.  A scholarship competition.  How did I manage to miss such a key factor?  Easy.  The same way I rarely know what day it is, how old I am, if I ate lunch, or what I did on the weekend.

Less than five minutes before the peformance was to begin, someone enlightened me as to the real purpose of the evening...you should have seen the look on my face.  I must say I wish I could have remained blissfully ignorant.  Because suddenly my carefree plan to play for Isabella seemed like reckless and negligent behavior.  The sort of thing cops arrest you for.  The sort of thing I wish I would have been arrested for.

For a moment I honestly felt quite ill.  But then I looked at little Izzy and realized she was still operating under the assumption we were merely there to have a good time...and that thought, coupled with the inconvenient truth that as an adult, I am obligated to behave like one, forced me to muster a smile and proceed through with the evening. 

But I'm telling you: it was no cakewalk.  For a moment there I thought I forgot how to read music.  My brain likes to prank me when I get scared...it's this hilarious little relationship we have. 

And as I look back on the video, I'm making a mental note to fire my hair and makeup crew--I mean, I specifically requested the spackle and tiara package, but the results are reminiscent of a typical day around the house.  I really could have used my little sister's help for the occasion...and this is another example when, in spite of having four sisters, my family knows exactly who I'm talking about.

Anyway, enough about me.  Izzy was great.  She had fun.  She was oblivious to my angst.  She enjoyed being there with her friends and hearing some amazing performances.  And...she was one of the winners! 

p.s.  I must warn you this concerto has been posted before, so if you are a regular reader of Tollipop you may have already heard it.  But I like Izzy's teacher's philosophy of keeping a piece around for awhile, getting comfortable with it, comfortable enough to share your movie popcorn with it.  That way, when you go to perform it again, it's not like some awkward first date.  It's like that guy who's been sitting on your couch watching movies for the past six months: mellow, predictable, familiar...and reeking with just the faintest odor of stale popcorn.   

sophie on the keys

 

Yesterday Sophie performed in a piano recital and, in my estimation, knocked it out of the park.  It has been an eventful year for my first daughter: the major transition to a demanding middle school, the very difficult decision to change piano teachers, the wrist-breaking incident, this tender age when self-doubt seems like a new best friend...she has been through a lot of upheaval and it has tugged at my heart every step of the way. 

How I love this girl and how I love that she tears through these pieces in a way that makes me hang on to the edge of my seat.  Go Sophie.  This ride you are taking me on is not for the faint of heart...something I failed to fully grasp in the fine print when I signed up for the experience.

izzy on the strings

 

Izzy has been invited to perform in what I think will be a rather lovely concert this Monday evening.  What makes it all the more special?  I will be her accompanist.  Perhaps special is not the word I am looking for in this circumstance.  Perhaps nervewracking comes closer.  Either way, it's pretty cool to be along for the ride.

This is going to be a busy week of musical highs.  Sophie has a recital tomorrow.  Look for her to play two pieces at such a staggering rate of speed that her mother's heart fails.  Caroline's recital is on Thursday.  Look for her to start a small brush fire while sawing away at the strings.   And note how she stands there afterward, soaking up the applause.

These are the moments, I'm telling you.