No Strings Attached

Posted By Kathleen David on December 6, 2012

I always go and see the tree at Rockefeller Center since I moved to New York. There is always some special about seeing it and the ice skaters below that makes it a Holiday must. So this year on Caroline’s Birthday, we took her into the city to see the Lion King exhibit, the Lion King, and the tree.

The Tree at Rockefeller Center this year
(For the VI: This is one big tree about two stories high covered in lights and glitter with a illuminated star on top. Below the tree is a mass of humanity milling about. Behind the tree you can see the buildings of Rockefeller Center.)

The Lion King Exhibit, which is currently across from Bryant Park, is so worth one’s time. For one thing it is a free exhibit which is rare in New York City. For another they let you take pictures of the pieces being exhibited which is also very rare. And you can get right up next to the costumes and puppets and really be able to look at them. It was so cool.

Simba puppet used in the first act

(For the VI: this is a side view of puppet of Simba as a lion cub. He is yellow and shaped like the drawings for the animated movie. His legs are jointed and his head is on a pivot. Underneath is a sign that says “Simba Puppet” and “Not for Sale”)

Overall a very nice day in the city. The temperature was really good for December in New York. We could wear light jackets and feel comfortable. The decorations were out and there was holiday music blasting from just about everywhere. There is a feeling and bustle in New York City at the Holidays that I haven’t felt anywhere else.

Today we have a conference with Caroline’s teacher so she is home for the day. I am hoping for a good report card on her. We’ll strategize on what she needs to do to be a better student in the areas she might be weak in.

Tomorrow things go back to “normal” around here.

Sorting out what I am going to do next. I think I may have figured out how to purl so I can actually knit and purl. Not holding my breath but if I have that down, then I can do a number of things I couldn’t before.

I have some monsters running around in my head saying “Make us!” So that may be next on the creative agenda.

I also see some more concentrated cleaning in my near future.

One last picture

Caroline and me 10 years after her birth. I took this at the same time as when I first held her in my arms and said to her, ‘Welcome to the world my baby girl’ 10 years earlier.
(For the VI: this is a rather blurry picture of Caroline and me. We are both looking at the camera. Caroline is tucked under my chin.)

I am grateful that we had such a nice day in the city.

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Posted By Kathleen David on December 5, 2012

Today is Caroline’s 10th natal day.

Dear Caroline,

Today is your 10th birthday. You are now in double digits as you have put it.

For me it seems like the time has gone by in the blink of an eye but I also know that you have already done a lot in those 10 years.

You are well traveled as your passport would attest. You have petted cats on three continents. You have met people and charmed them with your personality and wit.

You love animals. Currently your long term life plan is to become a large animal veterinarian and save the big cats. You have your own small cat in Fig who see you as her human. She came up to you for pets this morning before going to anyone else. You do well with other animals including snakes and lizards. You are not too fond of bugs.

You read a lot. You like books and graphic novels. I am as likely to find you reading a book as I am a graphic novel or comic book. You love reading Archie, Young Justice, Disney comics, Marvel comics for younger readers and Skyward. You also like Zits, Calvin and Hobbs and Big Nate.

You love to draw and other forms of art. Right now we are making a car for your Vanellope doll out of recycled materials. You are starting to learn to sew and use a sewing machine. I love watching you draw. The focus in your face is interesting to see.

Right now you are into Pokemon, Monster High, My Little Pony, Skylanders, Sailor Moon, and just about anything Disney. Your favorite ride at Disney is Thunder Mountain but you still have a soft spot for the Carousel and Toy Story Mania.

Your imagination is vast. You make up stories in your head and act them out with your toys. Currently you have your Barbies and your Monster High dolls working on a treaty between the monsters and the humans.

You are doing well at school. You just got Citizen of the Month at your school again. You are learning to play the flute and doing pretty well. You have a green sash in Kung Fu and are learning the rules to sparring.

You constantly amaze me with what you say and do.

Hard to believe that in 8 years you are going to be an adult and looking at colleges. But I am willing to wait and enjoy my time with you now.

Love,
Your Mom

I am so very grateful for my daughter.

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Posted By Kathleen David on December 3, 2012

We celebrated at an indoor playground on Long Island called Fun4All because then we didn’t have to worry about the weather conditions outside. Also they are great at parties with kids.

Caroline’s 10th Birthday Gang

(Not pictured Emma G.)
(for the VI: This is a picture of 13 kids with Caroline in the middle under the right corner of a Birthday Cake cutout. She has her arms around two of her friends. )

She invited both family and friends and was happy to see both. Her sisters Gwen and Ariel attended as well which she loved because she didn’t expect either of them but she was hoping they would be there. She knows that Shana has work on weekends and lives far way.

Caroline and her Birthday Cake

(For the VI Caroline has her birthday cake in front of her. The candles are lit and she is getting ready to blow them out. She is surrounded by her friends and family.)

She declared it best Birthday Party Ever!

The adults had fun watching the kids run around and play. I got to talk to everyone for a little bit which was nice.

I am grateful that Caroline had so much fun at her Birthday Party.

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Posted By Kathleen David on December 2, 2012

Her actual birthday is on Wednesday but this worked out for all her little friends.

She is quite excited. She has her clothing picked out for the day. She has been looking forward to this for a while.

Soon she will be in double digits as she puts it. Heading her way to being a teenager and then an adult. It seems like it has gone by in the blink of an eye.

Her tastes are becoming her own rather than a reflection of the people around her. She loves Monster High, Skylanders, Dragons, Large Cats, and Mulan. She reads Beverly Cleary and Jeff Kinney among many others. She loves Big Nate, Foxtrot, and Calvin and Hobbes. She watches Phineas and Ferb, Adventure Time, and Pokemon. She has things that she likes and things that she doesn’t like, which she sorted out all on her own.

She wants to learn so many things. She is working on the flute, Kung-fu forms, and sewing along with her art. She is a decent play tester for video games.

She has so much potential in her to do whatever she wants.

Today she is going to celebrate with her friends by running around an indoor playground and eating cake.

I am grateful for all the things that Caroline is interested in.

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Posted By Kathleen David on December 1, 2012

Where did the year go? I swear it was March just two days ago.

When I was a kid December seemed to take forever as an adult I feel like I will blink and we will be in 2013.

December is a packed month of celebration around here. We have Caroline’s birthday, Hanukkah, and Christmas. So we slide from one to the next all during the month.

I have a couple of things I want to get done before the year ends. And there is also what I want to get set up for next year.

I think I am going to start with the yard and the fall clean-up we need to do now that the leaves have all fallen. This includes getting the rest of the tree out of the back yard before they pick up the yard trash again. However it does look like rain/snow outside so I should get started.

I am grateful to a working lawn mower.

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