The Cherry Tree

Puerto Rico...my heart's devotion

2009-08-04T23:00:00.002-04:00

West Side Story has made it's way into the lives of my children. Sawyer and Eliza are 6 and almost 4. You might think that's too young to fall in love with Tony, Maria, Riff, Bernardo and Anita...not so. A few months ago a friend sent us the "Web Site Story" viral video and I watched it with the kids. So I had to show them some actual clips of West Side Story. They immediately took too it and Eliza began asking me daily to "see Tony and Maria". Since then we've been watching bits of the DVD daily and both kids are often heard singing the songs while they build with legos, eat a snack, wander aimlessly around the house. Eliza sings, "Always the hurricanes blowing...always the 'pop-li-o-shun growing" And as a result of this latest obsession Eliza has learned to effectively trill her r's and does it with fervor as she sings like Anita.
Now a bit of back information...I have loved West Side Story since I was about 8 or 9. Nick played A-rab in the Philips Jr. High School production and I thought it was AMAZING. A family friend gave me the album and I spent the next 10 years listening to it. So now I know all of the words to each song. I believe that the movie is simply the best movie ever made...ok, I don't really have enough information to make that claim and no, I haven't really watched Citizen Cane and Shindler's List was amazing...but I implore you to watch West Side Story now and again if you have already seen it and maybe, just maybe you'll love it as much as we do.
Ole!

Eliza Dolittle

2008-09-16T22:07:00.002-04:00

"Mommy, wanna see my ballet? Now wanna see my other one?"
"Mommy can I have a apple?"
"Mommy can you put me up here?"
"Mommy can I have a gummy vitamin?"
"And that's when I go to ballet class. And that's my ballet. And do what the teacher says I need to"
"Coffee...ooh, and that's ooey for children"
"Sawyer is a girl"
"Mommy do you not like this lady?" (referring to Sarah Palin on the cover of Newsweek)
"I'm going to suck your blood...I'm going to suck your blood" (voice like a vampire)
"Do you have a headache...like that lady? (again, ad in Newsweek) Are you starting to get one?" (while she rubs her feet on either side of my head)

No kidding, she has said ALL of these things this afternoon. And she's running around in her underwear. It's like living with a crazy person.

Ok, but she's kinda cute too.

Hal

Country Folk Part 2

2008-09-09T19:47:00.003-04:00

Hurricane Hanna came and went without too much trouble. We did have this one big tree looming ominously over our driveway and compost bin, however. So here's a video of the Chapman - Cherry tree service taking care of it "Country Style".

And if you haven't seen Country Folk (part 1) please check out my archives - for your viewing pleasure!

Tiny sculptures

2008-08-10T21:02:00.004-04:00

Can I just brag for a second about my kid? He has this unusual talent for creating tiny sculptures out of clay, foam, noodles, sesame sticks, etc. He especially loves sculpey clay which you sculpt and then bake. (I used to make beads out of this when I was, like, 15. Sawyer is 5 and makes far more interesting and inspired creations.) I've included a photo of a few of his most awesome sculptures. The one on the far left is a person made of clay, mounted onto a penny and he used one petal from a clover to make the heart. Mixed media...love that. The rest are sculpey with the exception of the standing figure in the back which is made of foam (like packing peanuts). I think that one is a robot or a "guy". I just love this talent in Sawyer and who knows, maybe you will too.

Man with flower - sesame sticks and a m&m.

Thanks for reading.
Hallie

A fully blooming Cherry Tree

2008-07-29T21:35:00.007-04:00

This is just NOT ok. If anyone is still reading The Cherry Tree, please accept my deepest apologies for the long hiatus.

So here I am. I thought I'd offer a few updates and hopefully a picture or 2 if I can manage it. Meanwhile, thank you for reading. I've noticed other's blogs getting more and more fancy and techie and for the 3rd time today I'll say "I'm not a techie". In fact that whole world of i-this and i-that and downloads and bluetooth whatever is totally lost on me. I have a cell phone but no one knows the number. I waver between feeling totally uncool and simply satisfied. But back to my point: I apologize for the lack of fancy tricks on my blog. Read along and maybe you'll feel inspired to go jot down your grocery list on the back of a junk mail envelope.

Now for the updates:
-Busy / not busy summer here. I worked 3 weeks of camp and am now enjoying some unstructured time with the kids and occasionally the husband. The summer has been uneventfully pleasant.
-Ooh! This is a big one! I am now Hallie Montgomery Cherry. Ok, so I waited almost 7 years to actually become a Cherry and then did it in one afternoon over in Burlington. A little surprise to Dave. Eliza said, "Are you a Cherry kid now too?" So I expected some kind of life changing moment. Maybe sitting on a big ramp in my keds and long skirt as I sing "Goodbye to Hallie M..." only to reappear the next day rockin' some pumps, spandex tights and a perm. But alas, Sandra D. I am not. Hallie C. I am, however. Thinking it'll settle in...
-I'm finding I don't have quite as many updates as I thought. So here are some pictures.

We rode the train
to Camp Cherry!

The other day Sawyer was eating a fortune cookie that he got from the candy jar. I was making the bed and he came in and handed me the wet fortune and asked me to read it. I asked him if he had accidentally eaten the fortune. Yes.
The fortune read: "A great man never ignores the simplicity of a child."

-Hallie Cherry

"Spring is Free"

2008-04-28T15:42:00.003-04:00

In case you haven't noticed...it's Spring! Sometimes I get tired of living in Chapel Hill. After all, I've lived here for about 30 of my 35 years. But somehow every Spring I am surprised by the beauty, the green, the birds, the tadpoles. And this Spring I am especially excited to see that we are getting some lovely Spring rain too. Chapel Hill is really beautiful in the Springtime too. So in honor of my love for Spring I give you my list of a few of my favorite observations of this season.

Welcome Spring!
Puddles
Unfurling Ferns
Tadpole eggs
Baby Grass
70 degrees and higher
Green where there were once limbs and fallen trees
Printemps...Primavera
Sitting on the porch in the fading sunlight as it gets closer and closer to bedtime
First barefoot days

This afternoon it's rainy. Eliza is napping and Sawyer is hanging out inside watching a cartoon. He looked out the window and said, "Spring is Free". All the best things in life are after all.

numbers

2008-04-03T22:04:00.004-04:00

35 - the number of years I am old / am I old?
4 - the number of people living in my house
30 - the number of years I have lived in Chapel Hill
12 - the number of years I have been a teacher
2 1/2 - the number of mugs of coffee I drink each morning
13 - the number of countries I have visited
58 - the number of months I have been a Mommy
31 - the number of years I have known my best friend
17 - the number of friends I have on facebook
53 - the number I find lucky, and is always popping up
4 1/2 - the number of years I took to finish college
6 - the number of years I've been married
7 - the number of vintage Pyrex bowls I have in my collection
1 - the number of siblings I have
3 - the number of languages I speak
3 - the number of mortgage loans I've had
4 - the number of nephews I have

And here's a picture in case you found this post strange and lacking substance...

Lizzie and Lily laughing on Easter

Thanks for reading! Stop and smell the pollen...

Giant Bunny

2008-03-23T22:38:00.006-04:00

Let's just put aside the fact that my kids became totally and completely obsessed with sugar this weekend. Let's not focus on their need to just get their next fix of refined sugar and artificial coloring. Rather, can we just for a moment pause and think about how there's not much cuter than a kid carrying a basket full of eggs? I love Easter. I remember being equally excited about the post-bedtime visits of the Easter Bunny as I was about that guy with the long beard and red suit. I even remember once seeing a giant Easter Bunny on my back deck on Boulder Lane. Was it a dream? I'm still not totally convinced that I imagined or dreamed it. I'm an Easter Basket snob too. I refuse to purchase a giant cellophane-wrapped basket 'o crap. I believe that a proper Easter basket must contain chocolate eggs of some kind, a plush bunny and something bought at A Southern Season. Of course, this morning as my kids were digging through their baskets, Sawyer (with a mouth full of chocolate) said that "there's not much cool toys in mine" Noted.
So Happy Easter and here are a couple pictures of my cuties donning Easter baskets and (fairly) clean clothes.

"Thank ya Easter Bunny! Brok-Brok!"

Recession Shmession

2008-02-16T20:09:00.003-05:00

So I've been hearing a lot lately about the impending Recession. Admittedly I'm a little confused about what that actually means, but I'm also looking forward to the nice little check I might be getting in the mail. I'm not too concerned about the recession - personally - because even if the economy is crappy, there will still be schools and grocery stores (2 places Dave and I both spend and earn our money) I'm also not too worried because I'm not much of a consumer and I have learned how to be quite thrifty in the past few years. Whatever the recession brings, I can't imagine it making much difference to us. I guess I won't be buying that $500 handbag or $30 lipstick...I think I'll survive. So if you've got some concerns about the recession, let me offer some of my free and cheap ways of moving through our consumer-driven economy.

-Save your tomato sauce/peanut butter/pickle jars and use them for bulk dry goods.
-Visit the Botanical Gardens. Great fun for kids and grown ups and free. You can make a donation or buy a plant if you like.

-Skip going out to dinner and host a "pull together" with friends. Everyone brings a dish made from what they have on hand, some wine and you have an eclectic meal to share with the people you like best.
-Swap babysitting (anyone interested??)
-Reuse greeting cards for gift tags, thank you notes, etc. Sawyer and I recently did this when we made 29 valentines for his school friends. They were very cute!
-Go to the library. Hey, did you know they let you take books and CD's home for free? And you can have free entertainment/enrichment for your kids too at Story Time.
-Work at the school where your kid goes :)
-Shop at the Thrift Shop. All Dave's and most of the kids clothes come from our local thrift shops and hand-me-downs. And have you seen how cute my family is?! You have to remember to donate too though, or you won't find anything good.
-Never throw away a banana or an apple. If the banana is brown turn it into a smoothie or banana bread. If the apple is mushy, cook it up, blend it and turn it into totally natural applesauce.
-Check your recycling center for discarded mags and catalogs. You can usually find magazines from the month you're currently in and sometimes even cool vintage magazines. Most of them don't have toxic waste on them.
-Last tip...update your blog! It's free!
-Remember these 2 adages: Waste not Want not & The Best Things in Life aren't Things. And here's one more that I made up: Money doesn't make you rich and not having money doesn't mean you're broke.

Cheaply,
Hallie

Since December 14

2008-01-27T21:32:00.000-05:00

Yikes! Sorry for the month and a half break...I guess I'm experiencing my own writer's block. Or maybe I'M on strike too. I've had a few ideas for posts, but they've slipped from my mind before I could sit down to type. So here are some ideas / updates / queries for your reading pleasure. Maybe this will get me back on track.

Happy Belated Holidays to all! December brought many joys of the season (debt) to us. We enjoyed a trip to Wrightsville Beach (sharing a bed with Eliza is challenging) with Granddad and Mamilene, Nick and Stephanie. We had beautiful weather, many visits with extended family and even sat on Santa's lap at the beach on Christmas Eve! And Sawyer and I had a 2 week break from school (kid bored, mom out of home improvement projects). But seriously, we all had a nice holiday season and especially loved the time with family.

Dave had his 35th birthday. We had a nice 1 night getaway with some friends in the country. We were lucky to spend the night at a beautiful River House north of Hillsborough. Among the activities: snow (!!), Rock Band - I should really have been the lead singer for Boston, fun baby time with cutie Lily, and walking in the woods. The weekend was topped off with Dave actually firing a shotgun at poor, innocent clay discs. Thanks to Roxanne, Tate and Family.

I have a really good idea for a website. But I have no idea how to get it started. Any ideas?

We're staying in the neighborhood! Some of you may know that we were looking at the possibility of moving to a new neighborhood (see: cookie cutter) in Hillsborough. We were actually about ready to sign and start picking out faucets and formica. Then one day my brother Nick, my friend Daran and Kharma sent me messages suggesting that it would not be a good idea. Dave and I reflected and communicated masterfully and we've decided that our a-little-bit-too-small-house is just about right. And now that I've wiped the gleam of a new house from my eyes, I can see better all that I truly appreciate about this house, this yard, this neighborhood. Sorry, sweet little house.

Hmmmm....simplicity.
Not so simple, is it?

Let's see...what else? Oh, how about a picture...

There, that should do it.

You are now in Bedford Falls

2007-12-14T20:06:00.000-05:00

I know most people have seen this movie, but in case you're on the fence, just watch it from start to finish. This is just the best movie ever. It illustrates a range human emotion with grace, honesty and a classic Hollywood style. I love it. It makes me happy and if only we could all be a little more like George and Mary Bailey...

I've been a bad, bad girl

2007-11-29T21:10:00.000-05:00

Maybe this is kharma cleansing, maybe the guilt is eating away at me...I got in trouble today.
I was coming home from a solo afternoon after work. I went to the dermatologist for my annual mole check (where I looked fabulous in my backwards pink paper t-shirt), swung by HT and the PTA, hit the gas station and I'm on my way home. So with no kids in the car I was heading up Hwy 54 when I got behind a guy going unpleasantly slow. They guy behind me passed us both and for some reason I decided to do the same. Let me just say that I'm not usually a passer. I usually drive contentedly down the road at a safe, reasonable speed letting all the impatient people pass me by. But for some reason I made the decision to pass the guy. I started passing at the double dotted line but by the time I got back over I was officially out of the passing zone. A minute or so later I just happened to notice flashing blue lights behind....ME. I actually said to myself "Me? He's pulling over me?" I pulled over and the State Trooper - the memories keep flooding back of my last pull-over when I was 18 going 94 in a 65 - walks up to my window. I passed in a no-passing zone he tells me. Yes, I'm sorry, I say. I give him my license and he heads back to his big scary state trooper car. A few minutes later he comes back and drops the bomb that my license expired back in August. News to me! So in an effort to make this already long story short, $170 later I can go to court and talk to the D.A. and hopefully get some amount of it reduced. Um...oops? This is not the kind of behavior expected of a 35 year old mother of 2!

Any suggestions on appearing in court or getting a ticket reduced is appreciated. Only free advice, please, we're kinda strapped!

And the upswing is that I don't have skin cancer! All moles check out fine.

November News

2007-11-04T21:20:00.000-05:00

Sorry, loyal readers, for the long pause between posts. With fewer hours of daylight now, hopefully I'll feel inspired to sit by the fire (TV), sip some mulled cider (red wine), and focus on the age old tradition of quilting (blog writing).

(L to R: sawyer, noah, eliza, caeden, rivers, josh)

We at the Cherry Tree have had a busy fun transition into Fall. Last weekend we gathered with all the cousins and had some great fun at Family Camp a.k.a. Earthshine. Sawyer and Eliza enjoyed every moment. We fed and pet the animals, explored a creek, hiked to Cherokee Village, pressed cider and even made a candle. It was good, wholesome fun and could not have come at a better time.

Now that Halloween is over we can move full steam ahead into Christmas. Ugh...are you serious? This is ridiculous. We've been observing the various "Christmas decorations" at the big box stores and I finally just told Sawyer that I think they are tacky. He is welcome to look at them in the store but there is NO way I'm putting a 8ft. round plastic snow globe in my front yard. I mean let's count the things wrong with this product: 1) plastic - and lots of it 2) styrofoam snow which is being blown around by a 3) electric fan and finally 4) what's so wrong with a nice, little glass snow globe?! And then there's the twinkly light covered animetronic deer! Ok, those are just creepy. As I told Sawyer and Eliza, why would we need those if we have real deer in our front yard? I think he's getting the picture - the poor kid.

So in response to this nauseatingly blatant consumerism I have imposed some Holiday Shopping rules for my family:
1) Must be bought 2nd hand / antique / vintage
2) Must make a positive impact on the environment
3) Must be edible or home made
4) Must be locally made

Those are my rules, but I'm happy to share if you feel moved to impose any or all onto your Holiday experience.

Only 51 shopping days left!!

Country Folk

2007-10-03T22:02:00.000-04:00

Anyone need a chair?

Teach Your Children Well

2007-09-26T21:12:00.000-04:00

In this time of big questions, political chaos and lack of understanding, I can take comfort and pride in the work I do as a Parent. Most days, that is. And I am continually inspired by the brave and selfless acts of parenting that I am fortunate enough to observe all around me every day.

-My friend Brooke has a 5 week old baby. She was searching out bold, graphic prints to encourage Lily to track. This will help her learn to appreciate books and learn to read later.

-My husband, who spends the morning caring for Eliza who is 23 months, sometimes forgets a spare diaper but always remembers a snack. And he takes her to the YMCA so he can work out, and Eliza spends a little while in the nursery with her "friends". When I ask him what they did he tells me that Eliza went to "see friends".

-Sawyer, who is 4, was riding with me to school the other day when NPR was reporting on the horrific realities of the war in Iraq. I didn't think he was listening, but he commented that "there was something scary on the radio" I chose to not give him too much information and rather to switch the channel to "Woopie Goldberg" where, I told him, they only talk about "funny things". Then he listened and learned about Stevia (the sugar alternative) and developed a (slightly bizarre) interest about why Stevia is healthier than sugar.

-My neighbor has a 6 year old boy. He likes to play with light sabers when the "force" moves him to do so. His mom has only 2 rules: 1) that he has fun and 2) that he is safe with them. She honors his interest in this kind of play and does not discourage him.

-My co-worker has a 12 year old and she packs her lunch for school in a lovely woven basket. Her little girl is a vegetarian so she makes sure she fixes her healthy alternatives and is tolerant and honest about eating meat or not eating meat. But when her daughter said that the basket didn't fit into her locker at school, my co-worker made a different plan and wasn't discouraged.

-A good friend of mine is the mother of a 16 year old boy and he has a girlfriend. One evening she bravely went up to his room with a banana and 2 condoms. He actually let her in the door!

-My dad, in my recent birthday card, wrote that "this is a year of growth" and that Dave and I have "the most pleasing fruits of that marriage" and that we are all "healthy, beautiful plants". And he also quoted Chauncey the Gardner saying, "Autumn will follow Summer, then Winter, then Spring. And the garden will grow according to its seasons."

Listen. Be honest. Be patient. Be clear in your expectations. Keep your promises. Kiss, Hug, Laugh. Admit when you make a mistake. Encourage creative expression and adventure.
Love like you've never loved before.

Kids on Film

2007-09-23T14:29:00.000-04:00

Hello loyal readers!
Just wanted to try to upload a little video of my cuties. I haven't done video yet on
The Cherry Tree so hopefully it'll work.
And OH MY GOD this is really cute.

Action!

And...Scene!

Busy September

2007-09-17T21:14:00.000-04:00

Phew...September sneaked up on me and then we hit the ground running! Here are but a few updates from this busy month.
-Back to school for Hallie and Sawyer. We are both proud to be a part of Carolina Friends School this year. Sawyer is in the Butterflies with Shannon and me, and many friends. He really likes playing with Anaclaire and AJ and usually doesn't pay me much attention during the day.
-Eliza is talking non-stop now. She is also counting (1-9) and singing a lot. She currently loves Olivia books and even pretends to be Olivia sometimes.
-I'm very excited to say that Dave and I finally got away for a couple days SANS KIDS! With childcare and much generosity from Granddad and Grandmay we were able to visit Asheville, NC for 2 whole nights! We stayed at Sourwood Inn just up the mountain from downtown Asheville and it was beautiful. Relaxing, calming, good food, lots of time to talk and joke, and even a few quiet moments (which are rare for us) So it was wonderful. And the kids were fine so we're already planning our next getaway!

And September still has a lot to hold...

Close Encounters

2007-08-12T21:45:00.000-04:00

Aliens have abducted my sweet little boy and replaced him with a....a...A 4 year old! Aaaaaahhhhh!

I should have seen it coming when Sawyer started repeating whatever we said, insisting on posing like Shrek in every photo, and creating an elaborate make-pretend game at every possible opportunity.

The upswing is that he is actually eating now. The kid can put some food away. He can make very short work of a bowl of oatmeal, a hot dog WITH a bun and corn on or off the cob. He's at 35 pounds and counting and he's walking around in some big 'ol feet too.

I've been saying for years that it's not the "terrible two's" it's the "terrible fours" and apparently, that holds true for my kid too. I know what to expect. I've been teaching 4 year olds for 10 years! And I know I've seen the most challenging behaviors out there. In fact, rumor has it that some of the really challenging kids were put into my class because of my ability to "handle them". I know I am qualified for this job. But how come tonight I dragged my son to the car at Maple View Farms kicking and screaming (with Eliza on the other hip) when he refused to leave even after a 5 minute warning?! Aliens, I tell you.

4 will surely bring some pleasant surprises and achievements. I look forward to Sawyer perfecting his name writing, learning to pump, pedal a bike with control and precision and continue to make friends. And for now I'll be patient. I should be thankful that he still crawls into bed with me every morning, is kind and (usually) gentile, and will let me smooch him. But he's a full-fledged little boy now, scrapes, stinky feet and all. I love that kid, but sometimes I wish had a few more moments with the innocence of his first 3 years.

Enjoying every single day...

Hallie

Get me outta here!!

2007-07-22T22:54:00.001-04:00

As my loyal readers know, I am a big fan of my family, my home, my town. I like to keep things simple, easy. I like to be at home, work in the garden, watch the kids frolic in the sandbox or swimming pool, take nature walks. I enjoy the occasional outing with Dave and the kids and the even more occasional outing with just Dave. Yes, I do love all these things but there comes a time in every Mom or Dad's life when you want to scream "GET ME OUTTA HERE!!" I'm there.

Here's why: Date nights are few and far between, summer is only about 1 month more and here's the big one...I have never, ever spent the night away from my kids. Ok, I lied. I spent 2 nights away from my darling son, Sawyer...WHEN I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL AFTER GIVING BIRTH TO ELIZA!! Ok, martyrdom in check. This is not a pity party. Rather an expression of a growing need to get away.

I want to walk through a crowded airport...sip a rum punch with my toes buried in the white sand beaches of Meads Bay, Anguilla...Eat a late prix fixe meal at a tiny restaurant in Paris and sit for hours at a cafe watching people walk by, and by, and by...Wander through a museum without a regard for diaper changes, potty breaks or nap schedules. I dream.

Now back to reality. I need a place that is less than 5 hours away by car, good restaurants, possibly shopping, possibly nature, maybe live music, not too remote, nice but affordable accomodations. Basically somewhere I can be with Dave and talk and wander and enjoy all life has to offer that doesn't have to do with all that my wonderful children have to offer.

So, loyal readers, I'm asking for your help. I want your advice, experience, expertise on where to go, stay, what to do. So please comment with your suggestions. And if anyone has a suggestion as to how to get up in the morning without snuggling Sawyer or hearing Eliza call out "Mommy!" I'd appreciate that too.

-The Mommy formerly known as Hallie

Under construction

2007-07-20T13:37:00.001-04:00

I guess Summer Hallie is a little slow on the uptake, but I just realized how much I can customize my blog. Please take this opportunity to notice the recent changes, pic, links column and check back 'real soon for an actual well thought out post!

Thanks loyal readers...

Why?

2007-06-11T21:56:00.001-04:00

I thought I had a while before this lovely stage...

Lately Eliza has been asking "why?" a lot. And not just in the appropriate toddler-learning-to-talk way either. Here's an example: "Eliza, no no. You can't put more salt on your fruit salad." "Why?" she replies! And then the hard part is actually trying to come up with a valid reason that can be deciphered by a 19 month old. Yeah, the kid is 19 months.
When she continues to ask why for minutes at a time this is what Sawyer says, "Um, Eliza, you can't just ask 'why'. Humans don't just say 'why'. You have to say other things...not just ask 'why'". How does Eliza respond to this? "Why?"

Tonight for dinner Sawyer, Eliza and I had Arthur mac and cheese, corn on the cob and blueberries. Summer is here. Break open the trash bread, heirloom tomatoes and Duke's mayonaise. Summer is here. 4 more days of work for me. Summer is here.

The center of the universe

2007-05-20T20:57:00.000-04:00

Sorry it's been a while since my last post. I usually just wait till I come up with something interesting or clever to write about. But lately my mind seems to be consumed with kids, work, kids, work, other people's kids, Dave work, my garden, kids, running, kids. And I don't have anything profound or interesting on which to comment. SO I'll give you the latest updates on - you guessed it - my kids!

Sawyer is turning 4 in about a month. He has 3 year old moments and some 4 year old days. He has become so great about helping his little sister, and there is frequently a good give and take between them. Sometimes he bops her on the head though and once she bit him on the chest in retaliation. He is still very interested in nature and loves to find tiny interesting items around our yard. Lately he also likes to "make a movie". A game in which he creates a scenario, Dave says "Action!" and Sawyer acts out the scene. Dave also yells "Cut!" a few times, gives Sawyer his new motivation and they start the scene all over. And for the first time the other day he said he wanted to be something OTHER than a firefighter - which has been his career path of choice for about 2 years. He said he wanted to be a landscaper. I'm sure he'll treat the earthworms with kindness.

We've been calling Eliza "small but mighty" for over a year now, and she is that! She is very sweet, but has a very strong will too. She challenges her brother regularly, and loves Daddy time. She uses 3 word sentences comfortably now like, "More orange juice, Mommy" and "More murt (milk) now!" Lately she adds "now!" to the end of her demands just to drive her point home. She's brave too. Eliza can climb to the top of our swingset with ease and seems to have no idea that if she were to fall it would be about 7 feet before she hit ground.

I love my kids to pieces and they ARE the center of my universe. But that's the thing...the universe is vast and there are many centers of it. So while I go on and on about how cute and smart and sweet my kids are, I do understand that I'm the one who is going to feel that way the most. And I'm working hard to not let Sawyer and Eliza feel like they are the only children in the world. Just very loved and very special.

Thanks for reading.

I'm not complaining

2007-04-20T20:42:00.000-04:00

Sometimes I just need to put things in perspective...for myself. It seems like a good little exercise for those times when I get into the rut of could-a, should-a, would-a, and when I get a mean case of the wants and gimmes.

We don't have a big house, there's not a lot of quiet space here, not a lot of privacy. Sure, it might be nice to have a long hallway, a guest room, a garage. But when my kids are running around the house, I don't have to run far to catch them! And when Sawyer is chatting before he goes to sleep and Eliza is singing in her crib I can sit in the living room and listen. So I'm not complaining.

I've been nursing Eliza for 18 months now. It is tiring, it is demanding, it makes me thirsty, and she has a mouth full of teeth now so...ouch! But there are Moms in the world who don't have enough to eat to make enough milk for their babies. So they're hungry and their babies are hungry. I'm blessed and grateful for what I have and what I can provide. So I'm not complaining.

Dave works 4 nights a week till midnight. It can be a challenge to get both kids fed, bathed, dressed, read-to and tucked in by myself. Then when I'm done, Dave's not here to debrief with. But I can tell Sawyer and Eliza that Daddy will be home when they wake. And I will see him when he comes in (though I'm usually asleep) and we can kiss, hug and be parents together. I don't have to try to explain to my 3 1/2 year old that Daddy is in another country and we hope he's ok and he'll be back in a few months. I have the utmost respect and compassion for those Moms and I'm not complaining.

To quote Natalie Merchant (who by the way I saw perform with 10,000 Maniacs when the opened for REM - yes, I'm dating myself):

"these are the days you'll remember never before and never since, I promise will the whole world be warm as this and as you feel it, you'll know it's true that you are blessed and lucky it's true, that you are touched by something that will grow and bloom in you"

Blessed and Lucky and wishing as much for all who wish for as much.

Lay down your arms

2007-03-21T22:48:00.000-04:00

My kid is awesome.

This morning Sawyer was watching The Backyardigans while I got ready for work. He was curled up on the sofa, drinking his milk with his "bordley" laying next to him. He said, "Mommy, I have to tell you about the Romans" So I paused the tv...I've gotta hear this! He had talked about The Romans a time or 2 with Granddad and Mamilene, so he's well-versed in the subject (that is for a 3 1/2 year old)
"The Romans were sleeping outside in the woods where they sleep and they put their guns and swords down. And then it rained at night and their guns and swords got all wet so they crushed them up and took them to the dump...like where me and Daddy got the crushed glass." On several other occasions Sawyer told me about Firefighters or Soldiers throwing their guns in the trash or a landfill. In the case of the latter, I chose not to address the issue of greenhouse gasses and trash vs. recycling. At this point I asked him if that is what he wants. "Do you want all the weapons to be put in the trash?" Is this leading? The answer is yes. He has no hidden agenda here.

If Sawyer could run for President right now his platform will be as follows:
*Gun Control - a call for all guns and other weapons to be crushed up or put in a landfill
*All meals should consist of crackers, crackers and more crackers
*Kindness and respect for all living creatures - this includes nasty little grub bugs that Mom finds while planting
*And a Cherry-Montgomery family house rule: All buns are fair game

And apparently Sawyer is Jewish...at least that's what he told me tonight.

B'Shalom

Help!

2007-02-12T20:54:00.000-05:00

My Mom used to tell me that when my brother was little he liked to sit in his room playing with blocks and listening to Beatles records on his little record player. Nick celebrated his 40th birthday this weekend with an amazing Beatles-inspired cake made by Stephanie.

We have a copy of Beatles 1 that Dave checked out from the library. We've been listening to it in the car. I love the Beatles and I can sing almost every word of almost every song. I have a theory that when Nick was listening to those records in his room I was a tiny baby sleeping in the next room and the songs were just imprinted on my psyche.

Sawyer really likes the CD too. He especially likes "Yellow Submarine". Today we were listening to "Help!", and Sawyer asked me "Why does that guy need help?" I told Sawyer I thought it was because maybe he was feeling a little sad and worried and he needed a friend to help him. Sawyer had a different idea and he said, "Here's my idea...the guy was walking along...and he slipped and fell into a hole and his feet got stuck in the mud so he needed someone to come and help him get out of the mud." Of course I thought this was really cute and funny and then I thought about it for a minute... Help me if you can I'm feelin' down. And I do appreciate you being 'round. Help me get my feet back on the ground. Won't you pleeease pleeease help me. I love 3 year old logic.

Eliza likes it too. When "Penny Lane" is on she's in the back seat singing along "La La la la La"

All you need is love...

%

2007-02-04T21:36:00.000-05:00

A few notes about this year's half time show...

Ok, what's not to like? It's like Jimi Hendrix, Little Richard and (the late) James Brown all rolled into one tight little package. Yes he has his own symbol, sure he's a little odd but I personally think that was an awesome half time show. And Prince is one Artist (formerly known as) that I would love see live in concert.

He pulled out some All along the Watchtower which solidified my comparison to Jimi Hendrix. Very nice. And shimmied his way up and down a wet stage...in HEELS (no small feat even for James Brown). No nipple shot necessary. Name one other performer who can don turquoise and mandarin orange, high heel boots and a do-rag and still rock it. "Yeah, I'm wearing a do-rag...jealous?"

And for the record I LOVE marching bands.

Who won the game? Sorry, no clue.

-The Mommy formerly known as "Hallie" *%*

Snow Days

2007-02-01T22:38:00.000-05:00

Snow days are great. Especially after a night of little sleeping when all you want to do is laze around the house, wearing your pajamas for as long as possible and drinking as much coffee as possible. So when I got the call at 6:30 this morning that school had been cancelled, I knew I was in for a good, dull day.

Don't worry - we did have all the makings for French Toast (pain perdu s'il vous plait) And why is it we all become obsessed with making french toast at the slightest threat of snow? Afterall, why else would we absolutely HAVE to run out to the store for Bread, Eggs, Milk?

We played in the (2 inches) of snow, got nice and chilly. Pegged eachother with snowballs. Tried not to aim for a kid's face. But they have to learn early. Sawyer attempted a snow angel...sad sight. But it was pretty while it lasted. And about the snow Sawyer said, "It looks like the sky is upside down and the snow is right side up!" I love that.

If you read my last post you might have noticed that I sounded a bit worried / un-nerved / concerned. And maybe wondering about the future...kids...etc. But tonight I heard some news that makes me feel that the next generation is on the up and up. It's always happy news when I hear of someone having a baby. But it's especially nice to learn that it is 2 someones who I respect, enjoy, and have a lot of laughs with. I'm so happy to know that these two friends of mine will be able to share all of who they are with a new baby-to-be. They will be great parents and we will all have lessons to learn from them. Or who knows...maybe I'm just glad they're joining the cult we call "parenting". It's always nice to recruit a new member. This calls for 2 armed hugs all around!

Here's to more snow angels on more snow days...

A Missed Opportunity

2007-01-02T21:49:00.000-05:00

I am not an environmentalist. But probably should be...maybe we all should.

Back to work today. Staff Development at CFS. The whole day focused around how to be more environmentally and ecologically aware. I chose to view An Inconvenient Truth in my first session, and to learn about Biodesel in my second session. I had been putting off watching this film because I thought it would be too grim, too depressing. It was grim, but I have a new found motivation to inform myself and others and to - at the very least - encourage you to view the movie.

It's not about politics or political motivation. It's simply about the very real prospect of the future of our planet being much shorter than we might like to think. Al Gore says it is possible to make significant changes NOW that will make a difference.

I feel we owe it to the 2 children at the top of this post to at least try. In 50 years, Sawyer and Eliza will be pre-retirement. They might be lucky enough to have their own children, and maybe even grandchildren. If we don't do anything to help our planet for them, then we are doing those 2 children, and the millions more of their generation, a grave injustice. You can start by watching the film.

www.climatecrisis.net

Rant - check. Braggy photos of my kids - check. Soap box - check.

And as always, I appreciate your comments.

It's all about the Candy

2006-12-25T22:21:00.000-05:00

Sawyer was up before 6:00. He wanted to open the last box on our advent calendar. He knew there was a chocolate santa in there. It is undeniably ALL about the candy.

Well, Santa did not do a "man pee" in our yard. But the Reindeer did make a bit of a mess on our deck. Not what you're thinking...Sawyer made a plate of food for the reindeer. You know, a carrot, a turnip and an ear of corn (which he insisted on shucking beforehand). And the reindeer ate most of it, but left a few scraps and kernels on the deck. Apparently Santa enjoyed the pretzels and pepperoni we left for him. And he helped himself to a glass of milk. Santa also did a little grafitti work on our chalk board in the kitchen.

Santa came to our house, stuffed the stockings, left the presents, ate a snack...everything he was expected to do. But here's the thing: I'm not sure Sawyer buys it.

Dave and I have the sneaking suspicion that Sawyer is humoring us a little. He was excited and all, but as for the magical part...he doesn't go full-force into it yet.

We did have a lovely Christmas Day though. A nice brunch with Granddad and Mamilene, Uncle Nick and Aunt Steph. Good food and lots of great gifts. And after both kids took much-needed naps, we made our way to Granddad and Grandmay's house for more playing, gift-giving and snacked on delicious left-over turkey on rolls. A very special Christmas.

Oh, and Dave held back and diverted the water that turned our Butterfly Trail into a lake and was close to flooding our driveway. We've got 2 cats we would be happy to put on the Arc.

Merry Christmas and watch out for the zombies in the mall.

Say "Fromage"

2006-12-16T21:38:00.000-05:00

I thought I would include some new pictures on this post. I'm still figuring out how to add more than 1 picture + text, so patience please.

This is now

That was then...

Sawyer and Mommy

Eliza likes to help with chores

Making it up on the Fly

2006-12-05T20:48:00.000-05:00

We live a ways out of town. So Sawyer (and Eliza) and I end up having some interesting conversations while driving down Hwy 54.

For example, the other night Sawyer caught a few minutes of an old episode of The Smurfs at Uncle Nick's house. Understandably he had some questions about them. Although I was a HUGE fan of those little blue creatures at age 8, I could not quite remember the details of their existence and perils of living in such close proximity to the Evil Gargamel. This is one to pass off to Dad, I think. When we get home, Daddy can't quite remember the details either so quick thinking leads him to invent some smurfs - as to apeaze Sawyer and his queries regarding this program. We proceded to tell Sawyer of the adventures of "Tranny Smurf", "Morbidly Obese Smurf", "Foot Odor Smurf" and "Alternative Lifestyle Smurf". I know, it's wrong.

So tonight we met Santa (again) at U-Mall. Sawyer told him what he wanted for Christmas, and we asked Santa if the Reindeer would like carrots or celery for a snack on Christmas Eve. On the way home Sawyer says, "Sometimes you have to pee on Christmas" I continued the conversation asking Sawyer how he thinks Santa goes pee when he comes to our house. Does he use our bathroom while we're nestled snug in our beds or does Santa do a man pee on our yard? "A man pee, I think", says Sawyer.

And here's an update about Eliza...her newest words include kitty / eliza / brother / apple / cracker / diaper - and she's working hard on "shoes" too. Eliza Doolittle she is not. Or so I thought. When I was putting an already-sleeping Sawyer in bed tonight, Wylie E strolled into the room wanting to play. Sawyer asleep, I ushered her out of the room. Sensing something in her mouth, I did a quick finger sweep. About 5 marbles dribble out of her mouth! If you have not seen My Fair Lady, do watch it, and you will understand the marble connection.

That's it for now. Thanks for reading.

The thrill of defeat

2006-11-15T20:02:00.001-05:00

A picture to grab your attention.

I've been feeling defeated lately. I guess it's the challenges of trying to balance work & family, finances, keeping the house clean-ish, me time, me and dave time. Anyway, sometimes I feel like it's hard to do everything and do everything successfully. I do know that it's all relative and that plenty of people have things a lot harder. But as Leah reminds me, "it doesn't matter if other people have it harder...that doesn't make your situation any less difficult for you." (or something to that effect)

I do think I'm pretty good at Mommying though (toot toot). So in an effort to feel like my knowledge about (at least) parenting might benefit someone other than Dave, Sawyer and Eliza, I will include in this post some of my tips / ideas / tricks of the trade.

1. The most valuable word you can teach your baby is "more". If they can say "Mama" they can say "more". It doesn't have to be totally clear either. But it's a heck of a lot better than grunting and pointing to get something. And once they see that it works, they're hooked.

2. Put spinach leaves in a smoothie. Your kid won't taste them and you can add a veggie to their daily intake.

3. Make your own playdough. It's much better than store-bought. Use a ton of food coloring.

4. Smooch your newborn baby on the lips. It's just the best thing in the world.

5. Hang your child's artwork on the wall right next to your "real" art.

6. Teething babies like to chew on toothbrushes.

7. Cinnamon toast cut into triangles are donkey ears and they are yummy.

8. If there is a puddle your child has a God-given right and responsibility to splash in it. Do not deny them this. Just be prepared to have a wet child.

9. The best way to get rid of monsters is to say "Abra Cadabra Hokus Pokus...Monsters GET OUT OF THIS ROOM!" I'm telling you, it really does work.

10. Be patient...most of the time, fair...some of the time, serious...when you really mean it, and silly...when you just have to!

Thanks, loyal readers.

Joyeux Halloween

2006-11-01T21:27:00.000-05:00

A kid in my class asked me "How many more days of Halloween are there?" I told him "8...like Hanukkah." Yes, the season of giving (and ingesting) is upon us. Time to stock up on toothpaste and whole grains...whatever you can do to counteract the massive amounts of sugar intake that is to come.

Yesterday we celebrated Halloween here in the Cherry-Montgomery household. Sawyer came up with his own costume. Originally he wanted to be a tick (truly scary). Then he wanted to be a race car. Not a race car driver, mind you, but an actual race car. So I got my hands on a cardboard box and a kitchen knife. Then it became a tick DRIVING a race car! So add a pair of wiggly antennae and it's a go. We like to work with whatever the kid has to offer.

Eliza, at the last minute, was a lovely little gypsy! We went to U-Mall, then to Boulder Lane where Sawyer and Eliza trick-or-treated with Uncle Nick and Mamilene. And Mommy remembered the 9 or so years I trick-or-treated on that very street (though with different residents) Good times.

My query for this Halloween: Why do candy bars taste SO much better when they're 2 inches long?

Pink Cake

2006-10-16T21:36:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday to Eliza!

This weekend Eliza celebrated her 1st birthday. Yep, the big one. You might be thinking year 16 or 21 or 30 is "the big one" but actually it's year 1. Just think about what Eliza - and most other one-year-olds accomplish in their first year; holding one's head up, rolling over, pushing up, sitting...ok, right there are enough gross motor skills to get us through a nice yoga class. Then comes babbling, holding a bottle or sippy cup, finger feeding...skills that will come in handy for years to come. Eliza can also turn the pages in a book, point and clap...just try to get through formal education without those skills. And Eliza has also learned to give hugs, maul the cats, say "bye bye" and jump on the bed with Daddy and Bro.

I'm so impressed.

But mostly I am grateful for the blessings Eliza has brought to our family for the last year. She came out teeny and yellow-ish. And she is now a little bigger, sassy, busy as all get out and generally a fabulous 1 year old!

So here's to "Wylie E" and a name she can live up to.

My 5 year Husband

2006-10-01T21:41:00.000-04:00

Dave and I celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary this past Friday, 9/29. Got a babysitter. Went out for a nice dinner that did not involve asking for a cup with a straw, extra napkins or chicken nuggets. Nice for us. So here's my point...My husband of 5 years (!!) gave me a card and a beautiful neclace. The neclace is 2 circles, one silver, one wood (the traditional gift for 5 years) The card has a quote that Dave found and wrote that says:

"Happy marriages begin when we marry the ones we love, and they blossom when we love the ones we marry." (Tom Mullen)

I love my husband. I love my family. But if you're reading this you probably knew that. My life is good and I'm a lucky lady.

A few thoughts

2006-09-23T14:49:00.000-04:00

Dear Loyal Readers (all 2 of you),
Thank you for sticking by The Cherry Tree in our dark days and our experiences with rant-writing and hulahooping. I promise more cute kid pics and uplifting writing will carry us smoothly into Fall.

Here are a few of my ideas...in no particular orders. Just a stream of my own thoughts. Read-on and please enjoy.

-Whole Foods brand lime popcicles are the most delicious popcicles you can buy. Do yourself a favor and pick up a box or two.

-Someone should make a cinnamon toast flavored ice cream. Or how about oatmeal cookie? If you have connections at Ben and Jerry's, please give me due credit. Thank you.

-Eliza is almost 1! She can climb up and down the stairs - well enough that I almost trust her to do it w/o supervision. She makes an amazing snoot face. She still loves the mama milk. She likes fruit as much as her bro. She is thinking about talking, but hasn't yet figured out what to say.

-Washington state is a WONDERFUL place for people to relocate.

-Chapel Hill & Carrboro are great places to stay.

-Sawyer got in the car from preschool the other day eating a chunk of bread. I said, "whatcha eating?" He said "Challah" Nice. He also said that they say "Shabbat Shalom" at preschool. With all the languages he is exposed to in my family, I think Hebrew or Yiddish might be his first 2nd language!

-Neighbors are important. Yesterday our neighbor Jonah fell in our pond! He was a good sport and it was very exciting. Then he and Sawyer were playing in Jonah's camper and Sawyer got his first shiner! We have a path between our houses so there will definitely be more excitement (and injuries) to come.

-Arrested Development is (was) an amazingly funny show. If you have not seen it you should rent the first season and start from the beginning. It really is pee-in-your-pants funny and the Chicken Dance takes it to a whole other level.

-A good haircut will make you feel renewed. A bad haircut will make you want to wear a hat.

-"A boy of quality should not be threatened by a girl for equality" That's what my kelly green shirt says in a picture taken of me at an ERA march in about 1982.

Stream over. Thanks for reading.

-hallie

"You know...for kids!"

2006-09-07T20:20:00.000-04:00

Maybe it was our fault for venturing out to Weaver St. Lawn on a Thursday evening...

It started out fine. We got some yummy food. Sawyer picked an Orangina. Eliza tried baked tofu. We ate and then made our way to the part of the lawn where barefooted kids frolic, fairly good music is audible and yuppies-who-want-to-be-hippies sip their organic pino noir. And yes, where the hulahoops roll by like tumbleweeds in the desert.

One of said hulahoops caught the eye of my sometimes standoffish 3 year old. Rainbow striped and spinny. Being chased by another smallish child. I noticed and suggested to Sawyer that we go check them out. We walked over to the (you know who I'm talking about) hulahoop lady. As we approached her and the pile of spheres propped against a tree, Sawyer said something to the effect of "can I try?" Her response was that NO, he could not try and that the hulahoops were "very expensive" and not for children. Not even an effort to, at the very least, show him hers. Instead she suggested that the nearby children might share with him.

It's a #&%@ing hulahoop!!

Sawyer actually started to cry a little, bless his heart. I picked him up and explained that the lady had not learned to share. He was a bit upset, but quickly recovered and we made our own fun climbing the tree and watching the train go by.

Ok, before I get too pissed off I will end with this...If there is to be an ordinance placed on how to spend one's free time on Weaver St. lawn, couldn't it be placed on the hoolahoop fanatics?!

(In your comments please include your most creative option for jetisoning a hulahoop on a crowded lawn.)

The Apple Doesn't Fall Far

2006-08-25T21:29:00.000-04:00

Apples. Most kids like 'em. Most adults like 'em. Sawyer takes a few tiny bites all over the surface and then leaves it on the kitchen table, "I'll save it for Daddy" he says. But try to take an apple away from Eliza and you have one pissed-off 10 month old. No delay, she just goes straight into an angry cry. I admit it, sometimes I take the apple away just to see her display.

Apples also remind me that fall is soon to arrive. School is starting. Sawyer will go back next week, Granddad Ed is back on UNC campus WALKING the halls of Dey Hall - and one step closer to retirement. And I am the new kid on the block at Carolina Friends School - Chapel Hill Early School. This is a huge transition for me and certainly requires a post of it's own. I'm feeling incredibly honored and blessed to have joined such an amazing community of teachers and families. More on that later, but check out the website (http://www.cfsnc.org/).

Now go eat an apple. You know what they say about apples... but remember to wash it, those pesticides will kill 'ya.

-Hallie

hallie is getting frustrated

2006-08-14T14:24:00.000-04:00

I'm working on changing the template for The Cherry Tree. But running into trouble. Hope it works, let me know what you think!

But for your trouble - and so this post isn't boring - here are a couple of anecdotes for you to enjoy:

1) Sawyer has been singing Sam Cooke lately. He likes to sing, "That's the sound of the men working on the chain...gaaaaang" Nice. And he's a total nature boy these days. He picked up a giant milipede today and said it was the "daddy milipede". Then he placed it on Butterfly Trail so daddy milipede could find his home.

2) Eliza is trying to say "uh-oh" and has been pointing at everything. She is learning not to put things in her mouth when we say "no no". She seems to like playing with Sawyer's toys the most. She has begun to make car sounds when she and Sawyer play with cars. VROOOM!

3) Back to work soon. Looking for a nanny. I interviewed a nice young woman today. It felt like a strange trip because it seems like only a couple of years ago I was the nanny who was being interviewed by a mommy to care for her kids. Now I'm the mommy. How did that happen? (no comments please - I know how that happened)

3 is enough, I think. Thanks, loyal readers.

-hallie

A Grinding Halt

2006-08-04T22:18:00.000-04:00

We are in the Dog Days. Despite the unbearable heat we have been pretty busy. I have found myself nesting - though not in the same way one nests when expecting a baby. I think I'm nesting because soon enough I'll be back at work and I won't be spending quite as much time noticing our outdated light fixtures, plants, the gravel...

In case you were wondering here are some of the fun things going on in the Cherrry-Montgomery household...

Butterfly Trail - with back breaking weed pulling and plenty of raking, we have made a nice little woodland path through our front yard. At the start of it is a butterfly bush (which survived the transplant from Oakwood Drive to Coachway) so we named the path "Butterfly Trail" With some good advice from Ed & Helene we hope to cultivate and plant shade loving and deer resistant plants in the fall. It's a peaceful place...walk along it and it's kindof like walking a labrynth.

The Truman Show - our favorite all-black slinky cat from Charlotte has come to live with us (again). Truman has been relocated from Dan and Paula's by way of Grandmother Cherry's to make his home once again in Chapel Hill. Let's hope he can avoid the cone this time!

"Hi Kitty" - On another cat note, Eliza has discovered that she can talk! It's unmistakable. She can say "Hi Kitty" fairly clearly. Yes, her "first word" was in fact a 2 word sentence. But she does say it to a cat, a zebra, a chimpanzee. So she hasn't quite gotten the full concept. I hope we'll upload videos soon.

Hit the Deck - Our friend and master builder, Luke, is building a deck that will wrap around the sunroom porch. It looks wonderfully structurally sound so far and will be a beautiful outdoor living space soon. And the added bonus is that the uprooted ferns and shrubs once surrounding the sunroom were beautifully transplanted by Uncle Dan to the aforementioned Butterfly Trail. Rest assured if you are reading this you will be invited to a housewarming and see it for your own eyes.

Stay tuned...many more exciting regular everyday accounts of our lives to come.

Captain Underpants or Diaper-on-Head

2006-07-25T20:24:00.000-04:00

I like to put diapers on my children's heads.

I don't know why I do it. Maybe because we have diapers lying around in every room of our house. Maybe because they just fit so snugly onto a small-ish head. Maybe because my kids are good sports and just look at me as if to say, "oh Mama - you have the best ideas!"

I did it to Sawyer too. I have a similar picture of him with a German diaper on his head and a sock hanging out of his mouth. Now Sawyer has evolved to putting underpants on his head on occasion. We call him "Captain Underpants" Could there be any other name?

So here you go. Now Eliza's doing it too with Sawyer's pull-up. And yes, that is a gate at the base of the stairs. She can and will climb to the very top only turning around every couple of steps to see if we are gaining on her.

Kids are fun. And a constant source of entertainment in this house. What good are they if you can't have a good laugh at their expense every once in a while?

And here's a Sawyer quote for the day:
"If you go to jail and you walk on the concrete, you have to take your shoes off"

I gotta say I have NO CLUE what that one means. Any ideas?

Thanks for reading.
-hallie

What I did on my Summer Vacation

2006-07-20T18:14:00.000-04:00

I'm learning that the older your kids get the more you have to plan activities to fill their time. I've certainly taken a lot of cues from my sister in law, Paula. I can no longer expect Sawyer to be satisfied with playing around the house and the occasional trip to the library or the park. But he does like those low-key activities too.
We've had a busy summer. In June we went to Earthshine Mountain Lodge with all "the cousins". It was a blast. Here they are in order oldest to youngest Cory, Hannah (accompanied by her friend Lexi), Noah, Rivers, Sawyer, Josh, Caeden and (bless her heart) Eliza. Sawyer and the boys had fun exploring, mining for gems, nature walking, sitting in hammocks, visiting the animals, fishin' and watching the grown-ups fly through the trees on the zip-line. We will definitely make this an annual event! We also went to Wrightsville Beach with Granddad and Mamilene and Mamilene's mom and dad Paqui and Eugene, who were visiting from France. Sawyer and Eliza played in the sand and the waves, gathered shells and built sand castles. Eliza mastered crossing the threshold onto the front porch and she learned to clap. On our last day there Sawyer, Dad, Eugene and Mom visited the Battleship North Carolina. What fun to have so many people to play with! Mom and Dad enjoyed the break too.
Mix in a few weeks at KJP Summer Camp, lots of great play dates, a 3 year old birthday, playing in the pool and on the slip-n-slide and going to the zoo and you've got yourself a great summer.
But now I need a vacation from this summer vacation...it's a good thing I'm going back to work in August!

Mama Turtle

2006-07-14T11:46:00.000-04:00

I'm so lucky. A turtle has chosen our garden to lay her eggs! She was hanging out in our driveway this morning and when I came home I discovered she had moved to our garden - right in front of the living room window. She has been there for a few hours digging a deep hole one tiny foot full at a time. She digs down with her long leg and pulls out about 1/4 of a teaspoon of soil, then adds it to the pile behind her. She alternates between her 2 back legs while she stretches back and holds on with her front legs. I call that labor!
Later I discovered that she had covered the hole over with dirt. I assume there are tiny turtle eggs inside. Mama Turtle found a shady, quiet spot under a nearby shrub and she is sitting there now. I gave her a piece of apple.
Sawyer and I made a little border of sticks around the spot where the eggs are. Sawyer has been bringing over little pebbles and mushrooms found in the yard. He says, "the baby turtles will like these.
I don't know much about turtles, but my friend Jim Lee does. Please visit www.bambooturtle.us/

PICTURES!

2006-07-11T19:49:00.000-04:00

Just trying to upload pictures of Sawyer and Eliza. I hope you like them!

Daran, thanks for the tips.

Oh Deer

2006-07-11T10:27:00.000-04:00

We have occasional Disney moments here in The Trails. There is a family of Deer that come into our yard. A mama, a big brother (with little-boy deer antlers) and 2 cutie-cutie, spotted, frolicking babies! This morning they made their way through our front yard. They sniffed the ferns and moved along. I think they would be less endearing (no pun intended) if they ate my hydrangeas.

Not much excitement in this post. Just an appreciation for the little things.

-hallie

first post

2006-07-08T22:28:00.000-04:00

Ok, maybe we were peer-pressured. Or maybe it's us keeping up with the Jones's (or Edmonds' or Wilkens') The Cherry-Montgomery's have decided to create a blog. Something to pass the time between changing diapers, rushing Sawyer to the potty, fishing small chokable objects out of Eliza's mouth and letting Bear in and out of the house.

And yes, we will attempt to post pictures of the younguns. Prepare to be mesmerized by their cuteness. I am everyday.

But I hope you enjoy checking in occasionally to keep up with the goings-on in the Cherry-Montgomery household. We feel happy in this new house, new foundation, new neighborhood...things seem "just right" For now, anyways.

-Hallie