Almost final goodbyes. They kept turning back to shout, “I’ll miss you,” and to wave and blow kisses. On the way home, Suv held my hand, rested her head on my arm, and was whispering quietly to herself, so I asked her what she was thinking about. She said, “Just about playing with Pearl forever.” It was a sad, sad day when she moved away.

Summer times

So the other day, I was cleaning up after dinner and turned around to find Suv had stripped down and was prancing around the kitchen. When she turned around, I saw that she had smeared almond butter all over her bum crack. I was shocked and dismayed, but honestly, it was the least frustrating thing that had happened that afternoon, so we just made a plan to get her in the bath ASAP. I finished what I was doing and turned around to find her licking her fingers. All I could do was hope she wasn’t licking what I though she was and keep my eyes on her til she was in the bath, safe & sound.

Poses inspired by the New York Philharmonic in Prospect Park

Suv filled up her sticker chart and we let her choose a reward. She asked for 45 pieces of candy and a movie, so we made a party out of it. We trekked to the Swedish candy store, then picked up The Little Mermaid (she wanted to see how Ariel transformed from a mermaid to a person with legs), and she had her friend Pearl over to celebrate.

Fourth of July / Maybe the best fireworks of my life and probably the first of Suvi’s

First day of tumbling class was a hit. Suv was right about not needing underwear under her leotard. Oooops. I was wrong about the socks, too.

Filthiest little fountain rats at Washington Square Park

She was determined to make her own lunch and that meant making peanut butter and jelly swathed banana bites. She even cut up the banana herself. I could get used to this.

Lazy afternoon exploring the neighborhood and sipping delicious basil lemonade…

Bobby pin art. Who am I to stifle her creativity?

Family time in Florida!

(I’m pretty sure there are tons of other pics floating around, but I’m not sure where…)

Suv loves to play pretend school, while I lay back on the couch and make her do real school stuff like practice writing letters and drawing shapes. Summer school solved.

Checking out the new splash pad