Alison Hodgson

Expert on the etiquette of perilous times.

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Today we are preparing for Eden’s half birthday, her “Friend Party”.  She has been busy gathering streamers and rifling though the cupboard that contains all our baking supplies.  Just a moment ago she called out, “I want to use this to put my cake on.”

I had a feeling that “this” was the antique glass cake pedestal that I store on the top shelf of the baking cupboard.  I hustled into the kitchen to find Eden squatting on the counter with the pedestal beside her.  She was smiling widely and seeing her rang a sort of bell, but I wasn’t sure what.  I rifled my visual memory for photographs of her or her sister and then I realized, she was making me think of me.  Squatting there on the counter, a sweet and utterly satisfied smile on her face, she was an echo of a younger me, except with Paul’s blue and sleepy eyes.
I don’t usually look for myself in my children; producing three near clones of their father has kept me from that.  And yet there are times, like this morning, where our likenesses flash out and I see, if for only a moment, that I am not just a conduit, but a spring, a well.

https://alisonhodgson.com/2008/07/419/

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Kids, I’ve been taken out by a terrible cold, at least that’s what I thought for a couple of days as I gulped immunity drinks and took my vitamins.  Then I woke up with intense sinus pain and thought, “Oh it’s my allergies!”  and began to take something for that.  After a  couple days of pain and exhaustion it occurred to me that last year when my allergies flared within a couple hours of taking my anti-histamine I felt fine.  The next morning I went to the doctor who diagnosed me with a sinus infection exacerbated by allergies. 

I was barely on the mend when Torey came down with a plague, so I brought her and the girls to my house.  I’d rather not write about that as Willa has been engaging in some sort of scream fest generally, combine that with hours without her mama and it was ugly, my friends.  I was being pulled in so many directions it was comical.  Fortunately I just kept dealing with things (read: the other children) as they came up, “I know you want to swim, but have you noticed this small person?  Yes, this one with the red face, who is shrieking, I’m a wee bit involved with her right now, but I will certainly attend to your needs as soon as I meet hers.” 
I never met hers.
Repeat the above conversation, adding different outrages, atrocities and needs about a thousand times, throw in several trips across town (lessons, classes, parties!) and you have my experience last Wednesday.
The summer is a flying.  It’s been fairly low key and that has been good.
We are alive and well and, most days, having a lovely relaxed summer.
I’ll keep you posted…eventually.

https://alisonhodgson.com/2008/07/420/

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The other day Eden marched into the kitchen where Paul was standing and announced, “I’m hungry!”

“Well, what do you do when you’re hungry?”  Paul asked in a fatherly/this is a teachable moment/leading sort of way.
But this is the Bean. “I tell someone I’m hungry!” she said.
He hid a smile and helped her get her something to eat, but first he came and reported the exchange to me.
Wonderful Bean.
Excellent Daddy.

https://alisonhodgson.com/2008/07/422/

38 is great!

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Last night, as I was tucking her into bed, Eden asked what kind of birthday I wanted.  

“What do you mean?”  
“Well, Rennie’s having a Princess birthday and I’m having a horse and Chihuahua birthday, what kind do you want.”
I knew it wouldn’t be any good to explain that adults don’t usually have themes.  “I want a flower birthday.”  I said.
“You always pick that.”  She said, without missing a beat.
It was  a good day.  Paul took it off but it was fairly low key.  We went out to lunch while the kids went to see Wall E with their cousin, Ren, and  her Grandpa and Grandm P., who she shares with my kids and who treated everyone.  Torey and Willa Z. came along for the ride.

After lunch Paul took the kids to a park and the library so that I could stay home and write.  When they returned Lydia and I did a little math, as she is doing some extra credit this summer.  
There weren’t any presents to unwrap or candles to blow out, but they all made me cards, even Paul.  We have had a couple of projects around the house done that we have counted towards several holidays.
I jokingly told Paul today, “Your presence is your gift.”
And it was.

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It’s been a busy few days since we last spoke: terrible storms, a power outage and it’s attending chaos,  (note: do NOT bring a breast feeding infant prone to screaming when separated from her mother into your home at the precise moment you realize that the generator you were relying on to keep hundreds of dollars worth of food frozen and that sounds like a lawn mower in your kitchen whilst belching headache inducing fumes, is not actually keeping anything frozen because it’s not working.  Just don’t.  Trust me.) a national holiday and it’s fun and – let’s face it – chaos,  home renovations and a birthday – Torey’s 33rd.  

Mine is Tuesday.  I will be 38.  Please send presents.

In the coming days you will be able to witness the glory and pageantry that was the Second Annual Dad and Christopher Fireworks Extravaganza as well as pictures from the Fourth of July parade, the carnival and Torey’s birthday dinner.  It’s all a feast for the eyes.

https://alisonhodgson.com/2008/07/424/