Maryam singing

For rehearsal after rehearsal, she would NOT do her solo. But she finally did! Here she is, singing Away in a Manger.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqtQl4oAUKw

Hiking

Today Maryam, Jim, and I went hiking today. Maryam let me wear her in a wrap, which made us go so much faster. On the way back, she rode on her daddy's shoulders.

And she rode on Mommy's back, in a lovely, borrowed wrap.




She also wore the wrap herself.

Maryam is WILD!

As in, she's a tiger. Raaaaar!

Maryam and I went to a movie, out to lunch, and then enjoyed the Kids' Day celebration at Easton. There was face painting, balloons, and music. Jim cut out a ton of toys while we were gone, as he gets ready for the Hilliard Arts Festival.

Dress like a cow....

There are two things I'm a sucker for - free food, and costumes. At one point in my college days, I would dress up in costumes on the flights home, just because. And free food? That goes without saying.

A local chain restaurant here, Chick-Fil-A, had Cow Appreciation Day today. If you dress like a cow, you get a free meal. That was too good to pass up, so Maryam and I got on our spots, ears, and tails, and went out for a lovely lunch of chicken.

Here's a pic.

Saying goodbye

Maryam and I recently flew out to Washington for a visit. We did many great things, which I will blog about later, but one of the most important was saying goodbye.

On our last day, Maryam and I visited the site where my dear friend Maryam Rassoulian Stall's ashes are interned. It is a beautiful, peaceful spot, quiet and serene.






Here are some pictures of little Maryam. She brought her fairy wand with her. I felt like I was truly able to say goodbye here. Her space was not yet marked, and it is truly by the hand of God that as Maryam and I were walking down the trail, we saw Jeff, Maryam's husband. He showed me where her ashes were. I was not able to be there for the memorial service, but that evening was a sort of closure for me, and being able to see her husband was amazing and so right. I am happy she is resting there, and I know she is at peace in the hands of our God.

The name Maryam

On the first day of 7th grade gym class, I came out of the bathroom crying. This girl who I had never met before asked me what was wrong, and helped me out. She became one of my best friends. Her name was Maryam. Maryam Rassoulian Stall died yesterday, Saturday April 11th after a long and complicated battle with systemic lupus.

I remember the spring day I called her in 2006, asking if I could name my not yet born daughter after her. She said she would be honored.

Maryam my friend was only able to meet Maryam my daughter once. The last time I saw her was over Christmas, and she was in the hospital. I wasn't able to bring my daughter in to see her since she was in the ICU. I did show her a picture of how her namesake was growing up, strong and happy.

Maryam was only 32 when she died. She was in a lot of pain, and I am glad she is released of that. Whenever I say my daughter's name, I am reminded of my friend, of her strength, her beauty, her spirit. When Maryam is old enough to understand, I will tell her about her namesake - how her gentle kindness was so present, how her fiery spirit was there, too. I'll tell her how one 13 year old girl helped me when I was young, and became a lifelong friend.

Some cute toy pics

We're getting some new pictures for our website: http://www.happysquashtoys.com. Luckily for us we have a cute model willing to play with our wooden creations.

Warmer weather means

...viking hats!

As it warms up outside after a cold Ohio winter, we all tend to congregate outside for hours. Thursday was beautiful - 60 degrees! The boys brought out their Nerf guns, and Maryam had her viking helmet and her rockets. She's very anti-photo right now, so all my shots had to be done on the sly. She gets mad when I point the camera at her. The boys, of course, are hams for pictures.
Aidan was doing his best to look fierce.

When it was time to come in, you could hear Maryam screaming a block away.

Today we biked to the park. I love Spring - it's my favorite season. The summers here get a bit too hot and humid, and the winters can be so cold. I'm waiting a bit longer to start my tomato plants indoors for my garden. I can't wait!

The princess pirate

That is what Maryam called herself with these two silk scarves on.

Art area

We sold some exercise equipment we had in the basement, and used the money and space to create an art area, where the kids can glue, paint, draw, tape and create without getting my kitchen table destroyed.

We went to Ikea yesterday, and this is what we created.

The blue bins hold all sorts of artsy stuff, from paper to feathers to glue and tape and stickers and paints.

I saw some hanging cups in the bathroom area, and decided to be clever and use them to store markers, crayons, paintbrushes and pencils. They can be taken off the bar and will stand upright on the table or the easel.