Connecting the Dots

Misty’s Big Idea Originally uploaded by kjda Crappola of a day here in pretty much every way. Misty actually suggested Chardonnay, but that would have involved a trip to the fridge in the basement, and I barely had enough energy to crack this puppy open. KJ Dell’Antonia sent from my iPhone

My Bag of Rocks Originally uploaded by kjda I was going to post this a while ago–it’s the physical representation of my personal frustrations. As in, geez, this bag is heavy, what have you got in there, rocks? Why, yes.

Things I saw poop today Originally uploaded by kjda This is a greater yellowlegs, and is actually the least interesting of the things I saw poop today, which also included a sea anemone and a giant octopus. Jealous, aren’t you?

Best. Shoes. Ever. Originally uploaded by kjda Dear Donald Pliner Thank you so much for the lovely comfy shoes. I walked. I danced. I did the horah carrying Wyatt. I picked up Lily and danced some more. And not one time all evening did my feet hurt at all. You rock, Donald Pliner. KJ Dell’Antonia sent from my iPhone

Pre ring bearing Originally uploaded by kjda KJ Dell’Antonia sent from my iPhone

Bride, Groom and Wee attendants Originally uploaded by kjda Lily is sick and one not top happy flower girl. Sam at least is enjoying himself! KJ Dell’Antonia sent from my iPhone

How to keep flower girls and ring bears happy Originally uploaded by kjda Last wedding, we were not prepared. In the interval between photos and the ceremony, we dismantled an entire room in a synagogue. After the ceremony and before the food was served, we ate the centerpieces, and the whole thing nearly turned into the Donner Party. This time we were prepared! KJ Dell’Antonia sent from my iPhone

Dear Ayelet Waldman Originally uploaded by kjda I am enjoying your book. I loved your NYT essay that caused all the hoopla. But I am very, very happy to say that I think I am actually a very good mother. And so does Wyatt! I am pretty sure that by Chapter 18 you will have come to feel the same way. Although it sounds like you might still not go for the cruller and frappacino action. But I know you […]

Wyatt takes his hair VERY seriously Originally uploaded by kjda KJ Dell’Antonia sent from my iPhone

Today’s project Originally uploaded by kjda Haircuts. A charity auction. Cheering up, and pretending I didn’t read the rumor that all China adoption action has ceased until…September. I do hear Fujian is lovely in September…but why anyone would think the flu would be gone by then, I can’t imagine. Also in the "overreacting" category–my brother-in-law’s wife refusing to fly to my sister-in-law’s wedding next weekend. She has a three-month- old…but if you won’t travel because of THIS flu, then you […]

My Bag of Rocks, originally uploaded by kjda. Geez, what’s in there, a bag of rocks? Why, yes! It’s a metaphorical bag of rocks, too. I am carrying a lot of baggage, lately.

You’ll have to head over to Word of Mouth at NHPR.org to hear me still being funny about it! Today I’m feeling less clever, since rumors are spreading that China will close down adoption activity until things sort themselves out one way or another. Rory’s in good hands, though, and if things get worse–well, they get worse. And if they don’t, I’m confident it will pick back up quickly. I’m sticking to my vague June travel plans until forced to […]

The three and I flew from Boston to Dallas today. It’s a four hour flight, but came in at 5 1/2 (plus) due to 1) delay on the ground but in the plane because of storms and 2) no gate when we finally DID land. And you know what? It was fine. Sam and Wyatt sat in the row in front of Lily and I. Wy napped for the first hour or so after takeoff (that would be hour 2 […]

I’ve got about 1/2 an hour this morning before I go relieve Rob at TMO (Wyatt’s pre-preschool, where somebody has to be the parent volunteer). He’s #3 to go through it, and we–along with the five other families in the class with #3–finally figured out (or maybe that should be I finally figured out) that if you split the morning it’s actually kind of fun. Anyway, I popped in for my treat of the week: one Lou’s chocolate cruller. It […]

There has been a lot of discussion in our household lately about the history of the two major religions that intersect here. Twice a year, sometimes three times, these things come up more often than they usually do. There was a time when there was some acrimony, with Rob blaming me for the ubiquity of Christmas and me demanding, shrieking even, to know why Sephardic Jews can eat rice during Passover but Ashkenazi Jews cannot, thus leaving us with 10 […]

My Postal Pickup, originally uploaded by kjda. So you have to picture me, at the post office, mailing my one little package (Rebecca’s book) and handing over my pick up slip. And then he said…I’ll get the handtruck. What is it? One comforter, two fans and a few assorted items of clothing. KJ Dell’Antonia sent from my iPhone

What a Bad Mother Eats for Lunch, originally uploaded by kjda. Can you see the telltale Easter Egg dye on the sides? In my defense–my totally excellent babysitter was inspired to dye Easter Eggs with the kids Saturday. On the plus side: Now I don’t have to do it! On the well this is kind of a benefit side: a fridge FULL of hard-boiled eggs. The good kind, the kind that come from a local farm. Three dozen of ’em, […]

"Jumbo" Rice Krispie Treats, originally uploaded by kjda. As in, Rice Krispie Treats (yum!) made from new “jumbo” rice krispies–more fiber! Whole grains! The minute I opened the box I had my doubts. Tasted one, and doubted even more. So I mixed them–half and half–and still. So not worth it. A belated look at the ingredients reveals that Rice Krispies contain: Rice. Malt. Maybe one other thing. The Jumbos–a huge list of all kinds of crap. They taste something like […]

Spring at Duke, originally uploaded by kjda. And at home, not soon enough! Don’t you LOVE this time of year? KJ Dell’Antonia sent from my iPhone

I just figured out why so many people couldn’t get to my blog recently–I reconfigured it so that the address is https://kjdellantonia.com rather than www.kjdellantonia.com. I didn’t realize I was doing it. But I think I will leave it that way. A look around at other people’s sites reveals that the www appears to be out of date. Most sites redirect. I’ll have to work on that. Ooh, a project! Just what I need.

Well, I’m traveling. With my puny old laptop (which has actually served me very well for many years)… And the blog is looking kinda busted, and I don’t have all of the various codes and backups with me, so the best I can do is pop this old site up for the time being. Makes you want chocolate, doesn’t it? Meanwhile, here we are in North Carolina. Just the two of us. It’s very relaxing. Honestly, the plane ride was […]

Under the last patch of melting snow.. Originally uploaded by kjda KJ Dell’Antonia sent from my iPhone

What we really did today… Originally uploaded by kjda. KJ Dell’Antonia

Lest you think we did not use the batman mask… Originally uploaded by kjda. KJ Dell’Antonia

Snow angels Originally uploaded by kjda. KJ Dell’Antonia

All dressed and ready to go Originally uploaded by kjda. KJ Dell’Antonia

Wyatt licks sugar off the counter Originally uploaded by kjda. Sam is home sick. It’s 4:00, and I am just…tired of being in charge. Since I intend to end the day with a full on TV binge, it’s a little early to start. And so things slowly deteriorate…

This sick day may be too much fun… Originally uploaded by kjda. KJ Dell’Antonia

photo.jpg Originally uploaded by kjda. KJ Dell’Antonia

Snow day morning Originally uploaded by kjda. There was a mars mission spaceship, but Sam didn’t think it looked good in the picture. KJ Dell’Antonia

Grace in action Originally uploaded by kjda. KJ Dell’Antonia

Grace in action Originally uploaded by kjda. KJ Dell’Antonia

Après ski nap Originally uploaded by kjda. KJ Dell’Antonia

Wyatt skis Originally uploaded by kjda. KJ Dell’Antonia

Snowshoeing Originally uploaded by kjda. KJ Dell’Antonia

When you run out of strawberries… Originally uploaded by kjda. KJ Dell’Antonia

Teeniest rink ever. Originally uploaded by kjda. KJ Dell’Antonia