Homeward Bound

In Love with School

We have been house hunting for the past two years- maybe a bit longer, suffice it to say plenty of time for me to have succumbed to “house-puree”- the condition upon which my brain is no longer able to organize one more of the multiple listing reports we receive daily.  As the 3-year horizon begins to come into focus for our little girl, as does the increasing pressure to provide her the space she needs to grow.  A room of her own, room to roam, and sidewalks that never end.

Here we go again...

Our weekend was largely devoted to a trip up to Westchester and a drive to Connecticut to squeeze in a quick view of two more “potentials” before attending a toddler birthday party. In the past Lila has shown no sign that she has any comprehension as to why Mommy and Daddy keep dragging her through these strange homes and just seems to wonder why she can’t take home the toys she finds on our tours.  Today was a bit different as our Westchester realtor encouraged us to visit a school her son had attended when he was young.  So after touring yet another home that while seemingly perfect online, was much less so in person, we stopped by this little school.  As we walked into what felt like a very large family home, centered around an enormous open kitchen, none of us wanted to leave, especially Lila.  Maybe it was the homemade French toasts sticks on the counter, complete with bottles of syrup the owners had tapped from their own trees, the buzz of children literally being butterflies, (the curriculum “theme’ of the week) or the warm school owner/director who took Lila’s hand and escorted her into a butterfly dance with the group, but Lila seemed to just fit right in and throughout the day has asked to go back to "the school.  As I tucked her in tonight we talked about houses and how we are going to find “our house- the right house,” Lila responded with, “I want to find my favorite and I want to go back to the school.” 

A well-deserved celebration

Happy Birthday Kylie!

Through all of our searching, what has caused me much consternation is the pressure of finding the right learning environment for Lila.  We have been so blessed with the nurturing environment at Palisades- to the point where I have contemplated how I could possibly continue to bring Lila to her school when we do finally move- sure an extra two hours in the car in NYC commuter traffic- clearly a wine-induced fantasy.  This weekend I was reminded how resilient children are and how grateful I am that Lila is thriving at Palisades and we now have a place that feels really good should we be lucky enough to find a home that will become a favorite to us all.  It feels close.

What’s New:  Lila’s “Mommy playing” has evolved- Greg and I, and anyone else lucky enough to be at our house, are now put in the role of “baby” and Lila (often in my heels and bag) acts out the picking up from school routine. Lila continues to be quite the songstress and has added “You are my Sunshine” to her young repertoire.  Also new, while pointing at her eye, Lila will say. “I’ve got my eye on you.”  Lila's new favorite snack is popcorn and she continues to love to help in the kitchen and can crack her own eggs with 90% "shell-free" results. This year Lila called her Valentines "Talenties."  Funny:  This morning Lila came into the kitchen holding her stomach then after clearly faking a dramatic sneeze into her arm, dramatically declared, " I don't feel good..."
Stats:  Lila is 27lbs and 35.5 inches and has just graduated to a size 7 shoe!