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"Our house is a very, very, very fine house...." --- Crosby, Still, Nash and Young

Four years ago this month we made our epic move to the City of Brotherly Love.  With our moving truck hitting the turnpike, on Lila’s 4^th birthday, we followed close behind in a car filled with household miscellany, excitement and trepidation.

Now as we celebrate Lila’s 8^th birthday, I think of how much we have grown and begun to sink our roots into our leafy little quarter of an acre on the very edge of Philadelphia. Lila has spent half of her life in this old stone house that has become our home.  The place that has hosted parties and holiday celebrations and sheltered us on snow days and stormy nights.  Having crossed the threshold of home ownership later in life than most, and shaped by years of apartment efficiency, we have literally spread our wings in a space that has given us room to grow.

June 2018

As with most homes, we find our favorites spots.  Lila and I often fall asleep together in the guest room, the bigger bed provides more room for us, and in the summer we are lulled into slumber by the open door of the balcony which allows us to say goodnight under the midnight blue sky. The basement, as we save up for a reno, still provides a cozy movie venue and a "safe zone" for Greg’s passionate game days.  The kitchen, as in most homes, is the heart and soul of our daily bustle, evening meals and weekend revel.  As an aspiring baker, this center of our home is the stage for Lila’s frequent and spontaneous sweet creations.  Our yard, with its canopy of Japanese maple and summer fireworks of Crape Myrtle, creates an oasis for al fresco dining and star-filled nights around the campfire.

In the last post I wrote about the promise we made to Lila, just before she was born, the promise to give her as many experiences as we could.  This year as our girl continues to challenge her boundaries by joining the swim team and being the only girl on her baseball team, (her teammates who nicknamed her sassy girl, also named her MVP) I am amazed at the the experiences she has created for herself.  Countless Sundays afternoons dedicated to practicing for the Nutcracker, hours in the pool getting stronger for her first summer of meets, achieving her 100+ Girl Scout cookie sale goal and capping off another year of piano with a beautiful performance of Vivaldi's Spring.  We are thankful for a community that has embraced us and Lila.  I am grateful for this place in which she has blossomed and where I hope will continue to spread her wings.  I am thankful for a school with inspirational teachers and friends that encourage our daughter.  Four years ago with so many unknowns it felt like we were jumping off a bridge, today as I sit typing in our sunny "work room" with Lila reading behind me, I know we have landed safely.

"Sassy Girl" / MVP

First meet- July 2018

Dear Eight-Year Old Girl,

Be grateful and be kind.  You have been given many gifts and in turn you bring joy and laughter to so many.  Remember above all to love others and yourself and to be kind.  Stand up for yourself and others.  Be tolerant as you embrace and celebrate difference.  Continue to believe in and challenge yourself.  Be confident.  Find role models and take advice. Find comfort in humility. Speak up for what you believe in.  Be a friend and an advocate.  Let your actions speak louder than your words. 

Listen and listen some more before you speak.  Give more than you receive. Volunteer your time. Take action. Say please and thank you.  Keep your napkin on your lap.   Be a connector not a divider.  Follow your instincts and be brave.  Most importantly be true to you. Travel far and wide and always know your home will be waiting.

Stay sweet parakeet.

Love, 

Your Mom and Dad

First day at 502 Woodbrook Lane- 7-17-2014

July 2018

SCH Sisters

Nutcracker

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