A Huge Crush

It takes everything in me not to just write blog posts about our new town. More than a bit intoxicating, and so much like a new crush, I just can't get enough of its whimsy and soulfulness, and we all just feel so good everyday. Somehow this little community gets it right, from random waving on the street to the bookshop that allowed me to rent a book and take ten days to decide if I want to buy it. Like, I walked out of the shop with the book and they trust that I am coming back to either return it or buy it. Huh? Who does that? I am going back, of course. (title is Boy Writers by Ralph Fletcher, for anyone wondering) :)

Our days are pretty mellow. Walks, farmer's markets, the library, reading like mad, and lots of hanging out. I feel like a plant soaking up water--more, more, more!

My other crush (I have one on him and his hat)
The requisite summer van picture
At this point, this only thing that really rocks her boat is Asian food. Thankfully, there is a Thai place nearby.
A wee but under the weather this week. Ok, an understatement. 104 fever and another emergency room trip, but she is on the mend. Enough emergencies, please!
Mom on her way to the library with the perfect umbrella

Chillaxing at the Clock House

We are living without internet but luckily found a funky cafe with free wifi and a view of the bay. Much better than the free wifi at Safeway we've been using. Suffice it to say that we are relaxed and chilled and loving the sunny weather up here at what Sojo has named "the clock house." We live just two blocks behind the county courthouse, which is a gorgeous old building with a clocktower on top. Sounds quaint, right? Well, it is, except for the hourly chiming of the clocktower. During the daylight hours, it's lovely. But Sojo's room is right by the clock, and almost every morning we hear the patter of sweet feet and an announcement-- "You hear the clock? The clock just wake me up!" We're thankful when the clock chimes 6 times instead of 5 times.

We are thankful for blueberries, yummy bakeries and birdseed! Already wishing this summer would last forever.



You know you are living in a hippie town when this is your front gate. I love it!

Adios, Tucson

After some quality time in the Sonoran desert, we are headed back up to Washington this afternoon with my mom, and we'll wait for the rest of my family to join us in a few weeks. Looking forward to more time together, storing up all this love to last us the rest of the year.
Highlights of the last few days...

Random copycat game Sojo invented to play with popo and gong gong.
A trip to the Children's Museum. This place was a blast! Imagine how cool it would be to have this magnetic board in elementary schools.Our first trip ever to feed the ducks in the desert oasis of a nearby park was such a treat. It was the perfect size and tucked away under some palm trees. Yes, that might be the grooviest kids' hat ever that Sojo has on! I was psyched to find a funky hat that was made just for kids. Now she doesn't have to steal her baba's anymore.

Stillness

Being still is not something Sojo does often. However, an early morning desert picnic of blueberries and toast dipped in soy milk (coffee for me!) inspired us both to sit quietly and soak up the loveliness. Hummingbirds, blue skies, and the sounds of the desert waking up--it was as if being still for a while was exactly what the morning was asking of us. Happy to oblige.

The Many Faces of Sojo

Somebody is a huge ham in this family! For some unknown reason, (I vote that it's just to bring us joy) Sojo has started what we call the 'no smile' face. Perhaps a silent protest at how many times we are whipping out the camera to document her life? Whatever the reason, we can't stop laughing each time she does it. Winking and snoring faces are the newest additions to the repertoire of cuteness.
The live version shows it best. Seriously, even if she weren't my kid, I'd choose to hang out with this girl everyday.

Transitions

This is the first summer Sojo has been aware enough of her surroundings to realize that we are not at her home in Bangkok, which she calls the 'white house.' Because of this, there have been some transition issues on this trip, starting with a middle of the night screaming of "I want to go to the white house" on one of the first nights back. She seems to be settling in more (albeit with continuing sleep issues), but I imagine it's confusing to her. Bangkok to Port Townsend, then Tucson, and in a few days, back to Port Townsend. Add three pretty yucky allergic reactions of hives on her belly to the mix, and let's just say mama and baba aren't getting all that summer sleep we were hoping for. No matter, though. Just want her to be in harmony with her surroundings. The hives are new, and the only connection we can find is contact with a dog right before they appeared each time. The first time she had the hives was in Port Townsend, and its newness prompted us to take her to the doctor. Unfortunately, it was the day we were without a car or a phone. I went to a neighbor's house, and she drove us to the emergency room where we were greeted by a wonderful staff who took good care of us. The comical part was walking the mile back to our house with Sojo and a carseat in tow. Did I mention we live at the top of a rather steep hill? Gotta love the commitment to walking this summer!

TV

We're not anti-TV in our house; we just don't have cable and therefore don't tend to watch much more than movies and Backyardigans. Imagine my surprise when we discovered Curious George on cable and the joy that brought to Sojo. Somehow, one show led to another and before I knew it, 90 minutes had gone by, all taken up by pretty decent shows. I now get how you could plop your kid in front of the TV and get some things done. Like this blog post, for example. Dangerous! We're calling it a summer vacation treat.

Watching TV isn't the only thing we are doing lately. A new wagon and helping gong gong feed the birds have kept us busy. Also this week we are going to visit an international school right here in Tucson. I read about it recently and am so curious. The concepts I love about international teaching--multiple languages, teachers from around the world--right here in the Old Pueblo.