Keep the Field Guide in the Circle!

If you have read the Spiderwick Chronicles or indulged in the movie, like us, you would know the necessity of keeping the Field Guide within the protective circle. It is critical to your survival. My children know this well. In spite of their knowledge of pixies, sprites, trolls, goblins and such, they persist in taking their own copy of Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide, outside of the barrier...a mistake I myself have warned them about. A few weeks ago, they and the neighbor girls, who are also well aware of the dangers, unwarily carried the Field Guide out of the protective parameters encircling the house. They had taken all the necessary precautions of salting the windowsills and packing plenty of tomato sauce, besides the crackers and honey, but somehow forgot the enchanted circle. I was busy doing dishes when I paused to look out the window, then ran to the back door. "Whatever you do," I yelled, "don't take the Field Guide outside of the circle!" They looked up at me with shocked, somewhat guilty expressions. I actually was hoping to get a laugh out of them. Sophie was the first to confess, "We dropped it in the pool, it's all wet." This was too perfect. I couldn't help but indulge myself in the game, and hopefully salvage it for the kids who were a little down about the shape of the book. "That's what happens," I playfully scolded, "when you take the Field Guide out of the circle. It was the goblins, wasn't it?" They took the bait without skipping a beat, explaining breathlessly and in detail the great struggle that took place between them and the goblins and how the book had finally ended up at the bottom of the inflatable kiddy pool, giggles, sparkling eyes and knowing grins ensuing. The book was gently laid out to dry in the sunshine, happy children, happy mama, savoring the pure joy of make-believe, all still quite certain that we have heard skittering in the walls.

Peter and the Pixies

Again, yes we do believe...notice in the first picture, Peter is employing pixie-dust to hover above the little fairies. I found the Peter Pan costume at the Salvation Army (the girls called it the "Celebration Army" for the longest time :) They've gotten well over two dollars worth of play out of it!

Back from Vacation

I'm ready for a vacation. We arrived home from our zippy Spring Break trip to Florida on Monday at about 2:30 am. The past week has been spent trying to recuperate, getting the kids back and forth to school, avoiding an everest-sized pile of laundry that I've been transferring repeatedly from floor to bed and back, wondering aimlessly around a big city trying to get to a doctor's appointment for my four-year-old, and blowing my nose raw. I keep asking myself, "Did we just go to Disney World?" Whoa...did I miss that or what?

Yes, we drove a long long way. We played in the water, visited Neverland (which Sophie proclaimed as a dream come true), explored Mickey's house and the Hundred Acre Woods, Ooohed and Aaahed at the parade and fireworks. We went on Safari at the Animal Kingdom where Samuel rode his first roller coaster. Then spent a day at Sea World. The shark exhibit was a hit with the older two and we all got a bang out of Clyde and Seamore (at the seal show.) I'm always in awe of the beluga whale exhibit...incredible. I have to admit though, the new Shamu show had me holding back tears a few times...a beautiful tribute to Mother Earth and our connection with all the creatures of our blue planet.

Then we drove back home. Home is good.

Peter Pan and Tinkerbel

I have a 5 year old daughter who believes in pixy dust. It works magic on so many things. If she's afraid at night, I simply add a pinch of bravery to the pixy dust and sprinkle it on (a little hug goes a long way to.) It seems to give her just what she needs to settle into a peaceful sleep.

Recently, after my 3-year-old recieved some Disney fairies for Christmas, we rented Peter Pan. The girls fell in love with the movie...Peter, Tinkerbell, Wendy, even the old Crocodile with the ticking clock inside. So much of that magical stuff of childhood...they soaked it up. Then, one night this week I found my Sophie sitting in her bed working busily writing some letters. I came in later to find the window blind raised all the way. The objections when I started to lower the blind were loud! "Mom, no...leave it up." The only response to my "why" was "please don't look at my letters (positioned toward the window on a nightstand in front of it), you wouldn't understand." Of course, this raised my curiousity and I peaked quickly while the kids were in brushing their teeth before bed. The letter were addressed: To Peter Pan and To Tenkerbel.

All the kids were amazed and excited at breakfast the next morning as they announced that the letters were gone! Samuel, being a little older, looked carefully to make sure they hadn't just fallen behind the nightstand. Of course, I reveled in their delight at the prospect of Peter and Tink making a special visit to their bedroom window!

They have been busy this week making trips to Neverland, playing Peter Pan in the backyard. Sophie tells me that she makes up her own stories about Peter, too. Childhood can be such a joy!

And, yes...the letters are tucked away in a special place for priceless keepsakes. We'll pull them out when the magic fades and a little girl becomes a lady.