a rugs life

“….wait a minute. I need my cape and purse.”

“OK… is there room at the inn?”

One of the kids in Rada’s pre-school class plays chess with the teachers. Rada has been hanging out on the sidelines, watching the game.

Last weekend she asked me to get her ‘chest’. Somewhat dubious, but nonetheless delighted, I bought her a chess set.

And we proceeded to play.

Very soon it was clear she knew the rules: pawns go forward and back one square, except on the first move when they can go two. And pawns go cross-wise to capture someone. Kings only move one space, and Rooks slide everywhere cross-wise, etc.

I was thrilled. My daughter IS a genius! I knew it all along. We played a few moves. I captured her Queen, she took a few of my pawns and Rooks. Then, apparently, her King became lonely for his captured Queen and she had them visit with each other…. there was much chit-chat and hugs exchanged between the two chess pieces.

Gently, I tried to get her to re-focus on the game, but she noticed the Rooks were all gathered on her side of the board. She immediately organized a reunion. All the Rooks said hello to each other and there was more chit-chat…

I sighed.  

The genius had turned socialite.

It started out as another mundane errand: one more sheet to add to the mountain of adoptive paperwork that bio families never see. First it is the dossier, then the INS forms, then the green card (yes! for a 3 year old) and then the re-adoption process, and the certificate of citizenship, and the list goes on.

Today I was on the trail of the elusive birth certificate. I was making my second trip to Somerville City Hall, presumably to doublecheck the spelling on ‘the form’.

I looked at all the entries, and there really isn’t much that can be done to mess up my last name or street of residence, but I dutifully checked everything until the double g’s and t’s started swimming before my eyes.

When I handed the form back to the clerk, she looked me in the eye and said “Now, raise your right hand”.

Surprised, I raised my hand. Was that a faint sound of a choir in the background?

She said “Do you solemnly swear by the Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that the information you have provided here is true and correct?”

I said, with hand raised, “I solemnly swear”.

She smiled and said “Congratulations, you daughter’s birth certificate will be ready in 6 weeks.”

I walked out, light of step, feeling slightly innaugural…

…of my favorite links

• Heather, Leta and Jon
  
• The Daily Oliver
  
• Steve
  
• Tricks of the Trade

What are your must-sees?

I recently spent 2 wonderful days in New Hampshire at an inn that is a working farm.  Rada was transported milking cows, feeding goats, holding bunnies and gathering eggs.

She also deeply enjoyed running around the dining room with the other guests under 5. We all enjoyed the three healthy meals that were prepared and served at our table every day.

But there was much more: a hay jumping session, sledding, ice skating on the pond, an indoor swimming pool, storytelling by the wood stove, and a hayride in the woods. One would think we were running from activity to activity, but it was very relaxed, with plenty of time to sleep long hours away from the phone, car, and computer.

The people we went with were a like-minded group of moms whose children were born in the same country or a country near to where Rada was born.

The only drawback to the weekend was the realization, upon returning home, that my clothes reeked of cow manure and chicken urine. I did not think friends and co-workers would find this rustic or charming. Pretty much everything had to be thrown in the washer, including coats, scarves, gloves, and hats.

Interestingly, despite the lure of real udders, and the thrill of watching cows poop a mere 3 feet from where one stood, the crowning joy of the weekend for Rada was when I broke down and bought her an emerald ring. It cost $2.95 and is one serious rock.

I feel pretty incredibly special right now. I’ve been named someone’s Fairy Blog Mother and am absolutely thrilled.

I did nothing to deserve this honor except show a very talented blogger how to log on and publish her first post. From there, she’s been on her own and doing beautifully.