Ah, the beach!

Beach trips are probably our favorite thing in the world to do. We make as many trips as possible to the 30A stretch of beaches every summer. But this year, we just couldn't wait for summer, so we headed south for spring break: Sarasota. It was a great trip. We pet rays, saw a disgusting giant squid, and talked to sea turtles at a research aquarium; toured a bird rescue center where they had a dozen storks with wooden legs; marveled at all the odd and beautiful tropical plants at the botanical gardens; and, of course, played at the beach and enjoyed the lazy evenings of a beach town. It was a fun destination and a relaxing break from the day-to-day of school, work, and keeping a family on track. We're hoping the kids will decide to go to college there (New College of Florida!) so we'll have an excuse to visit all the time.

Play ball!

Hawthorne's favorite season is spring. He doesn't really care about the return of the birds and flowers and warm weather. Baseball is what he's pumped about. He L-O-V-E-S, loves going to the Seminole baseball games with his dad, and now that his own baseball season has started, it's all we can do to get him to stop miming pitches to sit down to dinner. The boy has passion.

His team on the other hand, doesn't have near the passion necessary to actually be good at the game. The silver lining of this is that Hawthorne gets to be the star. He has made some pretty outs from the infield, and his pitching was objectively impressive last week for his first time on the mound. His joy on the diamond fills me with joy—and pride, but of course his time on the mound fills me with fear. He is so much calmer than I am when he's out there. I pace and pray to the baseball spirits that he doesn't get hit and doesn't screw up and get upset. So far, so good.

First at bat of the season, on his way to 3rd.

First night on the mound. Walked three, struck out three. I still think the ump was calling that strike zone damn close!
Expert commentary from his dad: "He showed great poise and composure in overcoming shoddy defense behind him and an umpire that appeared to have vision problems."

Making an out at 3rd base.

Do you believe in magic?

On the way to piano yesterday Ainsley asked me if I believe in magic. And of course the answer was yes. Who doesn't want to believe in magic? I certainly want her to for as long as possible, so I'm not confessing.

Then she asked, "Mom, are you the Easter Bunny."

"No," I replied. "Why?"

"I don't know," she said thoughtfully. "All those things coming into our house is just weird."

She's right, and I imagine she'll be the first child to point out the crazy unbelievability of it all. She did mention that the Easter Bunny doesn't hide the eggs at her friend Sadie's house but he does hide them at our house and that seems strange.

My lame response: "Maybe he thinks that Sadie doesn't like hunting for eggs."

In some ways, I want to come clean. I want to quit lying. We're usually really honest with the kids. Probably too honest—except for the whole Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, Santa Claus thing. I didn't want to spoil the magic for the kids, so I have my fingers crossed that when they find out it's all just a big fat lie, they'll still trust that when I say they aren't getting a shot at the doctor, they really aren't getting a shot. And when I tell them that they are safe in our house, they'll believe me. And when they're teenagers and I tell them that I remember how hard it is to be a teenager, they'll know that I really do understand where they're coming from.

She's growing up quickly though. And these things are on her mind. She really doesn't believe in magic, so it's just a matter of time before she doesn't believe in mythical creatures. She mentioned a few days ago that it's weird how nature exists but everything else is created by people. And she has declared that she doesn't believe in God. (Don't ask me why I have to be so honest about my feelings on God but I'm still filling Easter baskets and Christmas stockings and trading teeth for gold coins sprinkled with glitter.)

It is all so very very weird, but fun while the faith holds.