Katherine (for Stefany)

This poem was accidentally posted on the Pratt Family Cooking blog last Mother's Day. I don't have any idea how that happened!

Katherine (for Stefany)

Those toes, but stubs of pinkish tone,
poke out of the blanket’s grasp,
and though wanting for a warmer home,
are too beautiful to wrap.

And fairer hair I have not seen,
than the threads that grace my child;
what once was parted, tied and bowed,
now rests both free and wild.

Gazing on those sleepy eyes,
the smiling cheeks, pursed lips, pinched nose,
I trace the lines and memorize
Dear Kate before she grows.

Tristin's Day

Today was a hard day. Tristin failed his second driving text. He didn't look both directions with a head-turn when crossing intersections. I remember being dinged on this one during my first driving test. I think he had so many dings on his first test that the instructor never mentioned this one, although I have been reminding him. He also killed the manual transmission a lot. This was nerves. He hasn't killed it at all in recent weeks until his test. Then, on the way home, (while he was still pretty upset) he killed it repeatedly. He also hit the curb on the parallel park. He had been doing well with it when with Aaron, but right before it I had practice and he only managed to do it perfectly once out of about eight tries, so this is something to work on. I think it would be good if he could use an automatic transmission for the test so he doesn't have so much to focus on. Maybe he needs to borrow a grandparent's vehicle next time.

On an up note, when we got home, he had a voice mail from McDonald's. He was offered a job! I'm very happy for him. Unfortunately, he will not be able to go to Tom & Jessica's on Saturday for the Easter egg hunt and lunch, as orientation is that morning. But at least he will be getting out and earning some money and learning new skills to help him grow. Luckily, McDonald's is so close he can walk there.