Kelle, Author at Enjoying the Small Things

Unpacking.

May 2, 2011 By Kelle

There is no gradual in-between for sinking back into reality after a high-energy mini vacay. Oh, it’s still high-energy alright. Just not the beeping taxi dramatic skyline kind.

It’s a bit jolting to suddenly shift into home life and yet still brace myself for the next round of up and at ’em that commences again later this week when we take off to Michigan for my mama’s wedding.

Not that I’m convinced to empty my suitcase, of course. Brett asked this morning, “you do realize you have to unpack before you pack again, right?”

One day I will have a cute suitcase, not a shabby box with a ripped zipper that looks like a racoon with yellow painted feet climbed all over it.

A seven dollar new pack of Costco underwear says maybe not.

You know what I miss about New York? The flowers. I miss the accessibility of flowers and how, on any given corner, in the middle of towering skyscrapers and busy traffic, you’ll find a flower shop with rows of vivid blooms. I came home craving flowers, but I can barely snip a gardenia from our front yard and slip it into the house without Brett’s allergies flaring up. Yes, fresh is always best, but it’s May and it was time we brought flowers into the house–even if they’re silk.

They make me happy.

I missed this girl and just three days away from her has me convinced she’s a hair taller, a smidge wiser and wearing four-year-old shoes a few weeks too early.

I am excited for it to be her time soon. We’re all allowed a bit of parenting guilt, and mine generally comes in the form of praying she never feels overshadowed by Nella’s extra needs. We do our very best to let her know she is unique and loved and has her own special needs we recognize. I believe that without stressing too much over “are we doing it right?”, she will naturally know what is in our hearts, but still…when the chance comes along to give her just-for-Lainey times, I’m all over it.

And preparing for her celebratory day makes me smile.

Her book is finally finished. Click HERE to view.

She’s really into outer space right now. Draws planets, cuts them out, tapes them to walls, knows their names, and I have no idea how.

She told me this was Mars.

Yes, three days away from my kid and I am noticing everything.

And three days away from home has Nella a bit discombobulated.

I noticed she was extra clingy in New York, and while her huge smile the minute we walked in the house expressed her obvious pleasure to be home, she’s still a little out of sorts.

You wouldn’t really know it though.

It seems our explore-the-world trips the past year usually fall a bit unbalanced with travel stressfully stacked closely together. It’s never easy–packing and unpacking, asking strangers to buckle your belt for you in the airport security line because you can’t see past the baby slung to your chest, knocking passengers over with your diaper bag and camera case as you try to shimmy through the skinny center aisle–but staying home isn’t all that easy either.

(for the record, we had Cheerios for dinner tonight.)

I consider it all a grand opportunity–both to travel and show my girls that there is lots to do and see, and to deepen our roots into the familiar ground of what we love. Our home, our friends, our bed.

In between all of it, there’s always sidewalk chalk for them, cold beer for us.

Lainey’s favorite snack: apples with peanut butter and “spwinkles”.

My suitcase isn’t the only thing in need of sorting post-trip. My brain’s still stuck in New York.

Congratulations to the winner of the Spotted Monkey hat, Commenter #376, Ryan: Oh how you make me want to go back to NYC to experience that wonderful city again … I was there once, years ago and loved every moment. What an inspiring trip and amazing stories!!

Ryan, please send your contact info to kellehamptonblog@comcast.net

I’m coming around.
Have a great week.

Big City, Big World

April 30, 2011 By Kelle

Since Tuesday, I have toasted to whatever high-on-life sentiment I may have been feeling at the time probably more than fifty times. We’ve clinked flutes, glasses, bottles, mugs, paper cups and I swear the other night I had half a notion to hold a chunk of hot pretzel in the air and invite friends to do the same. We’d tap our salty chewed-off chunks together and proclaim in unison “Cheers to this”–this of course interpreted differently for each of us. New York, friends, cherry blossom petals being carried into the city streets by the spring breeze that’s finally arrived to winter-beaten New Yorkers. Busy streets, kind strangers, meeting new friends. Crying, laughing, having a moment of clarity where it seems things are just as they should be. Feeling challenged, feeling content, feeling like there is more to life and we’re all getting there. Having fun, caring, not caring, sucking the marrow.

Yeah. Cheers to that.

Let me go back a bit.

This New York trip has been planned for a little while now, set up with the purpose of attending the NDSS Spring Luncheon and extended to include some When-in-Rome fun and friends. But the highlight was definitely Wednesday.

I’m not sure what I was expecting. The work of the NDSS is vital in creating an enviroment that values, accepts and includes individuals with Down syndrome, and I know first hand from relationships I’ve built with the people who work for the NDSS that there is an amazing level of dedication and passion at this organization. Many of these employees have no personal connection to Down syndrome and yet they fly to Buddy Walks, raise money, promote change, fight for rights and spend their free time having friends with Down syndrome over their house for dinner because they want to. I knew all this. And yet I think I was still expecting something slightly more pomp & circumstance which was fine because that is a necessary part of fundraising and professional recognition some times.

What I didn’t expect was that it would be so emotional–for everyone there. There were people from all walks of life present and yet, with the focus on this “something extra” we were celebrating, it felt like we were all the same. Or, as Sharon Stone put it…there was no bullshit.

Sharon Stone talked of her friend Jim who has Down syndrome, and while she recalled days of babysitting him when they were younger and how they stayed friends throughout the years, Jim sat in front of her–handsome in his suit and tie–and smiled. There were moments when the room grew silent and tears spilled. Because, for a moment, we “got it.”

Sharon presented an award to another friend, the talented, kind and inspiring Jagatjoti Khalsa whose book, I’m Down with You provides a beautiful representation of the magic of the extra chromosome.

And I was honored to present the Melissa Riggio Voices Award to the beautiful young woman above, Liz Rice.

Liz is confident, accomplished and kind. She brought laughter to the room with her witty speech and inspired us all to be more. She attends college, has a job she loves, and participates in the arts. As one of Liz’s teachers says, “I really couldn’t speak more highly of a student. She’s your typical college student—going to classes, hanging out with friends during lunch in the cafeteria, flip-flops and trendy purses, getting the occasional latte while waiting to catch a ride to work or home—just another college student, albeit one who is extremely positive, motivated and happens to have Down syndrome.”

Meeting Liz made me so excited for Nella’s future.

The rest of the event followed suit–babies being passed, long hugs, lots of laughter and a room that was filled with like-minded people.

Reality is that this is an annual event–a smidgen of time amid the grander picture where we all go back to our homes, to our jobs, to the world where stereotypes and inequality exist. But those moments on Wednesday will not soon be forgotten, and the inspiration in that place is a reminder of how far we’ve come and hope for where we are going. I am so excited to be a part of change and honored to know so many of the amazing families that have joined the cause. You all have been part of it too, so thank you.

A few short clips of speeches can be found HERE, HERE and HERE.

And Congratulations to the beautiful Liz Rice.

Of course it’s difficult to top a high like that event but spending the following days amid the lively energy of New York City at least prevents a disappointing let down.

My heart beats faster in this city. Everywhere you look, there is life and sights and sounds that arouse your senses. Horns beeping and buses braking, violins and trumpets on street corners and the overall collective shuffle of feet walking–people are going somewhere.

Swinging in Washington Square Park.

Thankfully I wasn’t alone. United with friends, it was thrill-to-the-power-of-many. Always game for fun, my friend Nadya joined me as well as some of my favorite New Yorkers who know the best bagel joints, how to get into the hottest restaurants and, thankfully, who lend me their strollers.

Sleepover at Meg’s:

And we had the best Pretty Woman movie montage moment at this hip little vintage store.

Thankfully, the store extended as far back as Mary Poppin’s bag is deep, so we were well hidden from the clerks who didn’t see us playing a nice game of hey-let’s-dress-up-but-not-buy-anything. For an entire hour.

Nella likes to play too.

This city is begging to be photographed. So much color, charm and culture.

And the parks? Slay me. Enchanting both by day and night.

Look. Nella’s playing the trumpet just like this guy.

My traveling little soul. She’s a very good jet-setter.

We are home today–with some rest to catch up on, but a bag of New York bagels and an “I Heart NY” mug to sip from. I’m happy to be reunited with my big girl who was elated to see her sister.

I cannot wait to go back.

My girl sported a sweet new hat in the big city.

It can be found with many other sassy stuff for kids at The Spotted Monkey, our new sponsor. Check out their awesome art supplies, creative toys and more! Use code “Enjoy” for 10% off.

A comment from this post will be randomly selected to win a free hat from The Spotted Monkey.

It’s the weekend and I need to give my city adventures something to compete with. Two girls and a sunny day await.

Cheers to that.

For more information on the NDSS and stories of people like Liz Rice, Melissa Riggio, Jim Burkhardt and more, please visit the NDSS website.

I Heart NYC

April 28, 2011 By Kelle

I have to be somewhere in an hour, my hair is still wet, and my hotel room looks like I’ve been robbed. So I don’t have the time to think and write in a meaningful way about yesterday.

It was special. And I will tell more about it Friday. But this girl is amazing.

And I am moved by the entire experience of the NDSS Spring Luncheon, the speeches, the way the people in that room have been inspired and are likewise inspiring.

I have a mess of pictures and more thoughts from the day but they take a good sit-down process of feeling it out and I have to be out the door. So more to come.

In the meantime, I am a sponge, drinking in New York City in hearty gulps.

Morning Chess in the Park