Groove

This is so typical... everyone looking in a different direction.

This marks the third week that I've been at home, full time, with the little people. And although I'm a little embarrassed to admit it, I'm still unsettled about the change. It will take some time to get into a new groove, and I know that I need to give us more time to for that to happen... but... this is supposed to be natural, right? Raising little ones, teaching them about the world around them and their place in it; that's what being a mother is all about. It's so overwhelming, this important job of mine.

I want so much for my kids. I want them to learn as much as they can and that means being around other people and different experiences; things I can't always directly do for them. We stay busy with physical activities and reading and art and all kinds of things. But it doesn't seem like enough. Much to their chagrin, I don't let the little people watch TV any more than usual... which means Friday movie night is still a crowd-pleaser. I think that TV feels like cheating.

The other challenge that I have is that in this house I have two very distinct developmental groups. I haven't quite figured out how to keep Gavin challenged and engaged while keeping Benett and Ellie content and their needs met. Needless to say, my days are full to the brim and I'm so excited when I see Monte pulling up the drive in the evening.

Things are going to get better; more streamlined. I know it will happen... but until then, I may cheat a little bit and click on the tube every now and then to give myself a few minutes to catch my breath. Even if that is cheating.

Getaway

We flew off for a little R and R last week, making some sweet memories at the lake. The weather was perfect and with a cabin full of cousins, the little people were on cloud nine.

All of the kids spent the majority of the week in the lake... they couldn't even trouble themselves to get out of the water to eat lunch. Even Ellie seemed to enjoy time in the water, and got her share of the sun.

But the boys, they became avid anglers. Gavin especially stood at the end of the dock, casting and reeling for hours on end. Day after day, it was fun to watch him so intent on his task.

From the time that we arrived at the lake, Benett asked anyone who would listen to catch him a fish. We decided that it would be best (and so much easier) for him to do that himself, so we picked up a pole for him. He got into the fishing thing, but Benett wasn't quite as consumed with it, and found it easy to set down the pole and jump into the water. Some of that might have had to do with the sliminess of the critters... even so, he held them each chance he got.

Monte and I had a good time as well and even though we were a little sad to leave the sun and sand, it was so nice to finally be home and sleep in our own bed.

Vacation

I approach summer vacations with mixed emotions. The idea of going away for a few days is refreshing. I also just love seeing how excited the little people have become.

But at the same time, I miss home... almost as I'm leaving. I just know that the first tomato of the season will ripen while I'm away. I know the birds will eat their fill of berries. I know the dog will mope around waiting for his people to return.

Homesick or not, summer at the lake waits for no one. We'll have a great time. I know we'll swim from sun up until sun down. I know we'll laugh a lot. I know the little people will fall into their beds each night, a bit too late, but very contentedly.

When we return, it will feel great to slip between the sheets in our own beds. The dog will wag and dance at our feet. The second ripe tomato of the season will find it's way into my salad. And we'll look forward to next summer at the lake.

Hayride

I got to thinking today that summer has hardly begun, yet we have done so many fun little things with the kids. That's a nice thing... but isn't necessarily the norm. There are times when we race through days and weeks just trying to keep up with the day-to-day stuff. I'd like to say that this summer we recognized that we run from one thing to the next too much, but our fun-filled summer has just worked out that way.

The little people are still talking about the hayride a few weeks ago.  For Benett it combined his love of tractors, outdoors and his grandparents into one awesome event. (The campfire cookout didn't hurt either!) I think the evening was a hit with all of the big people too. It doesn't get much better than a back yard pick-up and a tasty cocktail to sip along the way.

Peeps

Recently we welcomed nine little gals to our yard. I just love the peeping sound these little chickens make and their bright yellow legs make me smile.

The little people refer to our new birds as the baby gals. I think that's a perfect name... and since we can't tell one from another, referring to them in general terms is going to work out best.

The variety we chose for our second generation of birds is Barred Rock. They're a known to be quite prolific, so I see a lot of eggs in our future... starting sometime in September.

Boat People

We decided that a wet weekend was in order, to help quench our thirst for some summer fun. We're not 'boat people' by any means; neither Monte or I grew up on the water. But with the weather so beautiful and the company so lovely, the appeal for owning a boat is clear.

My sweet brother is becoming a boat person and I'm happy to tag along with him anytime he asks. The little people wouldn't think twice either.

Benett and Gavin especially loved the tubes. I was a wreck each time we towed them... but they both loved every second... and didn't want to stop. Ellie is the sensible child. She was content to sit on someone's lap and only spent a few short seconds in the tube when there was no chance that the boat would move.

By the end of the day, everyone was tired in a good sun-drenched kind of way... smelling of sunscreen and happiness... two of three little people were fast asleep within minutes of being buckled into their car seats for the journey home.

Crunch

I'm not a huge fan of eating noises. You know the extra loud slurping, smacking, teeth-scraping-on-silverware kind of eating noises... But if there is one thing that has a chance of changing that little pet peeve, it's listening to the littlest people crunching on green beans picked fresh in the garden.

Under normal eating conditions (inside, at the table, enjoying washed and prepared fare) green beans would be on the yuck list. But outside, when you can pick them yourself and enjoy the crunch as you wander through the garden... that's a whole different scenario... a scenario in which little people can't get enough and noisily eat their way down one row and up the next. It's enough to convert any crunch-o-phobe.

Casting

Life seems to have been moving extra fast in the recent weeks. Uncharacteristically, the fast pace has less to do with the little people. You see, I'm making a career change. It's a scary and strange position that I find myself in... something that has been on the horizon for a while... but will very soon come to pass. Making all of the preparations has consumed so much of my time and mental bandwidth.

But now, it's time to cast myself on the breeze and put down some new roots; growing in a new and exciting place. As things slow down for a bit, I'm looking forward to some lazy summer days with the little people and creating my new normal.

Bunches

I've always enjoyed keeping a garden. It's not unlike raising children... tending and caring for these little things that you hope will grow up into strong, productive and healthy adults. Some days I wish raising children were that easy... and that my bedding plants could teach the little people a thing or two about being quiet.

This year more than in the past, we're trying to make the most of our little garden. I'd really like it to be so much more than it is... my garden is not elaborate or organized or tidy, but it contributes to a portion of our diet. That is meaningful and a lesson I'd like the little people to understand. To know where their food comes from, even if it's only a small part.

One thing that we seem to have an abundance of this year, however, is lavender. The plants are full and beautiful... and they smell divine. I've dried a few bunches, a process that Benett enjoys helping to complete. Now that I have a small stock-pile, what should I do with it? I'd love to hear your ideas.

Truth

This past weekend we celebrated two really terrific men. Dad was the guest of honor for a little dinner party on Saturday. It was a smallish gathering, where grilled steaks and a few tasty cocktails were enjoyed. The little people got to stay up extra late, so they really thought it was a very special night.

On Sunday, the kids gave us a reprieve and allowed Monte and me to sleep in past the break of dawn... which is the usual rising time as of late. In my opinion, that alone was bliss. I got out of bed at 9 AM. I can't remember the last time that happened!

All through the day, the little people tried, in each of their little ways to show Monte how much they love their daddy. Gavin worked and worked and worked on a picture... a baseball scene. It is a pretty special thing. As for the other two... well, I know deep down they have these warm and special feelings for their daddy... but with the late night, the evening before, they had a very difficult time coping with being awake. They were cranky. The crankyness was sprinkled with bits of love and adoration... so I know they were trying.

We all have moments where trying comes a little easier. Maybe it's not the trying that is difficult, it the projection. After all, we love each other so much... that's not something we have to try to do... it's just a truth. Projecting that feeling and showing those we love how much they mean in our hearts takes practice. It's not unlike the picture above, of Benett and Ellie holding hands.

They were simply standing next to one another... I was taking pictures of their "fishy faces" when I noticed their fingers entwined. No matter how much they banter and bicker and pick and fuss... they love each other. Their hearts know that truth... and when they're not even trying their hands find a way to show that truth to those quick enough to catch it.

Jars

With the little people getting older, it seems as though we're able to enjoy being in the garden in a more productive way. Don't get me wrong, they all still enjoy digging around randomly in the dirt more than pulling weeds and many times they have difficulty being careful... but each of the little people are also more helpful.

This weekend we began our canning season and were able to put up a few jars of strawberry jam and some cherry pie filling. As much as they enjoy harvesting the fruit, licking the spoon and bowl are still tops when it comes to helping. For me, watching them experience a new activity or taste something new is well worth the extra effort it takes getting them involved.

The pie filling was a new adventure for us this year. Although we have two cherry trees which have been baring fruit for a few years, we've never harvested them. This year between us and the gals, we picked all of the fruit. (I had no idea that chickens were nuts about cherries! It was fun to watch them remove the pits and eat the fruit.)

Do you have sour cherry trees? How do you use the fruit? I’d like to try some different things next season.

Sweetest

As the sun is setting on another weekend, I'm thinking about all of the little moments we enjoyed together. Sometimes those weekends with no plans produce some of the sweetest memories.

Journal

In the summer time we try to keep Gavin working on skills that he's learned in school that year. That means a journal again this summer.

He's a lefty, and as a result, writing is a challenge for Gavin. His penmanship just isn't always as neat as he'd like it to be and I know that frustrates him. He has so much to say... so rather than writing things, Gavin opts to chat about what's on his mind most of the time.

Because they're so rare, these little notes are really special to me. Especially when his thoughtful (if sparse) words are accompanied by a picture.

Road Trip

This weekend we hit the road and spent some time with lovely family. Putting a few miles between us and home is a good thing every now and then... we made some memories and had a great time.

Gotta love a good nap in the car.

Hello cousin

Benett loves babies. I mean really loves babies.

I think babies love him right back.

Yay, a hotel stay! And swimming too!

Yesterday

September 2011

Today is the last day of school for Gavin. It's funny, because only yesterday he was excitedly walking onto the bus for the first day of Second Grade. He was so proud and nervous and excited and ready. I think I was too.

Today as he raced out to the bus, he was a different boy, clutching a small bouquet of lavender for his bus driver. He just had to give her something... had to share a little piece of his happiness.

I wanted to take a picture of him this morning, in the worst way. I thought about it last night before drifting off to sleep... that I'd snap a quick picture to remember this milestone. And to prove to myself that he's a little bit more grown up than on the first day of school... I know I would have compared first and last day pictures and tried to pick out each way that he looks changed... a slimmer face, a bit taller, still excited but in a new way now... and my heart would ache.

But the flowers were more important to him, so that's what we did instead.

Life is filled with beginnings and endings... Both are necessary and good in the way that means we grow and change; evolving into wiser versions of ourselves. And the heartache that comes along with it? Well that is okay too, because it just means we savor what comes next a little bit more, taking nothing for granted.