The Beginning

First off, I would like everyone to clap for me.  We made it out the door in one piece and on time.

I didn't run over anything while backing out, and I remembered all 3 of my children. (it only took staying up until 1am to make sure everything was ready to go.)  I definitely need to delegate some of those getting ready tasks. "Cringe" when I think about what Emma's version of a lunch might be.

For the last few days Emma has been saying (in a know-it-all tone), "I am not nervous for school at all Mom, I have already been there for 2 years."  So I found it interesting when she showed up in my bedroom this morning at 6:30am fully dressed and ready to go. It was also quite peculiar that she couldn't finish her breakfast.  Ahh, truly she is her mother's daughter.  We went to wake Hannah up and she simply rolled over and pulled the covers back on.  We eventually roused her and she was totally excited.  She sang her ABC's in the car "just to practice."

What about "the bitty" you ask?  Well she and I made our way to The Farmers Market.  We found some yummies and sat together, letting the morning sink in.

I maintained composure for the most part. (thank you Jesus for sunglasses) At one point, as I was blabbing on and on to my only remaining tiny passenger, she put her finger to her lips and said, "mama sssshhhh." Nice, thanks Laurel.  Most of my tears came last night.  My husband was a bit perplexed. He couldn't quiet understand what the big deal was.

When I drove away from the school, I felt like I had left a small piece of me behind in those two classrooms.  It was pretty quiet in the car....

Then the other part of me piped up and said,  "I think I could get used to this."

summer send-off

The sunflowers are all heavy with bloom.  The sky is darkening much earlier.  Our flip-flops have logged a lot of miles.  We've had our fill of corn on the cob.  And now I concede, our summer vacation is over.

It is with such bittersweetness that we move forward into the fall.  This summer was one of the best yet.  Not being pregnant, nursing or caring for a tiny infant for the first time in about 7 years really freed us up to experience so much of what summer had to offer. 

Some of our favorite highlights can be seen here.

The girls put their toes in the Pacific Ocean for the first time, we set up our pool (major project), did lots of afternoon swimming, spent countless hours at the "secret beach", took a few day trips to the lake, grew our own veggies, and ate lots and lots of ice cream.  Life was unhurried, uncomplicated, and I wish we could live it over and over again. 

We took an evening walk talking and remembering fondly the days that we have spent.

  Alas, the sun has gone down on our summer vacation. Farewell... for now.

Not Plastic

A few weeks ago my Grandparents came for a visit.  Usually they bring gifts for the girls, but this time I was the one on the receiving end. In they walked with this perfect wooden contraption.

They bought it at a garage sale from an older gentleman who lives across the street from them.  His wife had just moved into a nursing home- and this was her sewing basket.

When you open it up there are layers upon layers waiting to be filled with trinkets..

I suppose it should be used for notions or embroidery accessories.  I don't have much of either (maybe an excuse to buy more?).  Not quite big enough for my yarn stash, it still sits empty.  Well, that is not entirely true.

Laurel has made good use of it.  Any other ideas about what I could fill it with?

I just love wooden things, they last so much longer and stay so much nicer. We are not really into electronic, flashing, buzzing, beeping toys here ("gee dear I am not sure where that dollar store cell phone went, it must be lost- sorry").  Plus, being a bit crunchy, there is that whole plastic/toxic thing.

   

It seems like the toys that are wooden require more imagination. I'll admit we have some purging to do. That is a project that will be done more thoroughly when the girls are away at school.  Funny how they don't even seem to miss what has gone missing.  Not plastic (in the words of Martha) "its a good thing."