05.31

If summer could be spent on a soft patch of grass, under a shady tree, in the breeze, it could be survived.

05.30

Every day, I realize a little more how fortunate I am. I always have been. But it's easy to forget.

05.29

This role of "big cousin" is not one the boys are used to. They're usually just somewhere in the pack. But they're good at it. They love those kids. And we can see glimpses of the fun that's coming.

05.28

There's no stress a little baby-holding can't melt away.

05.27

When we're there, it's easy to settle down into summer. Bare feet through the grass. Breezes in the shade.  A baseball game at any moment.

05.26

It's probably true that every day holds unexpected events. I guess some of those surprises are just bigger than others.

05.25

It's all still fresh enough, I can remember it when it was all new. The faces, the impressions, the feelings. And honestly, it's so much better than I imagined. I felt a little bit giddy. I may have overlooked some minor infractions.

05.24

I was anxious to get home and make everything perfect. But as we talked, I wished I had no where to go.

05.23

Summer. I hope the reality is as good as the promise.

05.22

When I'm driving at night, a long way from home, I wish that the warm lit windows I pass were my own. And tonight, I'm here.

05.21

And so we begin a new technological chapter.

05.20

He's grown up a lot this year. Added a few "big kid" not-so-great habits. But there's still a lot of little boy in him. In both of them.

05.19

Is it inevitable that what kids deem fun, adults see as chaos?

05.18

If I could just keep my eyes on these little pieces, I think I’d avoid being overwhelmed by the two wholes. Perspective is what I need.

05.17

I retreated to their room for a quiet break. Eli found me, gave me a blanket, snuggled in beside me, and fell asleep. I wish I could have napped with him.

05.16

The “everything will be fine” shock has maybe worn off a little. Replaced by the “you have to pay for a new car” reality. It will still be fine.

05.15

We saw Brandon Phillips and Joey Votto’s helmet. Of the two, Eli was more excited about Joey Votto’s helmet. Sorry BP.

05.14

A screen door, sidewalk chalk, short sleeved jammies. Summer staples.

05.13

We could see the rain on the hill as we drove home. We drove straight into it. And it pounded us and washed away the heat and dirt and dust of the last few days leaving behind only freshness, cool and clean.

05.12

How empty our days would be without our friends.

05.11

I’ve got an expectation. And then, a little guy jumps in front of my plan. But in this case, I liked the result so much better than the one I had planned. Maybe I should go with their plans more often.

05.10

Eli and I have decided that our trips to the grocery must now always include a look through the flowers on clearance. Two dollars for such loveliness.

05.09

One-track minds around here.

05.08

Sometimes I worry that my affinity for small things is going to make them think I wished they were still babies. I can always find a way to worry about messing my kids up.

05.07

Shared anticipation brought them to a peaceful common ground.

05.06

Some days I can look right past the dirt and grime on the window and still see the blue of the sky. Other days, I can’t.

05.05

I could never be a kindergarten teacher. But I’m so glad Mrs. T is. What would this year have been without her?

05.04

Why has it taken me nearly seven years of parenting to realize this? The perfect kitchen job for a kid is peeling a hard boiled egg. Eli even dropped several. No sweat.

05.03

Everything today was so Yoda-centric, it’s no wonder I accidentally said, “Happy Birthday, Yoda!” Eli didn’t seem to mind.

05.02

This is the year of the Yoda birthday. And Grandma kicked it off with the best card ever.

05.01

The sky threatened all day. We stayed dry. The good guys lost.