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.

04.30

A weekend reading lesson.

04.29

I wish I knew what to do. I don’t like being the enemy. But I suppose I need to get used to it.

04.28

I told him today that he hurt my feelings. I’m not sure if that’s good parenting or not.

04.27

Despite the way-too-late bedtime, they held it together beautifully…until five. Then it all crumbled. I just had to sweep the crumbs into bed and call it a day.

04.26

Today was filled with four days worth of activity…and weather.

04.25

Following rules is way easier than being ruled by love.

04.24

As if by magic, a new friend appeared before our eyes.

04.23

They’ve both now seen Indiana Jones. I still never have.

04.22

Twenty-five funny, personable, sweet kindergarteners, two caring, professional women, lots of parents and brothers and sisters. It’s been an amazing first year on our school journey. We are lucky.

04.21

Baseball on the radio in the afternoon. Nostalgic and soothing.

04.20

I know I’m not the only one, but I wonder if it’s true of everyone. That deeply rooted, inner desire to create something of beauty.

04.19

I wonder, if we hadn’t had to get our day moving, how long their working together would have lasted. They were both so proud.

04.18

It was a morning where the ordinary beauty of the things I passed every day just jumped out at me and overwhelmed me. I wanted to walk along it slowly and take it all home with me.

04.17

I’m guessing if Eli had been with me, we totally could have scored a photo with him and Joey Votto. But his introverted self wasn’t up for a meet-and-greet. I think Joey probably felt the same way.

04.16

Kids are insatiable creatures. Despite the overload of fun today held, they wanted more.

04.15

The morning was completely his. We wandered around the zoo, following his every whim. The afternoon, he had to endure. But he was a trooper.

04.14

If I jumped and ran and tumbled during the day as much as them, I’d be sore for a week.

04.13

I let the two of them scream and hit and fight the whole way home. The windows were down and pedestrians turned to look. I’m just not sure what I should be doing about it.

04.12

I could spend hours wandering the stacks. Pulling out spines, imagining possibilities. Many of them don’t live up to the expectations, but the few that do leave an impact.

04.11

Eli told me, after the rain, that the “world smells clean…And our car smells clean.” Then he almost licked it.

04.10

Once again, I was responsible for the ruin of the day. Despite the fact that I followed his explicit orders.

04.09

The rain fully soaked, but without dampening.

04.08

The hours of sunshine, flowers, and friendship just stretched on and on.

04.07

The boys already have amazing Jedi skills. With the addition of a new tutor, who knows how strong the force will be in them.

04.06

This day has left me tired, emotionally and physically.

04.05

I wish I could ease the burdens on his heart. Hug away the guilt that is born from his uncertainty.

04.04

The last time his crying had this impact on me, it was when Roar got dropped in a puddle just before nap time. He was just as heartbroken today.

04.03

We got sunburns. The dark days are over.

04.02

Whenever I run out of things to do, something happens. Something new.

04.01

I was surprised by his courage. He even gave a willing encore.