06.07

I've got to get one of these.

06.06

Summer's exhaustion is a welcome thing. And different than the exhaustion we've been used to around here.

06.05

Watching the movies actually makes me feel sick. But it's a great excuse to sit outside as the sun paints its farewell.

06.04

Sometimes I don't want to keep my word. I want to say, "Because I don't want to and I'm the mom!" And I probably do that some days without even realizing it. But I didn't today. We went, during the game, in the heat.

06.03

I worked all day in preparation, but it was fun. Having so many friends here, fresh flowers, snacks, lovely things...it was a beautiful evening.

 

06.02

It is summer, but he still feels the chains of school. The time that is his own is never enough.

06.01

When, at the end of the day, my kids smell of sunscreen, chlorine, grass, and sweat, I feel like a good mom.

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.

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.