Kids Were Here
Kids Were Here
'If you must look back,do so forgivingly. If you must look forward, do so prayerfully. However, the wisest thing you can do is be present in the present... gratefully.' -Maya Angelou
deep cleaning the house involved sweeping out the boys' room- under the dresser and the beds, stripping the sheets, dusting.
and this doll greeted me from the other end of the broom, with whispers of 'she found the doll!'
I hope this isn't the start of 'things I find under my boys' beds...'
Kids Were Here
'If you must look back,do so forgivingly. If you must look forward, do so prayerfully. However, the wisest thing you can do is be present in the present... gratefully.' -Maya Angelou
Remember when we were all packed up and ready to head out to Pasagshak, for what become one of the best weekends of summer, ever.
Remember your very first blueberry cobbler, which was also the very first thing for each of you to bake, 100% on your own. Ry kept exclaiming 'this is so awesome! this is so awesome I'm making this all by myself!'
Remember the blueberry cobbler baking aftermath. 
Remember how good the cobbler tasted. 
Remember the first summer we tried our hand at gardening, and our first little tomato we watched grow; maybe it will turn red.
Remember your 5th birthday, Covey, your incredibly awesome carnival.
Remember your 'real' birthday, Covey; everyone that said 'happy birthday' at your party, was met with a quick response of 'it's not my real birthday, it's my fake birthday.'
Remember our experiments baking bread, Ry. Attempting to make a yeast-free loaf for you, that actually tasted good and resembled bread. We're almost there. 
Remember those gold kitty flats, Ella; you set them so perfectly by my flip flops. You have to wear them, a lot; today, it was swimsuit, raincoat and 'my cats, my cats!'.
Remember practicing your letters, both you boys, feeding off each other's drive to learn to read and write.
Remember those sweet summer days, filled with building, buckets, sandals and chalk, and so much more.
Kids Were Here
'If you must look back,do so forgivingly. If you must look forward, do so prayerfully. However, the wisest thing you can do is be present in the present... gratefully.' -Maya Angelou
Remember when we (finally) began shoe-tying lessons, Ry. Probably a little late at 7.5, but suddenly realizing you haven't worn shoes that tie. 
Remember that makeshift sandbox, Ella, the one you joyfully dug away at in all kinds of weather. 
Remember that rock you painted, Ry, in your last week of school; now the little ladybug sits with our tomato plants (that may really grow tomatoes).
Remember the swings you boys set-up with your dad, and the long night you spent on them immediately after; hours of swinging in the setting sun. 
Remember your fort and the walks you boys enjoyed, just to find treasures to add to it's exterior.
Remember that garden we all planted together, our first year taking on this project, with hopes that something grows. 
Remember the flower you picked Ry, and the little bud that blossomed after a day in water- you were amazed by it.
Remember your love for horses, cows and the barn, Ella, and of course, your pink unicorn.
Remember that little bit of spilled milk, Covey, where you found a heart. You always find hearts in random places.
Remember your first dance performance, Ry, when you worked so hard performing as a newsie.
Remember your love for making art, all three of you.
Kids Were Here
'If you must look back,do so forgivingly.
If you must look forward,
do so prayerfully.
However, the wisest thing you can do
is be present in the present...
gratefully.'
-Maya Angelou
Remember all those spilled cups of water; all of you, it happens often. I went to wipe up the table, & this puddle so perfectly captured the reflection of the pussywillows on the table. 
Remember your boots, Ella; the ones you HAVE to wear, which is beneficial since you spend a lot of time in mud puddles, but not so good when you kick them off to run barefoot in 40 degree weather. Perhaps that's why your runny nose won't go away. 
Remember your forts- under the table and in the living room. You even slept in your living room one; we had strict orders to leave it up that day and night, for a slumber party. 
Remember one of our Easter art projects- using potatoes to make egg prints. Covey, you got a little carried away with the paint. Actually, you all did.
Remember your 'babies,' Ella. The ones you so happily love and reject; there's not a lot of middle ground for them. 
Remember your love for olives, Ella. You walk to the pantry daily, shouting 'olives! olives!'
Remember Ry's first baseball practice, Cove; we played catch for awhile then headed back to the truck. I asked you where you put your mitt, and your directions lead me here. 
Remember your 2nd birthday party Ella- your cake, your flowers, your friends and family. It was a beautiful day. 
Remember your obsession, Ella, with dumping out games all over the floor.
Remember how much you love your collections, Cove; you were so proud of those bullet shells you collected from the beach. 
Remember the collection you created at Ry's soccer practice, Cove; finding all sorts of (not-so-safe) objects behind the bleachers. 
Remember that red rocking chair- the one Ry got for his first birthday; the one Ella now sits in regularly. 
Remember when we dyed Easter eggs, Ry; you were so anxious and excited for the process. It was your first year dying real eggs. 
Remember that giant green duck egg, and how beautifully it held its green color; and all the other eggs you dyed turned out so vibrant.