'There is a garden in every childhood,an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than every again.' - Elizabeth Lawrence
We planted a garden. Our not so green thumbs are giving it a go, quite excitedly. Covey and I got it started a few nights ago, & hopefully, there will be some pictures of progression over the summer. The weather (for the 1000th time) has been unbelievable- a good summer for a first attempt at gardening.
The other day I helped out with Field Day at school; the group was K-2 and I was taken aback at how big the 2nd graders were. Perhaps mostly because in a few short hours, I will have a 2nd grader. Next year, Covey goes into Kindergarten and Ry into 2nd grade. Whew...feels like a big one. I unintentionally started this series with the first day of Kindergarten and now feel obligated to continue it. He's growth in these images baffles me. The first day of Kindergarten compared to the last day of first grade- the round baby face fading away, now adamant about long hair, genuinely caring about his clothes and his shoes, thoroughly exhausted from a long night of baseball...but still crawling up into my lap when he's tired and needs to snuggle. As excited as I am for the end of the year, it's bittersweet. Happy Summer folks, enjoy it!
here I am, weaving a path between pride and exhaustion. with sticky fingers, wrapped around my neck. dirty kisses planted on my cheek. bony bottoms softly wedged into my thigh. laughter echoing between us. curiosity glowing in six bright eyes. confidence beaming in their strong steps. amazement and awe wrapping its arms around me.
heavy eyelids sneaking an extended blink- we balance. arms out, one foot in front of the other, we balance well. & then we look at each other and we know. I am here, children. here I am, in motherhood.
happy mother's day. thank you, my three, for making me a mother.
now pop on over to the wonderful Annie Otzen.
Awhile back, I was doing the nightly round-up of the boys, trying to get them into their room to start their bedtime routine. Covey worked up his best pirate snarl and shouted, 'We're the Scooter-Rooter's, and the Scooter-Rooter's never sleep!' It came out of nowhere, and brought us all instantly to laughter. At that moment, he created his club, which currently has three members- Covey and his two siblings. According to their leader (Covey), they will once again not sleep. I'm beginning to believe him.
'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.
