Today, He is 5

Navigating through childhood; stuck somewhere in between little brother, and being bigger.Doing everything a little bit earlier than his older brother did. Still yearning for long snuggles in mom's lap, cuddled close, saying I love you. Five feels big- it's that milestone, that jump from little kid to kid; Yet still so small in so many ways.

Five is big.

He is ready for it; I'm sifting through photos from the last five years. Reminiscing. Smiling. Laughing. Not crying, somehow.

Because five is big.

10-on-10: June

'here comes the sun' - The Beatles

Can't you hear it? Can't you feel the beat?
Come on, little darling, you must say yes!
Because summer is here, the sun is out,
and even if it's not shining,
you can still see the glow of the season in the faces of the children.

Yes! it's summertime, and the living is easy.
late nights, warm fires, cold drinks, lots of yard work, new swings up, old swings gone, remodeling, repurposing, rearranging.
Little darling, this is the stuff dreams are made of.

Summer!

Now head down to California, to the amazing Bethany Petrik!

May, Our Every Day

the sun poured down like no other;records broke, flowers bloomed, water dried up, dust circled, school ended, crab festival came, children laughed and tan lines formed. all in the very merry month of May.

it was good, very, very good.

happy summer.

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.

This Morning

When the alarm went off this morning, I tried to think why it was set. I could come up with no logical reason, and decided it was a mistake. Thankfully, I was correct. I lay there, squeezed between two warm little bodies, wondering at what point Covey crawled into our bed. Trying to remember if it was dark out, or if it was not too long before that obnoxious beeping broke that sweet slumber. Unsure, but certain he  must have had a bad dream. Later in the day, I overheard him telling his big brother that he did in fact have a bad dream- something to do with robbers. Bad dreams always bring him into our bed, sometimes nights in a row, sometimes not for a week or so. My eyes didn't want to open, but listening to that silence made me process my mental list of everything I could get done before the walls vibrated with three loud voices. So it forced me out of bed, ready to start checking things off. Until there was that little squeak, the little one that goes full board real fast- Ella. She doesn't like to be hot when she sleeps, usually tossing and turning until her blankets are off, and she doesn't always want to be close, but when she does want you next to her, there's no sleep unless you immediately fill that void. So I scooped her up and together we trotted to the bathroom. I caught a glimpse of us in the bathroom mirror, our hair disheveled as always in the morning; her wanting so badly to sleep longer but fighting it so well; that little hand stuck down my shirt, as she does whenever she's tired or wanting to cuddle; so I grabbed my camera because these are so many of our mornings. 

She is Fierce

'& though she be but littleshe is fierce.' -William Shakespeare

The work it takes to get those tiny hands into those tiny pockets; shifting, rearranging, wiggling...and success. Then take them out and start all over again. but with lots of determination, it's no big deal.