Imperfect Bliss

It happens every year.

The first day of school has come and gone. *poof*

Just like that. It happens every year...yet every year I hate it. (Although one week into school...I've steam cleaned my carpet and upholstery, finished yard work, organized my meal plans, improved my budget.... Wait. Where was I going with this??)

This day is always a tough one for me. I send my boys off into the "real world" and hope they are safe. And strong. And happy. All day I think....are they having a good time? Are they homesick? Is school fun? Are they making friends? Sigh.

The boys looooove the first day of school. That is the only thing that makes this easier for me. And so it happens...

Full day kindergarten for my sweet, happy boy. I'm not ready.

2nd grade for my shy, sensitive one. I'm not ready.

Best friends being apart all day. Are they ready??

And the princess says....Booyah!!!! Mommy's allllllll mine. (No really. When she is excited she says "booyah!!")

So as they venture off on this big day...I am reminded of another favorite quote:

"If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together...there is something you must always remember.

You are braver than you believe,

Stronger than you seem,

And smarter than you think.

But the most important thing is,

Even if we're apart...

I'll always be with you."

~A.A. Milne

Think on these things.

Yesterday I came across this quote and it stopped me in my tracks.

I hate to admit it...but sometimes when my three kiddos are pulling me in three different directions at the same time...I lose my patience. But I guess we all do. As the saying goes -- we're only human. However, I think this is a quote to remember, to focus on, and to savor. I know I will.

The comedian.

In preparation for "back to school," I have been trying to review some school work with the kids. Jackson and I have been working on and off this summer on math and reading. (More "off," I admit.) Sawyer has been practicing writing his letters and reading a bit, too. After watching his brother do math flash cards yesterday, Sawyer decided that he also wanted to practice some flash cards. I happened to have some "sight word" flash cards up in the cabinet so I pulled them down for him. (For those of you who don't know what "sight words" are...they are words to memorize rather than read. Think words like "me," "the," "this," etc.) After reading a few words, I could tell that Sawyer had changed his mind about the whole review session. We got to the word "be."

Sawyer: Beh.
Me: No. That's a long E. Do you know what that means?
Sawyer: Yes. Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh. There. Was that long enough??

He then burst out into uncontrollable giggles. Session over. Close the books. We are heading outside to swing!

( p.s. -- Love that kid. He always has a way of making me smile.)

Afternoon Hike.

The kids and I enjoyed a wonderful picnic and hike this afternoon. We are savoring the last few days before school starts. I love walking in the woods with the kiddos and making them pay attention to their surroundings. It's fun to see them stop and listen to the birds...search for bugs...look for different types of leaves. Really, who needs toys when you have the "great outdoors"?? Our afternoon reminded me of a poem by one of my favorites authors...Emily Dickinson.

"Nature" is what we see

"Nature" is what we see—
The Hill—the Afternoon—
Squirrel—Eclipse— the Bumble bee—
Nay—Nature is Heaven—
Nature is what we hear—
The Bobolink—the Sea—
Thunder—the Cricket—
Nay—Nature is Harmony—
Nature is what we know—
Yet have no art to say—
So impotent Our Wisdom is
To her Simplicity.

~Emily Dickinson

95 degrees and one foot of snow...

And I mean exactly one foot of snow...period.

Several years ago "Great John" and Aunt Linda sent us snow for Christmas. I don't know why we never used it. Anyway, the other day I was cleaning out closets and found the box of snow. In my freakishly determined state of mind to "clear the clutter" -- I put the box aside. It was not in the trash pile. It was not in the keep pile. It was just set aside by itself. After I threw out the junk and carefully reorganized the few items that made the final cut...I came back to the box of snow. This could be really fun, I thought.

So last night, after the sun began to set and the heat let up just a tiny bit...we took the box and headed outside. The directions read: Add one scoop of snow powder to cup and fill with water, then watch the snow fluff up. After reminding the kids not to eat the snow....poof! We had a foot of snow!

Finley wasn't too sure at first...thank goodness she was wearing boots.

It didn't take her long to start playing...

Hot rosey cheeks, sweaty foreheads....and snow!!

What a fun thing to play with in the middle of summer! Feel it squish between your fingers...toss a handful in the air...get a little messy....just don't eat it...snow.

Anxiety.

School starts in less than one month...and I can't even think about it. Actually, I can't stop thinking about it. I know many moms who can't wait for school to start. And that's fine. There is a niceness to it in a way...more time to myself, more organization, more of a schedule. But really...none of that is me. I enjoy being with my kids, I'm not organized whatsoever, and I hate having a schedule.

Let me expand on the "I enjoy being with my kids" statement. Don't get me wrong. There are several times during the day when I think I'm going to run away if one more person says "Mommmeeeeee"...but the thought of nobody being here to call me Mommy makes me physically ill. And granted there are several days when I send all of us to our rooms (me included) for some afternoon "quiet time." But what am I going to do when all day is quiet time?? I certainly am NOT going to be doing laundry or housework. Am. Not.

I also love the whole no schedule thing. I hate having a schedule. Hate. Despise. Detest. I hate having to wake up at a certain time...having to rush the kids off to the bus (because honestly, no matter how organized I try to be in the morning, someone can't eat fast enough, somebody lolligags in their room while they are dressing, or someone has a meltdown because of some minuscule thing that could never have been predicted), I hate how full the calendar becomes...I hate having a schedule. I hate having to be somewhere on time. On someone else's time.

So in the few weeks before school starts...and in the past weeks since it has ended...we have enjoyed summer. Enjoyed each other. Just enjoyed. Granted I'm no perfect parent...nowhere near. But we are enjoying the steps along the way. (And we are learning to deal with the steps we aren't enjoying quite as much.) But what I love so much about this time is that it is slow. Well...relatively speaking.

So, I ask you to indulge in summer and enjoy with us. Slow down. Breathe. Listen to the birds sing. Feel the heaviness of the heat. Turn off the tv. Read books to each other. Build pillow forts. And obstacle courses. Finger paint. Swing. Run.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

I mean really...breathe in...breathe out. Be mindful. Enjoy.

Look who's two!!

My blogging skills have vanished since the kids have been home from school! But here are some pictures from Miss F's birthday party. I can't believe it's been TWO YEARS!!