No School Day

So, earlier this summer I planted our front yard veggie bed with all of the annual flower seeds I had to spare. Sunflowers, zinnias, marigolds, borage, cosmos, etc. Some of it came up, some of it didn't.

We have a day off from school today and the sun is shining. It's not warm, but it's not cold. The kids are outside barefoot with walkie talkies, the odd Duplo car, and a new stomp rocket set (count the seconds until I'll be summoned to retrieve a rocket that's landed on the garage roof). The upshot to full day Kindergarten and having a preschooler who's doing 4 mornings a week is that their days off are like play vacations. And Evelyn hangs out with them as best as she can. She calls after them, "Guys! Guys!" while she's trying to get up or down the stairs after them. It's completely awesome... until it isn't... and then I try to be one step ahead and reassess what might be the best change of pace.

I just went out to the front and cut a vase of zinnias and sunflowers! I've had coffee. Everyone is dressed and playing together. It's 9:19am. The day is a Win.

As soon as things start to fall apart we'll either bike/trailer or stroller/scoot to the library for a book refresh. I'll come up with something for the afternoon as I fake my way through the morning. If we can get to lunchtime and rest time, the remainder of the day will take care of itself.

School is off to a wonderful start. They're both happy and adjusting well. I love that while Evelyn and I are coming and going from our morning activities, we can hear the kids playing at school across the street and know that Christopher is among them and that our stroll to get Colin from his class is just 4 blocks away.

Of course, it's not perfect and there are a bazillion sibling squabbles and lost treasures and feelings hurt. It's still pretty good, though. Happy Back To School, everyone.

Treading through our summer days

Oh, summer. Or maybe I should say Summer of 2015. You have been a roller coaster. We're doing our best to hold on while hugging the tightest curves, as well as being brave enough to reach our hands to the sky as we careen over into the free-falls.

There's sand in the car and a steady stream of shorts, towels, and swimsuits rotating between the beach bag, laundry room, and clothesline. This is the fourth year that I've sworn I'll sew us a beach bag out of canvas with thick straps and just the right number of open and zippered pockets. And yet, we're still using that same old beat up Whole Foods shopping bag. Maybe next year.

Whole Foods! There's a flagship store opening up down the road from us. Christopher has asked to have his birthday dinner there. I'm on board - everybody wins and gets to pick their own favorite yuppie dinner. I can focus my cooking energies on cake. Sweet! Colin, on the other hand, has focused his requests on the type of cupcake that should be baked for his 4th birthday celebration. Unable to decide between vanilla and chocolate, today's verdict is that we're going to swirl them. This could change by tomorrow.

The kids are well adjusted and happy with their summer camps at this point. Of course, this means that everything will be wrapping up in 1-2 weeks. Huh. Evelyn loves to get out in the bike trailer and lurches for her helmet every time we pass by it in the garage. She says "hi" and "bye-bye" to anyone who will look at her while we're out on the go. And she's recently added declarations of "dog!" and "ball!" to the commentary. I love watching them learn how to communicate and move their bodies in this stage. It's like every dog or ball is the most glorious surprise.
"DOG! (eyes wide open, pointing frenetically) Oh my god, did you see that? A freakin' dog!!!"
It's wonderful. I love it.

We'll have two weeks of pure summer unscheduled-ness (unscheduled-mess?) in mid August. No travel, no camp, nocommitmentswhatsoever. I'm going to put on my Super Fun Mama Hat and pull out my List of Things To Do. Yes, I actually have one and if you know me well, you're not surprised. I'll be honest, though -- it heavily favors bike rides, the beach and ice cream.

Then Kindergarten starts for Christopher and a short while later Colin begins preschool.
It's going to feel very different around here this year.

This afternoon, a telling scene...
While coloring to come down from the heat and activity of morning camp while the baby girl sleeps:
Colin, practicing his pencil grip: Look, Mama! I'm focusing on one thing at a time.
Christopher, halfway out of his chair and doing three things at once: Look at me, too, Mama! I'm focusing on one thing at a time. Well, mostly.

Friday night:
Me: How's the pizza?
Christopher: You nailed it, Mama.
Me: Awesome. Thanks.

Hilarious article about The Default Parent. Yes, we all try to do our best and be super-involved, but the idea of a default parent is just 100% truth.

Mike and I watched a few documentaries last weekend. Chasing Ice and Art and Craft. We'd definitely recommend Chasing Ice, but then again, we're pretty convinced that global warming is a Real Thing. :) It was visually stunning.

Softball, swimming, soccer, bookclub, family brunches, play dates, park dates, wine nights, seedlings, house projects, biking weather... life is nice around here right now.