Happy Independence Day!

It's late, dark, and the echoes of fireworks still sound like popcorn coming from the valley floor below us. My oldest son has just hung up his corduroy jacket and headed back to bed, but not before a big giant hug and sparking eyes, and the comment, "This was the best fireworks year ever..."

For the last 10 years, Dan and I have gone to the fireworks display in our old town.  There is lots of space to lay out in the field at the school and watch the personal fireworks from the homes on the surrounding hills and then the community fireworks display at the park. It's fairly impressive for the small area, and I love the "hometown" feel of it. And two days ago, we still planned on maintaining our tradition.

Then last night we decided to go to a rodeo, and knew that it would be a late night for the boys (3-4 hours past their usual bedtime).  We were more than a little nervous about two late nights in a row.  So, we decided to stay and watch the fireworks that directly followed the last rodeo event, with the understanding that we would just stay home tonight. The fireworks were great, and it felt oh-so-patriotic to be watching our Independence Day fireworks from a rodeo, while "God Bless the USA" plays over the loudspeaker. Our  little one held his hands over his ears, and waited for it to be over.  But the big one?  He was in love.

Tonight, in keeping with the adjusted plan, we had some friends over for dinner and playtime.  After all the running and building and bike riding, I expected that the boys would crash within moments of going to bed, and be asleep long before fireworks around the neighborhood began.  It didn't exactly work like that.

An hour and a half later, the boys were still up and giggling, and the fireworks began to go off.  I went outside to find that the view from our street allowed us to see not only Mt. St. Helens, but also large sections of our town and the town across the river. And everywhere I looked, there were huge, giant fireworks going off.  It was pretty cool.  And, well, the boys were still awake.  And I didn't want them to miss any of it. So I went and got them out of bed.

The little one watched for about 5 minutes before he and Daddy went back in to help him fall asleep. The big one and I?  We stayed outside for another hour. We walked around the neighborhood in bare feet to see what was being lit right around the corner.  We checked out the view from every vantage point in our empty cul-de-sac. And he talked almost the entire time.  His eyes sparkled brightly, the grin never left his face.  And at one point he said, "Mama, I could just stay out here with you forever." That alone made all my weak attempts at getting him back to bed feel like a huge, wasted opportunity. So we sat in the grass, watched the bright lights overhead, and talked.

I know it's silly, but I have always found fireworks to be romantic.  It's that whole "at the county fair with a cowboy on the ferris wheel" Americana thing.  But tonight there was a whole other kind of love there.  I never want to forget those moments with my big kid, oohing and ahhing over explosions and finding a kindred spirit who loves fireworks as much as I do. Especially in these years before it becomes about the fire and danger and excitement - because tonight, it was still all about magic and beauty.

It's nights like this when every fiber in my being sighs, relaxes, and knows that all is very right in my world.  Fireworks and magic and little boys and their mamas. Doesn't get much better.

Let's start summer...

(sneaking quietly back in...hoping you won't notice how long I've been away...)

It's officially summer.  In all the ways that count, we've made it. We survived a parade, school camping trip, promotion (for my eighth graders), graduation (for my very own kindergartener), saying goodbye to friends and teachers, shoving off of early morning rushing, and are now settling into our new routine.  I moved classrooms, and cleaned out the garage. We've had the necessary yard sale and spread almost 7.5 cubic yards of bark dust.  The first sweet peas are appearing in the garden, the kale is huge, and we will get to taste our first homegrown strawberries this afternoon.

That's an awful lot for a mama who likes things simple.

So some things had to be let go along the way - things that are important to me, but weren't viewed as absolutely necessary. I didn't make gifts for the boys' teachers - I used groupons and store-bought cards instead.  We've eaten out more than usual.  And at night I've crashed on the couch, too tired to even pull out the knitting bag.

But now it's time for the fresh start.  The boys and I are following (loosely) a weekly schedule to help us balance the work and the play.  We're lining up play dates and dinner guests and I'm pulling out the favorite summer salad recipes and looking for strawberry desserts. It feels good.

And being back in this space?  It's just what I need.

So, today I'll leave you with a few of my favorite pictures from the last few weeks. After all, all that running around must be good for something, right?

Kindergarten Graduation

Lemonade Stand at our Yard sale

Ready to march in a parade

Parade Preparations (although he sat in the wagon hiding under an umbrella once the parade began)

Playing in the river on our school camping trip

Self Portrait for kindergarten graduation

Max and his amazing guide, Katie

Luke and his wonderful guide, Alicia

The weekend that was...

We've headed full-force into busy summer weekends full of fun.  This past weekend was filled with the farmers market, impromptu concerts from the boys, painting in the kitchen, and a birthday party at a farm.  You know it's been a great weekend when everyone crashes into bed Sunday night with a big smile. 

And it's just the beginning!

 

The first book...

Tonight, my son read to me.

We'd finished our usual bath/tooth brushing/chart routine, and he ran off to get a book.  You see, every night, we read a story. together.  Usually it's one parent per son, and the boys rotate between us.  It is one of my favorite parts of the day. They choose a story, we find a cuddly spot in the house, and then we curl up to read together.

But tonight...he brought out Olivia. We sat down on the green couch, and I reached for the book. But he didn't hand it to me.  Instead, he said, "Mama, I want to read to you tonight."

My natural inclination was to shout, "Wahoooo!!  That's great buddy!  You'll do a great job!" and make a big deal of it. But this kiddo?  That's too much pressure.  I knew I had to play it cool. So instead, I replied, "Ok."

And he leaned into my shoulder, opened the book, and began to read. Word for word. A couple stumbles and guesses, but almost perfect.  And when he got to the last page, he proclaimed himself too tired to finish.  So I read the last one.

He did it. The eyes were sparkling.  The satisfied, smug look was upon that little face.  And then he raced his brother off to bed.

He's been reading to his little brother in bed for a while now.  And often when we read, he and I will alternate pages.  But this was a first. He came, wanting to read to me.  To me.

And it was amazing.

A sunny afternoon...

Here in the Pacific Northwest, a sunny afternoon in spring is cause for major celebration.  This week has brought us a few of them - joy is running high around here. In our small world, this usually translates to a stop at a park on the way home from school. We can only stay an hour before we need to get home and make dinner, but that simple hour is precious. I look forward to these outings as much as the boys, and never want to forget them.  But, I also don't typically have me big camera (our DSLR) with me, and the point and shoot is just frustrating in what I am not able to capture. And in my world, unphotographed = undocumented = quickly forgotten.

So, today's post is largely for myself.  The opportunity to write down those park moments from this week that I want to hang on to:

Mama and Daddy Geese and their 6 little goslings

  Sliding down the fire pole by himself

Watching out for littler ones on the playground

Freckles appearing on the bridge of his nose

Rolling down the giant hill, then running back up only to do it again

Reading on a bench in the sun

"Will it sink or float?" at the duck pond

Sticks for whacking, throwing, carting home

"I did it!"

Head laying in my lap because he's hungry, and he can't play when he's hungry

Big belly laughs together

Magic spaceship plots and pirate chases 

Gathering acorns

What-if and why and how come?

We love the park.  It brings out the best in each of us.  And speaking of which, it's time to head there now!

Monsters...

I've been knitting for a few years now - it's one of my very favorite hobbies.  I love the meditative knit and purl. In the past year I've made hats, booties, sweaters, socks, gloves, and more.  But I've never had as much fun as I have the last couple of months since I got this:

Rebecca Danger has written the most amazing book of monster patterns.  It's been a great way to learn how to "magic loop" and work on seaming and finishing. Plus, they are all so cute and cuddle-worthy.   I've made 3 delightful little ones so far.  Two of them have already left the nest for little babies new to this world.  The third is waiting for a birth.  But here they are:

It's been so much fun.  In fact, I cast on for another one today!  If you are having a baby any time soon, watch out!  The monster population at your house just may be increasing.

Down the rabbit hole...

Alas, once again I have fallen down the rabbit hole.  Posts that have been written only in my head have been frequent, but committing to sharing them hasn't.  Don't worry - I haven't forgotten you, and deeply appreciate that anyone takes time out of their busy days to read my thoughts.

It's pointless to say that life has been busy.  It is that way for all of us.  And it seems like we are all waiting for that time just around the corner when our calendars clear and time is abundant.  Even my recently retired father has commented about the fact that his life doesn't seem all that much more free now that he no longer has the obligations of employment (he has since joined search and rescue, and the training for that has been intense, so that may be a part of the issue...). And as the mom of two young children, I know that the years ahead are only going to fill up faster. Ack!

So I'm going to jump back in with Mother's Day.  It was rainy, cool, and wonderful. I was lucky to get to share it with some of my favorite women on the planet - my mother, my mother-in-law, and my sister-in-law. We spent the morning at the tulip fields, then came home for brunch.  We spent time laughing and playing with two very active boys.  I was even given the gift I was hoping for - a clothesline! I couldn't have asked for anything more.

But there's always a little bit of sadness that goes along with Mother's Day.  For the mothers who aren't with us any more.  For those women who want to be mothers, but aren't, for one reason or another.  For all those pains that come when things aren't picture perfect on a day that is supposed to be. People I know are out there hurting. And this Mother's Day adds a little salt to tender wounds.

I know I am blessed.  I try really hard not to forget it.  And with this face staring at me, how could I?