Monday, June 3, 2013
A Walk
Friday, May 31, 2013
End of the Month Round-up
I'm sort of embarrassed to be coming here, again, to say...um, fail. All of this month's goals went out the window. Though we did do maintenance from other months, so I guess that is good.
I didn't intend to do so, but I spent this month reading a lot in an attempt to better understand my brain and my kids' brains. My husband would be like, you are reading another one (I think, ahem, seven books? can you say, still nursing? can't let go?)? I've learned so much about the hows and whys of ADD life, including adjusted schedules and routines to fit our own circumstance. For example, I've learned how important routines are (ha, funny), how important exercise is, and how important it is to structure one's environment to give reminders (now I know why I have become a religious user of the timer in the kitchen! could not survive without it, even if I have to put something in for two more minutes I always set it for that or else I forget and burn something!), how important it is to tack one task on to another, how important socialization is, how important it is to unlock the hidden potential and talents within ADD, and how (so obvious to me now!) important it is to be careful not to overdo it (poor concept of time and the like). I have gained a whole bunch of insight into myself and how I function, and have started accepting that I will just plain never be good at some things. I've already adjusted some other tasks and expectations-- all it took was a little encouragement to see just how miserable I was at "x" . And hyperfocus? I'm thinking that I need to structure my day to take advantage of hyperfocus, and accept how difficult it is for me to switch gears. So if I can give myself bigger chunks of time to do something, rather than a bunch of little ones that alternate (here is one example: I have read many times that someone with our family size should do laundry every day, but this just does not work for me. I think I'd rather have a mountain twice a week, than a string of clean/dirty laundry that never ends!)
I will do a post about the books I read soon, I don't know why I never read a book on the subject sooner! I've still had my ups and downs as I've alternated between a sense of relief (I finally know why I struggle with some things!), validation (there are many other people out there who have been through it to!), and, lets just admit it, sadness, as I mourn for what I've lost and mourn a bit for my kids who will have some struggles to face up to yet. Finally, peace, as I have realized that ADD presents a whole new range of opportunities and possibilities, just waiting to be unlocked, as I finally accept the things I can't do alone, as well as accepting the gifts that come with it too. Here is to a fresh start!
We have been enjoying the outdoors this week! It has been a really beautiful, cool, leave-your-windows-open-at-night-and-snuggle-up-under-the-covers (and rush around shutting them when the rain rolls in!) kind of week. The little ones and I have had some adventures. I love that they are still little and with me during the day. And I am so excited for school to get out! To have everyone all to myself, less schedules, and some warm weather to enjoy. Have a marvelous weekend, dear ones!
I didn't intend to do so, but I spent this month reading a lot in an attempt to better understand my brain and my kids' brains. My husband would be like, you are reading another one (I think, ahem, seven books? can you say, still nursing? can't let go?)? I've learned so much about the hows and whys of ADD life, including adjusted schedules and routines to fit our own circumstance. For example, I've learned how important routines are (ha, funny), how important exercise is, and how important it is to structure one's environment to give reminders (now I know why I have become a religious user of the timer in the kitchen! could not survive without it, even if I have to put something in for two more minutes I always set it for that or else I forget and burn something!), how important it is to tack one task on to another, how important socialization is, how important it is to unlock the hidden potential and talents within ADD, and how (so obvious to me now!) important it is to be careful not to overdo it (poor concept of time and the like). I have gained a whole bunch of insight into myself and how I function, and have started accepting that I will just plain never be good at some things. I've already adjusted some other tasks and expectations-- all it took was a little encouragement to see just how miserable I was at "x" . And hyperfocus? I'm thinking that I need to structure my day to take advantage of hyperfocus, and accept how difficult it is for me to switch gears. So if I can give myself bigger chunks of time to do something, rather than a bunch of little ones that alternate (here is one example: I have read many times that someone with our family size should do laundry every day, but this just does not work for me. I think I'd rather have a mountain twice a week, than a string of clean/dirty laundry that never ends!)
I will do a post about the books I read soon, I don't know why I never read a book on the subject sooner! I've still had my ups and downs as I've alternated between a sense of relief (I finally know why I struggle with some things!), validation (there are many other people out there who have been through it to!), and, lets just admit it, sadness, as I mourn for what I've lost and mourn a bit for my kids who will have some struggles to face up to yet. Finally, peace, as I have realized that ADD presents a whole new range of opportunities and possibilities, just waiting to be unlocked, as I finally accept the things I can't do alone, as well as accepting the gifts that come with it too. Here is to a fresh start!
We have been enjoying the outdoors this week! It has been a really beautiful, cool, leave-your-windows-open-at-night-and-snuggle-up-under-the-covers (and rush around shutting them when the rain rolls in!) kind of week. The little ones and I have had some adventures. I love that they are still little and with me during the day. And I am so excited for school to get out! To have everyone all to myself, less schedules, and some warm weather to enjoy. Have a marvelous weekend, dear ones!
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Are You the Parent of a Goalie or a Forward?
Okay, this is really random today. We have had a very adventuresome week and lots of great photos to share for next, but today I need a small nap! So I'm saving the photos for next week (or maybe tomorrow, we'll see!).
I'm not sure why, but a couple of my posts about speaking positively to kids seem to get the most traffic around here. I find it to be really encouraging that parents out there are trying to find ways to speak more positively to their kids! So, this is really random for today, but I had something along those lines I wanted to share.
My son has been playing goalie for his soccer team this season. Let me tell you, I think he does a fantastic job, especially considering he hasn't ever had any formal goalie training. And maybe it is a blessing or a curse, but his team has lost nearly every game they've played, and, before he started playing goalie full time, they lost by a lot (I told myself I didn't care about winning, until this very deflating experience-- I have a new perspective on mercy rules). I think the positive in here is that if your team isn't that good, at least the goalie is getting lots of action and practice! Just think how boring it would be being keeper for a really good team. I have also been touched by the amount of support the boys on our team get. We have a huge cheering section, even in bad weather, and I have been touched by all the parents who come out to watch their sons get creamed.
As you know, I used to play soccer too, only I played on the opposite end of the field, as a forward.
Here is the thing: as a goalie, no matter how well you do, you can never do better than "0." You could be the best goalie in the world, and yet, your best efforts can only keep you at that 0 mark. More than likely, you aren't perfect, so each mistake is a strike against you and your team. A forward, in contrast, has nothing to lose (this analogy is a little loose, just stick with me). Each goal she scores is one above 0, hence the glory of the forward. Contrast how often you see people jumping up and down hugging a goalie or performing crazy antics after a save, as opposed to how forwards are treated after a goal.
I'm not articulating this very well. So forwards get a lot of positive praise, because each goal they score is a bonus, while playing goalie is sort of a losing endeavor because you get in trouble if you slip up, as each goal scored on you is a strike against you, so to speak.
The same is true of grades in school, in a way. I used to think it was crazy that 80% was such a low score, because, in my book, it was 80 points more than 0! And yet that 80% is looked at by teachers more as a subtraction from 100, not an addition over 0.
This made me realize-- how do I treat my kids? Do I hold them to that 100% mark, and anything they do less than perfect is reprimanded? Or do I look at each thing they do well, or good, and see that as a number greater than 0? Do I treat them as a goalie or a forward?
I have always responded so much better to positive praise than I have to criticism, reprimands, or punishments. I imagine most kids are the same way? So often it seems so easy to ignore the good behavior, and just focus on the behavior that is out of line. It seems worthwhile to me to understand which approach I'm taking, and to make sure I stay positive, helping my child feel safe making mistakes, and feel validated, cheered for, and reinforced for all the good things he or she is doing. The response in a child to positive reinforcement can be absolutely life changing for both parent and child. (and especially those with ADD, update coming soon)
Clear as mud.
I'm not sure why, but a couple of my posts about speaking positively to kids seem to get the most traffic around here. I find it to be really encouraging that parents out there are trying to find ways to speak more positively to their kids! So, this is really random for today, but I had something along those lines I wanted to share.
My son has been playing goalie for his soccer team this season. Let me tell you, I think he does a fantastic job, especially considering he hasn't ever had any formal goalie training. And maybe it is a blessing or a curse, but his team has lost nearly every game they've played, and, before he started playing goalie full time, they lost by a lot (I told myself I didn't care about winning, until this very deflating experience-- I have a new perspective on mercy rules). I think the positive in here is that if your team isn't that good, at least the goalie is getting lots of action and practice! Just think how boring it would be being keeper for a really good team. I have also been touched by the amount of support the boys on our team get. We have a huge cheering section, even in bad weather, and I have been touched by all the parents who come out to watch their sons get creamed.
As you know, I used to play soccer too, only I played on the opposite end of the field, as a forward.
Here is the thing: as a goalie, no matter how well you do, you can never do better than "0." You could be the best goalie in the world, and yet, your best efforts can only keep you at that 0 mark. More than likely, you aren't perfect, so each mistake is a strike against you and your team. A forward, in contrast, has nothing to lose (this analogy is a little loose, just stick with me). Each goal she scores is one above 0, hence the glory of the forward. Contrast how often you see people jumping up and down hugging a goalie or performing crazy antics after a save, as opposed to how forwards are treated after a goal.
I'm not articulating this very well. So forwards get a lot of positive praise, because each goal they score is a bonus, while playing goalie is sort of a losing endeavor because you get in trouble if you slip up, as each goal scored on you is a strike against you, so to speak.
The same is true of grades in school, in a way. I used to think it was crazy that 80% was such a low score, because, in my book, it was 80 points more than 0! And yet that 80% is looked at by teachers more as a subtraction from 100, not an addition over 0.
This made me realize-- how do I treat my kids? Do I hold them to that 100% mark, and anything they do less than perfect is reprimanded? Or do I look at each thing they do well, or good, and see that as a number greater than 0? Do I treat them as a goalie or a forward?
I have always responded so much better to positive praise than I have to criticism, reprimands, or punishments. I imagine most kids are the same way? So often it seems so easy to ignore the good behavior, and just focus on the behavior that is out of line. It seems worthwhile to me to understand which approach I'm taking, and to make sure I stay positive, helping my child feel safe making mistakes, and feel validated, cheered for, and reinforced for all the good things he or she is doing. The response in a child to positive reinforcement can be absolutely life changing for both parent and child. (and especially those with ADD, update coming soon)
Clear as mud.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Memorial Day Weekend Part 1
We had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend, I hope you did too! We rushed off to travel to my father-in-laws house, and in our rush my husband forgot his Sunday pants and I forgot....uh....underwear. How did I do that? Don't worry, problem got solved, though I did learn a little more about some people than I wanted to know, as I got some colorful suggestions from some people that will make it hard for me to look at them the same way from now on. And my son, he made the funniest comment. It worked out. No commando, sorry buddy.
My husband and father-in-law spent the first part of the weekend fixing our car, which took one and a half days instead of 4 hours like the manual said, but fixed nonetheless. We enjoyed our time just being lazy while they were busy fixin' (a much needed break I tell you!), and we had to get creative on Sunday morning since we were all ready for church and no car! No Sunday pants! So we had our own wiggly little church, all dressed up in our Sunday clothes, in the upstairs bedroom of my father in laws farmhouse, deep organ bells replaced by bell-like windchimes, while a cool breeze billowed the white-curtained windows in and out. It turned out to be quite nice. And then we had a lazy rest of the day, sprawled out on the floor coloring or reading or playing games on worn checkered quilts that brought back the memory of my husband's mother-- her warm red cheeks, her welcoming hugs, her motherly ways. I remembered how I fell in love with their place and their way of life, during our courtship, and how much I enjoyed being part of their family. (even if we bailed hay and castrated a bull on my first visit! a bit of a shock for a city girl like me, but at heart I am really a country girl!)
On Monday we visited my hubby's mom's grave. I'll fill you in about the rest some time this week!
My only two children to have met their grandmother sat the longest at her grave.
Wonder what Grandma thought of Guido.
Or what Emerson thought of Grandma.
I always try to get my kids to be respectful in a cemetery, and yet there is an inner playfulness that always seems to be bursting out. I have often wondered if a graveyards recipients, if they are aware of what is going on, do not enjoy the happy, playful, energetic little souls and rather wish to hush the children's mothers!
Forgive my headstone editing here (just to protect some privacy, I guess). I just loved the sweet dandelion offering.
My husband and father-in-law spent the first part of the weekend fixing our car, which took one and a half days instead of 4 hours like the manual said, but fixed nonetheless. We enjoyed our time just being lazy while they were busy fixin' (a much needed break I tell you!), and we had to get creative on Sunday morning since we were all ready for church and no car! No Sunday pants! So we had our own wiggly little church, all dressed up in our Sunday clothes, in the upstairs bedroom of my father in laws farmhouse, deep organ bells replaced by bell-like windchimes, while a cool breeze billowed the white-curtained windows in and out. It turned out to be quite nice. And then we had a lazy rest of the day, sprawled out on the floor coloring or reading or playing games on worn checkered quilts that brought back the memory of my husband's mother-- her warm red cheeks, her welcoming hugs, her motherly ways. I remembered how I fell in love with their place and their way of life, during our courtship, and how much I enjoyed being part of their family. (even if we bailed hay and castrated a bull on my first visit! a bit of a shock for a city girl like me, but at heart I am really a country girl!)
On Monday we visited my hubby's mom's grave. I'll fill you in about the rest some time this week!
Friday, May 24, 2013
Funny
I know I just blogged about helping siblings get along. Isn't so much easier to blog about them getting along, to soliloquize and extemporize and extrapolate fancy theories about children's behavior? And yet, whose behavior really fits into some neat little box? One reason I take some parenting books with a grain of salt. Because they are often written by men, who are probably sitting in a suit somewhere in a quiet, air-conditioned office writing away to their hearts content, while the women they are writing about (who are going on a partial nights sleep for who knows how long) are trying to bend over with a big pregnant belly in the grocery store while one child wails about not getting some candy and the other one makes a mad dash for the exit. It never works like it does in the books! Of course we can write it all pretty-like on a page. But in real life, we are the warriors in the trenches, who both dig the trenches and man them, who get right down in the dirt and fight like crazy just to stay alive some days (excuse my over-generalization, I know there are stay home dads and just dads in general who definitely are right there with us). Mr. Child Expert has never struggled just to take a simple shower before 5 o'clock. And yet, I love parenting! So much. Another day. Its just okay if things don't work out for you just like you thought they should before you had kids, or just like some guy in a tie and an air conditioned office who has never been pregnant thinks they should.
Ah, I digress. So I have a few fun photos, since I was just extemporizing about sibling love. They aren't knock-down-drag-out photos (we have those too sometimes), but they are funny nonetheless. For the funniest fight in progress I have seen in a while, see this. Funny because...I don't know why! It's just funny! And I can relate.
Also, you can see how healthy we were eating on this particular night! You know what, I'm digressing again, but I didn't realize just how much I needed my own perfectionist post on Wed. I didn't realize that a few things I'm stymied on right now are perfectionist-paralysis. I needed a reminder that its better to do things half way than not at all!
You know what? I'm not even going to edit these (living on the edge, I know). Or worry that someone's hair isn't done.
This little girl discovered that by opening and closing her hands, at different times, she could get her sisters (who were sitting on either side of her) to sing or stop singing. You can see when she is quite pleased with herself and you can also see the times when her sisters just were not cooperating. This little girl makes me laugh.
Happy, happy weekend everyone! I hope you are going somewhere fun or able to get some projects done or just able to enjoy a quiet weekend.
Ah, I digress. So I have a few fun photos, since I was just extemporizing about sibling love. They aren't knock-down-drag-out photos (we have those too sometimes), but they are funny nonetheless. For the funniest fight in progress I have seen in a while, see this. Funny because...I don't know why! It's just funny! And I can relate.
Also, you can see how healthy we were eating on this particular night! You know what, I'm digressing again, but I didn't realize just how much I needed my own perfectionist post on Wed. I didn't realize that a few things I'm stymied on right now are perfectionist-paralysis. I needed a reminder that its better to do things half way than not at all!
You know what? I'm not even going to edit these (living on the edge, I know). Or worry that someone's hair isn't done.
This little girl discovered that by opening and closing her hands, at different times, she could get her sisters (who were sitting on either side of her) to sing or stop singing. You can see when she is quite pleased with herself and you can also see the times when her sisters just were not cooperating. This little girl makes me laugh.
Happy, happy weekend everyone! I hope you are going somewhere fun or able to get some projects done or just able to enjoy a quiet weekend.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Too Perfect
I enjoyed my break yesterday! I missed you, and I thought of a million things I suddenly wanted to blog about. I have been agonizing for several months about cutting back, but the sense of relief I felt yesterday seemed to tell me I made the right choice, at least for now!
A couple of months ago I read a book called "Too Perfect: When Being In Control Gets Out of Control" (random, I know). I don't know what I was expecting to learn. Even though I wasn't thinking of this blog when I read it, I realized there are practical applications to this blog. Because this project is resolution-based, in my case based on making the most of my years with my children and being a better parent, I realized that sometimes good intentions can cross the line from helpful to hurtful. I think many of us have a certain ideal in mind that we strive for, as we tweak little things about ourselves. But when does trying to be better cross the line into perfectionism and thus become harmful?
Here is what I did learn, in a nutshell.
Perfectionism becomes harmful when it interferes with your relationships with others.
Perfectionism can lead to procrastination (you won't do it unless it can be perfect), irritability (nothing meets your standards), hoarding possessions or money (anxiety about the future), image (you must look perfect to all people at all times), sensitivity to criticism (must be perfect, therefore any criticism reveals flaws), controlling behaviors (if I control you, then I control my life), all or nothing thinking (if I can't do it perfectly, I won't do it at all), an unwillingness to let others help (it has to be done just right), difficulty finishing some projects, rigid thinking (there is a best way, and that way is this way only), overwork to make things just so, difficulty relaxing, and my-way-or-the-highway thinking. I don't know about you, but none of those things makes me feel exactly warm and fuzzy inside.
That balance can be hard. I went on a cleaning rampage a few weeks ago, and once I got going, I got grouchy and mean to anyone who got in my way! I realized I would rather have a few things out of place, than to be constantly on my children or resentful at their little unintentional tornado ways. I liked my old self better. For me, being more perfect as a parent means relaxing my standards a little for some things, so I'm not so uptight. I have a saying on a wall of the house: "the most important things in life aren't things." Do you ever get caught up in things? Cleaning things, buying things, looking at other peoples things? Its nice to remember that the most important things are the ones that are less tangible-- happiness, love, knowledge, the feeling a child carries around in his or her heart that there are no things more important to you than she is.
What is it that I am placing as first priority? Perfectionism can undermine balance big time, and balance is the essence of perfect (not the appearance of perfection, because then something is probably out of balance)! In the end, where your "treasure lies" is where you spend the best parts of your time and energy. I find that when I spend most of my time on my house, it becomes my "treasure" by default. It becomes the thing I have invested the most time in and therefore the thing I want most to protect. Thankfully, the same is true for my little people, when I put them first (though sometimes my house is that "good" thing!).
I do enjoy being better! I love the feeling I get when I improve myself, especially as I look back in time and compare my new self with my old self. One of the reasons I love being Christian is the beauty of grace, since I fall short no matter how hard I try, and the power of Christ to change my very nature.
But I found this book to be a helpful reminder that perfect (I wrote about this here) and perfectionism are pretty much opposites.
This particular book was very sensitively written, for those perfectionists out there who are a little, well, sensitive!
I would love to hear your thoughts. Do you see it when things cross over into perfectionist territory? How does it make you feel? (I feel awful) Are there things that you just can't not be perfect with, that you struggle to allow yourself some space to be a little less than perfect? (my husband probably wishes I were a perfectionist with a few things) How do you keep the balance between bettering yourself and not allowing perfectionism to undermine your long term goals, such as relationships with your children? LOL. Some parts of this post have been hard for me as I fought my inner perfectionist!
A couple of months ago I read a book called "Too Perfect: When Being In Control Gets Out of Control" (random, I know). I don't know what I was expecting to learn. Even though I wasn't thinking of this blog when I read it, I realized there are practical applications to this blog. Because this project is resolution-based, in my case based on making the most of my years with my children and being a better parent, I realized that sometimes good intentions can cross the line from helpful to hurtful. I think many of us have a certain ideal in mind that we strive for, as we tweak little things about ourselves. But when does trying to be better cross the line into perfectionism and thus become harmful?
Here is what I did learn, in a nutshell.
Perfectionism becomes harmful when it interferes with your relationships with others.
Perfectionism can lead to procrastination (you won't do it unless it can be perfect), irritability (nothing meets your standards), hoarding possessions or money (anxiety about the future), image (you must look perfect to all people at all times), sensitivity to criticism (must be perfect, therefore any criticism reveals flaws), controlling behaviors (if I control you, then I control my life), all or nothing thinking (if I can't do it perfectly, I won't do it at all), an unwillingness to let others help (it has to be done just right), difficulty finishing some projects, rigid thinking (there is a best way, and that way is this way only), overwork to make things just so, difficulty relaxing, and my-way-or-the-highway thinking. I don't know about you, but none of those things makes me feel exactly warm and fuzzy inside.
That balance can be hard. I went on a cleaning rampage a few weeks ago, and once I got going, I got grouchy and mean to anyone who got in my way! I realized I would rather have a few things out of place, than to be constantly on my children or resentful at their little unintentional tornado ways. I liked my old self better. For me, being more perfect as a parent means relaxing my standards a little for some things, so I'm not so uptight. I have a saying on a wall of the house: "the most important things in life aren't things." Do you ever get caught up in things? Cleaning things, buying things, looking at other peoples things? Its nice to remember that the most important things are the ones that are less tangible-- happiness, love, knowledge, the feeling a child carries around in his or her heart that there are no things more important to you than she is.
What is it that I am placing as first priority? Perfectionism can undermine balance big time, and balance is the essence of perfect (not the appearance of perfection, because then something is probably out of balance)! In the end, where your "treasure lies" is where you spend the best parts of your time and energy. I find that when I spend most of my time on my house, it becomes my "treasure" by default. It becomes the thing I have invested the most time in and therefore the thing I want most to protect. Thankfully, the same is true for my little people, when I put them first (though sometimes my house is that "good" thing!).
I do enjoy being better! I love the feeling I get when I improve myself, especially as I look back in time and compare my new self with my old self. One of the reasons I love being Christian is the beauty of grace, since I fall short no matter how hard I try, and the power of Christ to change my very nature.
But I found this book to be a helpful reminder that perfect (I wrote about this here) and perfectionism are pretty much opposites.
This particular book was very sensitively written, for those perfectionists out there who are a little, well, sensitive!
I would love to hear your thoughts. Do you see it when things cross over into perfectionist territory? How does it make you feel? (I feel awful) Are there things that you just can't not be perfect with, that you struggle to allow yourself some space to be a little less than perfect? (my husband probably wishes I were a perfectionist with a few things) How do you keep the balance between bettering yourself and not allowing perfectionism to undermine your long term goals, such as relationships with your children? LOL. Some parts of this post have been hard for me as I fought my inner perfectionist!
Monday, May 20, 2013
Some Weekend Images
I say some weekend images, you are going to have to use your imagination here! Sorry, there were many times I wished I'd had my camera!
One day my little four year-old was walking into an adjoining room with me following, when she tilted her head to the side and looked at me with measuring eyes as if she were just noticing something for the first time. She poked a little finger in my direction and said "oh. Look at your ears. They're very small. That's why you can't hear good." (no trust me, I have just gotten really bad about tuning you out!)
We folded an entire weeks clothes, since we've been washer/dryer-less, to the sound of The Black Cauldron (with lots of prompts from me to "listen while you fold!" as little ones drifted into the story). We sat in our mess and ate pizza with a tired Grandma and Grandpa, freshly moved.
Our after-church lunch on Sunday was as goofy a blend of different-aged chiming-in humor. Somehow the conversation went from crowns (my tooth), to being dubbed a knight by the Queen of England (and turning to bite the sword each time it touched a shoulder). Huh? We were laughing so hard (me, sometimes in horror at things like the latter, or in horror at my own un-funny contributions, or at my husband's bewilderment that any of us could find any of it so funny-- ok, he did laugh a little).
We went for a walk on Sunday afternoon. The mountains were a gorgeous neon green, with clouds playing checkers on jutting grey granite and black spotted pines and white capped snow. The sky was a brilliant blue, slow-motion bumper-car puffball clouds, some melting into a misty grey almost as if they emanated from the ancient rock. We traipsed across the garden, lined with rows of sprouting green and mud, across a pebble path, through some weeds, and across our neighbor's lawn. We peered into a tree to see a magpie nest and tried to spy one of the baby birds before they've all left the nest, as mama bird perched anxiously on a nearby tree and crowed at us protectively.
When we were somewhat unsuccessful (sweet nest, I tell you) (only saw one baby, who wasn't very cooperative at giving us a good look), we scattered into various directions, little eyes looking at bugs or throwing rocks. I waded into some knee high grass under a bending white willow thick with the smell of hollow-soil-- rotting wet tree bits and the fresh twang of wet spring grass. We held our breath when we saw a fuzzy throated baby magpie just on the branch above us, hopping clumsily about on his branch.
Then we swashed back the way we came, leaving a winding tunnel of pressed grass in our wake, and undoubtedly a happy relieved baby and mama bird.
We decided to (redirect) a couple of restless little wandering littles and walked instead down the path in the other direction. The gravel crunched beneath our feet, the syncopated rhythm of big strides and little as we talked in breathless excitement and breathed in the late afternoon coolness. The sky to the north had a decided veil of misty grey reaching from cloud-tip to yellow, burnt orange, new green, and brown grasses. I wrapped my arm around a little four year old's protruding tummy and pointed, showing her how the water in the clouds gets heavy and falls down as rain. As we walked or skipped in our line of disparate heights and tempos, I breathed in the beautiful sky, the grass, as if saying hello to a long-lost friend. It hit me in that moment, how much I love all these big and little people I get to call my family, the people I get to share so many adventures with.
We walked toward the white house with the red barn where a man was feeding his chickens. And then it came. A few drops and then a whole sheet of gray had reached us just as we were anticipating some chicken feeding, made us stop in our tracks, laugh, wonder, and run! In a jagged line toward home, with shouts and laughs and littles boosted up on bigger backs.
We rushed inside and closed all of the windows one by one, a happy babble and dripping things. Then we enjoyed a little treat around the table as we watched the rain come down outside, shrouding everything and sprinkling the windows in happy tears.
One little girl went back out, unbeknownst to us, until we saw her streaking through the rain on her bike, with streaming wet hair and a smile on her face! (that girl!)
A do-nothing happy day.
One day my little four year-old was walking into an adjoining room with me following, when she tilted her head to the side and looked at me with measuring eyes as if she were just noticing something for the first time. She poked a little finger in my direction and said "oh. Look at your ears. They're very small. That's why you can't hear good." (no trust me, I have just gotten really bad about tuning you out!)
We folded an entire weeks clothes, since we've been washer/dryer-less, to the sound of The Black Cauldron (with lots of prompts from me to "listen while you fold!" as little ones drifted into the story). We sat in our mess and ate pizza with a tired Grandma and Grandpa, freshly moved.
Our after-church lunch on Sunday was as goofy a blend of different-aged chiming-in humor. Somehow the conversation went from crowns (my tooth), to being dubbed a knight by the Queen of England (and turning to bite the sword each time it touched a shoulder). Huh? We were laughing so hard (me, sometimes in horror at things like the latter, or in horror at my own un-funny contributions, or at my husband's bewilderment that any of us could find any of it so funny-- ok, he did laugh a little).
We went for a walk on Sunday afternoon. The mountains were a gorgeous neon green, with clouds playing checkers on jutting grey granite and black spotted pines and white capped snow. The sky was a brilliant blue, slow-motion bumper-car puffball clouds, some melting into a misty grey almost as if they emanated from the ancient rock. We traipsed across the garden, lined with rows of sprouting green and mud, across a pebble path, through some weeds, and across our neighbor's lawn. We peered into a tree to see a magpie nest and tried to spy one of the baby birds before they've all left the nest, as mama bird perched anxiously on a nearby tree and crowed at us protectively.
When we were somewhat unsuccessful (sweet nest, I tell you) (only saw one baby, who wasn't very cooperative at giving us a good look), we scattered into various directions, little eyes looking at bugs or throwing rocks. I waded into some knee high grass under a bending white willow thick with the smell of hollow-soil-- rotting wet tree bits and the fresh twang of wet spring grass. We held our breath when we saw a fuzzy throated baby magpie just on the branch above us, hopping clumsily about on his branch.
Then we swashed back the way we came, leaving a winding tunnel of pressed grass in our wake, and undoubtedly a happy relieved baby and mama bird.
We decided to (redirect) a couple of restless little wandering littles and walked instead down the path in the other direction. The gravel crunched beneath our feet, the syncopated rhythm of big strides and little as we talked in breathless excitement and breathed in the late afternoon coolness. The sky to the north had a decided veil of misty grey reaching from cloud-tip to yellow, burnt orange, new green, and brown grasses. I wrapped my arm around a little four year old's protruding tummy and pointed, showing her how the water in the clouds gets heavy and falls down as rain. As we walked or skipped in our line of disparate heights and tempos, I breathed in the beautiful sky, the grass, as if saying hello to a long-lost friend. It hit me in that moment, how much I love all these big and little people I get to call my family, the people I get to share so many adventures with.
We walked toward the white house with the red barn where a man was feeding his chickens. And then it came. A few drops and then a whole sheet of gray had reached us just as we were anticipating some chicken feeding, made us stop in our tracks, laugh, wonder, and run! In a jagged line toward home, with shouts and laughs and littles boosted up on bigger backs.
We rushed inside and closed all of the windows one by one, a happy babble and dripping things. Then we enjoyed a little treat around the table as we watched the rain come down outside, shrouding everything and sprinkling the windows in happy tears.
One little girl went back out, unbeknownst to us, until we saw her streaking through the rain on her bike, with streaming wet hair and a smile on her face! (that girl!)
A do-nothing happy day.
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