Bless Her Heart

Papa...

I still remember the day he told me he couldn't wait to have children.  I don't think either of us could have possibly imagined what that would look like.  How could you really?   We just knew that our portrait included more than just us.  I look back at pictures of us from when the boy was born and can't believe how young we were, just kids ourselves on so many levels.  Much like my parents before us, we have grown up along with our children.  Sometimes I wonder how we got here.  I look around my home and these big kids and wonder how in the world we are the parents of these children. These wonderful, incredible children.  How did we make it?  Believe me, I know it's not over, and we have plenty of crabby days around here...but we are so far removed from walking the halls with a baby over your shoulder or leaving the pool with a screaming toddler.  The crazy thing is those days feel like yesterday. I marvel at how we got past those 'in the trenches' years.  Dumb luck and lots and lots of love I think.  But along with that is a partner that holds you up when you don't think you can keep moving forward...when you are bone tired from walking a teething baby or two weeks of relentless chickenpox.  I often get caught up in the daily grind and forget to stop and acknowledge what an incredible papa he is.  Truth is there is just no way this family would be what it is without him...without his work, his love, his laugh.  Nothing fills this house up with laughter faster than when he walks in the door.  Speaking of that...he just walked in.  G'night.  <3

Summer Stride...

 

We are carving out a stride as the summer days go by...finding a rhythm.  We hide from the heat, seek out the water, bury our noses in books.  We stay up too late.  We declare it's quiet time (and hope for the best).  Children tip-toe down stairs and beg to sleep on the couch or the floor.  I give in most of the time.  Why not?  All in all the summer seems simpler now that the kids are getting older.  I can work from home and set them up for a few hours with a solo craft project or a book and then we can settle into a family trip or project in the afternoon.  Mind you, it's only June...but so far the prospects look good for a nice, lazy summer...just as it should be.

These are days to remember...

The girl and I made our first Peach Buckle of the season with stupendous local peaches from the farmer's market.  It was so lovely to be in the kitchen with her, peeling, slicing, mixing...tasting.  It's nice to take pause and see her learning to feel comfortable in the kitchen.  She moves easily from table to countertop, and even to oven.  I remember similar moments from my own childhood, when I started to learn the corners of the kitchen from my mama.  What a gift she gave me the first time she put a tasting spoon to my mouth after a whirlwind of preparation for some dinner.  For years my mother's cooking was magical, mysterious even.  How could you take seemingly regular ingredients and put them together just so, and end up with something that tasted so incredible.  Each simple layer that had been added was still representative of itself, and yet somehow became part of a complex whole that made my tastebuds come alive.  I still remember the first time I made cookies by myself (Pistachio Sandies).  The sense of amazement I had that I could make something like that all on my own made quite an impact on me.  I remember being so proud when my papa came home and I handed him a plate of cookies. Even though I was alone in the kitchen I hadn't really made them all on my own....it was years of watching my mother, listening to her little hints and responding to her guidance.  Even today when I'm dicing onions for a sauce I can hear her reminding me to dice them smaller...and maybe even a little smaller again or to roast the cumin seeds before I add them so they'll release their flavor and won't be chewy.  I don't think I ever saw her use a measuring spoon, it was always just a little of this and a pinch of that.  She taught me to trust by taste rather than measurement, a skill that I will be forever grateful for, and something that never would have come naturally to me.  Generally speaking I'm a measure twice kind of gal.

There are precious few parenting moments where you really feel like, blessedly, things have slowed down around you.  When the girl and I were making our buckle, the sweet summertime moments stretched out to a nice long afternoon baking together.  I enjoyed her easy laughter in the kitchen, and her neverending stories as she stirred the batter.  As I was watching my daughter's hands learn to deftly slice the peaches I could  hear my mama's words coming right out of my mouth...You can stop slicing now honey, those peaches look 'just about right'. Thank you mama.  <3

Onward and Upward...

What's next?  On Wednesday The Boy officially moved up and out of elementary school.  Come fall we will be collectively entering the world of middle school and all that implies.  He's beside himself with anticipation and joy.  Each year that passes he is a little more comfortable in his own skin and this year was no exception.  I credit his teachers in large part for his growth.  The end of the year ceremony was touching and really highlighted why we love their school so much.  His teachers were the perfect balance for him...tough, compassionate, encouraging. I think he really felt like he could trust them with his ideas.  When it came to class projects, he really gave it his all and I think he felt like his ideas were met with appreciation and acknowledgment of the their worth. That being said...I think he also really had FUN.  His teachers were hilarious, witty and undeniably hip.  Thanks for the memories, 5th Grade...it's been real.  Now?  Summer!

Another milestone...

We had a jam packed week/weekend...full of transitions and getting ready to move into summer.  Saturday morning started with Fiona's bridging ceremony.  Some of the older girls from her Daisy troop were bridging to Brownies, and some of the older Brownies were bridging to Juniors.  I was a Girl Scout on and off in elementary school, but my experience mostly consisted of making god's eyes and selling thin mints.  I don't remember any rituals to speak of.  Needless to say, I was a pleasantly surprised at what unfolded before me during the ceremony.  I don't know how it was lost on my that Brownie Girl Scouts are named after brownies...as in little helpful elves.  Who knew?  I guess you probably did, but I just associated the name with the little brown uniforms...not a kinda groovy fairy tail.  Our troop leader chose to have them 'bridge' at the botanical gardens.  She would walk them halfway over the bridge and recite "Twist me, turn me, see the elf, I look in the mirror and I see myself.  They would lean over the bridge and spot their own reflections in the water.  I like the idea of my kids seeing themselves as mischievous little helpers.  Why not?  :)

After the Daisies bridged, the Brownies did...and then we all switched over to Zilker Park for an end of year celebration with both troops.  It left me feeling really excited about next year.  We had an awesome troop leader this year (pictured above)and it was a great introduction to Girl Scouts...South Austin style.  More pictures can be seen here. You'll have to excuse that some of them are little blurry, I'll admit, it's hard to focus with a little tear in your eye.