BITE

Recently, our boys were both bit by a rattlesnake.  This snake has not been found but our boys survived.  Our first weeks of summer were turned upside down by the venomous bite.  Critter catchers, pest control experts, vets, medications and caring for our boys have consumed our every breath.  Our noble boys took a bite for the family and warned us of the dangers that can lurk outside.  It is amazing how dogs never stop serving and protecting their masters.  They are our heros and we are so incredibly grateful for them.

by the water

There is just something about the water that calms us all and especially sets little souls free.  

No toys accompanied a last minute trip to the water recently.  As we walked the shoreline, I begun to worry that my girls wouldn't really let loose and dig with their hands or splash with their feet.  I thought our unplanned trip would end prematurely because I hadn't taken the time to bring EVERYTHING we could possibly need from home.  We literally threw towels and water bottles into a bag and headed out to the much anticipated water.   

To my utter delight their hands got dirty,

 their shoes came off {and became floating experiments},

 they splashed,

 they got in the water

 and they did not want to leave.

I am encouraged that we might have found a new pleasing pastime for everyone this summer.    

running for the door...

The school doors are shut, the temperatures are rising, lawn mowers are humming, the sprinklers are spraying and that means we are running for the door.  Everything bright, alive and new awaits us outside.  Summer is here and we can't wait to experience it outdoors!  Happy Summer everyone!

GONE.

They are gone.  We finally took the leap, which feels more like a dive into the deep dark trenches of parenthood.

She is making motor boat sounds with her little Binky-less mouth now in the crib.  This after an hour of crying and asking where the "bubees" are.  Now and then desperate cries for "Mama" or "Dada" fill the speakers of the monitor that lies on my dresser.  When the red lights fill to their maximum my heart breaks for my girl who doesn't really understand.

I always thought getting rid of the Binky would be easy.  I had listened to stories about friends who had done it and it didn't really seem that bad.  After all, they can't walk around with Binkies forever.

I called my folks for consolation and guidance like I always do.  It didn't help when their advice was "Oh, just give them to her.  How can you stand to hear her cry?  Poor girl."  Those were my feelings exactly!

It is going to be a long night.

She did so well this evening when we told her to retrieve them from her room so we could pitch them into the garbage.  She happily made her way down the stairs with three Binkies in her little hands.  She seemed to understand when we told her that she was a big girl now and big girls don't use Binkies.

She didn't hesitate when we told her to throw them away.  She didn't flinch when she saw her beloved binkies  fall into the heap of trash in the bottom of the can.  But...who could resist being so brave with the attention of her big sister watching.

Bye, bye binkies and thank you for your many months of service to our little babe.

On our last trip to her room this evening, she looked up at us with tears in her eyes and streaming down her red puffy face and said, "Ahh Don."  She then quietly laid down.

I never dreamed this would be so hard.  All these decisions that lay on our hearts as parents consume so much.

I will remember this night forever.

holiday weekend

This weekend has always seemed like the gateway to summer.  The weather is always warmer, school is out (for the most part), and the days are long giving way to lots of time to just enjoy the breezy warm evenings.  With thoughts of summertime, the beach always seems to creep into my mind.  Those carefree days of smooth sand, rhythmic swooshing waves and the water delight my every sense. 

I yearn for those simple days: watching a man tend his tables by the sea, sandy little feet, pails and shovels, endless sand digging, seagulls gliding and the feeling that nothing is more important than just watching my babes by the sea.

But for now, we will just enjoy the little molded plastic pool that sits on the back deck just beckoning for the little people to fill it's textured bottom.  The Adirondack chairs are more comfortable than beach chairs anyway...

Enjoy your long weekend whether it be far away or at your own little oasis at home.

summer accessories

With the return of the heat, comes the return of all the summer accessories.  Our summer accessory staples are hats and sunglasses.  I have a thing for kids and hats.  They are just too cute to pass up.

This little one was proud to show off her sister's summer accessories on a recent outing.  Fashioned all by herself, she wore these items for hours, incredibly proud of her summer accessories.
























I think classic floppy straw hat and retro Wayfarer shades are the perfect classic summer accessories!

JCrew

   Ray-Ban

Here's to enjoying some of your favorite accessories on the brink of summer!

holding back laughter

I was overcome with hysterical laughter this morning at church.  I realize that during a church service is not the best place to be consumed with hysteria, tears and laughter but that is where it happened.

As we were sitting below the altar listening to the children's sermon {at our church, the children are called up during the service to hear the children's message -- most parents come along to sit with their children, or in my case, to manage the behavior of my little one}, my babe decided that she needed to go back to our pew to retrieve her diaper bag.  I confidently ignored this behavior and decided that I would model proper behavior during the children's sermon rather than cause a scene in front of the entire congregation.

After a minute, she trudged back up to the font of the church dragging her diaper bag behind.  I acknowledged her reappearance and asked her to sit and listen to the pastor's message.  She stubbornly sat down behind me with the diaper bag.  She beamed with smiles.  Again, I neglected to listen to that little voice inside and just ignored her behavior.  Model, model, model...and maybe, just maybe she would do what she should and sit nicely and listen.

via

Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that my girl was laying a diaper out on the floor.  I felt hot redness surging all over my body.  But again, I chose not to engage her...at least she was quiet.  I looked again after I noticed a fellow mother catch my eye and giggle.  When I turned around my girl was laying down on top of the diaper and grabbing her crotch and laughing.

via

I lost it.

  

Laughing...

Hysteria...

Disbelief that this was MY child...

Embarrassment at what others might think of MY behavior...

Tears streamed down my face worst than a good cry...

 via

I quietly told her that I could not change her diaper {which was not wet, by the way} and asked her to put her things away.  Again, I turned my back and out of complete desperation, I just listened to the end of the story.

When it was time to return to our pew, my girl had put all her things away and emphatically insisted on dragging the diaper bag back to the pew.

When I sat down, I breathed a huge sigh of relief. 

Hallelujah!  

Dear me, under pressure, I don't do well and it seems that laughter always erupts.