In bloom

Our hydrangea trees are in bloom which makes it a treat to step out onto our porch, particularly in the early morning or late afternoon.  The blooms are alive with the buzzing bees and I bring them in by the fistful to decorate our table, mantles, anywhere.  I find them particularly beautiful while the children are napping, sipping coffee with knitting in hands, but I think this maybe happened once this summer.  I remember these trees being in bloom last year when we first came to look at this house....Maybe it's the approaching change of seasons, the cooler night air, the leaves that are starting to fall or Frances' talking more and seeming very much like a toddler and not very much like a baby but....I feel very aware of the passing time.  How precious to be here!

Slowing down

Since we returned from our big trip, the girls and I have been enjoying being real homebodies...nothing to do, no one to see, no where to go.  It's my favorite type of day, when we are able to move at our own pace.  Lounging on the couch reading books, playing outside all morning in our pjs, or going on an adventure if we feel up for it.  Certainly this slower rhythm really makes me feel we are soaking up the last days of summer.  And oh how I love to soak up the minutes with these girls.

At the Beach

Last week I packed the girls up and we headed up to New England.  Our first stop was to visit some dear friends in Lowell, MA and then we headed down to Rhodes Island to seeing my sister, Hilary, and Ken.  The highlight of our stay with them was spending a morning at the beach.  Neva had been very excited about being at ocean.  At first she was content to just stand with me at the edge of the water and hold my hand but eventually became really comfortable and even ventured way out with me in the waves.  Frances, however, was pulling her hand out of mine and racing out to sea from the moment we got there.  Oh these very different girls.

One month (or, quite possibly the most pictures I've ever put in one post)

Well, it's been a while.  Summer is officially here: heat waves and cicadas and all and it seems we've slipped into that nice lazy rhythm that reflects the longer days...staying up later, waking up earlier, and dawdling just a bit more in everything we do.  Neva is very much a three year old, asking WHY at a rather constant rate and always pretending to be somebody else (usually she takes on the identity of the cooler, older kids in her life: Maya and Jasper)  Frances is really starting to say so many words (well, they're words to us) and of course continually cracking us up with her fearless climbing.  We've been making new friends, visiting old friends, and saying goodbye to dear friends. 

{ this moment }

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

We've Been

.: splashing in rain, squishing in mud

.: spending warm summer mornings in the shady backyard: buckets of water, cup of coffee, nowhere to go

.: painting, cleaning up, setting up, daydreaming in our classroom

.: stacking, knocking down, cracking up, stacking up, knocking down, cracking up...

.: watching carefully as these little ones emerge, learn, defy, grow, delight

Three Years Old

On Thursday we celebrated Neva's third birthday!  In keeping with previous birthdays (ok, there have only been two!), it turned out to be a really hot day!  In the morning our sweet friends Kristen and Liem came over for some fun in the backyard.  After a long afternoon nap we headed to the grocery store to pick out a balloon.  Neva even got a lollipop from the man at the wine store!  When we got home Mum Mum and Popeye arrived for a birthday dinner and a few very sweet gifts from family. 

Throughout the day there were many calls from family and friends wishing Neva well on her birthday.  I was so touched to realize what a loved little girl she is and what a gift that is for a child--to be surrounded by love!

I found myself thinking so much during the day of Neva's birth, and what a joy it was to meet her!  I remember so clearly holding her in my arms for the first time and just being amazed at how I could love this person so intensely without knowing anything about her!  Now I have known Neva for three years and she is still such a delight to my heart!