Sunday, June 28, 2015

Rainy days

The heavy rain was pouring down onto the saturated soil for hours, producing thumping sounds off my tilted roof. The tallest trees blew side to side like they were dancing to the sounds they were hearing. Outside was still, with no movement other than the thick rain, chilly temperatures, and gloomy skies.


My children stood with their faces pressed against the screen door as they watched the water bead off their pool. Sadly, they asked to be outside multiple times. I turned them down as the thunder rolled through and the chilly air blew off their faces, causing me to close the glass slider.

The rainy day prevented my children from being in their favorite place, the great outdoors. They weren't able to pretend, using only their minds and explore, using only their imaginations. They weren't able to swim for hours in the pool that they so desperately love. They flopped onto the floor with disappointment and hesitation of not knowing what to do next.

I offered up some suggestions... 

They indulged.

We had fun.

The sad, rainy day, was turned into an indoor enjoyable exploration. We didn't need the outdoors to imagine. Instead, the indoors offered up just as much fun. We made a boat from two cardboard boxes (both kids decorated their own), then we pretended to sail the seven seas in search of treasure. 

We dressed in costumes and played batman, robin, and superman fighting the joker, penguin, and the riddler.

We played Equestria Girls' battle of the bands fighting the sirens.

Puzzles were completed.

Paintings were created.

Simple, indoor fun was had.

Even though my children, who love being outdoors from sunrise to sunset, weren't able play outside, we still made the best out of the day. Likewise, they learned that they can do just as much indoors, as they can outdoors. 

The rainy day that started off with a somber tone, ended with giggles, laughter (lots of laughter), and new memories being made. Because you don't only need sunshine and warm temperatures to have fun. You just need a great imagination and your family spending time together.

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Longing for bedtime

Some days it seems to take forever for the vibrant sun to dip below the earths horizon and darken the sky to night. But when the moon finally emerges, that's when the hours quickly pass. My house becomes eerily silent and I find myself watching the minutes tick away on the clock. On harder days, I beg for bedtime. Wishing hours away. But once that time comes, I find myself not knowing what to do with my free time. I clean, fold laundry, put toys away, but that briskly ends when you don't have other people being counterproductive.

I drop back onto an empty couch, where I sit in a semi candle lit room, reeling my head with the days memories.

I wait for the word mommy to be called in unison, and repetitively. I find my body lighter, without someone hanging off of it. My chest empty, from lack of hugs. My ears ringing, from no questions being asked.

Those few hours from their bedtime until mine, is sometimes the loneliest. 

I miss their happy faces. Their excited nature. The fact that they have to tell me everything they're doing. They're thirst for wanting to know more. Their love and affection. Their creative nature. Their funny, silly ways.

They are an extension of me.

On any given day, you can't tell where my body ends and theirs begins.

Love of a family is the greatest accomplishment of all. At this point in my life, I will never be loved so much by someone, ever. I will never be the most important person in their lives, their complete center of attention, and the best person to talk to. Eventually, I will be all those opposites. 

So on those "hard days," I sit at night and think about all those future times when I won't be pulled in every direction and have to provide my all everyday. Those are the times where I sit and stare at my children's monitor, or scroll through dated pictures and wonder where all this time is going. Trying to imagine a time where life will be different and of course, knowing that time will creep up without me realizing. 

Until then, I will push off that time as much as humanely possible and relish in the now. Gathering all the hugs and kisses I can. Being loving and praising, even when I'm gritting my teeth. Being patient, even when I want to run away. Avoiding those "begging for bedtime" days, but most importantly, knowing that when they do happen, my children and I will still love each other more than life itself.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Mid Week Revelation: Cravings

I made it through two pregnancies without any weird cravings. In fact, the weirdest cravings I had were tasty-cake cupcakes and steak -which both were consumed vigorously. However, I now get to experience different combinations of foods vicariously through my son's new daily diet of pickles, cheese, and ketchup. Leaving me grateful for my binge eating cupcake escapades.

Sunday, June 7, 2015

Our summer days

Summer days are not only a beautiful occasion, with the warm air blowing in the breeze and the hot sun beating down on our winter skin, but a time for childhood freedom. A time to run wild with endless imaginations unfolding. To utilize the outdoor space with no boundaries. 



As my children grow older, I want to memorize this time in space. I don't want to lose sight of the simplicity summer brings. 

All the laughter... All the giggles...

We happen to live in an area where the cold lingers many months longer than the warm. Our summers are short, very short. We have to utilize all the time we have, and in our household, we make the most out of everyday. During our winter months, the temperatures hit below freezing and into the single digits weeks at a time, so as my children stand and stare out the door at the luscious snow, they are unable to indulge in it. 

When the warm weather begins to emerge, say, 50 degrees, we are outside with our sweaters donned, from daylight to sundown. Exiling all the stuffed indoor air from our lungs and inhaling the crisp new air.

This summer is different because my son is one year older. As I mentioned in my previous post, he is talking much more and has developed his own personality. Which is incredible to watch both children mesh their creative ideas and generate fun adventures.

Just the two of them (and sometimes mommy too)... 

Siblings... Best friends...

They play for hours on the swing set, which my daughter has just learned how to swing herself without any assistance. My son is able to swing on the end bars, which he thinks is a huge deal. 



They play in our 10x30 pool the most. I mean the most. More than in the backyard. I believe that is because my son has conquered his fear of water. Last year, he stood in the chest high water as he whined to be rescued. This year, he thrashes and splashes like a manic, while his big sister (who has never disliked water for a second of her life) has learned to swim underwater with her mask. 

He drives his pink princess boogey board around like a wild boat, chasing his sister in a whirlpool... 

They ride their noodles like horses and have water gun fights... 

They sound just like they're supposed to -- Loud and laughing. 

Making memories to last a lifetime.



I was outside the other night watering my garden with both of my children, who were both dressed in their jammies ready for bed, they begged and pleaded to swim one more time... 

So they did...

Jammies and all...

That is what summer is all about. Spontaneous swimming, big wheel riding, powerwheel riding, outdoor adventure play, ninja warrior training, tree climbing, playing pretend restaurant, pretend store, roller skating, rolling down a hill, backyard woods hiking, and anything else they can conjure up... 

From sun up to sun down. 

No schedules or restrictions.

Just wet clothes dripping from my clothesline, waiting to dry.



Our summer days are special because they require no amount of money, just the willingness to have fun. The ability to be together as a family and enjoy everyone's company. To accept belly laughs as the norm and imagination as the forefront. To consume our meals on the patio, under the umbrella, with our bare feet and glass dishes.

This is what life's all about. Not chasing the dollar. Throwing out the schedules and the overbooking of events. Just to have limitless time and freedom to explore and discover what makes you happy. To watch children live so peacefully with simplicity and not miss out on anything.

I could forever be in my life and not regret one day. No amount of money could ever replace my time to be home and relish in the simple joys of watching my children enjoy this time of the year. Watching their faces as they accomplish something they worked so hard to achieve and watching their relationship blossom like the vegetables in our garden.

Our summer days will be etched in time forever. With each year bringing new beginnings, and thanks to our slow pace lifestyle, I could enjoy each one as they come.

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Mid Week Revelation: Mommy blogger

Mommy blogger dilemma... My daughter took a photo from her Kindle, stopped and reviewed it, then said, "oh my followers will love this, I should post this on Instagram."