A magical summer

Once outside, I feel the crisp cool air glide across my body and I instinctively shiver as it catches me off guard. The sun continues to be bright and the sky is blue, falsifying the feeling in the air. The trees and grass remain a luscious green... It's hard to believe that summer is winding down to a close.

I still feel like there is so much more that needs to be done. There are still princesses that need saving and dragons that need slaying. There are more woods that need exploring and fire pits that need building. Sooner than I know it, the fall will quickly turn into winter, leaving us house bound for the remaining months -Only stepping outside for school and the occasional sleigh riding.

I hesitantly packed away our pool for the season. My children splashed in the surrounding puddles that occurred from draining. They hopped in and out of the shallow water to grab one more quick swim -laughing and giggling, just like they did all summer. That little 10x30 pool will forever be one of my greatest memories from this summer. I will forever hear those words, "mommy can we hurry up and go in the pool" as soon as my eyes opened in the morning. My daughter and son swam from sun up to sun down -stopping only for food and outdoor play. But I must say, a lot of accomplishments happened this summer. My daughter learned how to swim underwater and above water for the first time without any type of floatation device and my son learned how to swim with only arm swimmies on. 

We spent so many of the daytime hours outside, creating adventures and imagining a new theme daily.

Hiking through our woods.

Building fires.

Setting up camp.

Climbing trees.

Playing on the swingset.

The farm season also is coming to an end, leaving our spooky forest rituals on hold until next spring. Also, no more horseback riding, feeding the various animals, or my children singing Love is an Open Door in the lattice gazebo that was nestled beside the flowing creek. 

The air will soon be too cold to bear the outside for longer periods. Closing in on the beautiful weather which brought so many new memories...

Sprinkler play.

My daughter's 5th birthday party.

My daughter accomplishing all 22 monkey bars at the playground.

Creek playing.

My daughter jumping off the diving board.

Our annual local amusement park trip.

Our beach trip.

And my daughter's first day of kindergarten.

With each passing year, I play a mental game with myself. I have a love/hate relationship with Father Time. I hate how quickly these seasons are fleeting and I feel like there isn't even enough time to grab a moment and enjoy it. But, I love how time is allowing new memories to be created. With time passing, development is progressing, and I get to watch this new incredible relationship form and change between my two children. This was the first summer where they played together not only as brother and sister, but friends. My son has reached a level where he is a communicating companion for his sister. A participant in her games, adventures, and ideas. He now has his own likes and dislikes and is able to voice everything. He now brings ideas to the table, instead of my daughter creating everything -and I must say, he has a competitive imagination with his sister. 

I think the hardest part of motherhood, is watching your children age in front of your eyes. While I'm enjoying all the new memories and changes, I have a hard time with how quickly stages come and go. Just like the seasons, memories are being tucked away, preparing for a new one.

So while I do have hundreds of photos from this summer, I'll still be replaying all the moments in my head. Smiling at each and every one as I remember how marvelous the season was. 

Closing my eyes to hear the sounds...

...And breathing in all the smells.

Knowing that I'll always have these to cherish, but knowing many new memories are yet to come. And maybe, just maybe, we'll make this winter the best one yet!