We always go through a seasonal transition when we are all home. It is an adjustment to all be together and around each other every day, without anyone going to work or school.

A good problem to have-really. Joe’s solution was these flowers, delivered to the house. A dozen roses arriving by mail, for moi? Because we aren’t the super romantic type I seriously thought the UPS man had the wrong address.

Surprises are wonderful.

Feeling loved is special.

These little ones keep sneaking into the bedroom, kneeling in admiration. Asking why? and I tell them it’s because daddy loves mommy. Which gets an “ahhhh” and an “us too” response.

A kid and parent kickball game was how Paul’s first grade wrapped up the year.

It wasn’t kids versus parents. It was more of the class being split in half and the parents kicking after their kids.
Joe was the pitcher for his team
while we sat on the sidelines and cheered for everyone.

There was incredible parent participation and my favorite part was at the end of the game, as the bell was about to ring, his teacher lined them up one last time and referred to them as second graders. It made my heart twinge a little with sadness and excitement.
I also really love this classmate of Paul’s, they look like they could be twins. Except when he looks at the photo, he thinks she looks like me. Either way, missing teeth plus curly hair equals cute!

When we found out a teacher from the child development center was leaving after decades, we were so sad. But then we learned she was taking a risk, traveling up the coast, and wanting a new adventure. This is brave, exciting, and inspiring. So we threw her a party this past weekend.

Thankfully Matt is staying. We love them both.

The potluck meal and bucket full of water balloons made for minimal effort. Bubbles and beach balls from the dollar tree made for inexpensive. Streamers and a sign by Joe made for some craftiness.

The overcast weather and low key vibe took us a bit by surprise. Better than expected.

I tend to be a “glass half-empty” girl. The last two weeks had an evite list growing exponentially and because I don’t consider myself outgoing, more of an introvert, I was quickly intimidated. But during the day, I stepped back and realized this was such a lovely party in the park, maybe next year we will have summer kick off. I won’t go it alone though, it would have to be a team effort again.

And I am always so happy when little Miss O has her own set of friends. She can branch away from all the boy play and just run around with sticks and eat strawberries.

This is the kind of field trip I have bragging rights on. Henry’s class walked across the street to the recycling center at the university.

Even the pictures give me happy reminders of working at the recycling center in college. It’s such a fascinating place for kids at this age and a great way to promote environmental awareness.The school year is winding down and I am slowly realizing. We have a second grader and kindergartener on our hands. Where did my babies go?

The hope is with summer arriving we will have plenty of play time with these little ones.

It is clear my boys have a sweet spot for babies.

Someone was “cookin’ up” the cuteness.

Park, dinner, and then everybody falls down like in the “Ring around the Rosie” song. Except I mean, they fall asleep good and fast from having so much fun.

Spending the morning with these two is full of funny moments. They like to laugh.I said I needed to go to the copy shop. She said “yum, I want coffee.” Later I said I wanted to stop in and grab a scone. She asked “what kind of bone?” She is constantly trying to make sense of information that I might be giving to Joe but she is overhearing.

At the dentist she was incredibly patient. When asked to pick out her flavor of flouride. She was given choices: grape, cherry, and bubble gum. She had the biggest smirk over choosing bubble gum.

No I did not forget that twice in the last week I have found her brother’s bubble gum wrappers piled under my night stand where she was sneaking them off, unwrapping them next to my bed, chewing, and then swallowing wads of gum. No wonder her tummy hurt. Still she makes me laugh. When I asked about them she said she was trying to hide them like easter eggs.

Joe was ironing while I was in the room trying to do a little homework. I came out of the bedroom and wondered aloud why I wasn’t hearing two little ones running around or arguing or laughing (Paul was still at school).

Then I found each of them busy on their own.He was excited to have some free time in his bedroom alone. He has been learning about the rainforest at school.

So with the globe at his side, crayons open wide, and toad (I have been corrected several times over the last couple of days-it is not a frog) in front of him, he was busy drawing. I heard him ask Joe if this summer we could visit the rainforest.She on the other hand, politely asked for some water and paper because she found watercolors.She was content to have silence in the kitchen as she created “rainbows” on paper.

Every time I look up I have to take a second glance. One just lost his first tooth. No blood. Just popped right out.

The other loves baseball more than anything. The season has ended but next year I am guessing we’ll sign up.And they are my boys. These two were babies in my arms and now look at them. I see their personalities developing and the ways they resemble Joe and I. It sends me straight to prayer. Their futures feel unknown and vast. Anything is possible.

jumpers in zebra print

sandals

picking up Henry from school

snack time with friends

piggie back rides from friends

a frog we will be watching all summer

and these two playing “mommy and daddy”

as they sleep in bed and daddy is on the computer typing.

And this is only Day Two!

Joe appropriately reminded me that “nothing lasts forever” as I struggled to pack it all. Part of me just wants to throw it all away, or sell it, or run for the hills.

The other part of me wants to reconsider staying in Room 3 where I know the kids, the families, the drama, the challenges… then I catch myself at this very point on the list. This is why I need to move on. I promised myself that I would stay as long as I was useful. It has taken sometime to admit that I have “hit a wall” in my career. Everyone’s burning question is “where will you be in the fall?” Their guess is as good as mine. I have hopes, ideas, and a few guesses but it’s not set in stone.

I am learning in these moments of chaos and overwhelming emotion to trust in God. To put one foot in front of the other. No leaps or bounds here, more like careful tip toeing or else I will loose my balance. At one point today I aloud said in exasperation and exhaustion “I need my mom.” Which translates to a “kick in the butt” because she can motivate me and provide the positive thinking required to get it done. She was at work and Joe wasn’t having any of it.

His father was a professional mover and he was having no complaining today. He kept moving even when I sat down for breaks. There was a job he came to do, and he was gonna get it done.

I left some of the book bins for the next teacher. Sort of a “pay it forward” gesture to whoever inherits this space and grade level. Also a reminder that “I can’t take it all” which is a mentality hard to break after years of accumulating. Disassembling the library took place in waves, I sorted through many books and was reminded of all the places and people who helped put my library together over the years. I am sentimental, I admit it.

We were going to rent a U-haul but luckily good friends (thank you Cullings) let us use their van. 

There is my hero who hung by me all day. He carried the last couple of loads, we took two trips, rented a storage unit, and another friend watched our rascals. This was an all day affair.

But we did it! Just the two of us!

And Olivine reminded me afterwards, what I so quickly had forgotten:

That it is time to party!

One more reason to celebrate.