Oh, how these children love the pool. If they had their way, they’d never go to the beach. None of them can really get past the salty part, and they’re too small to really grasp the awesomeness of boogie boarding. Only Ellery loves it, as she is content to hang out in the world’s largest sandbox, mixing and stirring and building.
So we’re spending a lot of time in the pool.
Clearly, the best investment we’ve made so far is the killer whale pool toy, which has Neko beside herself with excitement. She’s been dreaming of a killer whale she can really ride, and before our eyes she has transformed the pool into our own private Shamu show.
Shep? He’s hiding from the camera this trip. But I swear he was here.
With a massive drive to make to get to the beach, we decided it might be wise to break it into two chunks. So we stopped to see an old friend along the way. She has two kids, so it was perfect for us all to hook up.
One of the features of the place Julie took us to was a working farm. Where, out of all there was to do, Neko found a huge pen of chickens, and reached nirvana. I love that we travel so far to see new things, and she seeks out the comforts of home.
It was fantastic to see Julie and the kids, and we were overwhelmed by her hospitality. Exhausted, everyone climbed into bed far too late, trying to catch a few hours of sleep before we continued our journey.
One of the things that happens when you live in a small town is that the phone could ring on Tuesday and be someone trying to sell you something or it could be your friend who works at the library and would like your kids to dress up as book characters and march in the Independence Day Parade.
Of course, I said “yes” and then promptly pushed it out of my head until Friday, at which time Neko decided to be the girl from The Red Book and Shep decided to be Harry Potter, neither of which we had any of the costume pieces for as of Friday night. I had this really great idea for someone to be the pigeon from the Mo Willems books, holding a big sign that said, “LET ME DRIVE THE FLOAT!” But none of the kids seemed to think my idea was as funny as I did, which I sense is a recurring theme in parenthood.
So Tom sewed a cloak and then he and Shep went shopping for glasses and a scarf. Then I furiously knitted my first hat, crossing my fingers that I would finish in time for the parade. (I did!) Kudos to Neko for wearing a hat and scarf in 90° weather.
Then off we went. Ellery graciously understood that she was too little to participate, bless her, and became more concerned about finding the nearest bathroom.
Despite apprehension, the kids had a great time, and delighted in the goodie bags they received for participating. And people, if you do not smile at Shep dressed as Harry Potter, your heart is made of stone. He was making folks smile up and down the block.
Then it was back home to watch fireworks with friends and family from our very own yard. Nothing like fireworks in your pajamas, folks…nothing quite like it.
As of late, we’ve been trying to let the kids to do more things on their own. They get dressed on their own, get their own drinks and forks, and help set the table. Neko has recently mastered scrambled eggs, which is good on all fronts, because I’m doing less work and everyone is eating more protein.
This is rather excruciating for someone with my personality, who really likes to see a job done right. Who stays up at all hours making sure things are just so. Who has an innate impulse to jump in and help out and sometimes commandeer a project.
This morning Shep wanted to help make muffins. Actually, that’s not true, he wanted to make the muffins all by himself. With no help. Pouring and mixing and putting batter into the pan. It wasn’t how I would do it, but he did a bang-up job for a five-year-old.
And there it is. The hardest thing I’ll do in parenting—letting them do it themselves, in their own way, and tucking their own accomplishments or failures under their belts. The hardest thing, but, clearly, one of the most important.
Okay, really it’s a jump rope wrapped around car seats, but Tom and I couldn’t stop laughing when we walked out to discover Neko had rigged up some “laser vision” for Shep.
I was busy cleaning up the kitchen when I noticed Neko kept zipping in and out, grabbing snacks and a few other things.
When I hadn’t heard voices for a few minutes, I looked out the window and saw all three of my little ones, having a picnic under the big tree, talking and laughing with one another.
Graduation night brings a row of nervous five-year-olds in miniature graduation caps. They sang us some songs and received diplomas.
Shep has been beside himself with excitement for weeks about this night, making sure all the important people would be in attendance. We made sure to get pictures with Cindi and Julie, and his treasured “girlfriend” Eleanor (whom Ellery treasures just as much).
He was so excited when we got home, he slept in his cap and shirt. Okay, I know it’s only a preschool graduation, but I have to admire the kid’s enthusiasm.
We made it to the last day of preschool for Shep! Swimming and a picnic cap off the year. Shep was running around so quickly, I barely had a chance to catch him in the frame.
After years of walking in Neko’s shadow, it’s been exciting to see him step out on his own.
Yesterday was all kinds of bad. Tom left early Friday morning for San Francisco. I stayed up too late the night before. And the kids? They’ve been simmering for a few weeks.
At some point I’ll write down the details of the day when I have time to do it justice. It started miserably, but ended well. And left us all spent.
Today we took it slow. After swimming lessons, I parked myself under a tree. For hours. It started by keeping an eye Daisy to make sure she didn’t eat the chickens, which meant I had to stay put. I brought out my phone and listened to my book club book, which I downloaded a week or so back.
And I sat. And sat. An hour in, my mom walked up the hill and sat with me, which you would think we do all the time, with them just down the hill and all. But life gets busy and then you don’t. But today we did!
Neko and Shep created a massive mud puddle with the hose, stripped off all their clothes, and got as muddy as they’ve ever been. And we just sat and laughed.
We only took a little break to go in and take a few photos of Ellery, who passed out in her beanbag chair reading a book during quiet time.
Funny what happens when you force yourself to stop moving. I hope for more of that this summer.
