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.
Hello, summer.
Last day of school!
Lordy, it’s been a big week.
Teacher gifts were made. We like to give a token of appreciation to all those involved, even assistants and custodial, so I think we ended up making twenty gifts in all. Thank goodness I came up with this simple solution.
Wednesday night we prepared for the Annual Egg Drop, where students try to create a vehicle that insures the safety of a raw egg as it falls from the roof of the school. Neko and I spent the evening refining concepts and dropping them from the loft. Sure, it was one step away from prepping something for FedEx, but there was lots of talk about how to properly cushion something for an inevitable blow. Her ultimate product: an egg inside a plastic container filled with cotton balls, placed inside a cardboard box filled with balls of yarn.
Thursday night brought the graduation ceremony where Neko could barely hold it together. Public performance is one of her least favorite things, plus the week had been filled with angst about saying goodbye to Kaili, her big kid partner since kindergarten. When the ceremony was over, she didn’t even want to stay to see her friends. She got a hug from Kaili, grabbed a cookie and told me she wanted to go home. As we started our drive, I looked in my rear view mirror to see her, head against the window, sobbing.
I so love this part of our school, that the big kids are like family. Kaili has been a rock for Neko these past two years, the big sister she doesn’t have. I've made promises of babysitting and ice skating dates, but that doesn’t seem to help the fact that she won’t see her on the playground next fall.
Even though it was late, we spent some time in the hammock, holding chickens, talking about the night and watching the bats emerge for the night. “That was really hard for me,” she said quietly. “I know,” I replied. “And I am so proud of you.”
Today was the picnic and egg drop. The rain stayed at bay, the mood was light, and Neko’s egg made the fall intact. The day ended with no tears, but the inevitable buzz of adrenaline before falling into bed.
I’ve never run a marathon, but I think I might know what it’s like when you cross that finish line. Summer…here we come.
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.
Yet another beloved Kindergarten teacher is leaving us. Like Heather, she’s sad to go, but life is calling her up north, so I suppose we’ll let her go.
Big thanks to Nancy A. for organizing a going away party so the girls could wish her well. Erin, you will be missed!
(Yes, Neko is wearing a cat collar. I’ll let you dream up your own explanation.)
I often think one of the best gifts I can give my kids is one another. Neko and Shep have been the best of friends as of late. So when they asked for a sleepover, even on a school night, I just couldn't say no.
Did you know my father grew up on a farm? When he got older he went running as fast as he could for a big city. In their time, my parents lived in St. Louis, Pasadena, and Philadelphia. But then they began the steady decline back into rurality (totally not a word, but I’m claiming it). And now? He’s back to living on a farm. Very full circle.
You’d never know he lived on a farm until he runs into a snake. And then suddenly a ten-year-old boy appears in our midst. In the time we’ve been here, he’s managed to find a slew of snakes, and Neko is right behind him cheering him on.
They’re beginning to perch! Which is really quite entertaining, especially when they’re all in a row.
On a side note, did you know chickens love hot air balloon rides? Apparently this is something only seven-year-olds know.
I’m not sure if I’m referring to the chickens or the seven-year-olds. But having five chickens came in quite handy when I got brave enough to have five girls over for a super-sized playdate. Thank goodness Nancy H. was there. She gets full credit for this photo, as I was trapped under a cranky three-year-old.
And thanks to Susie for hosting Shep, so the we could book a bit of quality girl time.
This is really not what I pictured when I thought about getting chickens.
This morning I found Neko loading the chickens into Ellery’s Calico Critters house. My first impulse was to rescue the girls from the hands of an eager seven-year-old. But then I noticed they were all snoozing away in their cozy beds.
I’m not sure how they’re going to take to the coop after this. I imagine it might be like moving from the Four Seasons to the Holiday Inn.
We went to a picnic yesterday at a friend’s house. Besides an incredibly fun zip line (yes, we’re looking into one…wheee!), Neko found this big snail. She carried around with her the whole night, and Kate C. was kind enough to let us take it home.
It will be returning to its nature home shortly, but in the meantime, it is much beloved.