god bless america.

we spent the weekend camping at the farm with our friend, reg.
who decided that a boy of eight should learn how to fly our flag.
and have it folded properly by dusk.
so they did.
but not until after he had moved the flagpole to the perfect spot.
memorial day is the one day each year that we all get to be pontys.
this year, andy got to join the kids and drive a jeep in the parade.
pics to follow...

drew & mason.

it was 90 degrees. and noon.
but with a thunderstorm in the forecast, we decided to go for it anyway.
and we were so glad that we did.
we just followed these two around the gardens
while they explored every pond, bridge and moss covered walkway. together.
the colors were amazing.
crystal blue eyes, red hair, gardens in full bloom.
there are no black & white shots from this day.

(pre)school's out for summer.

it's been a great year... we're both going to miss it. and them.

hey, wake up!

immune to all of my baby-waking tricks,
liza's brand new nephew was quite the little charmer.
as i was going through images from his session, i had the
sandra boynton book running through my head:

"hey big guys,
open your eyes.
what do you say?
it's a brand new day!
yawn, stretch,
touch your toes...."

tooth fairy.

a couple visits from the tooth fairy later...
and a few more to come.
(like the other one just dangling there)
love. this. age.
court can't wait to lose her first tooth
so she can whistle, too.

heat wave.

boys will be boys and little sisters will probably never leave them alone.

twirly girl.

yes, i take millions of pictures of her twirling.
she's happy go lucky. carefree.
almost "every the time"...
but especially in this dress.

cracks me up.

her name is marley and she reminded me of cole and obi.
made me miss him.
(but not that drooly tongue)

giggle.

in between all of the
preparing
and cooking
and washing
and folding of baby clothes
and visits to the hospital
there was plenty of giggling.



(taken by my mom. thanks, mom.)

leavin' on a jetplane.

what an excellent traveler.
as easy as going alone, but way more fun.
she had some pretty good questions along the way,
which reminded me of what the world looks like through
four year old eyes.
"can dogs drive?"

loved.

loved:
the light,
the colors,
the expressions,
the location,
the morning.
thanks for sharing your sweet family, laura.

babysitting.

dear zac & erin,
don't worry, court taught her everything she knows.
love, t

their mom.

they didn't argue all day.
played together.
took a picture with me,
and nobody cried.
they worked hard all day
to make me feel like the luckiest mom in the world.

but i already did.

what a precious gift to be their mom.
it's my favorite thing to be.

first thing.

the first thing i heard when i woke up yesterday was,
"court. come in my room. we need to have a secret meeting."
the first thing i smelled was bacon.
the first thing i saw was my husband,
making every single breakfast food under the sun.
and the lilacs and homemade cards and newspaper.

the first thing i felt was love.

ordinary days.

ordinary days are the best days. my favorite days.
the days when i realize that i would have missed something
if we had other plans written on the calendar.
a conversation.
a spontaneous moment.
a "look at what i can do, mom!".
a question.
i'm scheduling more ordinary days this summer.
for sure. so i don't miss these things.

i read this quote last night for the first time.
it's a thought that runs through my busy mind every single day.
so i had to post it, in hopes that i remember to live it.
because these precious ages of eight and four will soon be nine and five.
and so on.

sugar and spice, everything nice.

brooke. kate. erin. annie. tess.
thank goodness ruthie is funny.
enjoy, b. xoxo