May 15, 2016

Notes


warming up frozen pizza with a side of sunshine new lunch location daffodils to cure a lousy day wallpaper test run nap-time bits morning view rainy morning routine girls' lunch afternoon activities catnip and lavender barbershop and lollipop meals to beat the rain favorite jacket  new bed slumber quiet time with 'foxy' 'dusting'

I had my final evening of classes for this semester last Wednesday and, coupled with several days of our first real taste of summer weather, I am feeling almost giddy. The past month has seemed a haze of exhaustion and rain. There was so much to do, so many late nights and early mornings, sniffly noses and coughs, day after day of clouds and rain, and way too much 'screen time' and fast meals for the kids. We weren't in our typical (or preferred) spring rythm. But after some planting in the garden and a few sunny days this week, I finally feel like we are pulling it together! 

We have been slowly (well, by my standards!) working to make some changes in Smith and Roo's shared bedroom. We hung back up a few prints tonight, and it's pretty much complete. I know I shift their room constantly, and yeah it's a mild obsession... but I really think we almost have it right now! I can't wait to get a moment to take some pictures and share the progress. It's such a fun space, and truly reflects each of their personalities. There's nothing that beats a great kid's room, right?!

Another big push has been in preparing for Smith to enter kindergarten next year. It has been a substantial effort, mentally and emotionally wrapping our heads around the idea that he is old enough to even be entering a full day of real school, plus dealing with all the conflicting thoughts around public school in general, and the transition from his current Reggio Emilia based preschool. I've been attempting to get him ready for 'expectations', working on fun ways to spark his lagging interest in letters and numbers (building off his love of science and nature, as best I can). And then there's all the logistical issues and paperwork that come with pushing through an existing speech IEP (for those of you who know what that is!), switching districts... There have been a lot of late night talks with James, my mom, just to myself over all of this. We've had last minute debates on private schools, and a million second and third thoughts. But I do think we've chosen the right course. And if not? Well then we will just make a change. I have to keep reminding myself that nothing is irreversible. And of how fortunate we are to live in an area with impeccable public schools, something I certainly don't take for granted.

So that is some of what we have been up to since my last visit here. Seeds have been thrown in the gound, house projects have been completed, forms have been filled out, screens have been temporarily banished (well, for the kids anyway), and I have that super optimistic high that comes with the promise of every new season. There may be a frost warning tonight, but I've committed to sandals and packed away my winter coats. It's time!


*I always feel slightly sheepish to return to this space with a collection of week-old snapshots from my phone. There just hasn't been the time, or interest, to pick up my camera in the last month, and I find that the more regularly I get on here, the more I want to keep it up... so I'm just going with it!

4 comments:

  1. That wallpaper is FABULOUS.

    I love the photographs, and the sketches and the sunlight. I'm feeling the same way about April / May, but I see the light at the end of the tunnel.

    I wasn't really looking forward to school, but I LOVE SCHOOL. I think you will love it too. It's so much fun to watch them grow. Then I got used to elementary school and really dreaded middle school, and guess what? I LOVE MIDDLE SCHOOL!

    Rainy and low 50's here today. Blah. But it's coming. Which is good, because I'm behind on all the projects.

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    1. Thx Kristen, it took some serious convincing to get Jame to agree to wallpaper :) I always love hearing your tales of encouragement about older kids/ schooling. So often I hear horror stories... and I think I need to breathe and believe everything just might be alright!

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  2. So glad to see your beautiful photos and thoughts posted here, Lilly. I gasped when I saw W's new haircut! He looks like he's 16! Also, Emil has those same red shoes and they are my current favorites. R's little hat is so sweet... I could just go on and on. You live such a colorful, thoughtful life. Inspiring. And if those are phone pics, I'm impressed!

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    1. The haircut aged him years in seconds. It's so crazy what a difference it makes! And slightly traumatic (for me!). Thank you for the love :)

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