Wonder

 Sometimes I go about my days thinking of the usual things...money, schedules, and to do lists. Next thing I know it is the next day and we are doing it all over again. But if I can be present enough when Im hanging with the kids, they snap me out of it. Because the old cliches are usually true - somedays I see the wonder of the world through my kids.

 Sometimes even explaining a simple thing like rain or watching them explore a new trail or how they get excited over a table of 25 cent books at a fair...it reminds me that there is wonder in the world. That it is bigger than just me, my lists and our little life. That appreciating the smallest of wonders is maybe what it is all about. Because it surely can't be about my lists.

Generations

 Duxbury Beach, mid 1980s, Roberta, Kathy and Nancy.  The three friends would load their Jeeps with various kids, chairs and toys and set up camp for the day. They smoothed on the oil, positioned their chairs for optimal sun and popped open cool bottles of beer. It seemed perfect then and even more ideal looking back now.

A few weeks ago we all went again. This time Laura and I were the moms and we slathered copious amounts of sun screen and set up umbrellas. But some things don't change. There were still beers fresh from the cooler and toes buried into the warm white sand - and the laughs. I don't get to hear Roberta and Kathy's laughs that often, but as soon as I did, I was brought right back to our days on the beach so long ago.

Perhaps 30 or so years from now Ella and Ava will bring their kids. Im sure that Laura and I will be more than eager to set our chairs in the sand and watch another generation love this beach just like we have.  In the meantime, we will spend many more summer days watching our kids play on the beach.

This Liittle Blog

I didn't notice that I now have 1000 posts! And Blogger helped me celebrate by telling me I have no more room for pictures :( Nothing a little fee can't fix!

I love this space. Mike and I both look back over the years of posts and giggle about all the little things we forgot. How the twins were obsessed with Mardi Gras beads, how Tyler used to grunt his name, how I felt when I found out I was pregnant again.

 I haven't been here as much lately. I guess life is taking over a bit. But, I feel a strange sense of comfort that it will always be here when I want to stop in.

 Even if for a fee...

Summer Moments

Our weekends this summer...

Postcards Home

Aunt Melissa and Uncle Dave came to visit for a few days around July 4th. We didn't go sightseeing, or out on any fun adventures. We stayed close to home - swims in the pool, walks with the dogs, sitting up late around a fire. We didn't need to entertain them or cause a big fuss, because they are family - and just being together is enough. And sometimes texts, and facebook updates and quick phone calls just don't do it. We needed to be together. And that is just what we did.

 I haven't seen Mike smile so much in 48 hours as I did while Melissa was here. Although, Im not surprised, his little sister has always had that effect on him. She has that effect on everyone :)

 I didn't snap as many pictures as I would have liked, we were too busy having fun! We missed them the moment they said they were leaving and can't wait until they come back. This living far thing never gets easier...but it does make the visits all the more sweeter.

Roller Fun

 Last year the hot item around here was the Razor scooter. They scootered all day and dragged those wheels around everywhere. Scooters are so last year.

This summer it is all about the Roller Blades. They are out doing laps in the driveway before breakfast and begging to stop at skate parks and outdoor rinks when we are out doing errands.

 And Im busy sewing a costume and thinking up a nickname for Ella to join the local Roller Derby....