Summer In a Day

 Well, these aren't the prettiest and they definitely do not convey the warm beautiful day that it was, but we were able to make a quick escape to the Valley for a warm up.  I am just getting back into this blogging thing and trying to do it from an iPhone, with which I am sadly very challenged.

We jumped and jumped and jumped.  We bumped boats, golfed, and raced go-carts all with our faces pointed toward the glorious sun.  Soaking up every second, every ray, every ounce of that bright light.

 It's really hard to convey how much warm air is appreciated when you have either been stuck indoors or braving sub-freezing temperatures.  It's like you just can't get enough.  And I truly did not want to leave, but I'll take what I can get!

My favorite girl in this world and her "baby".  A flower she found on the ground, snuggled it up, and called it hers.  Funny, how girls have a mothering instinct about them right from the get go.  She cradled her baby flower through the green grassy lawns, in and out of stores, and out to lunch.  I sometimes find shriveled up "babies' in my purse or pants pocket at the end of a day.  She usually at some point will ask me to hold them for her and "be careful and make sure the boys don't get them".  And I, being Grandma, always oblige.

I Really...

I really want to pick this blogging gig back up again.  It's important.  I have loved going back and reading old posts, looking at old pictures, more than I realized I would.  It's amazing to look back and see how quickly life changes, yet in the moment it feels like time is sometimes moving so slow it's at a stand still.  I think since I'm not a scrapbooker, photo-album-maker, take tons of pictures type mom, I had better maybe try to at least do this.  I think I might regret it if I don't.  Plus, I think how fun for the kids, when they are grown, to come home and go through old blog books, laughing at all of the silly phases we made our way through.
As I was skimming over my last couple posts, I was reminded how life has a way of working itself out.  Not long ago, I was torn as to what to do with my little middle bird.  I want him to be free, be himself, flourish, and be happy.  Desperately.  At the time I thought another year of kindergarten.  What's the rush?  Let him take his time.  We made the difficult decision to pull him out and homeschool him for a year.  It's been...ok.  He misses his friends.  And it's not easy having a mom for a teacher.  But, we are working so super hard trying to keep him up to speed, so that he won't have to repeat and will be able to jump right back in with his buddies in 2nd grade next year.  It's a lot, but I feel like it's the best decision we have been able to come up with.  And here we are already half way through the school year.  We are doing this!
Usually, I am not a fan of New Year's Resolutions, but this year I felt inspired to give it a whirl. 
1)  Prepare nutritious meals for my family consistently.  Plan ahead.  Be thoughtful of these growing bodies in my care.
2)  Self-care.  Get enough sleep.  Eat well myself, not just feed the kids well while giving myself a cracker for lunch.
3)  Love more.
Happy 2013!