summer

6:40 – I want to remember this changing morning light.  Shadows are getting longer, colors are changing.  I meant to do A Day In The Life during the summer, but it’s already slipping into Autumn.  At least I am doing this before summer officially ends and school starts back up. 6:54 – I want to remember these mornings when Jesse and I play a game of chicken – who can last the longest before getting out of bed to get Harriet, or to get some milk for the girls.  This morning I lost, but I usually win.7:02 – I want to remember these breakfasts of smoothies for me, Jesse, and Harriet.  Alma doesn’t care for smoothies.  Jesse also doesn’t really care for the chia seeds I put in the smoothies, but I’m not going to stop doing it.   I love the weird little gooey seeds. 7:21 – I want to remember how Alma could eat a ‘peanut butter sandwich with honey’ for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Sometimes she could eat two.  7:48 – I want to remember how much the girls love ‘talking’ on the phone, usually to their grandparents.  This morning it is a princess calling her grandparents.  I also want to remember these moments when the girls are entertaining themselves and each other.   8:44 – I want to remember these moments I get to create for my girls.  I know it will be too soon before a mama-made backpack won’t be cool enough.  For now it’s the coolest thing ever and I appreciate that.9:18 – I want to remember how daunting most sewing projects seem before I start, then how I get in a groove and really enjoy seeing something appear out of nothing.  It’s magic, and I love magic. 9:44 – I want to remember how these girls love Sofia the First, and can usually agree to watch it.  I also want to remember how much I actually like it too.  The songs are so good, and the messages are lovely.  Sofia is a strong, smart princess.  I feel bad turning on a show so I can get something done, but at least it’s a good show.10:14 – I want to remember how my mom sometimes brings books to share with the girls.  Today it is Ladybug Girl and Llama, Llama, Red Pajama. I also want to remember how the girls attach themselves to all their grandparents and soak up all the love being given to them.  They are lucky girls. 11:03 – I want to remember how brave Alma got this summer.  In the beginning of the summer, she wouldn’t feed the animals on her own, now she finds corn husks, grass, fallen food, and rocks to give the goats and see if they like it.  I’m proud of my big girl.11:04 – I want to remember the adventures we took this summer.  We went to the farm a lot, to lots of parks, the library, and to concerts all over town.  It wasn’t boring, and it wasn’t hard, thanks to lots of grandparents who were around to play with us, and help us out. 11:07 – I want to remember how Harriet is still a little scared of the farm animals.  I mean, she loves them, but she doesn’t want to have their mouths anywhere near her.  I think this is a healthy fear, and she’ll outgrow it quickly.  She loves the animals and never wants to leave them.  If I mention the goats, she says, clear as day, “goats!” and holds her hand out like she’s feeding them, then says “money?” because I often don’t have quarters to feed the goats.  She’s a planner, and I want to remember that.  11:21 – I want to remember how the girls play together and help each other out.  Harriet loves when Alma involves her, and Alma is realizing that Harriet is a playmate who can actually play.   11:28 – I want to remember the taste of Detering’s Apple Cider.  It’s a memory of my childhood, going out to the farm, getting the sample cup, begging my parents to buy a gallon to take home.  It’s still just as good, and takes me right back to childhood.  I love that it will be a memory of childhood for my girls, too. 12:07 – I want to remember how Harriet is eager to help with the chicken chores.  She loves to feed them, gather the eggs, and most of all, carry them inside.  She even likes to eat them, so that’s a huge plus.  I also want to remember her sweet pudgy arms and wonderful cheeks. 1:11 – I want to remember this time of year, when the light starts to shine in through my sewing windows.  It means Autumn is coming and the Earth is spinning and rotating and hurtling through its seasonal orbit.  Just as it should be.2:16 – I want to remember Alma’s first haircut and how she chooses to have me trim it up.  She looks so sweet and grown-up. 3:25 – I want to remember the letters the girls get from their new teachers before school starts.  Both girls are so excited today to open mail addressed to them.  Alma ‘called’ her teachers and talked to them, and pretended it was school for a good hour after opening her letter. 4:06 – I want to remember how my mom came over or watched the girls at her house so often this summer.   I appreciate her as much as my girls do.  It makes the day so much better to have a grown-up to talk to.  She also generously helps around the house, doing laundry, helping with the dishes, and entertaining all of us. 5:07 – I want to remember these last moments before Jesse gets home.  I’m certainly watching for his car to drive up, and I think the girls are anticipating it, too.  I’ve been trying to get the girls interested in doing something so they’re not just whining, which is what they usually do.  Today it is dancing and playing with babies.  I also read a lot of books between 4:30 and when Jesse gets home.  Harriet loves Pigeon and Llama Llama books.  Alma likes pretty much anything.5:54 – I want to remember how Jesse takes the girls and plays with them while I make dinner.  They usually do funny things like pretend to sleep, and he is right there with him.  He is seriously the best dad and husband. 6:13 – I want to remember these family dinners we have.  Even though we’re in the middle of doing a Whole30, we are able to make food that the girls will eat (most of the time).  I also want to remember all these healthier ways we are eating now, and use them forever and ever amen. 6:59 – I want to remember how good it feels to get the dishes done before the kids are in bed!  Usually we wait until after, but tonight we finished dinner early, so we just did the dishes as the kids played.  Phew, that feels really good. 7:05 – I want to remember how we all cuddle in bed for a story before we put the girls to bed.  I want to remember how we do kisses before bed, each person giving each person a kiss, then one big kiss all together.  Then, Jesse and I trade off who puts whom to bed.  Harriet is easy – a song, then in the crib, tucked in, and out of there.  Alma is a different story.   She won’t go to sleep unless one of is sitting in her room.  I know that this isn’t the best routine, but for now it’s better than having her come out over and over and over again.  We’ll figure out another routine soon.  It’s also kind of nice to just sit in there with her, and catch up on Instagram and blogs. 9:34 – I want to remember how I feel and who I am right now.  I have a good, happy life.  I have a warm, comfortable home.  I have a loving, funny family.  I have support, guidance, friends, and love.  And that’s good enough for me. See my other Day In The Life post: May 12 2015.