Mamas & Babies

This morning George called to me from the other room:

Come here, Mom, come see.
What do you want me to see, George?
Come see this! (pointing out the window)
What is it, George?
(Shakes his head, as he does when he's thinking hard, trying to find the right word) Come see! Baby chickies, Mama chickie, driveway!

And I look, and I see:

Every year, at about this time, a family of turkeys brings the latest batch of babies through our driveway and field. We will watch them all summer, comment on how they're growing, make lots of jokes about learning to run as Thanksgiving nears, and then they'll move on to wherever they spend the winter. Every year, the number of family members is different, sometimes just a few, sometimes as many as thirty. They keep their babies close and move them along when we appear. As the babies grow, they are allowed more independence and we can get closer and interact with them more. Later in the summer, I'll be complaining about how noisy they are.

Last week, I set a goal for George to initiate and participate in reciprocal communication. Something more than just a question and yes/no answer. Guess we just met that goal! This summer my babies are growing, our family is a bit smaller, and I'm sure I'll complain about the noise from time to time. But not that noise, that noise is music to my heart.

Signs of Summer

It's July second, and I'm on my third box of Band-Aids! You can't see the scabs on elbows and above George's eye in this picture, but trust me, not a day goes by without someone needing an ouchie fixed.

Luckily, it doesn't slow them down or upset them much!

I'm From, by Emma

I’m from the big closet in my old Virginia house and

the dog hair all over the couch.

I’m from tons of bamboo,

some toys and short green grass.

I’m from two good friends, Nate and Reed,

From lots of deer and fawns almost tame

and tons of tall yellow ferns

I’m from a goofy dad and a silly mom.

I’m from sayings like, “See, piece of cake!”

I’m from foods like turkey and ice cream.

Vanilla and Mint Chocolate Chip!

And that’s where I am from.

Poem & all photos by Emma

Through Their Eyes

The kids have found, and claimed, two of our old digital cameras. They spend hours (and a crazy number of batteries) roaming the house taking pictures. I'm finding many of their photos surprisingly good, they are beginning to understand the need to be still while shooting, and seeing the details they choose to photograph is a fun glimpse into their lives.

A selection of photos by George & Emma

Emma tends to wander further in her pursuit of subjects: the yard, the basement, each of our bedrooms. George stays mainly in our main living areas, but is more adventurous with his angles and use of the timer. I was surprised to see more blurry pictures from Emma, she is so anxious to capture the next thing, that she forgets to wait for the shutter. But her pictures are getting better, and I've been watching her wait for just the right shot as she watches the dog playing, cars driving by, etc. George is fascinated by snapping shots of the TV, viewing the still frames of his favorite videos, and close ups of his toys and clothes.

I love seeing their creativity evolve and their understanding of technique grow. Thank goodness for technology, I don't think we would be able to afford this much film!

More Horseback Riding photos

The horses have been moved to their summer farm, and WOW is it gorgeous there! I don't know of many activities better than being out here in the evenings. The kids get to go every week during the summer (we were going every other week) and their eyes just light up when they see the horse picture on our activity schedule.

Theoretically, this is therapy for George. Emma wouldn't be allowed to take lessons with this organization if not for him. But honestly, I see more changes in her when we go to the farm. She sits up so straight in the saddle, responds to correction without being crushed or embarrassed, and she is learning to not be so timid with the horses. I would have killed for horseback lessons when I was a girl her age. I'm so very glad we're able to do this for her. For both of them, but especially for her.

That's a BIG wish!

I woke up to lots of nice emails and a continually ringing phone. A necessary self-portrait shoot yielded this photo, which doesn't show too many wrinkles. Lunch with family, during which the kids behaved beautifully. I am a happy, lucky girl. Bring it on, 34!

Summertime

And the livin' is easy.

Quilts and sheets on the clothesline, windows open to catch the breeze, kids laying in the grass with bubbles at hand. Love it.

It's funny to me that I always dread summer with it's lack of schedule. Every year we manage to stay busy in a way that makes us all happy. A trip out of the house at least once a day to get us moving, but never so booked that we get stressed out and cranky. It takes George a week or two to get used to not going to school, but then it's as if a switch has been flipped. We all sleep in (and are, therefor, much happier in the mornings), no one complains when it's time to do something, and everyone is excited by the choices they're given.

Don't get me wrong, I have no doubt I'll be dealing with boredom and tempers from time to time. But for the most part, we like being lazy and watching the clouds float by. Gotta go, I've got bubbles to blow.