Weekend

It's a hot one around our house. Luckily inside is a cool reprieve with the windows open to the shady breeze in front. With such beautiful weather we're hesitant to stay inside.

We walked downtown this morning for a little brunch. By the time we were back at our front stoop we were all feeling a bit flushed. Sat for a bit in the shade, removed as much clothing as we could. Calder was feeling the heat in a sleepy sort of way. I came in for a drink, sat him down and next thing I knew he was sleeping. Not for long - which I also think had to do with the heat. He's a hot one that Calder of ours.


Yesterday morning, and today too, Piper and I found a duck couple in our backyard. Piper pointed out that they're not by the water. They spent most of yesterday morning in the shade of our big pine tree.

We on the other hand spent our morning yesterday, from eight till lunch, volunteering at a nearby elementary school. There was landscaping to be done. We planted new shrubs, spread mulch, moved a couple of hostas, and a bit of weeding.

Life's most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?

Martin Luther King, Jr

When Piper was just a baby we got the idea of doing one community service project each year as a family. We thought it would aid in instilling in our children a sense of community, goodwill and appreciation for what we have. Just before Piper turned one, we helped serve a meal to the less fortunate in our community. She didn't understand what we were doing, of course, but we felt sure that we were on the right track with this. We figured we'd do something similar the next winter. That didn't happen, Calder came before he was expected, we had a little too much to coordinate. Then this opportunity presented itself to us.

Piper had a good time, understood what we were doing this time. Probably not the why, but its a start. She grabbed a big shovel and tried her best to help out. Was mostly content to wander the play ground and watch us with snack or drink in hand. Calder was all over too, in the carrier multiple times, a nap in the stroller and on the blanket on the ground.

Hoping you all stayed cool in your weekending.

{this moment}

Normal

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return.

Mary Jean Iron

Off to the Movies

I think I was blogged out this week. So much effort went into last week. I'm still working on putting together my album and plan to share when I'm finished.

I took Piper (and Calder) to her first movie at the theater yesterday. A documentary - welcome to our family lady. It was about a subject she loves at least. It was Babies!

The whole process was fun for her. Going in, getting our tickets, the line for popcorn (a decaf mocha for me) and the big 'TV'. Piper did well and as I suspected talked me through most of the movie. Her favorite part: 'that baby is nursing on that baby's bee bo!' One of my favorite parts was when she told everyone she passed in our isle 'I have to peepee. I'm going to go to the bathroom.' Luckily some of the knew us.

Happy weekending to you!

Week In the Life : Day Seven

Zac took the littles down stairs when they woke early this morning so I could try to catch up on some sleep. Calder was restless and was up most of the night last night due to his runny nose. I came down a while later, took the kids and Zac resumed his normal weekend morning routine.

While I ate breakfast, Calder sat in his swing. I caught him sucking his thumb. Not his standard two fingers.

Piper spent a bit of time after breakfast trying out the shoes I wore out last night. She found them a little hard to get around in and abandoned them on the floor.

I think the changes in weather the past few days brought on Calder's runny nose. Poor man! He was fussy on and off, needed lots of extra loving, cuddling and bouncing.

Our late morning and early afternoon were spent in and out of the car. Lunch out again. We got home for a late nap. Zac napped with Piper again. Calder didn't want to go down so he and I tried to keep quite so Piper would sleep.

I spent a little time in the yard. Pulling weeds, picking flowers. Calder decided to take a small nap. After he woke up and nursed Piper thought maybe Calder would want to sit by her. She wanted him on her lap so she could play that he was riding a motorcycle. She made engine noises and tried her best to hold him up while she moved her legs as if he was driving curves. He liked it, he was happy and laughing.

Zac, as has become our weekly tradition, made us popcorn on the stove top for dinner. Piper went up to bed, thought she wanted to try to take herself to bed. But backed out as she headed up the stairs. I took her to bed and Calder an hour later.

Well that's it. Our Week in the Life is over. I don't know that it was a normal week for us. Maybe normal in the sense that we don't always know what our weeks will bring when we start them. We strive for more of a rhythm to our days and weeks than a set schedule.

I had fun, but am feeling a little relief that I don't have to document our days anymore - at least for a while. Now I need to find some time to put this into the final product. I'm hoping that what I've already worked on in this space will lead me down the road I need to be on.

Enjoy your week!

Week In the Life : Day Six

Saturday joins us like every other day. But today the kids and I are up first. While Zac sleeps in, I make Piper and I pancakes. And again when Zac gets up.

We have our morning dance club. Today to the new CD we borrowed from the library yesterday. This one is about jumping and has instructions on what you're to be doing. Piper listens intently to follow along. She woke up in the same outfit she picked out and wore yesterday. Wanted to wear it to bed last night and I don't fight that.

Its COLD and rainy out. Our plans for yard work are on hold for the day. We pile in the car to go scouting. Along our trip Piper comments on how Zac and I have matching hair color. Indeed Sweet P, that's what you're in for too, I'd imagine.

While we're out we grab lunch at a little cafe near our old apartment. Food is good, water is bad. Piper says she's being dangerous by putting her booster on an elevated part of the bench. Calder fusses through most of lunch. I end up walking him around to quiet him. We head home for naps - Zac included. I do some clean up around the house and put on a movie.

Nap time nearly ran to dinner time. Not long after everyone's up I start dinner - chimichangas. Again, Calder's not happy to be in his chair for long. I end up eating with him on my lap.

After dinner is cleaned up, I set to vacuuming the floor. Piper wants to come along in the carrier. She prefers to ride on the 'front side' which is a little cumbersome. But I do it, how can I argue with my 28 month old still wanting to be in the carrier to cuddle during house chores. Some day she'll want nothing to do with it.

Littles get off to bed. Around 9 I head out the door, which is very rare for me. I meet up with two of my sisters in Madison for a drink and a bachelorette party. How pleased I was, as a 29 year old mama of two, to get carded at both places we went to. Stayed out past my bed time and came home to a snotty baby who wanted to nurse all night.