I haven’t blogged much recently. Partly because I’ve been writing another project, and I have only limited writing time. Partly because I’ve been a little lost in my own world in recent days. Partly because I haven’t been brave enough to write what’s been on my mind. But sometimes we just need to start again. So here we go…my thoughts, in no particular order.
It’s still dropping down to 20 degrees overnight this week. I keep thinking it should start warming up, and really, it should. On this date last year, according to my FB memories, I finished clearing out the fencerow where my black raspberry canes grow. Same for the year before. This year, I have barely started because it’s been so cold and/or wet. So really, I am putting in my vote for spring to, well, spring.
Actually, we are starting to think about the garden. I rearranged our jars from last summer the other day so I can reach what we have left: green beans, peaches, pears, tomato juice, applesauce, pickles, grape juice. It’s fun to see all of last year’s hard work still available. And it’s motivation to get a good start again this year. Eric especially likes this stage. He started some seeds with the girls in the basement last week. This week he ordered some new trees and plants from a seed catalog, which is also fun. And we have plans to move some strawberries to a new patch this year (as soon as it warms up enough to do it).
Eric also started removing some of the enormous sandstone blocks from the basement of the old house. He’s using the Egyptian method involving planks and rollers and small children to move the rollers while he pushes or pulls the things out. Alex is totally involved.
Actually, these days, Alex is suddenly all-in for a bunch of things. He’s spent the winter holed up in his room, drawing and creating. He’s outright refused to play with his siblings more than once. And now suddenly, he’s in.
- He was so incredibly eager to get to his first baseball practice that he sat in the van waiting for me.
- For 4H, his first year as an official member, he immediately decided he was taking a dairy calf to fair. He has gotten up every day for weeks to exercise to get strong enough to manage said calf, and somehow was elected club vice-president for the year.
- And he’s still totally loving Cub Scouts and the “ninja” obstacle class he takes from a local gymnastics center.
Today the girls are both home sick from school. This winter has been pretty rough for fevers and such, especially for Megan. We aren’t usually prone to being sick, so I hope the arrival of spring will let us move past all the yuck.
Still, the girls are doing great. Megan has discovered a love of gymnastics. Erin is super-excited to start softball again. They’re both in Girl Scouts, and we survived cookie-selling season again. Plus they sing in the kids choir at church, use the dress-up clothes to create costumes for all manner of pretend games, and play outside all the time. I find Erin tucked into a corner of the couch with a book for hours, just like her mother was prone to do once-upon-a-time. And Megan is always attuned to the opportunities all around her, most of which I’d miss if it weren’t for her. They’re pretty neat ladies, for sure.
Last week, I registered Timmy for Kindergarten. In April, he’ll have his Kindergarten assessment, and then, we’re all-in for the next stage. Actually, I heard someone call this stage, where all your kids are in elementary school, the Memory-Making Stage. You can do things with your family that everyone will remember. I like that name. While there’s so much great stuff about the baby/toddler/preschool stage, it’s also tiring and a big blur. Now we have the opportunity to make memories together. I think that’s a great way to approach the transition.
And speaking of Timmy … no “life as we know it” blog is complete without a Tim story … so here you go.
Timmy and Alex race for the front door of the church building; first one there gets to hold the door for everyone else. Last week, Timmy won. So he was holding the door, waiting for Eric and me (who do not race to the door), and our friend Dave arrived first. Dave has a physical condition that has twisted his legs and requires the use of a cane. But Time held the door way open for Dave, so I applauded him.
Me: “Good job, Bud!”
Tim: “I’m just holding the door for the old man.”
Me. (Face.palm.) “Um, no. We don’t say that, Tim.”
Dave: He’s just telling the truth.
Me: Well, we need to–
Dave: (interrupting) work on our presentation?
Me: Yes. Exactly.
