Best Friends

We have made a decision in our household. We have decided that our son needs more socialization in his life and are looking into preschools and day care programs. I can NOT believe he and I will be separated!! Anyways, here is our conversation that confirmed our concerns.

Me - "I really prefer the type of setting where we can be flexible in when we drop him off and which days he goes. I really like the Montessori style of preschool, but I don't want to be required to have to send him 5 days a week, which is how those schools work. I'm not sure that I am ready to be separated that much.

Josh - "I hear you, but we really need to get him into a program soon. It will be good for him to be around other kids and people. I mean, come on...look at him! His best friend is the vacuum."

At that precise moment as we are laughing, we both look over at Gadisa and there he is once again playing with the vacuum. His dearest and best friend. He looks up at us and a huge grin spreads across his face as if he's saying, "Yep. I love it!"

I do have to admit they do spend a lot of time together in this pet friendly household. He knows how to use it and how to wind it back up.

Yep...I think it's time to venture onto real friends. So, we begin the tedious tasks of preschool and day care tours. I am determined to find one that doesn't make him have to go 5 days a week. Once again, I find myself thanking the stars that we are able to have me stay home with him. All the while he is right there with me helping with each daily task as we water our plants, change out the laundry, empty the dishwasher and vacuum the floors. I don't care that all the dishes get put into the silverware drawer (even plates!) or that sometimes toys are thrown into the dryer along with the wet clothes. I don't even care if a vacuum hose gets stuck to a pet from time to time. I just care that we are together. That we are experiencing every day side by side. I know having him explore new experiences will only help him grown and develop and that it will only help me remember myself while he is away, but it's still a little sad to embark on this new path of our parenting.

Best Friends. G and the vacuum or better yet...G and me.

Remembering what's important

Life changes. Sometimes quickly. We all know that. We have to be ready to adapt. It is not always easy.

This sentence hangs with me this morning. On a morning when I'm greeted by not feeling so well. On a morning followed by an evening of not feeling so well. Feeling...blah. The blah-ness that always comes and go. An old foe. There are so many more important things than this blah. There are so many more important people to think about.

Today, I will carry this reminder around. Remembering that life does change and it does happen quickly. I will also be sure to tell someone that I love that I love them. Dearly.

Greeting Summer Solstice

Summertime is greeting me with some favorites that I wanted to share. Here is what I am loving right now.

-I love that the fridge is consistently stocked with iced tea and lemonade. Arnold Palmer, anyone?

-I love not wearing socks. Hell, for that matter...not wearing shoes. And best of all, I LUV the feel of bare feet on my wooden porch.

-I love long, flowing skirts.

-I love pistachio almond ice cream eaten out of a waffle cone, all while the sun goes down and me and my boy rock ourselves on the porch and a tired toddler sleeps and sleeps.

-I love picnics with friends.

-I am loving sweet corn on the cob, potato salad, pasta salad and all sorts of summer food.

-I am loving the smell of Off's mosquito coil. Burnt like incense and reminds me of so many other summers.

-I am loving seeing friends, family and babes arrive towels in hand and pool time tunes kickin'.

-I love the rolling in of the clouds, the flashes of lightening and the clash of thunder announcing a summer Kansas storm is a' comin.

I hope you are ready to enjoy bits and pieces that make up your summer memories. It goes by all too quickly and here's to welcoming it's arrival! Happy Summer Solstice!

In my own backyard

Because it wouldn't be as good if it wasn't deserved.
Because I would miss it if it was gone.
Today teething worn on my patience. It's a long process, much too long and wearing on all of us.
Tonight, the breeze and poolside soothes all that away.
Here's to appreciating all the goodness in front of me and to a pain free slumber that awaits my little guy.
Cheers!

Welcome June

Welcome, June. I anticipate your slowness. The heat warming my skin, but not sweltering like your friends, July and August. I am determined to be aware of you. To not rush through our days and to savor you bit by bit. Bring me sounds of the creaking of my rocking chair on my porch. Shower me with giggles from my son splashing in the pool. Slow me down with long afternoons and a good book. Above all, enjoy yourself a lot too.

-Casey June

photo from: thebuzz.dianejameshome.com

photo from: sparksfly92.tumblr.com