This and That...

Summer can't come fast enough. We are just about there. Actually, I guess we are already technically there, since summer started a couple days ago, and the boys wrapped up their school years yesterday. But there's one last baseball game tonight, and one week to go before Nathan's birthday and the start of our first vacation. Again...it can't come fast enough.

It's been a wonderful couple of months, but it has moved at a hectic pace.  We are all craving a change in routine. One that is quieter, and more open. Yesterday, Nathan asked me, "When can we have a day when we have absolutely nothing planned?"  "Sunday", was my reply. 

I haven't been able to stop thinking about the alligator attack at Disney. Just a couple months ago, we were sitting on that exact beach, and the boys played in the sand near the water as we waited for the movie to start. My heart literally aches at the thought of what happened to that little boy and what that family will have to endure for the rest of their lives. I can't help but think of the seemingly randomness of life. Why that little boy? Why not one of the thousands of others who have dipped their toes in those waters? Why not one of mine? (And my heart aches more.) 

I talk with fellow mothers about our children, making plans and decisions and exchanging stories. It's good to talk it out with people who get it. Parenting is hard, and we all want to get it right. I can second-guess myself, and I recognize that we are not always consistent with the boys. I think we're doing pretty well so far, but I will never let down my guard.

I need more yoga in my life. How to make it happen?  

I am going through a leadership program at work right now, and it has caused me to be very introspective. We get evaluated not only on the hard skills, but there is also a lot of focus on our personality types and history and understanding why we are the way we are and how that influences our decisions and perceptions and performance at work. It's interesting and eye-opening in many ways. 

Meanwhile, I am wrapping up my current project and will be moving on to a new client soon. Consulting is a difficult occupation for someone who is not fond of change.  

But before I start anything new, I will enjoy a week at the Cape with family. I can't wait to relax on the beach, close my eyes and feel the sun on my face, and listen to the waves. 

And before that, I will celebrate my Nathan, who turns 7 next week. (!)  We will have a gaggle of boys running around the yard playing all manner of sport and hopefully having a blast. I can't wait.  

I don't want to wish any time away. I am going to appreciate every moment, including tonight's last baseball game (coaching a team of 7-year-old boys has been the highlight of my spring). 

Summer is here!  Hooray!

Masterpiece Wall...2016 Edition

Check out our latest masterpiece wall!  We had this year's portfolio days at school last week, which meant that it was time to make some selections to include in our display. I love discussing and planning with the boys. They are so proud of their work, and we all love showing some of it off for everyone to see. 

This is what it looked like our first year, following the kitchen renovation. (It's hard to believe that was four years ago!)  And here is what we've had on display since last June. I keep all the older pictures in the frames, so it's very fun to put the new pictures in and look at them. 

I love this year's selections. We had to cover up the Sunflowers, but we still have Van Gogh represented with Starry Night.  I love the gorgeous blue flower in the middle, and the eclectic and interesting patterns, and those beautiful orange leaves. Mostly, I love that my boys are learning to appreciate art and that they make beautiful pieces to showcase at home.

A Baseball Weekend...

Nice that Boston was in first place for these shots, too. :-)

It's been a busy spring. Fun, but busy. This past weekend, the boys had soccer and baseball games as usual. After the baseball game, we invited both boys' baseball teams over to our house for a cookout. Our house is a convenient location, since the field is literally right in our back yard! Kevin and I had talked about doing something like that for years, and it was fun to get to the point of being able to do it. There were tons of kids - almost all boys - running through the house and around the yard. Football games and soccer and tag and... I kept the food coming, filling up the grill with burgers and dogs and slicing up watermelon. Once we were down to a handful of families, I got to take a breath and enjoy myself a bit more, relaxing and talking with friends, and watching the next little league game over the wall.  It was a good time, and it helped that it was a perfect June day - warm and sunny.

On Sunday, we headed to Fenway. Kevin bid on a set of Red Sox tickets at a charity auction, and it included a tour of the park and an opportunity to go onto the field before the game. So cool! The game was really fun, too. It was the first time that both boys were totally into the game the entire time, and we stayed until the very last out. It was great!

On our way home, we noted that the entire week was very full of baseball. Since it was a cool and rainy evening, we decided to cap it all off with a viewing of "Field of Dreams".  As I've said many, many times now:  it's a good thing I love baseball.  

Peeking inside the scoreboard. 

The view is nice from left field.

Sarah Jarosz - House of Mercy

This song has been in heavy rotation lately. Sarah Jarosz has a new album coming out this month, and based on the first two songs that have been released, it's going to be a great one. 

Going For a Bike Ride...

When we went to Amsterdam a couple years ago, I had so much fun riding bikes around the city, and I vowed to come home and buy myself a bike. I haven't owned a bike since college. Well, it took a while, but I finally did it!  Kevin and I both bought ourselves bikes, and we went for our first family ride this past weekend. My legs feel great, and I'm excited to discover more local bike trails as we explore as a family. 

I LOVE my bike!  She has a big comfy seat, a handy basket, and she's bright orange!