Laowai

We are just a few short days away from the end of the school year. Claire will finish kindergarten and Bea will finish third grade. I think often of how my days will very soon be different because Claire will be in school for a full day. 

The girls seem particularly happy lately. They are enjoying lots of time playing with friends and the excitement of the last bit of school. All the time spent outside in the fresh air is helping them to be good and tired each night.

Up above the girls are trying on hats at an L.L. Bean store (Claire was trying to make a cowgirl face). And below they are riding their bikes through a big puddle at their school. Sadly, Claire fell off her bike and got all scraped up right after I took these photos. She’s my accident prone child. Her lip and her knee were bruised for a few days – she’s tough.

Another school picture – every four years Bea and Claire’s gym teacher makes a huge Olympics day for the whole school. Parents are invited to watch the tug of war and then the awarding of medals and popsicles at the end of the day. It was really fun to watch.

My garden is humming along and we’ve picked our first peas. I have spinach, carrots, green beans, tomatoes, potatoes (in pots) and several herbs squished in there. I think things are a little behind compared to last year and my peas seem really leggy (why???).

Mom and Jennifer and Jenna came to visit over the weekend. I just love that my mom and my sister come and it’s like show and tell for me. I showed them all the plans for my kitchen remodel. They are so sweet and encouraging when they share in my excitement. They let me go on and on about all the little details I’ve been pondering. 

Claire had her ballet recital and once again Jennifer made a beautiful little bun for her. I did a super bad job of getting photos – it was a combination of dark conditions and Claire not being into taking photos that day. Ugh – bad photo day!

Other than the big recital event we did some painting – Mom and Jennifer made some barn quilts and the girls painted some pictures on wood panels.

And we went to a church rummage sale. Jennifer got a pretty silver bowl and I go these four chairs for twenty bucks! I’m so glad Mom and Jennifer and Jenna came – it’s a long drive for a short weekend. Living far from them, I miss the little things most. Just standing around the kitchen talking and getting to cook for them always feels so good to my heart.

So as the season changes to summer we are getting ready for a change in our routine too. I’m looking forward to lazy mornings, some exciting vacations, lots of swimming and many picnics.