Chasing Birds

If only the long version of this was small enough to be emailed. If only you could get the real view of what this was. Small children, ours especially, chasing, jumping after, yelling at, singing to and, in some cases, sneaking up and grabbing this flock of a few dozen pigeons. But so long as the food kept on coming, they didn't seem to care.

Play in the Dirt

With Ben not able to come home this past weekend in order to keep up progress on the new Seabox job, I wanted to plan a few special things for Matty to look forward to. One thing I suggested was a play date for him with any friend he wanted, and he chose his cousin Ansley. Since I hadn't had a chance to visit with her Mommy, Amanda, or Gram in a while, I was super excited about his choice!

With no plan or agenda we met at Gram's (My Aunt "Little" Mimi's) for a play date Sunday afternoon in the unseasonably warm weather, and the kiddos enjoyed every moment. They needed nothing but each other and they were off having a great time. Running in the awesome back yard, throwing up piles of leaves, pulling out and playing with every toy under the roof!

Not that they wanted to spend much time under the roof. Mimi has a legendary back yard that she is constantly updating, replanting and nurturing. And the focal point of the yard is Amanda's old swing set from when she was a child, that now has been grown over with lush gorgeous vines. A perfect play set for two imaginative children.

And also perfect for the adventurous pair was the large planter in the side yard that became the site of quite the digging expedition! The two of them sat contentedly digging and munching on baby tomatoes fresh off the vine.

I love how these two interact with each other. They don't get the chance to play as much as we would like but they always pick up right where they leave off. Ansley is only 6 months older than Matty and when I watch them I can already see a very special bond forming. They play very sweetly together, sharing and taking turns. Very rare and special for two only children. And I can't wait to watch them grow into big kids together. Well, actually, I can wait a little while...

Lighten Up

This post is one for me. To chastise myself a bit, and let myself off the hook at the same time.

Lately with Ben working out of town again, and the pressure I put on myself to do it all perfectly by myself, I've had this nagging feeling in my gut that I've just been riding Matty a little too hard. Expecting a little too much. Pushing a little too hard. I hate that. Who wants to be that person? Who wants to work 8 hours a day, commute for 2 and spend the cherished few moments together marking teachable moments at the dinner table because he's eating applesauce with his fingers. I guess this is something all mother's struggle with. Balance. Being too hard or too soft. Struggling with the big questions: If he eats applesauce with his fingers now, will he always?

Queen of No. That's been me lately. And the Queen of Comparison. Do other mothers do this? Subtly look at the other children in the class and think to themselves: Does he put on his own shoes and socks everyday? I don't really make the time in the mornings to let Matty try. Does he patiently wait until his bedtime pull-up and poop in his pants? Matty knows how to poop on the potty, he just doesn't feel like it.

I've gotten all caught up in a nasty mess in my head of milestones, details and deadlines. No, not for me and my work, but my Matty. Sweet little Matty. Sweet, smart, funny, curious and imaginative little Matty.

Then a little while ago, I was reading something that made me feel a lot better. Just something I needed to see. So I put it up at my desk to remind myself to lighten up a little bit. Some of this I do well, but it's so easy to let yourself forget.

Making Do

Couch cushions at the cleaners, but young Matty quickly improvises.