Fields of dreams

Memorial Day 2012. We had a picnic at the Saratoga Battlefield where we were able to get up close and personal with Revolutionary War artifacts. Luke is becoming quite the history buff and museum lover. Ellie was more interested in running around the grounds, seems like she has a bit of a cross country runner in her.  Luke decided after being too hot and too tired to chase his sister that he no longer is interested in soccer and thinks maybe he'll just play baseball and specifically be a pitcher so that he can just stand there. There was laughter and joy as we explored a place that John has adored since childhood. 

Reminds us of Little House on the Prairie. 

And then there was the sorrow. So many lost. So many flags waving in the breeze. So many families left behind and all I could hear in my head was this song. I miss his truck, it was like I was able to drive around with him every time I was behind the wheel. At the cemetery I feel disconnected, my brain still doesn't grasp the reality but his truck is where I felt his spirit. I'm thankful the kids didn't ask too many questions. Ellie wanted to smell all of the flowers and thought it was just a giant maze. Luke was pensive but not curious. We left their initials in the dirt and today we went back with my mom. She and Luke left flowers for him, he was her escort (Ellie was asleep in the car), so big and yet so little. I am filled with pride for my family

He is so tender. This picture is hard for me to look at.

We love a parade.

He is my angel, always right there with me.

Summer is here

They are in kid heaven: the pool and popsicles!

Three cheers for SUMMER!

He's braving the frigid waters while she dances with her shadow.

We think he is a bear cub, the water was COLD and we couldn't get him out.

He kept trying to catch fish with his bare hands. Bear cub. He was in up to his neck a few times even.

So grown up. Perfect surfer hair.

She was much more trepidatious about the whole thing.

So beautiful.

They hustled and worked and made new friends while we were able to sit and talk. Unheard of! I feel like we have graduated in the beach department, I actually might be able to read a book on our summer vacation this year!

Mother's Day

Salad: he knows me so well!

I love that she loves my laugh.

Riding the carousel at Congress Park.

Merry-go-round magic

Running back to her grandmother's.

And the Grandma's following close behind her.

There were fuzzy baby ducks to fawn over.

Can I fish here?

She was like cotton candy floating about the park.

Trying to get a nice picture and he steals my sunglasses.

The boys being merry.

Making her day.

Saying goodbye for now.

As we sat in the park for our picnic all I could think of was this painting. 

My picture below doesn't quite capture the day. The weather was perfect and the landscape was dotted with well-dressed urbanites taking advantage of a Saratoga gem. We picnic'd on a blanket and wandered the park in search of fish, ducks, and rode the merry-go-round three times. 

Immediately

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I have a lot of catching up to do like what we did for Mother's Day and how

we recently spent a day at the beach. 

In the meantime here is the latest in the life of Luke and Ellie. 

How is there any sand left in the sandbox?

LUKE

1. Luke's favorite new word is immediately. "Mom, do you mean you want me to pick

up my toys immediately?!" "Do we need to leave for school immediately?"

2. He says Grace before we eat dinner, and last night all on his own, he prayed for one of his classmates because this friend had just lost his dog and he was sad, so Luke sent up a prayer

to the man upstairs. 

3. He tells me he'll never let me go when he gives me a hug. 

The best part of my day.

I love the curly tail on his Us.

Loving his sister.

Her most recent get-up.

ELLIE

1. She calls the water fountain at school The Water Mountain. It makes us melt.

2. She says "get for" instead of forget. "Mawwwm, you getfor to bring B." 

3. She loves for me to sing the Stay Awake song that is in Mary Poppins. As I sing she does a big fake yawn and then falls back on her pillow just like Jane and Michael. 

4. Her favorite song is Brighter Than the Sun by Colbie Caillat. 

Singing her heart out.

Don't you think Snow White looks super guilty standing back there all alone?

She takes swinging to a new level.

We are probably terrible parents for thinking she bares a bit of a resemblance to Sweet Dee from Always Sunny. Don't judge us for that.