A day at the park

Brian worked on a commercial on Thursday and the kids and I played. We ventured back to the old neighborhood in Minneapolis. The Lyndale Farmstead Park. We played in the sand, slid on the slides, ran around and just laughed. It was a lovely day and we really enjoyed each other, especially the kids.
Although the moments when they just get along can feel rare I think they are increasing as the days pass and they get older.
The crab apples are always a big hit. I have yet to understand the appeal. They are so tart it makes my mouth suck into my head, but these guys love them!


Willow has been having moments of fear lately over things like certain bugs (though she was picking pill bugs up by the handfuls at Carl school the same day), weird or loud sounds and just unfamiliar things. Carl has, for the most part, been very protective and willing to (when she will let him) hold her hand or just tell her it is okay. It is so sweet to watch, what I believe will be a very strong and wonderful bond, develop.

Father's Day

This day is a day that has great happiness as well as some sadness for me. The first Father's Day after my dad died was incredibly hard. It was only a couple months after his death and the depth of grief was unbelievable. People have always said that such things get easier with time. Hmmm... 7 years later and I wonder how much time they mean. I guess in the realm of feeling debilitated by the grief, that has improved. But I miss him just as much, if not more, as time goes by. There are things I want to share with him, ask him... times I just want to give or to get a hug from him.... And of course, there is Carl and Willow. How much I would love for them to share a walk, to play together and to learn from the great wisdom and love I feel blessed to have received from my father. And then I look at Brian and how he is with our children. The love they share and all they learn from each other. I remember sitting with my dad in the hospital and talking about love. Sharing that I thought Brian and I were serious. He expressed his concern as a Dad and his fear of all the boys out there and what they could be. But he also expressed his trust and faith in my knowing the right person to have a future with. What a wonderful man! I feel blessed to be celebrating 2 fathers today.
My father and all he taught me and all he continue to teach and be to me.
AND Brian and the amazing father he is to our children and the inspiration he is to them and me!

It's been a lovely day.

Almost Two

I'm a few days off with the posting. Nothing unusual there. The past three days I have been taking in lots and lots of information, inspiration and some frustration at the National Conference for Media Reform.
I've been coming home at night and wanting to just collapse. The kids have been great about laying around with me and reading. Though I suppose since it's close to their bedtimes and that's the usual routine, nothing seemed off there.

Today I got home a little earlier and was able to get a little outside time in with Carl while Brian and Willow ran to Target. I say little as there was a point where I was so tired I felt like laying on the hard cement driveway, where we were drawing, and just taking a nap. That's when Brian stepped in and asked if I wanted to rest and then if I wanted to make dinner he could run around outside with the kids. Dinner is easier for me and a rest sounded good so I agreed. I should also add that on my way home yesterday I learned that Brian would rather clean the toilet than make dinner. And when I came home today, he was cleaning the toilet.
So, yes, I went inside and rested then made dinner.
Of course, I could be going to bed now, but then how would I write this?! Don't worry, I'll get there soon enough.

The day this was taken was a particularly fun one as I spent the entire day with the kids. All in good moods and enjoying our play... and a couple jelly beans.

The park pictures are taken after we, as a family, went out for breakfast. Wow, what a beauty!

They have their moments of frustrations with each other, some days a lot more than others. Willow has been exerting her independence more and Carl likes to test her. This means seeing how far he can tease her before she screams or we stop him. But they are also learning how to play with each other. It is wonderful to watch. They are so very different but it is clear that they love each other. Willow is so gentle with Carl and when he cries or gets hurt she says, "It's okay Carl." and rubs his back. It is very sweet. And when I shared a story of the boys scaring her at his school the other day, Carl was very concerned and protective of her. What a great big brother.

It's a lesson every day for each of us. Reinforcing our values and the importance of listening, respect and kindness. We all get caught up in our "stuff" and can sometimes forget the impact it can have on someone else, we act from our emotions without thinking it through (both child and adult) ... but in the end as each day comes to a close... we give thanks for this life and the love, stories, adventures and learning we share.