School Days

Life is starting to settle into a routine of sorts around here.  It seems there is always something a little out of the ordinary to keep things interesting, but nothing major.  The days begin with scriptures and then the big kids start trickling out the door.  Alyx and I walk the “middles” (Erik and Anna) to school and leisurely find our way back home.

Alyx insists on stopping for a spell at a bench about three-quarters of the way home. We stop and visit for as long as she likes. I am thinking of toting my camera out every morning and capturing the year from that little bench. I think it would be fun.

Alyx usually plays pretty well by herself once we’re home (I think she likes the calm of all those crazy big kids being gone) and I can get a couple of hours of work in (we have a new job thing going on over here that I’m really excited to share).  Then we move into lunch (sometimes with Daddy) and naptime, and before I know it, Djeryd’s home.  It’s crazy how the day flies with all the comings and goings of our little family.

Erik and I still try to get in some chess after school whenever we can.  Some days are easier than others.  I love that he’s always willing to play with me.  ;>

And just in case we have a day where things are slow, I’m working on helping this little girl to be a big girl.  And can I just say potty-training my fourth is considerably less frustrating than potty-training my first.  Why did I ever think it was such a big deal?  That being said, I am a terrible potty-trainer.  But I’m okay with that – at least I’m enjoying it this time around.  Alyx and I listen to music and read and play Barbies and ponies for hours in the bathroom and I love it.  I get the laundry folded and little hand-sewing projects wrapped up and I get to enjoy having my daughter all to myself.  I do not believe she will be fully trained for another six months (who knows, maybe a year), but I don’t really care.  We take it one day at a time, one hour at a time.  It will happen when she’s darn good and ready.

In the meantime, I’m just trying to enjoy all these little moments that make up my life right now.  I keep thinking about how this phase of my life will all be over before I know it.  Whatever I do, I don’t want to wish it away, or wish it faster (even though there are those moments).  I can’t hang on to it, but I can immerse myself in it.  I am consciously diving in.  Swimsuit, anyone?

Summer, Interrupted

I have been really, truly trying to look forward to this day for at least a month.  But in the end I couldn’t quite succeed in my intended attitude change.  I cried yesterday after all my sweet children were in bed with visions of the first day of school prancing through their sleepy little heads.  I came downstairs, walked into the living room and was instantly surrounded by pictures of my loves and I just wanted to freeze time.  Not for forever.  But just for a little bit longer.

But today came and went with no regard for my feelings.  Sean trotted off with Djeryd in the early hours, and I trotted off with the littles an hour later.

Lu and I tried not to feel forlorn.  Lu stayed busy with puzzles and beads and books and songs.  I stayed busy cleaning out the cupboards in the laundry room.  I came across this quote in my efforts to spruce things up. 

(source)

It only made me weepy again.  I don’t normally feel this way when school starts, but this year is different for some reason.  Maybe it’s Djeryd starting middle school.  Maybe it’s having only one child at home with me all day long.  Maybe I’m just realizing how frighteningly fast life is happening.

The good part is everyone came home happy and shining with something so fresh and new and exciting in their lives.  I’m happy for them.

I could not help snapping this last picture as Alyx and I walked through the gate this morning; back into a yard and house that would be so quiet and still when compared to the constant noise and activity of the past three months.  This bit of our life, obviously interrupted.  It’s as if we were in the middle of a great game of tag, screaming in delight and cheering each other on, when all of a sudden the ice cream truck pulled up, and my children are just . . . gone.