The First Pool of the Season

Every summer, there is a First Pool of the Season.

Every summer, the pools get smaller.

Or, perhaps, my children get bigger. I never know if it will still be as fun as it was when they were a year younger, but today proved that it's still fun, no matter how little the pool.

And, because it's what I do, I have to say that it's crazy how much changes in a year. Remember this baby just last summer, in the First Pool of the Season?

And here she is now.

Isn't it such a heart-tugging journey to be a Mama? It feels like I'm always in this limbo-land, wanting my kids to stay all little and chunky like this, but then daydreaming of when they are older and all the I wonders that come with that. I wonder if she will keep her curly hair? I wonder if I'll be able to make a meal without her pulling on my leg when she's older? I wonder if my house will be cleaner when my kids are older? But then when they are older, those little baby thighs and shoulder blades will be gone.

And I will miss them.

But we spend these sweet summer days together.

Avery loved the pool. She warmed up pretty quickly and was laughing and splashing in no time.

Wouldn't you agree?

Ansley is really good at slowly leading Avery to be comfortable with a situation. That's what big sisters are for, right?

Christian is really good at it, too, when he wants to be. But today, he didn't want to be. He was cold, so he wanted to warm himself in the sun. And he looked so cute getting warm, I had to take a picture.

I had to come inside to get dinner ready, but with Sun Boy and Mini Mama, I felt comfortable letting them all splash and play while I got dinner prepared.

Plus, now that I can open my windows, I can keep an eye (and ear) on them from the kitchen.

After dinner, everyone was outside while I was cleaning up. Christian comes running in to tell me that Ansley had found a bird. I grabbed my camera, of course, and then went running outside. Sure enough, the boy doesn't lie.

This girl has such a heart for animals. But not an overly sensitive heart, like her Mama. Just a caring, nurturing heart, like her Daddy. Our neighbors girls had come over at this point, so the kids were digging for worms.

And we all actually witnessed the baby bird eat two whole, fat worms. It was fascinating and disgusting. Well, for me. Ansley just found it fascinating.

She named him Goofy.

And now Goofy is sleeping in a little box lined with paper towels in our garage.

We will see how he is doing in the morning. (Ummm, anyone know how to care for a baby bird?)

An exciting start to summer!

Comments

[Renee]

precious, precious Avery smiles making me smile down here in Mississippi! Happy summertime!

[Ashley]

So sorry about Goofy :(

I'm confused, were you not able to open your windows before? You said 'now that I can' so...

[Megan]

Thank you Renee! Happy summertime to you, too! :)

That's right, Ashley, we couldn't open our windows before. See this photo of the day for the explanation:

http://megangreiner.typepad.com/2012/2012/05/may-11-2012.html

Hopefully that works. If not, you can go to the May 11 photo in 2012's album. :)