Dream Blue

For our thirteenth wedding anniversary in July, I set up John with sailing lessons. Part of the package was a three hour sail on one of their sailboats once he was certified. Today the boys and I tagged along on his sail. It was so much fun! On the way there, Luke told us that he had been waiting for this day for so long, and his excitement didn't wane all morning. Of course he found ways to add excitement to the nice peaceful sail, but he wouldn't be Lukey if he didn't. Jack was a good first mate. He tried hard to tighten and loosen as instructed. John and I were both surprised that he knew bow and stern before we even started. He's ready for his first sunfish sailboat. 

 

Jack's future sailboat-

Kindergarten Orientation

Jack and I dropped Luke off with Charissa, Harper, and Mairin this morning and went to Kindergarten Orientation. 

Erin sent me this poem. While funny, there is a lot of truth to it too. Thankfully, Jack's teacher has a nice smile and seems to genuinely like children. That's really all this mama asks for. 

First Day of Kindergarten

Author Unknown

Every one has a "first day"

when we feel sad and all alone. 

It can be so scary

when you're out on your own.

And I know that a "first day"

can be full of doubts and fears,

but they're full of new beginnings.

Take my hankie, dry your tears.

You'll find lots of things to do

and you'll probably make new friends.

I promise we'll be together 

when the school day ends.

Here comes the teacher

blow your nose and be brave.

Come on now and wipe your eyes,

this is no way to behave.

Well good morning teacher.

We really must beg your pardon.

No. MOMMY doesn't always act this way,

but it's my first day of.... KINDERGARTEN!

The Great Dismal Swamp

We went for a family bike ride at The Great Dismal Swamp this afternoon. This was Luke's longest ride yet at 8 miles! 

A Grandfather's Wish for his Grandchildren

While going through our files the last couple of weeks, I came across this essay written by Paul Harvey that my dad admired and copied for each of his children:

We tried so hard to make things better for our kids that we made them worse. For my grandchildren, I'd like better. I'd like for them to know about hand-me-down clothes and homemade ice cream and leftover meatloaf sandwiches. I really would. I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by being cheated. I hope you learn to make your own bed and mow the lawn and wash the car. And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen. It will be good if at least once you see puppies born and your dog put to sleep. I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in, I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother. And it's alright if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room, but when he wants to crawl under the covers with you because he is scared, I hope you let him. When you want to see a movie and your little brother wants to tag along, I hope you'll let him. I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely. On rainy days when you have to catch a ride, I hope you don't ask your driver to drop you two blocks away so you won't be seen riding with someone as uncool as your mom. If you want a slingshot, I hope your dad teaches you how to make one instead of buying one. I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books. When you learn to use computers, I hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head. I hope you get teased by your friends when you have your first crush, and when you talk back to your mother that you learn what ivory soap tastes like. May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on a stove and stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole. I don't care if you try a beer once, but I hope you don't like it. And if a friend offers you dope or a joint, I hope you realize he is not your friend. I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your grandpa and go fishing with your uncle. May you feel sorrow at a funeral and joy during the holidays. I hope your mother punishes you when you throw a baseball through the neighbor's window and that she hugs you and kisses you at Christmas time when you give her a plaster mold of your hand. These things I wish your for; tough times and disappointment, hard work and happiness. To me, that is the only want to appreciate life.


As I read this for the first time as a mother, tears filled my eyes. I'd say we are on the right path, Dad. My kids know about hand-me-down clothes and homemade cookies and leftovers from last night's home cooked dinner. They know the love of a good dog and about sharing favorite toys with their brother. They have had skinned knees from falling off bikes and climbing trees, and I've had to throw away clothing soiled beyond repair from digging in the dirt. They know their favorite books, the feel of sitting on their mother's lap as she reads them, and have told me more than once that their grandmother's reading voice is nice. They know the joy of catching a fish with their cousin, dad, and grandpa. They are blessed with a family who understands the importance of being together, playing together, and making memories together. Our kids have had their fair share of punishment and more hugs and kisses than they can count. I'm thankful to have these reminders from my dad. And I'm happy to say that I think we're doing alright by him.

Treasure Hunt

I'm keeping this anything guy busy today with a treasure hunt. Five pennies hidden in the yard with only a treasure map to find them. He's found 4 of the 5 so far. Wish him good fortune!