Mommy's Blog: Three-day weekending...

I am not sure if I've ever taken the time to express to you my abiding love for the three day weekend.

Oh? I have? Oh. OK then.

Well, this weekend did nothing to dissuade my passion.

It was wonderful.

Sunshine and seventies and two days in a row at the beach and two cookouts in a row on Memorial Day. Time in each day to play and to clean, to be with friends and with my family. Stretched out, easy time, complete with a few gin and tonics.

A movie trailer for summer, that's what this weekend was. A little taste of the good things to come, set to the perfect music, a dazzle of sunlight splashing across the lens...

The highlight reel:

Friday

My mom and Ivy met me at the zoo where I was having an arduous day taking my class on a field trip. :) My brave little girl took a camel ride, all on her own. She's something else.

A quick evening walk around the block got a lot more fun when our sweet neighbor, 9 year old Rachel joined us with her little dog Sky. Ivy really loves Sky. Rachel and Sky joined us at home for a bit where they both ended up in the treehouse. Getting a little dog down from the treehouse? About as hard as you imagine.

Not pictured: a wonderful evening of mini-pizzas and really good cookies and hanging out with our Friday nigh friends.

Saturday:

The kids had some time with Gram and a playdate at neighbor Lou's house while I had the privilege of singing with West Shore Chorale friends at the wedding of one of my fellow sopranos. A lovely ceremony and a lovely couple who sparkled with joy. It felt great to sing in a smaller ensemble (about 30 of us were able to sing) and I think it came off well. I love the opportunity to share the gift of music.

After the wedding, the kids and I went to the beach. Because it was the MOST. PERFECT. DAY. We played in the sand and threw a stick for Corydon and soaked up the sun and quiet, peaceful time together. The kids covered a log with wet sand and were very proud of themselves. I pushed Ivy on the swing for a long, long time and didn't, even once, think about doing anything else.

We had thought of going down to the Blossom festival in Chagrin Falls but opted instead to stay home and watch Aladdin and take baths and head to bed early, ready to see Daddy again in the morning...

Sunday:

Sheep Shearing day at Lake FarmPark! We had a laid back morning of goats and sheep and wool and sunshine and playgrounds. The kids got to help shear Wyatt, the rainbow-dyed Wesleydale sheep. Nat bought a whole fleece to use for his spinning hobby. It was good.

Then, we went to the beach. Because it was perfect, again.
This time, Fairport Harbor. We were already way east-- what's another half hour among friends?

The kids collected rocks and brought them to me...

Who needs a swimsuit?

Certainly not these two! Not pictured: The actual ROLLING in the sand that occurred moments before the dashing into the icy cold lake...

This is what kids look like after you let them play in said icy cold lake for an hour without any towels or dry clothes to put on after. We managed to scrounge a blanket one of Nat's Tshirts for them. Quality parenting at work.

and this is what they look like on the way home... we took the picture to prove to jack that he does in fact sleep in the car, as he always insists he doesn't sleep...

Our baby birds are getting so big!

Saturday evening we had a fire, and our across-the-back-fence neighbors joined us. With the exception of the mosquitoes it was a perfect night, and great to get to know this sweet young family. Three year old Felix and Ivy were fast friends, and Jack loved playing sports with Wes, the young and energetic dad. :)

Ivy, loving on baby Harvey. Harvey, not loving it so much.

Monday (god bless the three day weekend!!)

We started the day off with a run.

Jack and I ran an 1.5 mile fun run together and then I ran the 4 mile race at a nice small run in University Heights.

My earnest, hardworking, competitive little boy was fun to run with. He almost lost it at one point after several people passed us, thinking that he was last. We turned around to see people behind us, and he picked up the pace right up.

The unexpected surprise was that Jack and I both managed to get third in our age groups for our races! He was the only 6 year old who ran! And he is SOOOO happy with his award. The proud little smile just slays me.

We headed home for a shower then to an impromptu cookout with the dinner swap crowd. It was probably the last gathering at the Perry's current house, as they are moving out to the burbs this summer. I am happy for them but it feels a little like the end of an era. We will have to keep getting these kids together, though, because they are AWESOME. They all play so well together and they are all stunningly beautiful children, don't you think?

From there it was off to Lakewood to cook out with Gram, Bec, and Joe. Becca spoiled the kids with smoke bombs, poppers, and snakes and a good time was had by all. Plus I got to ride in a 1990 Corvette. :)

A little glimpse into this week, because it's not off to a bad start itself:

Looky! We have a piano! Not bad for a freebie, eh?

Tonight, a little spontaneous picnic at Wade Oval. I love living here. I love that our kids will grow up taking this beautiful space for granted. Lucky, lovely little ducks.