Blue Yonder

Small Wonder :: The First Four Jars

We made jam today. 

My floor and counters are sticky. 

I didn't make it to the bank or the post office like I meant to. 

The laundry basket is full and so is the sink. 

But I have  four jars. 

Four sweet jars of strawberry jam, plus a little extra that we ate with spoons and fingers and "just one more" piece of toast. 

The first four jars of the season. 

Sweet. 

I think my Momo would be so proud that I'm teaching my guys to make jam just like she taught me.

And right after she was done being proud she'd probably tell me to get off my fanny and do something about all those dishes. 

Palmolive here I come. 

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Y'all come back this evening. We're gonna give some stuff away :-)

Small Wonder :: Red Ryder

A neighbor (another one) was cleaning out his garage and came across an old, well loved Red Ryder BB Gun. He decided my boys needed it. 

I don't know just how well he thought that through... 

One gun, three boys. 

And um, three boys that live very near to his windows. 

Still, he gave it to them, and of course, they just about exploded out of their very skin with glee over it. 

Ryder says it's his because, "Look right here! It says R. Y. D. E. R!"

Now the Mama in me did not initially like the idea of a BB gun, you know, "You'll shoot your eye out" and all... but I gotta tell ya. I am now firmly and irrevocably a fan. 

It is pure, unadulterated fun to shoot tin cans (we're going to try water balloons next). I really had no idea! 

And I'm going to (ahem) shoot straight with you, I LOVE the look of awe my guys give me when I knock 'em down. "Mama you ROCK!"

Oh yes I do. Turns out mama has killer aim!

So now, on top of the china cabinet where my wedding pattern and fragile girlie knick knacks live, lies a Red Ryder. And I think that pretty well says all there is to say about being mama to 3 boys, don't you think? 

Small Wonder :: Summer # 4

The one in which the last of my babies has learned to swim. 

He's doing it. 

He's really really doing it. 

And while he's not quite strong enough to take off to the slides and the deep end yet, I can see that day on the not too distant horizon. 

It's scary and thrilling, bitter and sweet... pretty much like all the other little ways that they are growing up on me. 

Small Wonder :: Neighbors

The kids, shrieking, circle around us as we stand in the driveway. My neighbor hands me a bunch of chard from her garden. An edible bouquet. 

That one act of kindness is such a gift. It's been one of THOSE days. The frustration is written all over my face. 

 "Must be something in the air..." she says running after her little one as he sprints down the road. 

I call out an inadequate thanks, round up my banshees and go inside to look up chard recipes on the internet. 

I feel my shoulders relax a little bit. 

It's good to be reminded, when the waters get a little rough, that there's other folks in the same boat. 

 Thank you, neighbor. 

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Small Wonder :: Love Notes

... from little boys, and a rose from my very own yard. 

I hope all the mamas out there felt sincerely appreciated and loved up yesterday... and everyday.