Really???

Why am I blogging in the middle of the morning?  Because we just officially finished kindergarten and second grade!  In one sense there is a great relief.  Promises of care-free summer days, more time to tidy up around the house and work on projects.  There is also this fear though: are we really ready to call it a year?  Did they really learn enough?  Is Jack really well prepared for third grade?  Ohhh...I can torture myself!    Like with most things, there is a lot of insecurity on my part when it comes to educating my children.  But, I am going to let it rest for a week or two and see where I am.  In the mean time, here are some recent highlights:

Can you see what's hanging from Jack's beltloop?  Probably not- it's his own library card.  He got it this week and is so excited about it.  Keeps it with him all the time.  Love it!

Kayla lost not one but two teeth within a couple hours of each other.  They were literally hanging on by one very small corner each- and she would NOT pull them. They ended up just falling out on their own.   I was in the kitchen and heard a very calm, "Tooth, Mom."  Then later as she was eating a popcicle, "Tooth!"  Cute as a button.

Samuel's backpacking his bear, who by the way is also named Sam.

And finally, the beginning of many meals outside on warm summer evenings.

Because They Are So Cute...

Baby Shower

We had the sweetest baby shower this weekend.  Our good friend is expecting her third- a little girl- in just a couple of weeks.  I know this little one will be just as pretty as her mommy.  I love these showers.  I don't care if it's your first baby or your sixth.  Each one is so specially made by God.  It is fitting, in my opinion, for the church to celebrate them for the new life that they are:  unique, precious bundles of joy. 

There was one thing missing, though- you, Jenny Benson!!

What?

Sam- busted at a recent cook-out at our house.

More Than a Table

Back in the 1950's, an old post office in Cherry Lane, NC was torn down.  The wood- wormy chestnut.  That doesn't sound so appealing to me but my Papa Crouse knew better than me.  It's a beautiful, valuable wood.  He was a carpenter, a master carpenter according to my Dad.  Papa took that wood and saved it, cared for it, for many years.  I'm told from time to time he crafted from it.  And one of the things he made was a dining room table for me.  This week, that table finally made its way into our home.  He wasn't able to put the finishing touches on it before he passed away over 10 years ago but now it's complete.

I love that we have a table now that fits our family.  Where we can put all of our food in pretty dishes and enjoy our meals together.  I love that we can tell our children stories about their family, both known and unknown to them, and pass their heritage on.  And I love that I can see the work of my Papa's hands every day.  A part of him with me.  I think it would bring him great joy to know that four of his great-grandchildren enjoy the fruit of his labors.  I wish he could see that.

What do I remember about my Papa?  Once when I was little we had spent the night with them.  He got up with me in the morning and brought out a box of Apple Jacks.  The cereal box prize- in the very bottom of the box.  So he got out one of Grandma's mixing bowls, dumped out the entire box and gave me that prize.  

He loved apples and westerns.  He liked country music but not the new stuff.  At one time he smoked a pipe- I think of him when I smell one.  He could talk- a lot!  He was a sweet man.  And a blessing to me.

Going Back

Can you tell what's missing from this picture?  Kayla's front tooth.  It came out one morning last week when she let Jack pull it.  Yes- she LET Jack pull it.  Not me or her dad but her big brother.  He was proud of that.  There is something so cute about little kids when they lose their top teeth.  I love it.
I remember that feeling.  How loose the tooth was, the feel of my dad's fingers when he would try to pull it, the jokes about tying my tooth to a door and slamming it.  But as I quietly opened Kayla's door the other night, what came back loud and clear was waiting for the tooth fairy.  Laying in bed, I would hear noises that I never noticed any other night.  Must have just been my pulse on my pillow but when I was waiting for the tooth fairy I was sure that the sound I heard was her, tip-toeing around, gathering up my tooth and leaving the much anticipated prize.  A quarter, a dime or two. 
And so playing tooth fairy, even to a little one who knows full well the identity of the tooth fairy, took me back, even as the roles are reversed now.  This little game is a fun one.  One of those wonderful perks of being their mom.

Look who found her feet today!