While they were gone

Upon my return home from Pennsylvania, I was facing one full week without the gals. I was looking forward to the long days ahead of me. I had a plan: balance. I was not indulging in drunken baffoonery with my neighbors like I did two years ago, which led to a few weeks of sloth-like behavior; nor was I going to be uptight and ultra organized (neurotic marathon training, anyone?) like I was last summer, which led to a bad case of pneumonia and a year of immunity issues.

I had a little bit of everything planned for the week, my goal was not to become too overwhelmed or too much of a slacker. I think I'm starting to dig this "balance" thing.

Dave and I got to go out to late dinners downtown at funky restaurants that didn't have a kids' menu. We were invited to have an awesome dinner with our dear friends Tammy and Ian. We also met downtown for lunch dates. We went for long runs and took the dog for walks at night. I got to sleep in (a little) and keep a reasonable schedule for running in the mornings.

Although we went out often, we also got many things done at the homestead. We gave our main living space a major facelift, bought a new bed and a new sofa. In hindsight, I'm so glad we got the furniture shopping out of the way, the would've been a nightmare with the girls!

As the summer is starting to slip away, I took the opportunity with all the quiet in the house to work on a schedule for when school starts. I'm hoping to easily get into our fall rhythm this year, since last fall was a blur of doctor visits. I had to think like a rocket scientist and organize a schedule for dance and piano  lessons that would not burn out the girls. I also took advantage of the peak summer fruits and did some canning--and since I was behind the counter, I made freezer meals for our hectic evenings that are sure to come those first few weeks of school.

Although "moderation" is still not a word that is constantly in my vocabulary, I am becoming more comfortable with it. I hope to have a great year ahead when all three of us return to the classroom in a few weeks. In the meantime, I'll enjoy the rest of the summer with the girls :)

A Week With Family

The gals and I headed up to Pennsylvania to visit family last week. Lots and LOTS of swimming was on the  agenda. The temps were in the high 90's with an unbearable humidity that we just don't experience in our mountain town.

We did some fun things around town with Grammy and PopPop, lots of walks with the dog and plenty of ice cream runs.

 The girls are old enough now to ask questions (and comprehend the answers) about my life as a child. Luckily, they got a glimpse of some people and places from my past. We swam right next door in the same pool my sister and I swam for hours with Nicky and Danielle. All the  kids would go back to my house to swim, then go to the neighbors on the other side to swim with the boys next door. We proudly called it pool hopping. 
 

We visited with the Sobieski's, who have been family friends for over 35 years. We try to stay in touch, but life gets in the way. When we do see each other it's usually lots of laughing and silliness. It was neat to see all the kids swim and play together; a third generation.
 

We also took a walk to Dana Street School, where I went from Kindergarten to 5th grade. We sat on the old steps and they asked me about my teachers. They laughed and compared their teachers to mine, as I noted to myself how much more grown up our conversations are becoming. Of course, I had to tell them about the big class-made hot air balloon event in 5th grade, the one where a gust of wind came out of nowhere, which ended in our teacher cursing as he extinguished flames on his suit jacket.
 

We also experienced a fine Swoyersville tradition, the Holy Trinity Bazaar. Playing games, running into old friends, live polka music, and of course eating the traditional foods that the Polish ladies prepare. 
 

We took a short side trip to the Eastern Shore of Maryland to visit my favorite cousins. They also have kids close to the girls' age. Cousin Seth showed the girls how to clean crabs, another tradition my cousins keep as we get together. Mya was pretty good at it while Marlee said it was took much work and she would rather order crabs (already cleaned) at a restaurant :) The girls adored their sweet little cousin Presley and played ballet with her. My cousins and I have so much history but can also talk in present tenses, which makes me like them more every time I see them.
 

We then visited Dave's side of the family where they played with tons of cousins! Celebrated their cousin Lexi's birthday., a cousin they simply adore. Much more swimming and much more fun! The girls spent a few days at the house of their two aunts which is always a treat. They also spent time with Grandma Margaret. 

I left Pennsylvania alone as the gals are spending more time with my parents, Dave's mom, sister, and her partner. I left knowing they are in good hands and hoping they will make some childhood memories of their summer, just like I had.

 

 

 

 

Another nice visit

Summer is in full swing here. Our summer days have been very relaxed with friends and family dropping in to visit. Our Atlanta girlfriends recently came by for a few days for some Asheville fun. The girls had a great time catching up and so did the adults! We've had some late nights, early walks, and of course some shenanigans!

Happy Summer

We welcomed the summer solstice with a low key celebration. We usually do something more elaborate, but this summer the theme is "simple".

We decorated our seasonal mantle as we do with the beginning of every season. We use articles that are of importance to us that are connected with the current season. We read our summer book, The Longest Day, by Wendy Pffefer. I highly recommend her books as she had one for each season. We just spent the rest of the day outside, business as usual, aware that the season has just begun. 

One notable conversation I had with Marlee as we finished our book was how she noticed the celebrations in different parts if the world. She found it interesting that 1,000 years ago when civilizations and countries were not connected all over the globe, people still celebrated the longest day on a very similar way. They were in awe if the sun's magic and it's change with every season. This makes us all connected.

Very observant, my child, and very true. 

Happy summer!

 

A nice visit

Last week my parents came to visit. We had a nice relaxing time, as I am anti-plan, anti-schedule this summer. We took many hikes (Brevard waterfalls & Mt. Pisgah), hung out at the homestead, and even caught a baseball game. Of course, we got wrapped up in a shenanigan or two as we rooted through a neighbor's trash to take home that perfect tap dancing stage! We also worked on getting our new addition, Violet, used to her new home. It was a good week.

Summer Un-planning

School just let out for the summer on Wednesday. Mya just finished kindergarten, Marlee- 2nd grade, and me- my 1st year back to work after a 7 year hiatus. 

The day was fun-filled with the usual last day commencements, and the after school party was business as usual at our neighborhood park:

Our neighborhood throws a full scale shindig with complete ice cream buffet and giant slip & slide. The kids welcome summer with great friends and great memories in the making.

 

Of course I had all kinds of aspirations of a bucket list, agenda, daily plan, etc., when we slowly approached the end of the school year.  See this post about all of our elaborate plans for last summer, then check out this humble post about what really happed by summer's end. I suddenly stopped to realize how much I've been slowing down and moving away from commitments and friendships that no longer served me well.  This past year was full of healing and reevaluating. I am learning (finally) that the plan for us is to maybe not plan at all, just let the days roll by this summer, see where the wind takes us. I have also learned not to keep my plate so full and to say 'no' once in a while. I have decided to consciously "un-plan" these next few weeks, in hopes of finding the wonder and appreciation of lazy summer days.