Enjoying the West Side...

The west side of Michigan, as a child, was a mysterious place where our family friends lived with gardens and horses. To me, the west side of the state meant one glorious Labor Day weekend a year of horseback riding, homemade pies, hanging out in the barn and watching the Jerry Lewis telethon on a front porch swing.

Now that I live here, I am exploring even more of it all - and continue to be impressed with the beauty of our state. It's been a wonderful week or so of getting out there, finishing up summer doing the things I had in my brain as "must dos" and some surprises along the way (how did I not know Lake Makatawa with a nearby children's farm and all the loveliness of an east coast vacation?).

I said it this past weekend and will say it here. THIS is the summer by which all other summers will be compared. And with one week left of it, we are soaking it up at the pool (with TWO swimmers now!), very tan bodies, new school haircuts and last minute supplies, a football game with surprise trophies and a trip to Ludington to see old friends. Next week, everything changes. For now, I will take it all in! Thank you, summer 2010. You have been good to us!

The Camping Experience...

We went camping this weekend...and cousins played and played.

We rode the dunes, we roasted marshmallows and we played on a big "pirate ship."

We swam in Lake Michigan with no one around. We bathed in it too (one of my favorites from back at Sids)!

Tommy was so proud of diving into the waves without a life jacket. Lucy was our little fish, like always.

We stayed up late and "got cozy" in our campers. Little tired bodies side by side.

We laughed at the campfire and told old stories.

I appreciated the time. I admired my mother in law. I loved my kids.

Today would have been an easy day to hurry home and start the laundry. No showers for two days can make a person start to twitch.

Instead, we packed it up and did one more beach day. How many do we have left with only 14 days left of summer?

The kids made a turtle in the sand. I got a sunburn nose.

This is all that matters....our family, these times.

What I know for sure is that is all that really matters.

Just Making Note....

SAMPLES OF RIDICULOUS THINGS TOMMMY CAVANAUGH SAYS ON A DAILY BASIS:

"Come here, ya little beautiful!" (Said often when he reaches to snuggle or give me a hug)

and

"Mom? I am so glad I picked you to be my mom in heaven. I saw you, and you looked like a good mom and now you ARE the best mom!"


Come. On.

*Addendum:

Yes, Steph is right - I need to add this story for posterity sake....

Last week, I arrived to Gymco sports to pick the kids up from their morning at summer camp. I see Tommy (per usual), flapping his gums to all that will listen. I then realize that he is inviting everyone who will listen to his Toy Story-themed birthday party in SEVEN MONTHS.
And then I hear this directed at Mr. Chad (who is not his normal teacher and whom he barely knows):
"Yeah...can you come early and do decorations? That would be great. Oh wait. You don't know where I live. Well, my mom will pick you up. She's picking people up and bringing them to my house. There will be wine and beer there for the grown ups."

And then over to Miss Stacy: "Um yeah, Miss Stacy? I know you don't know where I live but my mom can pick you up, also."

Yep - he says "also" contantly. Full on carpool coordination happening.

This. kid. kills me.

Just Around the Corner....

Here I sit on August 10th. After analyzing why I haven't slept much in a couple nights, felt tearful at random happy moments, and felt like I can't spend enough time with Lucy, I realize what's going on. I can feel the countdown. I'm anxious.

Gymco summer camp lasts only 3 more days. We are as tan as we can get. We have checked every summer milestone, wish and event off our list.

Now we still have 3+ weeks of full-on summer and, don't worry, we have big plans to ENJOY every second of it.

But I feel a tinge of sadness. I see my girl run by, her smiling face and tan body....and I realize that she's a first grader. I pray she will do great - be brave - have grown - from that last September we shall not speak of.

My boy looks bigger than ever and will be away from me three long mornings a week.

Work schedules are changing....canceling a sitter because "I don't need her anymore."

This has been an absolutely fabulous summer. One that I believe I will look back on fondly and remember "the summers when the kids were little."

All I can do is trust that I am where I need to be right now. That seasons will come and go....and there are plenty of fun things on the horizon (can anyone say MAGICAL TRIPS??).

I'll keep appreciating the lazy afternoons at the pool, the mornings when Lucy isn't leaving me for eight hours, the freshly pedicured toes, cold beers at 4 p.m., the snuggling of tired, tan kids.

And have faith that something new and exciting is just around the corner.

This Little Boy of Mine....

Right now, at this moment in summer 2010, Tommy Cavanaugh is 4 (almost half) years old and you are....

The first smiling face I see at 7:01 a.m. You quietly tell me about the adventure that has already started in your bedroom...they don't stop all day.

Full of daily kisses and hugs and lovey-dovey-ness.

A head full of stories to tell - you never stop talking or sharing or telling me ALL the important things happening right that minute!

A tan little wad of a human with a big head and puffy hair and chubby feet I want to eat.

A boy with no fears and all the confidence I have ever seen in a person. You talk to strangers, kids, teachers, etc. like you have known them your whole life. Sometimes people are taken aback by it, but it just makes me giggle. You're going places.

You go out of your way compliment superhero t-shirts to kids in Target or tell a kid at the pool that you LOVE their Iron Man bathing suit. You are very kind.

You are sensitive and tell me you love me all the time. You tell me I am your "greatest mom" when I do things like....bring you your milk.

"My little Andy" from Toy Story. Everything is a narrative of some big story or big scene playing out on your head with your toys. The imagination runs wild....

You are so easy going, it is VERY easy to talk you in or out of just about anything. You roll with the punches...unphased....

What will become of you, little Tommy Cavanaugh? All I want is to bottle you up right now and hold it forever. Man, am I glad I got to have you be my little boy. What would I have done without the love of a son?

One Small Son

One small hand to hold in yours,
One small face to smile,
One wet kiss as he says "good-night"
One small child.

Catch the moment, put it in your heart
The years too soon will fly.
These are precious moments,
more than money can buy.


Two small arms to hold you tight,
Two small feet to run,
Two small eyes full of love for you,
One small son.

Catch the moment and put it in your heart
and never let it go.
Save it for the years to come,
when he, too will know.

One small hand to hold in his
One small face to smile.
One small kiss and she says "good-night"
One small child.