Quiet, Peaceful Wisconsin 2013

The girls and I arrived home from Bass Lake in early June just to do some laundry and throw all of the clothes back in the suitcase for a Wisconsin adventure. We couldn't wait to get up there to see Nana and Papa Bordeaux and the Welches and Hunts. 

Time with Nana and Papa was magic. We missed them so much! Our time together talking, laughing and getting plenty of hugs filled us all up.

One of the things that really struck me this year was the way that the girls and I absorbed the quiet, open, unpopulated space. I didn't know that we needed it so very much, but we did.... and we do. Most mornings, my sleepy ones and their cousins would wake me up and we would all head upstairs for oatmeal (them) and coffee (me). We'd quietly watch birds, squirrels, chipmunks and deer from the upstairs porch until the rest of the family woke up and joined us. Often times the kids would then head out to inspect and explore and inevitably end up in the lake... nude.... and I didn't mind a bit because we were the only ones there. Later, on my morning run, I might see 2 or 3 cars. I couldn't get over it. 

Because I was the single lady, I slept downstairs on the porch that faces the lake. Don't worry, it's much less Dan in Real Life than it sounds. When I would fall asleep, most nights I heard nothing. Nothing. It would be silent. Other nights I would fall asleep to a symphony of loons calling to each other or hear a frog hopping around my room. (I really did have a frog in my room and had to call for backup to help me get him out and into the grass where he belonged.) Those times of quiet fed my soul.

It's amazing, the way that the quiet can open your ears (and your heart) to so much more.

But don't get me wrong... it wasn't all quiet solitude.
We had our fair share of wild rumpus.
There were boat rides, birthdays, bike rides, lots of hugs and kisses, swim contests, sailing, lots of eating, meltdowns, thunderstorms, giggles galore, cornhole, kayaking, fish fries, Annie sing-offs, nature walks, archery, campfires, crafts, mandatory naps, trips to town and much more. 

We all ached for Ron. I know that he needed these moments of quiet solitude too but because of his work schedule couldn't get away with us. Next year, next year. 

 My mom is probably going to be mad at me for posting this picture as it's rather, um... soggy... but because this blog is our story scrapbook, I simply cannot leave it out. As we were heading in from a boat ride one evening, Simon, Erin and I jumped off of the boat a little ways off so that we could swim in... this is per the Welch Family Die Hard Traditions.

Suddenly, I see my mom dive in after us... fully clothed. You could hear our cheers for miles. She's awesome.

Bass Lake 2013

I had the car packed and ready. We swooped in, picked Rosie up from her last day of kindergarten, shed a few tears (all of us... Mrs. Garritson included), picked up lunch at Pedro's Tacos and kept driving. Just one stop in Bakersfield to let all of the girls (and Wrigley) tink and we were in Bass Lake. Ron had been up there at camp working and we were eager to join him.  We had an amazing long weekend doing our favorite things.

"I am losing precious days. I am degenerating into a machine for making money. I am learning nothing in this trivial world of men. I must break away and get out into the mountains to learn the news."

                                                          - John Muir

Goodbye, Kindergarten

I've been dreading this blog post- you know, the one where I recap kindergarten. I don't want to recap because that means that it's over. No more picking Rosie up at 11:38 with afternoons free for adventuring. No more lunches together listening to Rosie free associate about the day.  

No more Mrs. Garritson. No more Friday Daddy P.E. 

It feels like a loss... and as I continue to loosen my grip on my girl, I grieve a bit.

But what a year it's been. 

Rosie's little muscles grew stronger this year.

Muscles of making friends, reading, writing, sitting and listening, counting and adding, memorizing poems,learning about animals and the way things work, and singing songs. 

Some of her highlights included Christmas caroling at Mrs. Garritson's house, playing the part of the postman in the Friendly Neighborhood Helpers play and the goose in the Jack and the Beanstalk play, the 100th day of school, listening to Mrs. Garritson read aloud, the jogathon, the field trip to the Ocean Institute, 25 cent pencils, art, Thursday library day and playing with friends at recess. 

We ventured into the waters of the drop off playdate and even rode bikes to school.

How does it all go by so quickly? 

Will I continue to both celebrate and grieve every new chapter?  

 I keep telling myself that September 9th is  llllooooonnnnngggggg way away and by then I'll be ready. 

For now, we are enjoying every moment of the summer.