telling time by the dandelion

Blow upon a dandelion,

Close thy eyes,

Chant

This year,

Next year,

Sometime,

Never,

If one clock remains,

We will be together.

-Old Song, from Sunflower Houses, by S.Lovejoy

I learned that you can discover what time it is in fairy-land by blowing the seeds off an "old man" dandelion.  How magical is that?

Sarah Joy didn't want to blow on the dandelion, so I handed it to Seth.    I was captured by his sweet, and honest, little boy self.  When we watch it, he laughs, and I think you will smile, too.

Quote for today:  "The child is in me still.....and sometimes not so still."  ~Mr. Rogers

You are loved, my friends. 

a picture of me and my children

I get a big kick out of what the children make me at school for Mother's Day.  On Friday, Caleb came home with a little book he made, complete with charming illustrations that he drew himself, in crayon.  Each page had a fill in the blank for him to complete.

Hats off to MOM, by Caleb (age 6) (and a half)

My mom wears many hats in our family.  My Mom is a teacher.  She taught me how to: read.

My Mom is a cook.  I love it when she makes:  chicin devon

My Mom is a nurse.  She always makes me feel better when she: gives me medisin

My Mom is a chauffeur.  She drives me to:  Divids baseball game

My Mom is a sanitation worker.  When she sees my room she says, "Grat job!"

My Mom is the best mother ever!

Isn't that adorable?  He also brought me home the traditional "Pansy Planted in a Paper Cup, Sort of Wilted".  He got lots of hugs for these nice little gifts. 

It's no secret that I love being a mother.  Each day I find so much delight in the children God has given me.  I am one thankful Mama. 

Have a great Monday, friends! 

{this moment}

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

inspired by soulemama

a very little bit of flower art

You're looking mighty fine!

The best part of my morning was sitting on the side steps, snipping out these little paper chain dolls, with Seth and Sarah watching intently.  We walked along the garden together, finding pretty flower faces to slip into each proper place.  It was quite fun, yes indeedy.  I think that once these lovelies get over the shock of attaining new paper bodies and dresses,  there will be much gossip, laughter, and perhaps a song or two.   It's never quiet with this many ladies all in the same row.

Once they start to wilt, they'll be pressed in the pages of our big dictionary.  Oh my!

middle school chorus concert

Last night, a very rainy night indeed, Rich and I took Jacob, David, Caleb, Seth, and Sarah with us to hear Grace's middle school chorus concert.  As we got ready to go, it felt like just another rushed activity; where's Sarah's blanket, I gotta iron Grace's shirt, Seth you can't wear David's cleats to the concert, will Rich get home in time to ride with us, Jacob come on let's go, where's Caleb, we need to leave in 20 minutes, did everyone eat, I don't have time to put the leftovers away I'm sure they'll be fine....etc....

Grace kept saying "I need to be there by 5:58!"

Though I was trying very hard not to be, I was just a little bit frazzled.

Friends, oh my friends, the concert was amazing.  I would not have missed it for the world.

You must understand, I grew up singing in my public school's chorus.  I loved it.  I loved singing, practicing, following a good director, making great friends who also loved to sing, learning new songs, being challenged, performing....oh the joys of performing as a group, finally, after learning all those songs and working so hard to perfect them. 

After attending a tiny private school for 2 years, and homeschool for 5 years, Grace is now a public school girl; and thriving like I've never seen before. 

I wish you could have seen her last night.  The smiles!  She was up there on the risers, shoulder to shoulder with other girls, crowded together with her chorus "family" (as her director has taught them).

The director was fun, relaxed, and talented.  It's obvious the children love him.  He's a big, happy guy...and incidentally, he has a little daughter named Grace. 

The songs blew me and rest of the audience (a packed house) away.  They sang  "California Dreaming", "Song For the Unsung Hero", and "Dance Evolution" (extremely fun medley, complete with choreography on risers.)  The chorus was excellent; good diction, great dynamics, and lots of expression.  You could tell they were thoroughly enjoying themselves.

We were watching our girl and she was smiling big and singing loud and I wiped little tears from my eyes.

At the end of the night, she came away with a reward for "The Best 7th Grade Rookie of the Year".  Her director had such praise for her as he talked about who she was, and how well she has done, and handed her a certificate in the midst of cheers from the school children, her many friends.

We were so proud of her, and her brother David clapped louder and longer than anyone in the room.