to silently nudge slumber with a most gentle alarm of holiday dream.
was it a dream? — no matter.
to heat, to water!
to the green depths of lake that curtain summer stage.
a dive, then first breath, the slow blurring of edges,
the lack of form between things.
soon a plot unfolds.
cloud and shadow scheme,
draw plans on distant hills
while breeze, waiting in the wing,
rehearse with wave their entrance and exit,
the tricky part,
all the while whistling vaguely
in the manner of summer.
ah yes, summer.
the season meant to remind,
in the final act and measure,
that a clarity lies just out of sight
(on the lakebed perhaps)
awaiting the memory of future days.
– Ken Blackburn
Every time I ask a mom of older kids if they’re ready for school to start they emphatically answer, “Yes!!” Maybe it’s because this is the big year when Cooper’s life becomes ruled by the school system and it feels like some carefree chapter of his boyhood is being closed, but I’m not so sure I’m ready for school to start. This summer slipped through my fingers like sand and the harder I tried to hold onto it the faster it went. Even though it’s over sooner than I’d like, it was one of those wonderful memory building summers. Here are some pictures from the smaller moments of summer that didn’t get their own blog post.
Riding the train at the zoo.
Cooper was so excited about this strawberry plant. Unfortunately, so were the squirrels.
The kids were very excited to encounter the Very Hungry Caterpillar in real life.
A favorite evening activity when Noel comes home from work.
One of Ellen’s many disasters. This one involved spreading toilet water all over the JUST CLEANED bathroom.
Cooper’s really blossomed in drawing this summer. This was a self-portrait and a picture he drew of Ellen.
Cooper used to paint an easel the way you paint a wall. This Buzz Lightyear was his first real painting.
Noel spent 15 days away from us this summer between scout camp, work, and traveling he couldn’t join us on. This is really unusual for us and the kids, especially Ellen, missed him.
Buzz Lightyear and Cinderella.
Corn on the cob, a summer staple.
The kids love going to the library, but Cooper was especially excited when our hold on this book came in.
One afternoon Ellen told Cooper, “You have to snuggle me” and he did.
The kids love the pool and we love going there during the Twilight hours (the two hours before they close) when we can get the whole family in for $8.
Cooper LOVES the water slide. He’ll go down it again and again until his lips are purple.
For National Cheesecake Day we made a few cheesecakes and had some friends over.
The kids love our weekly playgroup, but they especially loved the day we went to the Splash Pad.
A doe and her babies have frequented the neighborhood this summer.
Cooper decided to be resourceful and give his shoes a little extra life . . .
Another splash pad, another park day.
The kids helped make this sign for Noel when he did the Colorado Ragnar Relay.
Noel at the finish line. He ran 21 miles total. Almost more impressively, he netted 4 hours of sleep.
Noel swinging the kids after puking in the bushes. Ironically, I too christened this park when I ran the relay 3 years ago. Oh, the memories.
I’ve been promising the kids we’d make play dough forever and we finally did.
Ellen and her tough friend. 100% kid powered – everyone slept well that night.
Noel embracing his inner child to trim some branches on one of our trees.
Two little monkeys sitting in a tree.
Fun with the tree swing.
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3 thoughts on “As Summer Draws to an End”
What a wonderful summer. Its still the best part of school, even before you start.
3 thoughts on “As Summer Draws to an End”
What a wonderful summer. Its still the best part of school, even before you start.
Cooper’s Buzz Lightyear painting is amazing!