240/365: going for gold
My life has been mostly consumed with home, family, and getting the kids off to a good start this school year. It occurs to me that this sometimes feels like a distraction from “my work”. In reality, though, “this” is not the distraction: it’s the main attraction. “This” is the heart of my life. I can make up anything else that I miss but not the time spent getting to know my kids. It turns out, they are really cool people. I’d hate to miss on that.
224/365: zola on the bars
This is an apt portrait of my daughter Zola. She is particularly dogged about doing what she sets out to do (note the tongue sticking out to express true determination). She is also a cheeky little monkey.
The monkey bars never stood a chance.
Only wish Sawyer had been along for the walk so our shadow yoga family portrait was complete…
From left to right: Zola, me, Brad, Rocco.
209/365: three in tree + one down dog
Since I have a lot of catching up to do, I decided to break with form and put all my daily photos from our week at the lake into a single post (mainly to spare my email subscribers a total barrage of Terra).
We had a great time, as always. Memories were made, wildlife witnessed, great food consumed. Cold beer, boat rides, fishing, a grand parade. It was pretty much everything you could want from a week at the cabin (except, maybe, another week).
180/365: rocco, nearly 10 months (happy dog)
181/365: goofballs (sawyer & zola on the boat)
182/365: bubbles, side lake 4th of july parade
183/365: wild daisies @ the sand pit
184/365: luna, international wolf center, ely, mn
185/365: bobber, pickerel lake
186/365: birch bark
As parents, we all have our strengths and weaknesses. I’m sure we all dwell on what needs improvement. But it’s a tough job and I think most of us do the best we can. Which is why it’s good to also recognize the things we do best.
For me, one thing I know we’ve done right as parents is nurture Sawyer & Zola’s love & enthusiasm for the outdoors; they may suffer from messy room syndrome but they will never come down with nature deficit disorder!
154/365: zola with caterpillar
I snapped a few shots of Sawyer & Zola yesterday while they were running around by the creek. It’s how I like to see them best – in nature, being happy & free, fully alive & taking it all in. I love the dim reflections in the creek behind them and the play of sunlight on their skin. Mostly I just love them.
Happy Mother’s Day!
128/365 (a): sawyer
128/365 (b): zola
Our baby girl is seven. As time flies ever faster, I’m reminded to soak up every moment of sweetness.
Happy birthday, dear Zola. May all your wishes come true.
67/365: birthday girl
Zola & I were walking to school early yesterday morning when the first flakes started to fall. I realized instantly how much I’ve been missing the snow this winter. Soon the entire city sparkled bright again. And finding beauty all around me was easier than ever.
62/365: fresh snow on pine tree
We are all pulled to the shore, in love with the waves, the breeze, the sand. We feel home and free and alive.
265/365: sawyer & zola, park point beach, duluth, mn
Zola is getting a lot of blog love lately (and, yes, I am fretting about giving both my kids equal time). She’s just having a big month. First the training wheels came off her bike then, yesterday, she lost her first tooth!
Stay tuned for news from Sawyer’s world; I’m sure to be doubting my “good mom” status till I even things out 🙂
178/365: Zola sans tooth
avant garden 365 