Tag: Children

School day blues

I spent the day in Madison’s Kindergarten class today.  I only have one more left before the end of the year.  That thought made me very sad.  Adding to my “blues” was the permission slip to go on the elementary bus trip which I was presented with yesterday.

Our district is rather large.  Our Kindergarten is half day split sessions in its own building.  They then split up into 6 elementary school followed by 3 middle school and finally a high school that is over 1/4 of a mile long.  Moving from one phase of school to another can be a bit overwhelming for the kids.  Our district does a nice job in making that transition as easy as possible.  Heading into Kindergarten, Madison and I took a bus trip and tour of the school.  Now, heading to elementary school the kids will all go to school in two weeks and then board busses for the elementary they will attend next year.  They will tour the school, meet some teachers and have snack in the cafeteria.

Madison is so excited, I am excited for her, proud of her and so sad all at the same time.  With Megan heading into fourth grade, and Madi  to first, it is more clear than ever that my babies are growing up.  I think about my miscarriage and about the mastectomy, I envisioned us with a third little Bailey but that was not to be.

I have two beautiful, smart wonderful girls and I know that I am blessed!  My blues will pass but tonight I am allowed to mope a bit. Tomorrow is another day.

Garden fresh

If it was not for the allergies that the girls and I suffer from, Spring would be my favorite season!  Trees blooming, birds chirping and time to plant the garden!

After weeks of prepping, planning and expanding the garden the plants went in on Sunday.  We have come a long way since the first time we tried to grow some things.  A few tomato plants in pots just 4 years ago to the largest garden to date this year.  We will be growing tomatoes of course, both large and cherry,tons of cherry!  We eat them like fruit all summer long).  We also have both red and green bell, jalapeño and long hot peppers, cucumbers, strawberries and a first this year an attempt at watermelon.IMG_4242

It has really been a team effort this year.  Frank bought soil for us that we needed for the expansion.  The girls both took turns with both the hoe and rake getting out the weeds.  On Sunday when it came time to plant, the girls were so excited. Every year we say that it is “our” garden but of course I do most of the work.  Last year they did a wonderful job during the summer harvesting since I was still recovering from the bilateral prophylactic mastectomy.

IMG_4243This year it truly is “our” garden.  Megan and Madison both did a great job planting.  They took their time placing young, fragile plants into perfectly dug holes.  Two days later things look great.  The plants look healthy and already seem to be growing.  I look forward to watching the garden flourish and to the satisfaction it will provide to my girls.  It should be a fun summer of gardening and fresh veggies!

Some life lessons are hard

Yesterday I posted about the bird nest that had been attacked by the Crow’s.  We were very hopeful that we had been able to save the bird family since the mother bird had returned to the nest.  Those hopes started to wane around dusk last night when the nest seemed empty.  We are not able to see into the nest due to its height in the tree.  The girls refused to believe anything bad had happened instead believing that mom was out “stretching her wings”.

This morning Megan was first out the door to again find an empty nest.  The realization set in.  Sadness hit my girls.

Life is a series of lessons, some big others small many sad but others wonderful.  They all have to be learned.  For my girl today death, and the fact that sometimes no matter how hard you try, your best is not always enough.

The biggest lesson of the day, never stop trying and always give your best.  As long as you do, the good will outweigh the bad!