Yum!

Today we got to enjoy M&M cookies at the park.  We worked up quite an appetite after playing baseball, basketball, and keeping our distance from any dog that may have been walking in a 5 mile radius.

Ethan really enjoyed another opportunity for M&Ms at Josh's graduation party tonight.  He thought it would be an excellent dinner option.

Chase Me Momma

Both boys love to have me chase them on a path from their play kitchen in the living room to the wall on the far side of the kitchen.  They just giggle and scream with the fear of my foot steps following behind.  They are the most aerodynamic in just diapers and "robot undies."

Happy Birthday Hannah!

We celebrated today by driving in the car, 

 watching (and eating) ants, 

 and lounging on the couch trying to cool off.

Summer Challenge

In an attempt to stay busy at work for the next twelve days but more importantly document the crazy things two toddler boys say or do each day, I am going to try to blog (mini posts or pictures) every day for the summer (well, lets try June and see how I do).  I can't claim this as an original idea as Grandpa Dean did this last summer.  It was fun to look at his blog each day to see what photo or comment he had about his day adventures.

So here goes June 1...

Snuggles and cartoons with Daddy.

 Goofy photos of the boys enjoying their snacks yesterday afternoon:

 

Why?

It has been a year of reflecting.  Not that other years have not been as reflective.  But I think the nature of my job this year has caused me to be more deliberately reflective both professionally and personally.   I have realized the power of reflection - taking time to yourself to just think but also the way it can drain your energy.

As the school year is winding down and my time feels more flexible and open, I find myself just staring off into space thinking.  I have reflected on this school year.  Questions like...
How have I impacted students?
Have I made a difference for teachers, classrooms, kids?
Am I a better mom because I don't worry about grading and lesson planning when I come home?
Am I better mom and person for doing a job that I don't necessarily love?
Why do I feel a strong desire to go back to the classroom despite the negativity that circulates the profession?


Then I begin to reflect and my thoughts quickly switch gears, especially this week, to my family.  And questions like...
Why are people's health being challenged right now?
Why do people's health ever have to be challenged?
Why do I feel that when life seems to be going so well for long periods of time that an abrupt slap-in-the-face has to occur?
Why am I so thankful for the reminders of the appreciation of little things in life and the things that truly matter?


I started this year (school year) with my motto being "why" (it played in well to my job of asking "why").  In looking back I have learned that there are two kinds of "why" - those that are easily, well eventually, answered and those that are philosophical and may never be answered.  It is those philosophical "whys" that create the greatest angst and emotion as well as the greatest desire to have them answered.

Most importantly everything seems near perfection when these two little guys smile or wrap their arms around you and say "I love you."