Two years ago, Beatrix, who was two years old, knew the words to "Summertime". Oh, how she would dance and turn in little circles on the rugged wood floors of our tiny little living room and sing her sweet heart out. She was soo good. Byron and I tried to get it on camera or voice memo and it just wasn't meant to be. We never captured it on film, but it is with us anyhow. You know what? She doesn't remember the song anymore. Can you believe that? How can those words not be etched into her soul? I thought she would always know them. Time is fleeting, friends. What you think will always be, slips through your fingers, just like that.
On a lighter note, I have a plan in place to make sure she relearns the lyrics by the end of the summer. All is not lost. There are plenty of easy living moments and jazz playlists in our future over the next two or three months.
We are in the thick of summer these days. Flirting with triple digits. Orangey hues in the garden. Our mornings begin very early. We had an intoxicating, soaking, "hardy" (as Beatrix called it) rain earlier this week. The rain gauge recorded nearly two inches which may be underestimating since the rain gauge is now in the path of a growing tree's branches and leaves. There's been a little canning. Yes, moi. I'm getting to know my pressure cooker. So far, since May, I've "put up" (I love to say that) strawberry jam, green beans, and corn. The last two required the big, bad, intimidating pressure cooker. I may even have a few tomatoes to can tomorrow. I'm a bit obsessed with not wasting a bit of what we bring in from garden!! I find that statement about canning my own tomatoes to be pretty, freaking amazing considering my record with summer gardens.
Let's see what else is happening...Oh, we pulled up pretty much all of the garlic and onions. I'm trying to see if the remaining onions will grow just a little bit more. I think we have close to a year's worth of garlic. Pretty cool!
We have one more week of summer camp at The Natural Child. It's been quite fun! We have such a great group of little ones. I love that they keep me planning and organized. I can't always say I keep those habits when there are no paying customers involved...oops.
I created an alphabet book for each child using photos that I've taken of them over the course of the school year. I used iPhoto to create it and I have to say, it came out so sweetly! I might post more pictures of it soon. Regardless, I now definitely have the book-making bug! I've always wanted to make a book about Beatrix and Dolly....
Speaking of the little girl, have I mentioned how much I love the 4 year old stage of my daughter? Seriously, Beatrix is mostly a dreamy, sweet girl these days. I can feel her growing up so much lately and I'm so blown away by her thoughtfulness and her kindness. She is such an awesome kid. I find myself developing happy tears several times a day when I'm with her. I know this easy, breezy flow will come to end (most likely a crashing, screeching, squeeling end), but I must remember to note when times are good. And these are good times, indeed.
All for now,
Nichole
i just love these pictures. i've glanced around your blog a bit...
i can just tell that you are a really good mom. happy friday
Posted by: denise | June 21, 2013 at 08:57 PM
it all looks dreamy- the flowers, the sweetness of Bea on the horse, the tomato and garlic goodness....... happy happy summer!
Posted by: amanda (sweetpotatoclaire) | June 25, 2013 at 11:18 AM
I love 4. There is emotional awareness without self awareness. My son turns 4 next week. He has become so kind and lovely. He is so honest - in his joy and sorrow. I love your pictures and story - it captures their openness to all that's around.
Posted by: Laura @ PassTheKnife | July 10, 2013 at 08:52 PM