Best Life

 I had a great morning with Brianna.  While Paul completed a few chores for Kevin, Brianna and I flew through our chores.  If we managed to finish before Paul showed up - an adventure was waiting!  We cleaned half her closet, hung out two batches of laundry, swept the patio, washed the back stairs, watered the flowers and veggies, walked the dogs, completed four worksheets, read two chapters, picked up toys and shoes and ate breakfast.  Whew! The Blackstone Valley Bike Path was our destination.  We walked while she rode.  Bridges, water and flat pavement - she did great.  Next time though, Paul and I will have our bikes.  She rides really fast!                                                       Megan and Kevin on same path 2001 And then she had to help Grandpa Paul pull the camper o...

 Word of the day - uitwaaien (Dutch).  Meaning to step into the wind and let it carry your thoughts away.  A gentle act of clearing the mind, where the air feels fresh and everything inside you softens.  After our chores this morning, Brianna and I spent time sitting by the pool.  (I was warming up and she was drying so she apply the forgotten sunscreen!)  While lounging with our eyes closed we listed all the sounds we could hear.  All beautiful things - the wind, the birds, a distant dog barking and the water falling down the slide.  A Moment! She taught me another new card game - Goat Your Boat.  A matching card game with pictures of goats in watercraft that requires quick wits.  The hours fly by with her constant antics and singing and laughing.  She still tests us with boundaries -"I can ride my bike after two chores" (she has 5) and "I can apply my own sunscreen" and my favorite "Mommy lets me".  But she also knows we do n...

 Word of the day - eutaxy.  Meaning good order, proper arrangement or harmonious organization. Today we had the privilege/enjoyment/challenge of "watching" Brianna.  With rain and cool temperatures, most of the day was spent indoors.  The challenge - to have Brianna sort through her clothes for like/don't like, fit/don't fit and label all drawers for easier choosing/locating clothes. Alternating sorting with play made the task go quicker and much easier than I would have predicted. We learned how to play the pet version of Sorry.  This game includes piles of poop that are to be avoided or risk returning to start.  There are also Oops cards that include every type of bad pet behavior imaginable.  Brianna kicked our butts easily.    A card game Moose, Match, Mayhem we learned during a subsequent break.  A matching game with quick hand movements and a keen eye - Brianna won easily.   We both accomplished our tasks and enjoyed...

 Today - mundane.  Dentist, errands, cleaning.  And lots of rain.   While sorting photos on my laptop a theme emerged.  Pools and swimming.  So on the day after summer solstice that certainly does not feel like summer, here our some of my pool memories.                                                                 Liisa, Me and Karen early 1970s                                                        (Unlikely we noticed the color or clarity of the water!)                                       ...

 Happy Father's Day!                                                         Me and my dad 1985, High school graduation                                                                      Louis, Paul's dad (1980s?) We started our day early.  Breakfast at Everybody's Favorite at 730am!  Fast service, good food and it is always nice to have all the kids together talking and laughing. Then a VERY fast trip to Walmart for immediate grocery needs (coffee creamer, yogurt and veggies).   Our project for the week - weed, lay weed barrier and mulch Megan and TJs gardens.  Today was cool enough wi...