Fit to Swim

Fit to Swim, originally uploaded by leahOOt.

Well, once again I'm out smarted by a 2 1/2 year old. It's been storming and raining off and on all day. When we got home from work, of course the kids wanted to play outside. Now, my 6 year old didn't argue for the mere fact he has been grounded from "fun" until the playroom is cleaned... but my lovely daughter just wouldn't take NO for an answer. I tried pretty much everything... let's clean (she used to get excited over this, but she's starting to understand a vaccum isn't a fun toy), let's make brownies (ummm... some consideration but... no), so I just told it like it was... "Honey it's raining out, we'll get all wet." Off she storms to her bedroom. Thinking I "won" this itty bitty battle, I started in on some laundry. Low and behold... she comes running out of her room in her bathing suit and out the door she went!

Why haven't I learned how not to underestimate a 2 year old? And another point... do mom's ever really "win"?

A Mother's Rear"view"

A Mother's Rear"view", originally uploaded by leahOOt.

This is one of my favorite shots. One day early this Spring I was driving home and I took notice of how "green" the grass and fields were starting to look... still, just the ground though, no blossoming buds in the trees. But it was refreshing to see the grey dull winter disappearing under the vivid green of Spring. Then I looked backed and had a "mother moment"... my "blossom" looked so peaceful... I began to think about how much she had changed and how fast she was growing up even at a young age of 2 1/2. Soon she would be in Elementary School, then Middle School, then High School and Proms and then graduation and then WHEW... finally, in the driveway and the moment was gone... not before a few tears escaped but well before the sobbing and questioning of how I was doing as a mother, friend, wife, sister, daughter, coworker... and WOW, almost another moment! All you mothers can relate!

Here are our Peony Prince's and Princess' from this past weekend's Peony Parade... yes, we live in small town Midwest Ohio so this is the season for small town festivals and parades. This particular weekend is know as "One Wonderful Experience." Our town is packed full with local artists, musicians, animal lovers, craft lovers, food lovers, etc. etc. etc. And Saturday evening is the 100(+) year old Peony Parade. As one of the oldest businesses in our hometown, we entered my father's 63 Lincoln in the parade and let the grandkids ride on the back. They were terrific! Next year the committee should put together a Peony Prince and Princess contest for young kids... my two kids and my 4 nieces and nephews would surely be the top pick!!!

Meet the newest member of the family...

Kermit Michael the Frog

It is official, frog hunting season is among us. We spend hours walking around the pond, sitting on rocks, just waiting for the frogs to surface. Once they surface, the poor amphibians only have a few seconds of fresh air and sunshine before the lovely beasts (my two children) scare them back to the darkness. Owen has yet to catch one and Olivia just observes, doing pretty much whatever Owen does, with the exception of trying to touch one. Anyway, Kermit Michael is actually getting pretty daring (or just plain mad) and is starting to engage in staring contests with Owen. It's funny... I think if Kermit Michael were to actually speak, he'd be teasing Owen and laughing hysterically at how "slow" he is. Kermit Michael seems to stare Owen down until Owen's hand is just about around his slimy body, then he shoots back into the water, frightening all of us watching... "Those stupid humans... they think they can actually catch me!"... laughing all the way back to his amphibian family!

Oh, you are asking, "why is it Kermit Michael?" Well, for some reason whenever there is something new at home, be it a tree, plant, rock, kitty, or in this case, a frog... we've always asked Owen what we should name it. So, we have Michael the Maple, Michael the "Big Red Rock", Michael the Medim-sized Knockout Rose Bush, Michael the Large Topiary... and many, many more! So, when I asked him what we should name our first frog of the summer, I told him we couldn't have any more Michael's and that I really wanted something original like "Kermit"... Owen came back with a counter offer... so be it... Kermit Michael!

Oh... we long for summers at the ranch!

Just more Pre-K Graduation Pics...

Emotions of a Mother...

Well, the emotions of motherhood set in this past week... my oldest has graduated from Pre-K. He's quite the ham, as these photo show, so I shouldn't bat an eye. However, the tears are flowing as my first born becomes more independent. I know he is ready... he can say his ABC's, count to 100, tie his shoes, recite his address and phone number, etc. he loves to be challenged, and he's ready for what's to come. But, again, I'm saddened at the fact he's growing into a little man and it just all seems to have happened too quick!

Scratch & Sniff

Well this evening I ventured out in the backyard and noticed Spring has finally arrived! Maybe it's been here a few weeks, but tonight, I took notice. First of the vibrant colors (thanks to my loving husband who always remembers my love of yellow and purple)... second the amazingly fresh and powerful scent of my three Purple Lilacs (if only this could be a scratch and sniff sticker for my readers!) These are truly my favorite Spring blossoms... I could lie in the hammock and snooze all night with their invigorating scent lingering around me... but, it is still a little chilly for the hammock AND the mere fact we didn't have enough time this past weekend to get them out would leave me no choice but to resort to the not so soft Arkansas outcropping rock (a little landscaping lingo coming out there...) So, I think I'll retire to my bed and dream of lying in the hammock with the Lilac's floral scent dancing all around me.

Sweet dreams ~