Prudence Takes a Leap

Yesterday, I described our most recent form of family entertainment. The zipline. I shared how I had some mom-ish misgivings, but how easily swayed I became when I witnessed their sheer delight and obvious aptitude for the thing.

So. I decided to try it myself. Up on the fence I scrambled, scurried down to the end like a giant squirrel with an inner-ear problem, and readied myself for the jump.

"Jump big," Pops tells me, "'cause you don't want to smack into the fence." I'm good at following instructions. I grabbed onto the rope ... and jumped big.

Really big. Like, so big my adult-sized body sailed up into the air with an abandon that should never be attempted ... unless your grip is super tight, your legs are tucked under you firmly, and you are ready for the jolt that comes when your body weight snaps against the overhead wire ...

... of which, I did none. 'Cause I was only told to "Jump Big!" Which I did.

And wouldn't you know ... my grip slipped.

And then I slipped.

And then I ended up on my back in the dirt. Laughing hysterically.

And my children hovered to see if I was okay and why I was laughing so much. And my husband kept taking pictures.

So that, my friends, is a real-life example of what happens when you hoist Prudence up to a homemade zipline and tell her to jump big.

The End.

Hello. My Name is Prudence.

This summer was full of loafing about and not being too scheduled. Always a good thing. One endeavor that did keep my family busy was the clearing out of the green-space behind our fence. In addition to the installation of the now legendary tree swing, the children (and this time I do include Pops in this categorization) were also ecstatic about the end-of-summer zipline that came to fruition.

Much like said tree swing, the safety of the zipline is questionable, at best. Apparently, all the more reason to love it. The children (again, Pops included) have been scaling fences, hopping onto cable-suspended ropes and hurling their bodies towards an opposing tree that borders a steep, rocky, brambly drop-off. Oh, sigh.

It's one thing for my husband to taunt gravity and good sense with these danger-riddled behaviors, but the children. Oh, save the children.

But there they are, loving every minute of it.

Zipping along with full confidence ...

... concentration on their brows ...

... completely lacking (what I consider) a healthy sense of fear ...

... and having the time of their lives.

While I do want my children to actually reach adulthood and survive their childhood while under our care ... I love to see how they are learning to view life as an adventure and opportunity. Prudence is good. But why watch life from the sidelines all in the name of it? I think I get it.

Tomorrow. Stay tuned. For thrills or peril, Anna throws prudence to the wind.

Another First Day

I can barely believe how big my boy is. Fourth grade. My, my. As he stood ready for the picture taking to commence, there he was ... all tall and charming and smiling with confidence. It was all I could do not to run over and start kissing him.

And sweet Lucette. Second grade this year. My very first year of teaching was at second grade, and what a lovely age it is. All adorable and precious, but so smart and capable! Miss Jane is going to miss her sister.

Ah, my babies. Growing up, even though I told them to stop. And while there is part of me that wishes I really could keep them little, what a joy it is to watch them grow.

Anna & Her Brother

Today, my mama sent this photo from the wedding. It just makes me happy to look at it ... I can hear my brother chuckling his signature chuckle.

Angel Baby

Well, I'm sure he isn't always an angel, it wouldn't be right. But we think Cousin Michael is just a little slice of heaven.

Two New Places to Sit

Some of you eagle-eyes noticed them in the background from yesterday's birthday post, and yes ... the chairs are done. I'm rather pleased with how they turned out, too!

If you'll remember, I scavenged a pair off of Craigslist that were in good condition, but rockin' at bit too much of the seventies mottled, dark wood. So a whole lot of taping off upholstery, a couple of coats of primer and paint, and a not small section of the lawn that is now accidentally dove gray too ...

Voilà! Two "new" side chairs for the living room. I love how it makes our 20 year-old putty colored carpet look kind of on purpose! And don't you like the old-fashioned teal velvet with the punchy orange pillow?

A Woodland Celebration

Miss Jane had a birthday today. Miss Jane turned five. In honor of her special day, we crafted a woodland themed party and invited five little girls over to celebrate.

After finding some inspirational woodland animal cookie cutters months ago, I've had a grand time coming up with ideas for the day. Upon arrival, the girls busied themselves with gnome coloring pages and taking turns cutting out and be-sprinkling sugar cookies. Choices, choices ... fox, bear, snail, squirrel, and my favorite ... hedgehog.

Into the oven the cookie friends went, to be bagged up once cooled and sent home in their goody bags.

Next came some cozy stories and poems out of a book from my own childhood collection. The illustrations alone send my imagination into a fairyland of it's own. So nostalgic.

We capitalized on a sun break (the rains have returned!) to engage in pinecone spoon races and get a few wiggles out.

We then moved onto craft time. We made mossy pencil holders (oasis foam hot-glued inside Ikea mugs covered with craft moss) to place our toadstool pencils in. I'm not normally very craft-inclined, but this project was awfully fun.

Ahead of time, spray paint wooden craft balls (with dowel hole) a zippy red and hot-glue onto pencils. Allow little fairy girls to paint white toadstool spots upon.

Makes for a good centerpiece decoration, as well!

Now seriously. How cute are these? Into the goodie bags they went alongside the cellophane-bagged cookies, and coloring sheets. Tie on a helium balloon and there you have it. A sweet little thank-you for guests to take home.

And then. The tasties. Neapolitan ice cream with chocolate sprinkles in punch cups. Scoop up prior to party, place on tray, and keep in freezer 'til ready to serve. I am the world's slowest ice-cream scooper, so this time-saver strategy is a must.

Alongside the frosty cups, we indulged in mint-spriged water ('cause that's how the fairies drink it) and little bowls of raspberry jelly candies. And of course, cupcakes and candles to make a wish upon. Miss Jane had a twinkle in her eye today. I think she was most pleased.

And see her dress? Another relic from my childhood made by my own sweet mama when I was just Jane's size. Yes, there was much memory making today.

Happy Birthday, Jane. You are so very dear to us.

Holding on to Time

Sometimes it's hard to believe we won't always have impish little faces in our home. Amidst all the crazy, for the time being, we are still gifted with a little bit of deliciousness about us. But to me, that is the true marvel of photography ... the ability to quietly capture fleeting moments, feelings, emotions. The way a little nose is shaped or how lips part in concentration. Downcast eyes and sweet, smooth skin.

A way to hold on to time and then present it over and over again.

Shopping My Cupboards

I'm not sure who first expressed the notion ... "It's not always about what more you can acquire, but about how you can use what you already have," ... but they were spot on. I'm always amazed how fun and satisfying shopping my own cupboards can be.

Table runner, two serving platters, wire napkin basket, dishes: All wedding gifts from 12 years ago. And centerpiece? Thrifted milk glass vase filled with fern and heuchera cuttings from the front yard.

Add Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes and plenty of sunshine. Very nice, indeed.

Grain Medley in a Thrifted Turquoise Bowl