I've spent the last 2 1/2 weeks learning some metal-smithing techniques from Stephanie Lee.  I can't tell you what an absolute blast it has been!  Here's just a peek at what I've been creating.

Play Date with the Cuz!

We had my nephew this weekend for an overnight stay.  What fun to have a little boy around again!

And of course its always fun to have a little girl around!

Start Spreading the News...

I'm leaving today.  I want to be a part of it, New York, New York.

These vagabond shoes, are longing to stray.  Right through the very heart of it,  New York, New York

I want to wake up in a city that doesn't sleep, and find I'm king of the hill- top of the heap

My little town blues, they're melting away. I'm gonna make a brand new start of it, In old New York.

If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere. 

It's up to you New York, New York! 

Don't you worry New York, I'll be back!

Time to Fly

It can't possibly be 18 years ago that I snapped this picture at a turf convention.  And now here it is 2010 and my oldest has officially flown the coop.  
Finger paints and Halloween parties at Jungle Ginny's, sandy everything from swimming at Hillsdale Lake, combined birthday parties at Hillsdale, laser tag, and  the swimming pool, baseball bats turned stick horses, Power Rangers every Halloween, hikes and forts and campfires with s'mores, soccer games, basketball games, baseball games, football games, teaching his younger brother and sister to ride their bikes, dirt bikes and motor cross uniforms, golf cart rides, learning to drive, muddy uniforms in the washer, sprained ankles, sprained knees, torn shoulders, student council, LEO club, homecoming candidates, proms, so many memories to list.  The feelings this transition brings are so opposed to each other; sadness that my little boy is no more and happiness and pride that he has become such a caring, compassionate, intelligent, and capable young man ready to begin his next great adventure.  All the blessings of God and the universe to you Ash.  Can't wait to see you soar!

It's Summer and the Livin' is...HOT!

It's August in the Midwest and that means hot and humid.  We are a comfortable sweltering  95 degrees today!  Here's my prescription for cooling off:  Great big glass full of ice, shot (everyone's definition of shot varies) of Passion Fruit Vodka, lemon wedge, lime wedge, and fill the rest with Peach Fresca.  Perfect!

Good Things

Despite all the "It goes so fast", "Enjoy every minute", "They'll be gone before you know it" advice, I wasn't emotionally prepared for this day.  I thought I was; really.  I made it through football season without tears, I wasn't sad when he decided not to play basketball his senior season; not even his last prom brought a tear to my eye.  I had been telling myself all along that I had done my job.  He's prepared. We had instilled in him a faith in God, a strong work ethic, a sense of responsibility and loyalty, a love for all that is America.  I was ready.  I was so proud.  And then graduation day came and he said "Bye Mom, I'm gonna head over to the school now.  I'll see you in a few minutes."  And that started the waterworks.  I just couldn't bear to watch him go. Despite my tears I was so happy for him and so proud.  I look forward to watching the way he will meet the world head on.  I cannot possibly describe the pride I felt as he addressed the crowd at graduation with such confidence, humor, and intelligence.  There are good things to come from my boy.  REALLY good things.

Congratulations Ash.  Here's to many more GOOD THINGS.

It's In Their DNA

Because I have my degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Kansas, I spent many hours debating Nature vs. Nurture.  We also frequently discussed what toys you should allow children to play with (i.e. should boys play with guns and swords?) That was of course before I had 4 children of my own.  I'm here to tell you, it doesn't matter what toys you give 'em, boys are going to turn it into a gun or a sword.

Exhibit A

And girls, well, they will turn the plastic packaging for garden hose washers into a phone.

Exhibit B

Here's to imaginative play at any age!