Today is September 1st. I always feel a little sad around Labor Day when I am reminded that summer's days are numbered and fall is coming fast.
Our children's fourth summer was filled with tiny adventures. We took them to a hands-on children's museum in Enid, ate at the Rain forest Cafe in Grapevine, explored caves in the Arbuckles, and hugged miniature ponies on their birthday.
Our zoo pass was used often on dewy Saturday mornings. On really hot afternoons we sat in cool theaters and watched "Evan Almighty" and "Ratatouille".
Occasionally we'd picnic in the park or grill burgers in our yard.
Frequently the kiddie pool was filled and the kids dived in, splashing anyone hoping to stay dry.
With fall comes many more Middleton adventures. Benjamin will begin riding horses again next week. Callie and Donovan are in a music and rhythm movement class. All three are learning new things in Pre-Kindergarten.
Sometimes it is hard to process how fast they are growing up and how quickly our family is changing.
The other day I chatted with new parents of triplets in our NICU. When they discovered I was the mother of three surviving quadruplets they overwhelmed me with questions:
how did you...
when was it....
where can we .....
Patiently I answered them the best I could.
Which brings me back to this being the first day of September.
Not very long ago my babies were bundled in cribs. Our lives were challenging and exhausting. It sometimes seemed like we'd never get through it. There were days I would have swore it.
As hard as it was taking care of three medically fragile children who were projectile vomiting, in and our of hospitals, constantly visiting medical specialists or developmental specialists ...and it was hard ...I know there are parts of the experience I missed because I was sad, angry, or exhausted.
I understand being overwhelmed by intensive care units and lots of crying babies.
However, I wish I could go back - knowing the future would turn out okay - and enjoy my babies while they were still so tiny.
Looking back at summer's explorations, I feel like we do enjoy our babies now. Excuse me, our Pre-K kids. Our ever growing bigger kids. We do enjoy them now. Everyday.
"We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take from us or spare us from." - Marcel Proust
3 comments:
It's not "pre-k" it's "pre-kindergarten" - remember?! :)
They are darling. But, yes, I am so sad that summer is nearing the end!!
Take care,
Kara
I cover my ears and hum "mary had a little lamb" at the mention of Fall. But could it be? Could it be that this is the year we will not cringe and cower from germs? Can we hope?
-Darcy
I love the fall but it also fills me with dread to know that winter will be here soon. I'm not a winter person! lol
It sounds like you had a wonderful, fun filled summer! I am envious at all the adventures you took.
The comment you made "I wish I could go back - knowing the future would turn out okay" took my breath away. I often have those feelings regarding my pregnancy and Domonique's first 3 -4 months.
I worried so much - too much, that I feel I missed precious moments I will never get back.
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