Sunday Evening Stroll

Sunday afternoon the sunshine was intoxicating.

It's like late April in February right now.
The weather has been so odd.

But. I couldn't help but be cheered by the sun when we got home from church.

This man and I peeled potatoes and chopped them, 

put them in the pot on the stove to boil.

I made brownies and mint frosting.

We headed to dinner at some friends' house.

We got home in enough time to to stroll once around our neighborhood,

arriving home just as it was getting dark and there was a nip of chill in the air.

As we made our way up and down our streets, past familiar houses,

the older kids were scootering and Claire was in the stroller.

I watched my boys cruising ahead, playing together, ditching the scooters,

jumping back on, this dude sporting a pirate patch and dangly necklace

hanging down the back of his head.

(So awesome.)

Made me wistful and happy.

Oh! to be 8 again.

When I'm smart enough to slow down and try to observe through their lens --- even briefly --- I see much more tender hearts than I stop to think about most of the time, imagination, joy, quick forgiveness, hope and courage, 

reservoirs of feeling, faith, simple amusement.

Yes, to be 8 again.

Friday Morning & A Pirate Name

Because we have graduated to chapter books, I find that I don't read as many picture books as I used to when the boys were the babies.  

(Mental note to self: Carve out time for that every day.  

With Claire.  

With all of them.  

ALL of us love picture books.)

Anyway.

My house was quiet and clean this morning.  

The older 3 are gone, so it was just me and Little Miss.

I went and grabbed this book that calls me back to earlier years, one I remember my mother reading to me as a small person.  

 It was so lovely.

Claire has graduated to the stage where she will sit and look at the pictures, point, talk about them, smile and stare.

And I just watched her, and loved us there together, alone, enjoying a book.

Some loves don't need much explaining.

Made me feel like my whole world is right and good.

A place of peace.

A place of warmth.

A place where at least one thing is right.

Couldn't not feel happy.

Then we went out for a walk -- to the bank, and to a friend's house, where we sat and talked for quite a while.

The wind was breezy,

the sun was out,

color is creeping into the city,

and this girl is a sweet companion.

And unrelated, but I lucked out and got 2 (!!) boxes of seconds today at the orchard...apples AND peaches.

Booyah!

And if you're interested, it's International Talk Like A Pirate Day.

Go to www.piratequiz.com, take the quiz, and you'll get your pirate name.

Like I did.

Which is why today is the day I became

Dirty Prudentilla Cash.

A History of Strolling

Yesterday as I headed out to the stroller with my phone, keys, jacket for Benji, water bottle, and three bags of popcorn for their snacking pleasure, I grabbed my camera, too.  

I couldn't help but think about how this has been such a part of me and them.

I wish I had a log of all the many miles I've done using a stroller.

One day, the children will hear how a significant chunk of their baby/toddler years was spent as we walked and ran, getting fresh air, admiring beauty, slowing the day down.

Honestly.  

I can't even begin to guess.

Last night I looked through photos, just to prove it.

And there are many not pictured here, too.

I can see these little people growing up, right in front of my eyes, mile after mile after mile.