With this last much needed break from the flurry of end-of-the-year responsibilities this past weekend, I finally had some time to edit some photos and reflect on the last few weeks of celebrations. After a particularly emotional preschool drop-off last week, realizing this school will no longer be a part of our family’s lives, I told Brett, “It feels like somebody pulled a lever on our family’s time. Everything that has been going in normal time for the last ten years seems to be speeding up–like double time–and I feel like one of those singers who’s trying to sing along with a song, but the band is playing way faster than I can sing. It’s all off and I don’t know how to get it back in sync.”
“I’ve done this before,” Brett reminded me, “and I’m sorry to tell you, if you think this is fast, wait until they’re older. When your voice can’t keep up with the band, just listen to the music and enjoy it.”
Lately, this is what it sounds like:
Eleven years celebrated. Where parties look less like organized crafts and themed snacks and more like a swarm of giggling girls weaseling through stores in search of the next scavenger hunt clue.
After an hour of scavenger hunt fun, Lainey and her friends ended at a restaurant where all the girls sat at their own table with no need for entertainment or guidance from me. And from the little nearby table where my dad and I enjoyed our own night together, I watched and felt just as awestruck and in love with this next phase of her life as I have felt over watching her smear frosting from her smash cake all over tiny cheeks. She requested a “rat cake,” and baby gets the cake she wants.
Dash handled his celebration a little more stoically, managing to pull off a full graduation ceremony and class vocal performance without, I believe, a single facial expression or attempt to sing along.
Wait, I take that back. He summoned a yawn, perfectly coordinated with his whole “This isn’t a real graduation, and you know it” act.
In other school celebrations (and there’s more this week!)…
Lainey finished her end-of-the-year research paper and delivered the most beautiful speech (memorized) as Eunice Kennedy Shriver in her school’s Hall of Americans event.
As for the music of life I can’t seem to keep up with, I’m practicing listening and listening well, and summer’s when I do it best.
One of the things that makes our summer so special and heightens this wholehearted enjoyment of what the season delivers is our anticipation of summer and the little plans we are making now to make this summer amazing. I’ve been reading about the importance of delayed gratification lately–how our culture has lost so much of it with instant access to everything. In A Book That Takes Its Time (so good, by the way. Keep it on your nightstand forever), the Dutch author Mark Mieras (studied the neurobiology of craving) is quoted, “Because of ubiquitous instant gratification, something paradoxical happened in our society. Because we have so little time to long for something, there is a kind of restlessness in our lives which leads to us enjoying ourselves less.”
Planning for summer adventures, talking about them and hyping up the wait for delicious summer pleasures is one of my favorite things to do all year, and I know it plays a role in how much we love these next two months. From our summer bucket list to the growing stack in my office of special things we’re saving to pack on our road trip, we’re drawing out enjoyment slowly and purposefully. Besides, there’s plenty available to us while we wait…
Like Memorial Day weekend sparkler parties…
Sunday afternoon trips to the ice cream shop…
Opportunities for summer twinnin’…
Weekend make sessions (summer hair clips, made out of Sculpey clay)…
And so much more.
One more week, and our summer begins.
Happy Monday!
Kira says
Brett’s advice is spot on. Just sit back and enjoy the music, because as they keep getting older, the song becomes theirs, and we just get to listen. ???? Mine will be in 11th, 9th and 5th grade next year, and it does just keep going faster and faster. This raising-small-humans thing is over in the blink of an eye, but the whirl wind trip is the best!!
STacey says
It’s so interesting to think that summer is one of the few things that we still look forward to in this instant gratification world. So, so true…
Martha says
What kind of graphic tee were you wearing at the graduation?!
cathy says
Love this post and Brett’s comment nailed it. Our two babies are heading to 9th and 11th grade this Fall and I swear their preschool graduations were just yesterday. I am beginning to realize I’ve suddenly entered the phase of life were our kids need us less and our parents need us just a little bit more. Often I feel like my inner self is fighting against the change but it is something going forward that I need to embrace rather than grieve. And as one of my girlfriends pointed out, hopefully one day I will be able to relive those beautiful childhood moments that my own kids have moved on from through the eyes of my future grand kids!
Anna says
“She requested a “rat cake,” and baby gets the cake she wants.”
Followed by-
“I’ve been reading about the importance of delayed gratification lately–how our culture has lost so much of it with instant access to everything. In A Book That Takes Its Time (so good, by the way. Keep it on your nightstand forever), the Dutch author Mark Mieras (studied the neurobiology of craving) is quoted, “Because of ubiquitous instant gratification, something paradoxical happened in our society. Because we have so little time to long for something, there is a kind of restlessness in our lives which leads to us enjoying ourselves less.”
Instant gratification in not good for you, terrible for the planet. I hope you’ll practice what you’re preaching here.
Kelle says
While it makes for an excellent “Gotcha!” contradiction (good catch!), I’m going to kindly argue that making a homemade cake to satisfy the imaginative idea of a creative kid isn’t exactly an example of damaging instant gratification that will harm the planet and our family. And as much as I’d like to say you won’t find other contradictions while you’re catching them, I assure you that there are probably more. The good thing? We try, and we continually become more aware of areas for improvement in our contradictions. We tow the line of BOTH–clicking “Buy Now” on Amazon for that new biography we hope arrives in time for our weekend trip AND ALSO holding back, waiting, anticipating the right time for a different want.
If it helps, after the rat cake was made, we waited an entire day before cutting into it to taste it.
Karla says
Not to pile on, but it is “toe the line” not “tow the line”.
Paula McGuire says
I don’t think the rat cake is instant gratification. Lanie waited a whole year to celebrate her birthday. She picked the rat cake theme based on what she wants now, but probably had a million ideas and suggestions in the last year of what she wanted.
ANNA says
Yes, it helped Kelle.
You’re an inspiration to many, and I hope you’ll use your charisma to make this Earth a better place for all species.
You have the ability to protect your Lainey, Nella and Dash from harm’s way. Look the the birds below, these mama birds don’t-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozBE-ZPw18c
I know you love to love and this planet could use some of that now.
Anna
Lara says
“Do I contradict myself? Very well, then, I contradict myself; I am large — I contain multitudes.” -Walt Whitman
I say this to myself at least 20 times a day. 😉
carolina says
Keep “contradicting” yourself, if that is what inspiring moms to live better means!
Laura Ortiz says
Starting September my daughter will be on her last year of middle school nooooooooo! but when I see her face and how excited and happy she is to have one year left before high school, that put a instant smile on my face as well and I get excited too about a new phase, to enjoy it and be happy for her.
Once my kids are off from school, we usually take day trips on the weekends before our big vacation at the end of August (I work full time) so this is our way to enjoy Summer here in NY.
I love looking at your pictures, they’re always so cheerful.
Have a great Summer!
jessey says
I am all about the delayed gratification of summer, but at the same time by the time we pass the 4th of July, I am kind of over it. I prevent my mind from wandering to Halloween costumes and Christmas presents. In MA, we don’t get out until June 21 this year (and that is “early” only because we go back before Labor Day, other towns that start after Labor Day are stuck in school until June 29). I usually take the 3rd week of June off and truly get “summer” with the kids before they go to camp. But with all the snow days this year, they only get 1 1/2 days before camp 🙁 I like them to have a few lazy days of summer so they can be blessed by camp! And then they go, go, go to camp for 8 weeks and then we always take the week before school off. I like them to have a break between camp and school (and I like the break to celebrate 8 weeks of camp routine (which is great for them, not as great for me!). I don’t ever want to take our summer vacation before that and then have to go back to the camp routine. That is my delayed gratification. Now if only the next 22 days would hurry up and school would be over – they’ve done almost all the projects and parties and such. The rest feels just like filler
Rosanna says
Wishing you all a wonderful summer! Beautiful post.
CatHerine says
Beautiful post! Your words and your family are just pure beauty! Thank you for sharing it with us!
Carrie says
Beautiful post and that quote really resonates with how I’ve been feeling lately. Have to check out that book (now! Lol).
Your gratitude and appreciation for these busy days is inspiring, as always.
ellen patton says
I love your view of life; words and photos.
J. LaMontagne says
I agree with Catherine, Carrie and Ellen. My kids are grown now and are wonderful humans, but sometimes when I read your blog I think I would have benefitted greatly from your parenting and life skills. I will definitely put some of it to use when the grandbabies come along. You are an inspiration for sure!
Kelle says
So sweet–thank you. Makes me smile. Looking forward to doing it all over again with a new perspective with grandbabies someday too.
anisah says
I love that you made Lainey a rat cake and I love that baby got what she wanted. I’m guessing your first thoughts were of immediate ideas on creating the perfect rat cake and not on ways to sway her to something else. One of my favorite things to do for my kids (almost 11 and 14) is to make them the perfect birthday cake. I have spent hours and destroyed my kitchen numerous times to create cakes that reflect who they are at every moment. This year my 14 year old said she wanted blueberry pie. That’s exactly what she got. I love the way you celebrate your kids.
Sarah says
Can you tell me where the Blonde shirt is from? I have tried searching and cant find it. Thanks so much!
Kelle says
Hi Sarah,
It’s from Zara.
Tiffany Dotson says
Is there a way to still get that Summer Bucketlist you sent out via email??My friend has it and I fell inlove with it, and now your site!!!! So mad im just learning of you now!!????????????????