Yesterday ended up serving as a perfect microcosm of motherhood itself, the bookends of challenging morning and evening routines outlining the hearty middle parts of sleeping babies resting on shoulders, small hands reached out for bigger hands in invitations to come explore, and staccato little girl laughter that seemed to never end.
What started as a day with a trip to Walmart–three kids piled in a cart, one crying; a bottle propped up to feed the baby; and a foam Funoodle that wouldn’t stay put in the cart–and ended with poor Nella who woke up twice in the night needing her mama; was filled in the middle with good. Lots of it. Some of that good we worked to create but most of it fell naturally into place.
Our favorite spot on the Isles of Capri offered only a skinny stretch of beach yesterday–the rest of it covered by high tide. But we worked with what we were given, moving our blanket from dry spot to dry spot throughout the day and scattering a line of rainbow-colored toys along what we’re completely aggrandizing by calling it a beach. It was a strip of sand, really. But we create our own reality, and to my kids it’s a beach with shallow water for wading and dense sand for digging and hidden treasures for discovering–like broken shells and harmless jellyfish.
And friends.
My kids were covered in sand last night–every inch of ’em sugared with sand that gradually fell off in the carseat, on car mats, onto the garage floor and in a long trail along our tile that finally led to the bathtub.
And with kids finally bathed, beach bags unpacked (or not), wet towels hung out and a few shoulder spots that missed sunscreen patted down with aloe, we ended our day last night exhausted yet satisfied.
I think those two words describe this whole thing pretty well–exhausted yet satisfied.
Red suit, Popina Swimwear
I love what these babies bring to the middle of my days.
We’ll continue to search for neglected skinny sand stretches and turn them into colorful beaches. Accept challenging bookends to our days and fill them with happy middles. Take what we’ve been given and add to it, creating our desired outcome when we can.
And that might come out as a vague metaphor but I’m smiling thinking of about a hundred situations I know I can apply it to right this moment.
Hope you all had a wonderful Mother’s Day.
Your babies are so beautiful! You have no idea how much joy these photos bring to your readers xo
My Mother’s Day weekend was super busy, but filled with exploring new places, celebrating a high school graduation, and getting a homemade card from my one year old. I think we had plenty of happy middles.
I am so glad you got to go to your favorite place on Mother’s Day! : ) Your babies are beautiful. And so are you. I am glad you get to be their Mama.
The photo with you, Nella and Dash on the beach brings one word to mind- Pride. That is one proud and loving big sister. That boy will certainly know what love is!
Your family is beautiful, and you eloquently capture the story of your lives. Thank you for you sharing so sincerly.
Happy Mother’s Day! I love how much time you spend on the beach with your little ones!
oh, what a wonderful post, those pictures are peaceful! thank you for sharing!
Yes, “exhausted yet satisfied”. That’s how my days are with my 4 kids. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I’m so glad you had a good Mother’s Day.
P.S. How’s your husband feeling? Hope he’s well on his way to recovering.
xo
OMG, PLEASE tell us where you got Nella’s gingham swimsuit! Cutest thing ever!
Your kids are so beautiful! This looks like an amazing day, thanks for sharing! -♥- Rachel (For the Birds Blog / Vintage Store Credit Giveaway!)
Gorgeous Kelle!
Happy Mother’s Day! Babies and bathing suits, I just love it.
All five of your kids are beautiful but I have to say that Nella just takes my breath away.
Loved this post.
Love isles of capri! Thanks for posting those beautiful shots. Happy Mother’s Day from an inspired momma in Tejas,
Melissa
Of all your posts I love your Isle of Capri ones best. They are classic Kelle and I can see you are at your most relaxed. Lovely photos of a special day. Happy Mother’s Day friend! Xxx
Take what we’ve been given and add to it, creating our desired outcome when we can – yes! Thank you or this xxx
Looks like an amazing way to spend the day .. with your kids at the beach. It was snowing here in Canada yesterday but I will live vicariously through you today.
I think we all want to move to Naples after such pretty beach photos. Hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day. My 30 year old son spoiled me with flowers, gifts and a wonderful lunch at Brio Tuscan Grille. Hope Brett is on the mend. Thanks for sharing your gorgeous children with us!
I was already itching for a return trip to Naples beaches, but these photos kicked my craving into overdrive. It looks like a really lovely day. My first Mother’s Day with Isla was particularly special last year; I hope you enjoyed your day with Dash in much the same way!
so so so so beautiful. you inspire me, friend!
xo
Happy Mother’s Day!! Happy middles filled my day as well!!
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my metaphor is turd sandwich on brioche. i may have to chew a little turd, but that dang heavenly brioche sure is worth it! (yeah… i just commented that.)
happy mother’s day, kelle.
xoxo
great pictures!
Happy Mothers Day!
Beautiful,
And I hope whatever you dreamed about today will manifest in a way as beautiful as Dash has. Shake off the dust, enjoy the middle, and know there are so many people who think you’re tops.
N
http://www.mindfulgrateful.blogspot.com
Ahhhh,,,,keep going at it, my friend. I hauled my two girls to the beach every chance I could get. They are now 18 and 22. I have washed more sandy towels and sheets and bathtubs than I care to admit as I didn’t give a rip about bathing at the end of a long day, and then a long drive home…plus, the feel of the ocean still lingered and lulled everyone to sleep.
Yesterday we all met at the beach. I spent good portions of the day remembering: it took almost five years for my youngest to be able to navigate the sand on two feet. sand angels. bathing suit bottoms full of sand. the smell at the end of the day, which is my favorite. sand crabs, squeals and fruit, sunshine, new towels, lotion and sand toys….Even tho they are so much older, It was the best day ever. We still squeal, bring sand toys, and look for new beach towels.
xo
lynn
I love your beach posts, beautiful people in beautiful sunshine brings a warmness to this chilly Michigan girl. (It got down to 30 last night!)
I learned a trick years ago when I took a girls trip to Florida 4 years ago with my mom, her mom, my sister and our two 1 year olds. Baby powder sprinkled on sandy babies equals no more sandy babies!
What a special day! Glad you had a wonderful time.
Serene.Perfection. The middle parts. I love this! Happy Mother’s Day mama! So glad you enjoyed it!
Love that beach, like a wading pool! It’s perfect!
Perfect beach pics, Kelle!! Just got my LON magazine in the mail this afternoon, and I was like, “I recognize that sweet girl and baby!! !” Congrats on the photo. Love you and your sweet family so much !!
Heavenly. I love everything about this. I hope your Mother’s Day was filled with joy.
Lovely photos, as always. There’s something just extra special about those beach photos though.
xoxo Jackie
somethingaboutthatthing.blogspot.com
omg, Kelle, you’ve done it again. Gone and reminded me that in every day there’s a part (even if its small) that I can cling to, enjoy, reflect on, be proud of.
I think as moms we’re so hard on ourselves – we can have a pretty successful day, where we kick butt in every area and then something goes wrong; we’re late to an event, or the toilet overflows, or dinner burns and BOOM. The WHOLE day was for nothing.
This was such a good reminder for me to look for those blessings in the middle parts of the day that are oh, so beautiful.
The middle is always worth it, isn’t it. There are many things in this world that convince us that what we are doing as parents is wrong.
But when we work to create the good and when we work to recognize the good, we know in our hearts that what we are doing truly is good for our family. Seeing that good unfold before our eyes is magic.
Keep finding the good in the middle, Kelle. I love watching it happen through your eyes.
Skinny sand stretches are the best- especially if they become your private oasis.
Beautiful pictures! What a day!
Greetings from Finland.
Beautiful pictures, Beautiful words …thank you for sharing them and for continuing to inspire us to “enjoy the small things”!
I love your shot of naps in the sand. I remember afternoons like that from my own childhood. The feel of sand on your legs, the smell of saltwater, the sound of waves and seagulls. Love, love love. Isn’t it an old saying that life is what you make it? Same thing. You can dwell on the bad or dwell on the good. We all get to choose. Thanks for the reminder.
Kelle….
“We’ll continue to search for neglected skinny sand stretches and turn them into colorful beaches. Accept challenging bookends to our days and fill them with happy middles. Take what we’ve been given and add to it, creating our desired outcome when we can.” . Loving it, loving it!! ;-D
–Raelyn
These pictures make me excited for summer. Love them all. It looks like your Mather’s Day was wonderful. I hope Brett is on the mend and feeling well.
hugs,
Lisa
I just love your descriptions of your days. The pictures are gorgeous and so is your family! I can’t believe your ‘lil one sleeps so well on the sand! I need to remember that baby powder trick! (I keep extra clothes and beach toys in my trunk for my kiddos for spontaneous jaunts to the beach!)
Have you ever been to Savannah, Georgia Kelle? I think you would absolutely love it! We have the historic district which is very much like St. Augustine (which happens to be one of my favorite places 🙂 and we have Tybee Island, Savannah’s baech. It’s an eclectic little place I think your family would love 🙂 Glad you had a great Mother’s Day! I did too. Children are the best medicine.
Thank you Kelle! For reminding me to stop, dig up a bucket and take the kids somewhere to dig (even if I do have to bundle them up). 🙂
I can not believe how big Nella is, little darling precious BIG girl. Please squeeze your 3 darlings on behalf of your readers and tell Nella that someone in Reno Nevada is smiling because of her today! Happy days mama! Thank you ever so much for sharing. xo
What cute pictures(: I’m not sure if you’ve seen this yet, but here is a link about a young man who has Down Syndrome who has been the ball boy for the Cincinnati Reds.. Thought you might enjoy this and put a smile on your face: http://www.foxsportsohio.com/story/alt/Video-Inside-Teddy-Kremers-magical-day?blockID=899477&
I know I’m going to be repeating this one to myself….”Take what we’ve been given and add to it, creating our desired outcome when we can.”
Love it.
Exhausted but satisfied = the beach in general. I LOVE the sandy residue that remains after a good day by the ocean. Love love love.
We work with what we are given and we create our own reality.
It’s true.
Thanks for putting it into words and beautiful pictures.
♥ Nella’s bikini!
Nella looks like such a big girl in these pictures. No more baby girl.
Have you ever tried using talcum powder on sandy bodies?
It is really magical the sand just comes away. Take some with you next time you have a beach day.
My daughter had Down Syndrome and died last month from related health problems. I hadn’t heard of you until today and as I read your posts I have this feeling of disappointment.
Your portrayal of Down Syndrome is not the norm, and I am sure you know that and you are very lucky that Nella is healthy. I have read that you like to leave out the negative, but I think that since you are fairly prominent in the DS community (after looking online I realized this and that’s great) you could at least discuss some of the problems that these children and adults have.
Some of your fans (note that I said some) appear to not have a clue about Down Syndrome other than what you put out there. This isn’t your fault, of course. You can’t control what people read about when it comes to DS.
I am just sad that with such a fanbase that you don’t use it to bring awareness. Donations are great, but that’s just a small part of it. I guess what bothers me is that your fame has come from you riding on the coattails of your daughter’s condition, yet you don’t address it.
I am not saying this to put you down…just voicing a concern. I understand wanting to keep your blog a positive space and I understand that it isn’t a blog about Down Syndrome. I just hope you know that you do have an opprotunity to do more for the community than just having a fund for DS.
I haven’t read every post on here, so maybe you do talk about it somewhere and if so I am sorry about this long post.
Best wishes
Amanda, I am so sorry for you loss.
I so agree with you that Kelle has been given this huge opportunity to bring awareness to DS. For some reason she chooses not to, and I guess that is her prerogative, but one day soon the full impact of having a child with DS is going to come down on her. Nella is still young and healthy (thank goodness) but as she gets older, the challenges will be there. I resent the fact that she portrays herself as someone who has “rocked out” Down Syndrome. She is still a baby bird in the nest.
LOVE!
That noodle sounds more like a no-funnoodle. Just sayin.
Love seeing your pictures. Is Nella having any ” middle child” issues? She seems to like the little guy pretty well!
So beautiful, all of it. Love your heart! (and what beautiful babies!)
These babes are just gorgeous =)
xo,
Katie
hellolittlebean.com
I want to live where you live. Seriously…beautiful!!!
Your pictures (and children) are beautiful!