An Apron Full of Petals
Written by Lynn on May 21st, 2008On my little stroll through the garden this morning, I spied some pink carnation petals in Sarah Elizabeth Gramble’s apron.
It looks like she placed them there herself. Maybe she did.
There’s so much to do in the flower garden! There are plants that need thinning. Two very invasive plants (arrrgh) need to be aggressively dug out and thrown away. There are seeds that need planting. Nevertheless, other, more important things simmer on the front burner right now.
For example, the North Carolina Home School conference which starts tomorrow and goes on through Saturday. I’ll be there, looking for items to make up Big Joe’s 12th grade year. He wants to study Japan intensely, including the language. It will be a lot of fun.
I cleaned the house up today. The whole entire house. With four children and a busy schedule it’s not a piece of cake. Oh, I might find a dried-up piece of cake in one of the boy’s rooms, but it’s not a piece of cake to have all rooms clean at one time.
Last night before I went to sleep, I was remembering my interactions with each child when they were infants and toddlers. Each child was different, so I interacted a bit differently with each one. Oh, I loved each one fiercely, but some babies wanted more cuddling than others, some nursed more, some walked or talked early — or late… Well, you get the picture.
I’m sure that each little one knew how much he or she was loved. I got a bit tearful (I’m sure it’s my age) thinking about those sweet, short years of infancy. My, they go by fast! Hubby tells me not to worry, grandkids are around the corner. Makes me smile to think of all the neat things I’d like to do for grandkids!
Life gets chaotic at times and I was a little stressed over some things last evening, so Princess of the Universe, in an effort to cheer me up, traced her own and each of her brother’s toes onto a piece of paper and brought them to me. 
You’d have to see these papers to realize how funny they are. My boys have big feet. No, these are not little delicate baby toes that were traced, but great big, teenaged boy toes. The tracings are currently glued into my journal as part of today’s entry. She did indeed make me smile.
I am thinking that this year at the NC homeschool conference I will focus on attending workshops geared towards teaching high school and preparing for college. I know it will help me to pull things together next year. And, as usual, I’ll be on the lookout for good books of all kinds and for any homeschooling buddies I might run into.
Lynn
for you to leave a comment, but you can also e-mail me at lynn AT thehealthyhomeschool.com
21
PM
…..my they do grow fast don’t they? Congrats on getting the entire house clean, thats quite an accomplishment! It usually takes me a few days…LOL!
Have a lovely evening!
Hugs,
Robin
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I love her little apron full of petals. And I know what you mean about a clean house. It’s a tough job to keep everything clean, but I’d rather have that job (being a mommy) than any other in the world.
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I am mourning (seriously) the growth of my son! I’ve been weepy and sad and MISS the sweet younger years! I know it’s all part of the process..and it’s healthy– but, oh how I miss those sweet younger days.
I hope you share your conference adventures with us! And, please post what goodies you find for your children!
It’s cold, damp and rainy in Michigan!
Your friend, Michele
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Robin, if I can only KEEP it that way now!!
Sheri, me too! It was so hard for me to leave home for those years and work, but it had to be done. I cannot tell you how happy I am to be back home keeping house and working from home.
Michele, I do know what you mean! I could really let it get to me some days, but I remind myself that I did have my time with that and I did love my children — as I tell them — bigger than the whole wide world
There will always be children in the world who need love and hugs and kisses. And, like hubby said, there may be grandchildren!
Lynn
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Lynn, I know what you mean about having the entire house clean at one time with 4 kiddos undoing everything you try to accomplish…it IS quite a feat! But, you did a great job…and I feel inspired to get ALL of mine done today…that would be a great way to start our weekend, I think!
And, too, my oldest are almost 10 and I have been feeling really weepy about that whole number because I know that they are NOT ‘little’ anymore…in mind or body. They grow so fast and when they hit the 9-10 year mark, things start changing from little kid to big kid so rapidly. I know that’s how it’s supposed to be, but it is so very tempting to try to keep them little for just a while longer….time just never slows down, does it?
Enjoy the homeschool conference…sounds like fun!
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PM
Sandra, I hope you got ALL your house cleaned. If not, no worries.
I do know what you mean about those kids growing up. It’s exactly how I feel. At least we know we should be enjoying it!
Lynn
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Oh my!! I am so impressed! Your home look so cozy and lovely….
When I begin to clean up my little one begins messing up.
Patricia
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Thank you, Patricia! My home is very modest and old, but I do the best I can. All I can say about kids making messes, big kids have the ability to make big messes.
I was at your blog early this a.m. and LOVE the new pictures of Willow!
Lynn