Shean Stories: 2012

September 9, 2012

The More We Get Together, The Happier We'll Be

When we moved to Louisville, I wasn't sure I would be able to find my "girls." I left behind such an amazing group of goddesses in Olympia, and my heart ached at the thought of not finding ladies as fine as those. But WOW did I find them. We gather when we can, impromptu nights like this making my life whole. I am so blessed to have found these wonderful friends and families we refer to as our Sunflower Friends.

I remember all five of us nursing our wee-est ones in this spot that we danced with them in tonight, and my soul smiles.

We watch our littles kick in our bellies, begin to talk, hold hands, enter school, pout, cry, shine, smile, and run. It is so wonderful to witness and be supported by these women.

And a shout-out to the amazing papas that are raising these amazing kids along with us, were smart enough to marry their wives, and who we are watching grow up and older with us. We love you so!

Here's to more campfire dancing, banjo-picking, marshmallow-roasting, creek-wading circles of love.

You know you're uncool when you start quoting children's music, but what's new? In the words of Raffi, "the more we get together, the happier we'll be."
(Yes, I did just quote Raffi.)

Meet Your Food

Although we've only eaten organic meat for years now (for many reasons), for the last year or so we've recently begun getting more and more of our meat from local sources. Even more recently, it's been so great to get a chance to meet the actual hens from which we sometimes get eggs and also the animals that we have later eaten. It is an important loop to close for children and adults alike.

Maybe it's the previous 10-year vegetarian in me talking, but I think it's important for us to remember that meat is not just another shrink-wrapped item that we pick up in a supermarket along with our toilet paper. It was a living being. When I eat this food, I feel the connection to those animals more strongly, have a greater appreciation of the fact that I am eating another life in order to sustain my own. It just makes me feel better about what I'm eating. I appreciate it so much more, knowing the care and love that went into making that food available to my family. So, if you ever get the chance, I highly recommend that you meet your food.

Best Buds

Last year at the Waldorf School of Louisville, Quinn met his first best buddy. This year, we're working hard to preserve a beautiful friendship between my busy, loud, outgoing, and fast son and his perfectly balanced friend who is methodical, quiet, shy, and slower-paced.

They both seem to draw each other to a nice center that is beneficial to each of them. We've scheduled weekly playdates for them in hopes of somewhat replacing the Waldorf program that they've outgrown, while deepening their friendship.

I look forward to many fun adventures with these two amazing creatures and can't wait to see what they have to teach and show me. I am such a lucky person to be able to spend this time with them.

First Day of School

2nd Grade!! I can't believe it. But she is there. This was the first year that I think she and I were both feeling like it was time to go back to school.

I will miss her dearly, but I know that she is looking forward to learning new things, getting away from her wonderful but very LOUD brother, and seeing her friends.

She is getting so big, but still sometimes I'm reminded of just how tiny she is still, how big the world is in her eyes, and how important her parents still are to her (at least for a few years more.)

I love to watch her grow and shine!

Fairy Tale Birthday

Skye wanted a fairytale party this year for her birthday, and she had a lovely one indeed. It was a gorgeous day, with plenty of friends and family to celebrate our dear wonderful child. You are such a gift to us, Skye. Thanks for being our daughter!

Awesome August!

August is always a very BUSY month for us. We crammed in all sorts of fun this year, as usual!

We beat the massive heatwave by having plenty of indoor days,

adventured at Blackacre a few times, of course,

visited family,

played with buddies,

celebrated Gary's 40th Birthday (WOOT!!),

skipped rocks,

ker-plunked rocks,

had a daytime backyard campout,

visited the amazing willow sculpture at Bernheim,

loved the sculpture SOOOO much,

played hide and seek until we dropped in the sculpture,

played a bit more with buddies,

and went to the Louisville Slugger Museum.

Not bad, eh? And there's more to come. . .

August 21, 2012

Tampa Vacation

We (Gary) drove two days straight to deep Florida to visit our seldom-seen, but much-loved family members. Our beloved Gordy went with us and was designated co-pilot. There was something for everyone:

For a certain 3-year-old alligator fan, there was much searching for and some finding of alligators, both in the wild, and the not-so-wild;