Snapshots of Play

I don't pick up my camera to photograph my kids in their nuttiness of play as much as I once did, but I had these from last month show up on my camera card. These moments still make me smile. Boys are just so fun to watch. They make life funny and their antics remind me almost daily to enjoy it. May we never think age and maturity are reason to become too serious, causing us to miss out on the pleasures of relationship and the world around us! Play. Or maybe, relearn how to play if you've forgotten.

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” -George Bernard Shaw

“It is a happy talent to know how to play.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Be glad of life because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look up at the stars." -Henry Van Dyke

"Those who play rarely become brittle in the face of stress or lose the healing capacity for humor." -Stuart Brown

“You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.”-Richard Lingard

>:<

I'm missing the extended play of the summer months. On this day, I said something to the effect: "I'm going to workout at the beach. Who wants to come play in the surf?" And we quickly loaded up a few things and took off. I climbed stairs (a change from running), then I joined them in the waves. 

I find this sort of workout amusing, and I have discovered that getting stronger and more agile is helping me to play with more fervor. I will always remember watching my grandma doing her morning exercises. Even as a little girl I knew her desire to engage in life and play were unusual; I still want to grow up to be like her. 

There are 130 wooden steps at this beach. I know this because one of my kids counted a few years ago, and for some reason that number stuck in my head. I verified to see if my memory served me right, and repeated the climb 30+ times. (I don't allow guesses if I lose track, and continue counting from my last recalled number. Haha- It's how I enforce my mental engagement and punish slacking off!) Counting stairs and flights keeps me motivated and engaged, competing with myself to do more than planned. 

130 x 30 = 3900 steps climbed  (also 3900 steps descended)

3900/12 = approx. 325 flights of stairs climbed 

It was funny to learn later that the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, has 2909 steps. It would be fun to try that someday!

Anyway, my cool down activity was to play in the waves. The stingrays were more numerous this summer, so it was a bit of a game to keep from touching the sand too much! Still, in my opinion it was the dreamiest workout. It was all the better in the company of some of my kids.

He played till it hurt, and sustained a few surfing rashes the day before. And no matter how much time I spent at the beach this summer, I never managed to deal with my running shoe tan line.

It's too bad summer ends and then the school work seems relentless. I'm not even the one taking Algebra 2 but -wow!- I'm so stressed over it!

Happy Tuesday, and welcome to fall! Sigh.


~Katherine

More of May

My last post was getting long, but these should have been included. One week night this month - I don't remember when - I spontaneously took off for the beach with a picnic dinner. Well, I didn't actually pack a picnic, but rather made a quick stop at the store for a roasted chicken, baguette, strawberries, and Nutella. No one complained there were no veggies, and dinner was slightly barbaric with our roasted chicken. We picked a spot close to the train station where I needed to pick up Jon after we ate, and we played a game that resembled "Whack-a-Mole" with all the ground squirrels that popped up to share our food. 

Michael was feeling under the weather and buried in homework. He sure has put in some long hours this school year! I missed him that evening. I think it's worse when only one of my kids is not with the rest of the group; two or three missing doesn't seem as bad.

Jack prefers to stay warm while Andrew doesn't ever pass up an opportunity to surf or body board.

Sketching~ one of her creative pass times

I love blues and greens...

I'm not sure who the crazy people were that associated those colors with negative feelings.

(They had their thinking clouded by depression and jealousy, maybe?)

Evening light

Father-daughter convo...

Talking college stuff, I think.

Jack and I climbed the rocks for a different view point. He took pictures of me but I didn't like them. Just saying.

Summer can't come fast enough! Memorial Day Weekend tells me the end is near!

~Katherine

Bonehead Awards

On our way to Target last night, Jacob and Andrew were recounting the events of the afternoon and decided they should be recipients of the bonehead awards.

And I agree. Wholeheartedly.

I used to have a series of posts entitled "What He Said" (see examples HERE, HERE, HERE), but I think I should maybe start a series called "What He Did" (only one recorded example so far HERE).

I have chosen to be the kind of mom that encourages healthy exploration, (calculated) risk taking, and the development of strength and bravery through a variety of means. Some disagree with this style of parenting -- I'm OK with that. I'm fine if you feel the need to judge me critically again today. In fact, be my guest.

But let me just say that I do have my limits, and this is an example...

Yesterday I was working inside the house when I heard an explosive POW from the backyard. Michael was at my heels as we ran to see what happened. I don't remember a scream following the explosion, though Michael does. I only remember frightening silence.

Jacob and Andrew stood shocked on the edges of a large, black circle on the concrete. The stench of burned hair filled the air as the two boys stumbled to regain their senses, compromised vision and hearing disorienting them. Those things hardly factored in as I assessed the situation. No one lay unconscious, no screams of pain filled the air, words were beginning to form, and the worse case scenario was narrowly escaped. Relief. Hugs. More relief.

Then the story unfolds gradually. They had been given a few small containers of "gunpowder" and had made a little pile of sticks and flower petals to light up. I'm actually fine with that, though I'd prefer to know before such activities begin. They've done it many times before with little bits of collected gunpowder. They had decided not to combine their little containers, which was a decision that probably averted serious and permanent injury.

You see, the boys didn't have gunpowder. They were unknowingly playing with explosive black powder. (And I'm letting the dads in this case work out this situation!)

We've been praising and thanking the Lord for his protection, for a natural consequence instead of a permanent consequence.

Burn marks and singed hair, eyelashes, brows...

I am mourning the loss of his beautiful, blond-tipped eyelashes...

Hair singed to the scalp at the top of his forehead...

And to think this is the second time in two weeks this boy has wrecked his hair by fire!

Andrew has burns on his hands and thighs that are blistering today, but Jack suffered more overall damage since he was handling the lighter. Both boys were pretty shaken up for the next couple hours.

He was seated here next to me as I uploaded pictures today, so I snapped a few more.

I'm not even slightly trained at hair cutting, but he was too embarrassed to go to the barber. There's only so much I (or anyone) can do with hair that is melted to the scalp in some areas, so I'm glad he enjoys wearing hats!

Little burn marks speckle his face

He tells me his eyelashes hook together like Velcro when he closes his eyes!

So what did they say?!

"I'm never gonna light black powder again."

"Mom, we should have read the instructions on the lighter. It says, KEEP AWAY FROM CHILDREN." (Read with a sarcastic tone)

"I'm kinda glad that happened. It's kind of good story."


~Katherine

Responsible Much?

This morning was an absolute glorious morning. When Jon is out of town I keep the curtains open in our room, and so a dramatic sky and navy colored ocean welcomed my day. There was a wonderful cool breeze running through open windows, and it actually felt a wee bit like fall. I slept in an extra 45 minutes because I stayed up way too late eating chocolate and enjoying the quiet last night, and because my big kids have a later Friday schedule. I'm more responsible when Jon is home.

Yesterday was pretty fabulous, too. Unlike today, I was up early getting the day going. The first online class was at 7AM, then a couple more every hour after that. In the meantime, others needed to get to campus, Jon needed a ride to the train station, and I ran the breakfast counter and lunch packing station for several hours. Oh, and home schooled Jacob and Andrew. By noontime, though, I stuck my tongue out at responsibility and took off for the beach. Maybe it's because of the summer pictures I've been sorting through, or maybe it's because we've been bearing the weight of responsibility far too long, but I'd like to think that it's actually responsible to take a break sometimes. Yes, I'm going with the latter. It's responsible to recharge.

We packed dried fruit and popcorn and clementines. I took along two cups of coffee because I'm running on fumes. It wasn't responsible for me to stay up as late as I did last night, but rest comes in more ways than by sleep alone.

Jacob wanted me to follow him to see some "secret" places. I loved the view of Andrew from the top, and smiled at the view of Jacob's bedhead, ratty wetsuit, and soggy bottom.

I was a kid just like him... searching for secret places and always looking for a place to balance from.

I hang out with kids all day, every day. I revert to childhood quite regularly. I pretend I can fly and do random things just for the fun of it.

I got chewed out by a couple other beach-goers yesterday. They were offended by my parenting. I guess I'm not raising good boys if I let them feed the birds. I guess it's reckless parenting to let kids play on rocks because they just might tumble down a few feet to their I-don't-know-what. I guess I'm foolhardy for letting them scrape a tiny hole in the sandstone because the whole environment depends on us not interacting with it.

Whatever. I found myself seething for a while, but I refrained from getting up and returning the favor of giving parenting advice. I personally didn't think it was any safer to spray kids with chemicals, cutting off the skin's ability to produce vitamin D and filling the lungs with pharmaceutical film. It's probably not good for the environment either. I did find the thought of me sharing my "concern" a little humorous, though.

So I did cartwheels instead. That probably settled it in their minds that I am an irresponsible, airhead parent. Well good then. I probably had a happier day.

Brothers and best friends. I hope some day they appreciate my irresponsible parenting!

I'm getting set for another late night with flag football games and preparation for a women's event at church in the morning. The weekend will be a non-stop list of activity and true responsibility and work, so I'm balancing that all out with waffles for dinner tonight. Happy weekend!


~Katherine

One Fine August Day

School is starting to rain down on our party! High school orientation was yesterday and Olivia's community college classes have begun. One more day for us of semi-summer, and we'll be in full swing by Thursday. I wish I could pretend to be more excited about it, but I'm not good at faking.

I've got lots of summer beach pictures to cull through; these were from earlier this month at a favorite long boarding beach. Andrew and I are still trying to plan one more afternoon there, somehow.

I told Olivia today that I often have blogging in the back of my mind, sort of like an action item I'd like to get to, if possible. It's always at the bottom of my list though. I told her I'd rather experience life than relive it. And if I can't join in the fun, I'd still rather enable and facilitate others in having a good or productive time. So I may never get to posting all the summer pictures, but I will try. That's why I am putting up way too many for one post again...

Tonight, the older two are at youth group. Jon is picking up Jacob from practice/scrimmage, then the younger two are spending the night with a good friend, and Jon and I are going to head out for a late evening date. I've got moments here, so words will be brief!

Waiting in line to get into the state park. Always worth it.

This place is a Mecca for VW cars and vans.

(See last year HERE)

We park right on the beach, which is so convenient with the boards and gear we tend to bring.

(I'm not sure if there's a potential for privacy issues if I have our license plate number visible online, so I blurred it out! My photo editing skills could use some help.)

Paddling out moments after arrival. No time wasted.

Jacob, far left on the red board, with the big guys waiting for the big waves.

Olivia and Andrew riding out tandem style.

Sweetest guy to look back and wave me throughout the day. They know I'm always watching.

Hopping up to a stand and riding...

My zoom lens in insufficient to take pictures when they are too far out catching bigger waves, but many times they ride in close enough for me to capture them.

His happy dance after catching a good wave and riding long.

My birthday suit. 

Er, um, I mean the wetsuit I got for my birthday this year!

Thanks, Jack, for the capture! I wanted a wet suit so I could swim and board with all of you! It's been a really fun summer out in the waves with my favorite people!

My older kids spent more of their time reading and sleeping on the beach, not just playing.

The younger two come in only to eat or to switch out their gear.

Always together.

"Driving" in!

Riding backwards.

His face says, "Do you see me, Mom?"

I never notice his tongue sticking out in concentration, except in pictures!

Low tide discoveries...

Sea cucumber ink

Party wave

Sunset wave

Time to pack up.

We took a short walk down the beach before heading out...

...and discovered that a shark had been swimming by the beach that very day!

Beach talks with Andrew.

The closing of a good day.

It's a good day when no one is eaten by a shark.

~Katherine