Three

Cora turned three yesterday. Where do I start? Where did those three years go? Who is this little person in our house, who insists she's big? Cora is generous, kind and helpful, direct, smart and silly, stubborn, brave and so very badly wants to hang with the older kids. She knows what she wants.

She challenges me, makes us laugh, keeps us on our toes and adores her brother. She is wild, independent and magical, and I hope that never changes.

Hello Autumn

What an amazing day. There was truly fall in the air, and we couldn't help but want to be in it all day. We opted for one of our very favorite local hikes, and we always have the trail all to ourselves. At about 2 miles in length, it's perfect for little legs, and it meanders through woods, farm fields, along stone walls, up hills and over little bridges. The children always find things to inspect and pick up...acorns, turkey feathers, tree bark and pinecones. I am so grateful for afternoons like this. Grateful that I can be a witness to the journey of these two little souls through the world. Grateful for their health. Grateful that I get to share days like today with the most amazing little people I know.

First unofficial day of school

Well, we begin our homeschooling journey, officially, next week. But, yesterday was kind of the beginning...like a kickoff. Or, like school photos and new clothes. But certainly better than sitting at a desk. Hiking Tumbledown Mt. (one of our favorites) was such a reaffirmation of why we have chosen this path. We get to use the entirety of nature as our classroom. How magnificent!

From the garden, with love.

Today is...fairytale beautiful. Dry, and cool, with warm sun. It's like fall, but without that little bit of anxiousness that comes with knowing how few days are left in the summer. What a gift.

Yesterday, we went to Popham beach with Lulu. It was so beautiful, and very few people because it was not a hot day. Then the storm blew in, which was fantastic to witness. We stood watching on the sand until the lifeguard blew the horn letting everyone know that there was lightening and we needed to clear the beach. There was amazing energy in the air...electric. I become very animated when a storm is approaching... I think I could have been a storm chaser in another life. There is something about violent weather that makes me feel very alive.

We've been spending a lot of time in the garden, lately. Both gardens are producing beautifully, and it's nearly more than I can keep up with. Having to drive 25 minutes to our bigger family garden is not easy to time with a younger child that still needs a nap. But, it's where our bees are too, and we really love it out there, especially on days like today.

We have more basil than we can keep up with, hundreds of cucumbers, lots of broccoli, dill, carrots, beets, tomatoes, zucchini, beans, cabbage and other veggies. I have been canning pickles and making pesto daily, which I know I will appreciate in the dark of winter.

 

Cora found this guy in the Brussels Sprouts. She was about a foot away, talking to him.

Staycation 2013 - Part IIIII

Okay, I promise this is it. One of my favorite days included Stonington, the touch tank at Penobscot East resource center (the folks there are so incredibly helpful and love to answer  5-year-old- questions!), a visit to Four Seasons Farm (which included a nice chat with Elliot Coleman himself about meat chickens...also found out he's a closet Tour de France addict...who knew?) and beautiful stroll around my dream farm, and picked wild organic blueberries on the hillside where "Blueberries for Sal" was written (yes, we have connections.).

What an amazing week!

Staycation 2013 - Part IIII

We took a few trips around the peninsula, to a few of our favorite places, and to a few new ones. We hiked, and visited museums, and picked blueberries. Cora and Beck love to do all of the above, and it's a good day when we manage to fit in all of the above. The hike up Blue Hill (I don't actually know if this is the name, but it's a small mountains with blueberries at the top...so, it fits.) is the perfect length for little legs, and it's a beautiful view from the top.

Staycation 2013 - Part III

The next few days were spent playing in the ocean, treasure hunting along the shore, reading, knitting, playing soccer, running barefoot, relaxing, and generally just enjoying our time together. It was so lovely not to have an agenda, and to get to know one another again...without stress, without obligations.

Staycation 2013 - Part II

...So after the thunderstorm passed, we proceeded to unpack the car and make dinner. All of a sudden, during dinner, we looked out and saw the most unbelievable rainbow any of us has ever witnessed. Really, there are no words to describe it. It was crystal clear, we could see where it began and ended, it was a double rainbow...and we were right smack underneath it. I'd say this was one of the top ten most magical experiences I have ever been a part of. Otherworldly doesn't even capture it. As the rainbow faded, the colors in the sky turned pink and gold, and were reflected in the water. We all felt as if we were a part of something really important, and felt truly blessed for that.

At the end of the images is a short video of the rainbow, which was really the only way to capture the entirety of it.