Life Lately, in Snapshots

We're in the thick of it now, the season where everything winds up (boy, does it ever!) before it winds down. There is little time to be found for writing during the hectic month of June, but still, I feel it's important to record the unique moments that make up our days right now, so that they don't all simply pass by in a blur, too jumbled to decipher at a later time when I want to look back and remember. These are the sweet, funny, or interesting things that have captured my attention of late.

A bright new smile for Noah. (He chose red and black elastic ties, the colours of his swim team, so he'll be showing a little extra team spirit at regionals this weekend.)

Not to be outdone by his brother's new hardware, Will emerged from the bathroom one recent morning sporting a nose ring that he'd fashioned for himself out of Kleenex.

Kittens enjoying a fresh morning breeze by an open window and bird watching, side by side.

Tiny baby bunnies frolicking in the backyard, so small they are almost lost in the grass. (I want so badly to pick one up and pet it and bring it inside to live with us, because CUTE!!! Matt, wise man that he is, reminds me often that this would not be a good idea.)

Cross country meets on perfect June days. I love watching both boys run, their feet pounding the earth as they strive for a personal best, my heart pounding with excitement as I see them emerge from the woods and sprint for the finish line. Noah had an excellent race in the area meet again this year; he finished seventh out of 62 runners in his age group.

New seeds and plants tucked gently into fresh soil, full of potential. It's a cheerful morning's work for me, and now we eagerly wait for Mother Nature to work her magic.

I don't have a photo for this one, but I think what Noah's class is working on in earnest this month is really something worth sharing.  It's a tradition at our elementary school for the two grade eight classes to have a dance off each year at the end of June.  Every grade eight student participates; they spend the month planning, choreographing, and rehearsing their respective routines to songs of their choosing, and then the two groups perform in front of the whole school, with one class chosen as the winner at the end. Noah, who prefers to keep more to himself, does not enjoy dancing, nor does he enjoy performing in front of a crowd, but he is excited about this project and has embraced it wholeheartedly.  He comes home in the evenings and shows his routine to Will, asking for feedback from our resident hip hop expert.  I know from having seen the grade eight dance numbers in previous years that the end result will be awesome.  The fact that even non-dancers feel comfortable participating in this fun, final year activity speaks volumes about the two grade eight teachers and the positive environments full of trust and friendliness they've helped to create in their classrooms over the past ten months.  I'm really grateful to them for that.

In the midst of all the running here, there, and everywhere this month, I wish harried, worn out parents the peace of mind to notice the simple but lovely happenings all around us that can make us feel refreshed and happy.