{This Moment} In The Memorial Day Parade

{This Moment} - A Soule Mama Friday ritual. A single photo- no words- capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you are inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments section for all to find and see. We wish you a wonderful weekend!

Summer Sisters

We're finishing up the first day of what they say will be (at least) a three day heatwave. When we got home from our morning adventure (a post for another time) the girls quickly changed into their bathing suits. Lunch and quiet time were had and then it was finally time to head out and play! I set the sprinkler up and they took it from there, easily spending the next hour cooling off in its lovely spray. A little while later they came running into the house, super excited to share with me what they had done. "Mama! Mama! Come see what we did! We made a beach in the backyard!" As I headed down the back deck stairs I could see the umbrella from their picnic table and some towels peaking out. They had also gathered their bubble toys and some snacks ("You know you need snacks when you go to the beach, mama!") and had set everything up just so. My only regret is that we no longer have a baby pool, which sure would have made a lovely lake for their beach.  I love how beautifully these two sisters work together. I love how they are always on the same page, creating and making their visions a reality. I love hearing how excited they get when it's all done and they come to find me to show me what they have been up to. I love how something as simple as playing in the sprinkler morphed into creating a beach in the backyard. These are two very special souls indeed and I am so glad that I get to be witness to their joy each and every day. 

Wordless Wednesday::Into The Woods

Good-bye Sweet Butterflies!

Yesterday, in addition to being Memorial Day, it was also Butterfly Release Day. The weather last week really hadn't allowed for us to release them any sooner. Since we had my side of our family here and since it was coming up on the week since they hatched we figured it was the perfect time to wish them well and watch them fly out into the big, wide world. With the exception of the wind the conditions were perfect. 

"Hi little butterfly. You are very sweet."

"Here you go, Em."

"It flew away, mama."

The wind was just too gusty and our first butterfly flew off before I could hand it to one of the girls. The second butterfly stayed longer and seemed to enjoy her time with Grace before spreading her wings and flying away. The third butterfly took off before Emma had a chance to have it sit on her finger but at least she got to visit with it a bit before it flew over to the flowers. Had it not been so windy I do believe that they would have stayed much, much longer than they did. As each one flew off I had a wee bit of a lump in my throat. It was as if I was watching my own girls leave the nest. Good luck, sweet butterflies! Enjoy your travels and please come back and visit us once in awhile!

On Memorial Day

My brother came up yesterday in preparation for our town's Memorial Day parade today. The girls were walking with the Girl Scouts and we invited him to come along. For those that don't know, Grant is an Iraqi War veteran having served two tours of duty with the 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell Kentucky. He is also an active member of the American Legion, so as you can imagine stuff like this is totally up his alley! As this was the girls first time marching in a parade it was even more special to have him march along with them too! We are so thrilled that he was able to share in this very special "first". Thanks Grant for coming up and being a part of the festivities!

Here they come!

Hi Girls!

The girls asked Gramma to walk along with them. 

Of course, she said "yes!"

{This Moment} In The Deer Forrest

{This Moment} - A Soule Mama Friday ritual. A single photo- no words- capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you are inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments section for all to find and see. We wish you an lovely Memorial Day weekend!

Hatch Day

As I was going about my morning, doing various things that needed doing, I would peek at the butterfly habitat each time I passed by to see if there was anything going on inside it. It was getting to be about the time that they should be hatching so I was keeping a rather close watch. Secretly I was hoping that they would wait one more day and hatch tomorrow on my birthday. I was down in the basement feeding the cat when I heard a lot of excitement coming from upstairs. "Where's mama?" I heard Grace say. "Downstairs." replied Emma. It was then that a very excited Grace appeared at the top of the stairs. "Mama, come see! Come see!" I hurried upstairs and followed Grace who headed in to the downstairs bathroom where the butterfly habitat was. She pointed and said "Look!" In the five minutes I had been away the butterflies had emerged! They were clinging near their now empty chrysalises and we were completely and totally in awe. 

Since the weather is going to be pretty unsettled for the next few days we've decided to wait to release them. This way we can spend some more time with these very sweet creatures before we have to say our good-byes. 

No matter how many times I witness this transformation (or a baby being born) it is just as magical and awe inspiring as if it was the very first time. I used to do this project with my students each year back in the day when I was a teacher. Watching their reactions as the butterflies hatched was always amazing, but getting to see my girls as they witnessed this truly took the cake! It is a moment I shall carry with me always. 

Garden? Check!

Seedlings? Check!

Awesome garden helpers? Check!

Planning out the flower garden? Check!

Flowers planted? Check!

Compost added? Check!

Plants tucked in? Check!

And double check!

This years garden ready to go? Check!