settling into home

We had a really wonderful weekend in Boston. Rock-n-Romp was lots of fun, and the city was full of all the things Ezra was expecting and looking forward to - namely "train, tunnels and bridges" - all the important "city" things when you're five.  Our weekend was also full of all the things that make a special "Mama - Ezra" date 'just right' - lots and lots of uninterrupted conversations and snuggles. As Ezra and I laid in bed together and rolled into our second hour of 'chit-chat', I was hit with the thought that this parenting gig - it just keeps getting better. Which is saying a lot, considering I think it started out pretty swell.

After a few months 'full' of work, I'm looking forward to a return to our normal family rhythm around here. This week, Steve returns to work after his winter break (he's been keeping things calm, fun and running smoothly around here!). Today I find myself looking forward to some pretty ordinary things: sitting on the couch this morning and reading books for hours with my babes; washing my floors (oh, yes...I'm looking forward to clean floors...it's been a while); 'making' for the sake of making; incorporating a comfortable amount of book work into my days; doing all the work and fun that comes with spring; and of course sharing bits of it here along the way. Ah...It feels good to be 'back'.

Comments

[Tess]

Glad you had a wonderful weekend. Welcome back home.

[denise]

I love the sound of your date and you just keep exciting me more and more about the parenting gig! Love the hat too.

[melmo]

Welcome back. I'm in Oz land and so just recently got your book. It was perfect timing, to fill my spot of time with reading here, I've gotten to read your book. You're thoughts and ideas have me thinking and are for sure inspiring our own creativity. Thank you to you and your family.

[Suzanne]

Sounds like a fantastic weekend! Beantown is indeed good:-) But the time together is great!

[Geertrude]

Glad you had a good weekend!
It is great to return to a normal rhythm. My winter was not as full as yours, but still, there was a lot of writing, reporting and working on the computer (and illness, but we're not thinking about that anymore). I have been doing some serious spring-cleaning around here and I'm having lots of fun. Enjoy washing your floors!

[Kate]

Your book is just as lovely as your blog. I read it last week on a plane trip with my children and it was a great reminder to slow down and enjoy the time with them. Yesterday we checked out a bird drawing book from the library and before I could even suggest a family drawing time my oldest daughter said, "maybe after dinner we can all sit down and draw birds together", it really made me smile.

[Meredith]

I'm glad it's coming to a calmer time for you. I know how wonderful it is for life to calm, even for just a day or so, but with all the excitement you've just had, I bet you're sorely in need of some time to just be!!

Reading your book has really been relaxing and thoughtful for me. I'm still enjoying it and just on the chapter about keeping things "handmade." Hoping to sneak some down time to sit and read some more today.

Have a good day!!

[AmyDe]

You're right - it does keep getting better and I often wonder how it's possible that God loves and trusts me so much as to charge me with two of His most precious angels. We are all truly blessed!

[bellablue]

Don't forget trips to the beach with your friends! XOX.

[kristen]

you were part of a conversation yesterday with blogging lovelies...you truly are an inspiration, lady.

i don't comment much but i'm always here reading along. xo

[Lisa Z]

What an amazing photo! Do boys really dress like that anymore?

I need to take my son on a date...

[jean]

perfect. and now, spring.

[Carol]

I finally received my copy of your book this morning. I'm really looking forward to settling down to read it. :)

[Crisanne]

Oh, so much fun to have a date trip with one of your boys!

My mom was in town last week and treated me to a copy of your book. I've only had time to flip through the pages, but I'm excited to read it in more detail.

Also, if you don't mind me asking, what do you use to clean your wood floors? I simply cannot find the right combination to actually get them clean!

[ievute]

what an amazing hat!

you write about parenting so wonderful, it's pleasure to read and hope that maybe someday I'll manage to be at least a bit like you :)

[Rachel]

Your special weekend sounds wonderful!

[julia]

how lovely to be back to normal. not that i wasn't looking forward to it before, but reading your blog (and soon, your book) has made me even more excited to have a family and raise children than i ever thought i could be. i love my parents dearly, but i was not really raised using the style that you (and so many others out here in blogland) describe and seem to do such an amazing job doing. this really exemplifies everything i thought i wanted to do when i have my own family, but wasn't really sure how to based on my own childhood. thank you, as always, for sharing, and i'm looking forward (for you) to you getting back into your normal routine.

[QALBALLAH]

Glad you are 'back'.

[asti]

Glad you're getting back to normal...feels good I bet. Just got your book and am loving it. I'm now working on putting Maddies first drawings to fabric !

[Poopsy]

This parenting thing does just get better and better, doesn't it? Your blog is very refreshing, I'm so glad I found it.

[HandyCraftyWoman]

That is a very pretty picture, but I can't tell if he is standing still or walking! I'm always trying to capture moments like this with my camera but the kids have normally ran off with it to take pics of slugs and such.

Re: "..this parenting gig - it just keeps getting better.." yeps! This can happen. Especially if we are feeling supported and happy. Which is a key to feeling successful about our parenting.

[Laura]

Hooray for the everyday! Some people complain that Mondays are not fun days. We like Mondays because the week is fresh and new and holds so much promise. Enjoy your clean floors and your return to routine :). Wow. I just realized that I am writing in some kind of rhyme, that's pretty funny. Maybe some day it'll make me some money. Ok, I'll stop, I'll stop!

[brandie]

i am so glad that you had fun! it sounds like the perfect weekend spent with your sweet boy.

[Julia]

Your Ezra seems to move like a dancer. That picture awakenes long lost childhood memories of 'Westside Story'.

[Crystal]

I just love five year olds. It is the perfect age for snuggles and 'chit chat'. They say such wonderful things, :)

I am glad you are 'back'.

[Meredith]

Glad you had a good, safe trip!

It is nice when you're able to get back to "normal" after a crazy bit of time.

[Kerry]

Amanda, thanks again for coming to rock-n-romp it was a pleasure to have you and Ezra.

Kerry
RnR Boston host

[Anne]

I like the idea of having "dates" with your children. I'm going to have to try this. Welcome back to normal life.

[Tameson O'Brien]

I'm glad you had such a nice time in Boston...a book he may enjoy is Lucy's Summer by Donald Hall (http://www.amazon.com/Lucys-Summer-Donald-Hall/dp/0152017232). In it Lucy and her mother have a special trip to Boston that's filled with all sorts of delights for that little girl as well. I have all of Donald's books - my particular favorite is the Ox Cart Man.

I'm envious of clean floors - it'll be a few weeks yet 'til the mud has sufficiently subsided for me to clean mine.

[kendra]

Welcome 'back'! Enjoy your return to The Everday.

[linnea]

It is so special that you were able to have a date weekend with your middle man! I can't wait until we are at that point.
I am sure your return to normalcy will be wonderful!

[heather]

Little Ezra fits so perfectly into the Boston landscape with his little vest and hat.

I don't think I've ever mentioned that my Grandpa's name is Ezra. And my 5th grade piano teacher's name was Adelaide. She was one of my favorite teachers ever.

[kristena]

It's so encouraging reading from a mom of 3 small children that "this parenting gig - it just keeps getting better." I just don't feel that same assurance from many mamas. Thank you!

[Stacie Smith]

I need to do that... return to Boston. We've got a June trip planned, but airfare might make it impossible. i wish we could just drive down like you and your Ez!

[Jannean]

Welcome home... in al senses of that phrase. Enjoy your down time... it iw well deserved! I love the idea of a weekend away with the birthday child. We are so gonna incorporate that into our family life! Thanks!

[miss framboesa]

Hi Amanda!
First of all, congratulations on your book, I hope to get it soon! (not yet, for I don't need any more reasons to get pregnant eheh)
As a daily reader of your blog for... years (?oh my...), today I bumped in to this http://favoritechoses.typepad.com/exclusive/2007/11/y-a-til-une-lim.html
and immediatly remembered of Ezra.

Love for you all

[melissa s.]

welcome back! what an amazing feat you've accomplished, but it must feel nice to settle back into home life.

[Laura]

Gladto see you are now back home. I found your blog about a year ago and just love it. I just purchased your book and I can't wait for it to arrive in the mail. I'm so excited!!

[Berlinswhimsy]

I can only imagine how nice it must feel to settle back into a routine after so much focus on your projects.

I continue to love the conversations I have with my kids now that they're older. They are so wise and continue to teach me, too!! ;-)

[Jennifer]

You are not alone. I love washing floors too. I also like vacuuming. I like them both so much that my friends and family have been known to call me "Monica". ;)

Enjoy your normal. I hope to be not far behind you, but I have to have another baby before we can have normal around here again. We're to the could happen any time place. Then we'll have to find normal again in a few months. Change is so invigorating!

[Madeline]

I love dates alone with my boys. A whole other side of them emerges.

Gillen read the book that you have on the side about Audubon years ago and we loved it. It inspired him to create his own "musee" on a bulletin board at his desk.

[Kim Matschull]

Welcome home.
Ezra... I don't know you but your a special kid and do you know how I know that? I can tell because of the way your Mama talks about you.
I'm glad you had an awesome Birthday and it was so special for you.
:0)

[Emily]

I think this is the first time I've put a comment on your blog though I have been coming for two years now! Oh my! Time flies. Anyway, glad you and Ezra had a good time on your journey.

[eni]

so...welcome "back"...

liebgruss
eni

[Anaïs]

I discovered your blog few days ago and I like the instruction way you give to yours children who are so cute. I discovered your particulary homeschool. I think I shall buy your book when I shall have children. Furthermore your creations are beautiful. I wish you to continue for along time all this.
Anaïs
ps: Sorry for my english, I'm french and I don't speak very well your language.

[KSC]

I love the "weekend date" idea! I have three daughters and I've been sensing lately that all of them, especially the eldest who's almost 8, need more one-on-one time than they've been getting. I'd better take her now before she doesn't want to spend time with me anymore!
In general, I have to thank for you for your blog and your book, which remind me that this time with my children is precious and should be savoured and appreciated. Sometimes, with everything going on in life, I forget to celebrate.

Thank you!

[Rachel]

thx again for sharing your enjoyment of your kids! i'm so tired today and needed to remember to enjoy the gifts that they are. thanks!

[Ellen]

I am new to your blog and just received your book. Loving it! And my six-year-old keeps asking what new crafts I have learned that we can do together. And, I agree, the conversations just keeping getting better (although I do find my one-year-old's babbles quite entertaining as well!). Thanks for all the inspiration.

[Sara]

Welcome back Amanda!

[Carrie]

I love Ezra's outfit-he is so cool.
I am glad that you now have some time to get back into things,enjoy it...