New Traditions: Good Morning, Beach

Little b began preschool this week. My heart has been in my throat for three days straight. As much as I love the school, the teacher, the children, the families...he's gone, and I miss him. Sure, I'm able to work more. Sure, the house is cleaner. Sure, I can have a phone conversation. But I feel like part of my body is gone. And with Big B now in first grade, on these preschool days the house is just so...quiet.

To help us both with the transition, little b and I have started a morning ritual. After dropping Big B off at big kid school, we head south to little b's school. The trip puts us there about ten minutes early, so we stop at a quiet beach nearby and say, "Good morning, Beach!" Little b finds flowers and shells, and I watch him, secretly wrapping him up with love and hoping it's enough to carry him through the day.

This is really, really hard.

Sending Summer Off in the Sunset

The end of a great summer is so bittersweet. As this was the first summer which truly embodied a break in routine for our family, I am proud to say we embraced it fully. I am excited beyond words for the new experiences Big B and little b face this week, but there is a lump in my throat that holds the memories of beach days, field trips, lazy mornings and explorative adventures.

Many of the families in our village felt the same way, so we gathered at a favorite beach spot yesterday evening to enjoy the sunset, one last time. (For a little while anyway.) Us mamas and our babies have been so incredibly blessed to grow up together, but these gatherings with our partners are truly special. We are able to witness the harmony of our community and the common thread of parenting we all share: LOVE.

We played...

We gathered...

We laughed...

Our children worked together...

And explored in solitude.

And us mamas? We watched, fully soaking up these last moments of summer,

Until they were going...

going...

...gone.

And we have enjoyed every minute. Here's to the next adventure!