Soul Food Time
  • Home
  • Faith
  • My Soul Food
  • Table
  • Little Outdoorsman

Busted!

6/26/2017

1 Comment

 
Picture
I heard Reed moving around his room this morning and opened his door, expecting to see him sitting in his recliner, reading a book- the usual. Nope. He hovered anxiously near the door, eyes sleepy, covered in baby powder, and greeted me with, "I'm not playing in the baby powder." Note the firefly jar beside him. There was a firefly in there last night. Not anymore. Trust me, I looked really hard. I don't even want to know.
I struggled to keep a straight face and failed, therefore losing the opportunity to try to talk to Reed about the dangers of being dishonest.  Oh, well.  I cleaned him up, ate breakfast, and drove to my teaching writing class.  I didn't have any trouble finding inspiration today!  I decided to write a poetic-ish sequel to my post about muddy shoes I wrote a couple of months ago:
Picture
“Stay out of the mud!”  Mothers shout in unity from porch swings and doorways.  Stay out of the puddle, the garden, the weeds- the list goes on.  “If you get your new shoes dirty, you’ll be in big trouble, mister!”
 
I believe a pair of tiny, muddy shoes is one of the most beautiful sights in the world.  They speak of creativity, innocence, and adventure.  They speak of plain, old fun.  They are rule-breakers, out-of-the-box thinkers, innovators.  They abhor scheduled screen time, starchy classrooms, and the popular crowd.  They sneak a firefly into the house so it can fly around the bedroom at night.  They gaze at it in wonder.
 
I have a new mantra for mothers:
    “Roll in the mud.  Bathe in puddles.  Exfoliate your belly in the sand.  But don’t bring it in the house, or muddy shoes start singing a different tune- one of responsibility and the value of hard work.” :)
Cute.  Now let's see how that works out in real life...
1 Comment

Little Farmer

6/24/2017

1 Comment

 
Picture
In a few hours of free time this afternoon, Reed and I decided to drive to a local farm and get some stakes for Reed's tomato plants.  We planted them about a month ago and they are super out of control because I keep forgetting to cage or stake them.  I am totally not a gardener, by the way.  I've tried over the past few years with gardens, I'm just not consistent.  My goal this year is small: Reed's three tomato plants in a small plant box.  I can do that, right?  Apparently not- I should've staked them weeks ago!
Picture
They are coming along really well, surprisingly, and I keep having to convince Reed to wait to pick them until then turn red.  I think he will be really excited once they turn red and he can eat them straight from the vine.  Like a rabbit.  Meanwhile, Oliver dug a hole (as usual), but I have to admit that this hole is exceptional.
Picture
Isn't that so impressive? On another note, look at these stakes they sold us!  I was like, holy moley- I think those are big enough!  Maybe a little too big for my little plant boxes, perhaps?  Just call me Farmer Becky.
Picture
At the farm, Reed also asked me to buy him a peach from the trays of colorful, beautiful fruit tables.  We bought one and I rinsed it off with water in my water bottle in the car (good enough for me) and asked him to eat it outside.  
Picture
I thought the fuzzy skin would bother him.
Picture
I was wrong!  I love it when that happens.
​Boy, do I love summer!
1 Comment

Muddy Shoes on a Lazy Sunday

4/4/2017

2 Comments

 
Picture
Lately I've been trying to implement lazy, Sabbath-rest Sundays into our weekly schedule.  Being a working momma is no joke!  We used to be super busy on Sundays, like barely-have-time-to-stop-at-home busy.  Not any more.  We still do some volunteer work at church, but we have found a balance that works well for our family. I spend a little extra time cleaning up and preparing on Saturday nights, but once Sunday arrives, my rule is I only do what cannot wait for Monday.  At first it was really hard for me to do nothing on Sundays, but now I really look forward to it.  After church we spend the day together with no plans.  There are exceptions, of course, like Easter Sunday coming up or the occasional family dinner, but for the most part we guard our Sundays like Oliver guards a new bone.
Picture
This past Sunday was beautiful.  We enjoyed most of the time outside and The Little Outdoorsman was in his prime.  He is totally into bark and moss and "climbing" trees and stuff.  I often find his pockets stuffed with nuts (after I've washed them, of course).  Reed loved an afternoon of exploring the yard at his own pace. 
Picture
Now if he can just climb trees at this height forever, I'll be happy! Is that too much to ask?
Jacob poked around the driveway and Oliver dug "holes".  He is famous in our neighborhood for his digging skills.  The neighbors laugh and comment  with a smile on our bumpy yard.  He doesn't really dig holes, he just tears up the grass and leaves unsightly pock-marks all over our lawn.  I just don't have the heart to tell him to stop.  He just looks so happy when he digs, and his nose gets all dirty and cute.
Picture
He was rolling, too.  Doxie owners know what this means.  Somebody's getting a bath tonight!  So gross...
Picture
While I was trying to get Ollie to stop rolling, Reed picked some flowers!  He loves dandelions.  I remember he loved them last year, too.  My heart just swells up whenever he gives me a flower.  A smushed up dandelion beats a bouquet of roses (almost) any day- just being honest.
Picture
Picture
Inevitably, he found the mud puddles.  We have an unusual amount of mud puddles in our yard due to Mr. Oliver and his aforementioned digging obsession.  And, to my credit, I didn't blink an eye (on the outside anyway).  I did have to gently remind myself that it was lazy Sunday and it was a day to have fun.  So go ahead, baby, get muddy!  TLO was so excited.  He really thought he was getting away with something here.  Oh, the evil desires of a two-year-old.
Picture
You know, I've never stopped to look at how beautiful the muddy shoes of a child can be.  There's so much to be found in a picture of some muddy sneakers.  Fun, love, adventure, visions of dirty laundry...
Picture
Everybody says these twos are supposed to be terrible.  We are nearly half-way in and I keep waiting for the terrible to show up.  We have our crazy moments, for sure, but lately I find myself wishing I could stop the clock.
Picture
I think I have something in my eye...
Picture
Sniffle.  Lazy Sundays and muddy shoes made my weekend extra special.  Maybe this is what Jesus meant when he said the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.  These relaxing Sundays certainly fill me back up for the week.  

​Well, I'd stay and chat some more, but I have to go wash muddy socks.  Back to work!  Have a great week!
2 Comments

    Author

    Rebekah

    Archives

    March 2019
    February 2019
    June 2018
    January 2018
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017

    Categories

    All
    Around Town
    Education
    Holidays
    Home
    TLO At Home
    TLO Explores Cincinnati
    Travel

    RSS Feed

  • Home
  • Faith
  • My Soul Food
  • Table
  • Little Outdoorsman
Proudly powered by Weebly