They step off the roller coaster, their toes and bodies and noses close.
Hair drenched, arms linked, cheeks raised.
“I’m soaked!” She says, slipping her arms around me, soaking my shirt.
I could care less. Her laughter is more than warm enough.
We’re at the Mall of America (not my favorite place) going on rides (not my favorite outing).
But we’re with the sweetest of friends and all of our laughter threads, filling this big, busy place with the tiniest of gems. Each one shiny and glittery and sparkling.
I know that laugh. She’s had it since she was four months old.
She’d lay on her back on the softest of blankets, shades of purples and pinks enveloped beneath, pudgy fingers and toes splayed above.
She’d reach and clasp and see something that delighted her. Anything would do, really. A smile, a book, a ribbon.
Not much has changed.
Tonight we’re at National Night Out and she’s just stepped out of a police car where she got to “play the siren.”
And that delighted laugh? Rings just as contagious as it did six years ago.
Our summer’s been filled to the brim with candy coated moments like these.
Ones that warm and sparkle and fill.
Ones that glow.
Ones that I want to wrap within the most delicate of bows and slip into my pocket to be taken out during colder days.
But instead, I throw my head back and laugh -loudly, obnoxiously, fully- alongside my family.
Taking each memory from their’s, to ours, exactly the way summer’s rays are meant to shine.
***
This month the lovely Heather of Visions in Vinyl is offering two lucky linkers a beautiful decal. {Her work is absolutely stunning, I have this one in my home.}
And Alison and I can’t wait to see what memories you’ve captured!
Our linky will be open August 13-17, the badge is in my sidebar, and you can find out more about Memories Captured here.
With that, let the linking and the swooning begin!
***
- Inspire creativity in someone (young!) that you love. Submissions for Pens and Paint: Dream close at the end of August. Find out more here.
- Buy a book, fight cancer. Find out about Write for the Fight here.
Perfect. Summer. That is all. xo
Sounds and looks like you guys are having a great summer – all that’s missing the a camping trip, right?
Oh, yes. I love this, and can absolutely picture those sparkling moments. What a wonderful thing to be able to say summer was stuffed with them. Nothing better. xox
Oh this is beautiful. I’ve been trying to bottle up that laughter lately. Such an amazing sound. xo
So many beautiful, big smiles!
Oh how I love those contagious laughters and the belly deep giggles. Sounds like a fantastic summer.
I don’t know how you do it but you have captured their laughter in a way that I feel like I can hear it and feel it. Laughing…God’s medicine for the things that life throws at us. Love this post.
Beautifully captured, Galit! Those are the memories that stay with us.
Oh my gosh – I love your happy, happy pictures and words – sounds like you’ve made some fun memories this summer!
I love the idea of gathering them all up and putting them in your pockets for the days of winter. I think I am going to start doing the same. xo!
I’ll be linking up later this week!!! I have to find three perfect photos of my littles….
Oh summer. There’s just nothing like it.
I know this exact feeling. Having my kid all happy as she plays on the sand is priceless to me — no so much for my cousin, she doesn’t let my nephew get messy or wet for fear of messing up the car. Oh well, we all put different priorities.
I wish you a long lasting summer.
There are so many things I can “stand” knowing it’s making my kids happy.
There is nothing like all the fun that summer brings and the Mall of America… it’s a girls dream come true!
Please adopt me.
Also, I ADORE the photo of your two guys together. So wonderful!!!
And this is exactly why we moms find it so hard to go “back-to-school”. These memories are golden.
xo
Laughter is contagious and beautiful. I hope you all continue to laugh.
Laughter is SO golden. It is.
Thanks for sharing yours.
For the shine and for the smile.
For all of it.
Love the idea of this link party. Your writing style lends itself perfectly to it. I am participating for the first time today! whoo hoo!
Mmmmm. That laughter. I think it could save lives and make us young.
Laughter is beautiful, as are your words here. I hope that these summer moments continue to shine for you.
That first picture is absolutely wonderful! (Love the others too.)
Love seeing all those smiles
This says it all. Oh, I don’t want summer to end… I want to bask in this and never let it go!
I love the words on your picture….
and can you mother my children?
Seriously, I adore the way you capture moments with vivid and intense words and I so relate to you and how you feel and how Time now reminds us of Time then and all we want to do is HOLD ON…to then, and now, and Forever..
Beautiful, thanks for sharing ( and hosting!)
Oh how I want to reach in and dip my toes in that laughter and sheer joy of your words … .
So beautiful. I can be having the most stressful day, and my son’s laugh will turn it all around. Children’s laughter is the purest sound. Your little ones are so adorable!
So happy you loved NNO.
My boy coordinates an event for NNO, has been for the past four years: he does rocket launches for the kids and we go every year.
It’s a fabulous family time.
Memories, such sweet childhood memories.
xo
So beautiful. I love your ability to see beauty in all moments and to see the past intertwined with the present. So glad you are having a lovely summer.
You leave me wishing I was in the middle of all that laughter. That’s what your beautiful words do to people. You’re so gifted.
Isn’t summer grand? Love that you’re enjoying it with your sweet and adorable little family.
No matter what you do, if your summer is fulled with laughter, you’ve done it right.
Your words are gorgeous & so is your family! So happy it has been a wonderful summer for you guys!
This is beautiful. And your pictures are priceless!
I’ve been to Mall of America once, and kind of loved it.
But I can totally get how you could get tired of it since you live in Minnesota.
All your moments glow as brightly as you do when you write about them.
I have missed your beautiful delicate writing so much, Galit. This post is just perfection. I love that each outing you take with your family is such a bonding experience for your gorgeous family. And most of all I love that you live in each precious moment and that you describe it all so well here.
So beautiful. You so perfectly capture the moments Galit and what a gift if will be for your kids to read these words someday and know how treasured they are.
I love the deep in the belly kind of giggle! Laughter really is the best medicine (for malls and not so great outings too). Love the pics! Thanks for hosting!
That sounds like an absolutely wonderful day with family!
A child’s laughter is the best sounds of all. I love those little smiles before all the big teeth come in. Too sweet.
This is beautiful! I love that you laugh as summer ends…the best way to let is pass on.