Chloe saying good bye to her teacher.
“What is this day called and what are we doing?” He asks.
His feet pad toward me quickly, efficiently in his trademark way. He’s barely entered the room.
The birds chirp mercilessly, but the sun shines bright, waking my littlest guy earlier than usual.
I close my computer’s windows, and open my day’s version of the same.
“It’s Friday buddy, remember? The girls’ last day of school.” I answer, lacing my fingers with his.
His smile brightens this early hour.
Pink lemonade cake to celebrate the last day of school
After a mountain of books and a cup of chocolate milk, the girls make their way downstairs.
Long, strong, sure footsteps closely followed by pink tipped toes desperately trying to keep up.
I busy myself in the kitchen as they settle onto their stools. They always sit in birth order. None of us are interested in upsetting the delicate balance they’ve created.
“How do you want to celebrate tonight, girlies?” I ask. My voice edges tentative. We haven’t made plans for this big day and this is where I buy my worries.
Will they want to spend time with friends that are busy or in places that we can’t get to? Will they agree? Will they ask for something that I can’t deliver?
If there’s one thing that a mother wants to do on the precipice of change, it’s to deliver on HeartWants.
They pause and think, their feet swinging on the stools.
While I wait, I allow myself the luxury of heart tugging and wonder how long it will be before their feet graze the floor and their stools don’t seem so very big and they don’t seem so very small in them.
Brushed silver spoons clinking against ceramic bowls and clear cut cups settling against countertops just recently replaced the colorful plastic reminders that young children live here.
And these are the sounds that bring me back to my children who are not too big and too small, but are my Right Now.
“Let’s go out to dinner.” Kayli says, mentioning our favorite spot for chips and salsa. The others nod. Two shining bobs of auburn and gold agreeing with their older sister.
“And then have a sleepover in your room!” Chloe adds.
Her voice fills our space between cool wood floor and speckled white ceiling. The area that she so easily fills is polka dotted only by their pajamaed bodies and sleepy hair and raised cheeks.
I look into their eyes, each a shade lighter than the next, and see what they know.
The good stuff, the happy, is always within, and just outside.
There’s no need to look much further than right here.
Your words are beautiful, as always. I can not describe what this does to my heart.
What beautiful children you have….and their hearts are full of light too.
I recently asked the boys what they wanted to do for their birthdays (one will be 16 and the other 13 — milestone birthdays!).
They both said, “Can we go out to lunch together, and then I’d like to hang with my friends in the afternoon…maybe get a pizza? And have a cake — you know that cool one you saw on Pinterest.”
Simple. Family. Friends. Love.
I think this is our best post ever! I love the way your wove feelings and word pictures in it.
Beautiful post! I honestly wish that my sons will have as much love for each other as your kids have.
I love these glimpses into your world. It’s wonderful to see your appreciation for those small bits of love shining through in their hearts, and it makes me strive to instill that in my children
Sounds like a perfect way to celebrate – with those you love. xo
Simply beautiful! My son is done next Monday…and I want to make it extra special for him too
Okay, this is completely gorgeous (as always) but you already know how I love the lyricism of your words, the poetry, the beauty. You know that, right?
So instead, I want to share what grabbed me (and I wish it weren’t what grabbed me but it is and you are not alone):
“How do you want to celebrate tonight, girlies?” I ask. My voice edges tentative. We haven’t made plans for this big day and this is where I buy my worries.”
I do this too.
Oh my how I do this.
And my kids just wanted to go out to dinner, too…
Within. Just outside.
For now.
XO
Beautiful. Totally tugged at my heart. <3
And yum-O on the cake. Looks super good to me.
Side note, I see you're reading The Memory Keeper's Daughter, I read it some time ago. Really enjoyed that book – let me know what you think!
Oh how wonderful that they wanted to spend the night as a family. This is such a sweet moment.
You find such beauty in life, Galit. Reading you always gives me a dose of perspective. I’ve been feeling beaten down this week and also like I’ve been a totally impatient, intolerant witch to my little girl. I need to take a cue from you and just stop and take in the moment, whatever it might be, and then go from there.
Oh, to live so consciously in the NOW. . . Lovely. . .
Sweet, sweet babies. So nice when they agree.
What a lovely way to celebrate and an easy one to be able to deliver. Your way with words, Galit…so wonderful. I feel like I am on one of the stools, swinging my legs right there with you. It makes me take a deeper look over here. I just love to read your words.
Well written. I often gaze at my girls and wonder when. When will they be able to climb up to the tables/chairs themselves, push themselves in, get their own food. Or when they put themselves to bed, etc.
And then I know, it will be all too soon.
It is so exciting when they choose you and the family!!
You look beautiful in that photo Galit!
Your family is so beautiful, Galit. Inside and out.
And also? I want a piece of that cake.
Gorgeous. Your family is so sweet and full of love. I can tell through your always thoughtful words that so much of that is because of you. I hope you all had a wonderful dinner. And that cake looks delicious!
The details, the details.. You are so good at the little things. In writing and in life. This post reminds me just how powerful the little things are.
Gorgeous, you.
Your words always pull in me and leave me wanting more. What a beautiful post and perfect reminder to embrace the now.
That’s a lovely “Right Now” you have there
SOBBING. The end is exciting and hard at the same time, right? Because change is always just around the corner.
Beautiful, as always Galit. I know that whenever I come to read your words I will be inspired and my soul will be soothed while I’m here. I leave your little space happier than when I arrived. For that, thank you.
the happy …. your words always catch ‘the happy’ and make me smile
So so sweet. So very encouraging. I’m smiling. What a lovely family the five of you make!
I love to celebrate the little things too! My children look forward to it and I think it’s important for their accomplishments to be celebrated. So different from what I had growing up and yet so wonderfully perfect in every way!
That’s delightful. May they always love each other so wholly.
I love what they picked to do. Dinner out and a sleepover with family is perfect.
Wonderful celebration for the last day of school…sounds a lot like ours.
xo
Sweet, sweet post. I hope your girls’ last day wasn’t too bittersweet and that you’re all excited about the possibilities that Summer will bring! Oh and that pink lemonade cake looks SO good!
You’re words, as always are stunning. The way you can describe things blows me away. You’re children take after your heart! Lovely!
—When I come over here, It almost feel as if I entered a place of peace & poetry.
thank you. xx
Amen. So true. Love you. xo
What a perfect way to celebrate! I love the pictures of your beautiful family!
Oh, yes…
I LOVE doing things with my children, too.
The best company around.
That made me shed a tiny tear. Not only because of the precious picture you created but with my oldest graduated and off doing his own thing some nights — I realize how quickly those times go with they are little and you can snuggle with them and protect them. It’s all good. Just a smidge hard at times to let go.
Wonderful, Galit. So sweet that they all agree with your oldest’s suggestion. And do you have sleepovers in your room too? We do and they love it so much. It’s a special treat around here!
Your words are beautiful Galit. Yes, a perfect way to celebrate.
It makes me happy that where they want to spend their time is still with you.
You inspire me to be a better, more present mom.
The love you have for your children is so evident in your writing.
What a gorgeous post and reminder to savor those sweet moments with our kids. The right now, like you said. No hurries, no distractions.
Pink Lemonade Cake!?!?
Y.U.M.
Dinner with the family and a fun sleepover. Sounds perfect.
Love that expression- HeartWants.
Glad that what they wanted was so simple that it was easy to make it happen!
Your kids know how to live man!
What a perfect moment. I love that they chose family. Love it.
As always, a perfect moment beautifully written! I go through the same thing when I ask my little one what she wants, and always she finds her joy in the simple things right within. Oh how I want to preserve that. Happy last day of school to you all
Simple moments like this yet it seemed all too perfect. I won’t mind letting the kids have a sleepover in our room. Your kids are cute. They’re sweet.