We brighten or darken the days of those around.

01

We have two different groupings of children, age-wise. We are at a point where their varying wake-up times are especially…interesting. And sometimes challenging. Also, one of them keeps falling out of his bed during the night. Is this the kind of thing that builds character? And if so, for who?

Somehow, they drag themselves to face the day, with giggly grins and dig up markers and paper from the thousand troves in which it is cached around our laboratory home. They bang out several pages before segueing to LEGO-constructing. All of this happens before the clock yet turns to 7am.

There’s books and podcasts and musings on the importance of self-care and taking time for yourself and all that. We are blessed to have children that understand the importance of those things to such a degree that they are alongside at every turn to help us take care of ourselves. Including in the early hours of the morning. I think they’re on rotating shifts: the Youngers help us care for ourselves in the early hours, the Olders perform the same charitable act in the late hours.

Groceries (to survive a few more days)

I don’t feel like a very exciting food-maker these days. We are a family who enjoys food itself, as well as the act and experience of eating it. Sometimes it’s a few things in the weekly groceries to get excited about. This week, for me, fresh off a grocery trek:

Oatly cold brew
Beyond Meat and Impossible links and patties.

Afternoon, pt 1 : the soirees they attend

Our Olders headed off to an end of summer afternoon party. “Wear your life jackets in the floaty pool!” I called out as they left. No, I didn’t, but I was thinking it would be funny if I had. They probably would have thought to themselves: Man, our dad is so funny and clever! Shoot. Shoulda said it. Wait…now that I think about it, how good of swimmers are they? Should they?

Afternoon, pt 2 : groundhog day

Two boys mirror their early morning: LEGOs and drawing. I force them to branch out though and mandate they watch an episode of Martha on PBS Kids. Thank goodness for public broadcasting.

Challenges, pt 1

A 7-year old in tears over wanting his own Naked smoothie. When you grow up with certain family dynamics and certain parents and have siblings, then guess what, you get good at sharing, whether you want to or not. In our family, there’s often not a “one smoothie per person” kind of situation. So you hold and console and try to be empathetic and all that - at least I try - and in the end, you still end up sharing. Because that’s what a big part of life is: sharing your resources. When I think about things our kids will be so excited about someday, on their own, then I imagine little things like: Whoa, I get to have my own smoothie every time and not have to share it with anyone! I smile because I know we’ll probably get made fun of someday for that very thing. But it’s not going to change the present. It’s not just an economic thing, although I’d be dishonest if I said that is not a variable at all. But…it is more than financial. It is about the ability to share, to take an attitude of generosity consistently, and to recognize and remember that we are constantly part of social ecosystems in which our lives are intertwined. We can either brighten or darken the days of those around.

Two boys drink smoothies and milkshakes on the front porch

Challenges, pt 2

Huge issue: as a result of grocery-getting, we ran out of room in the freezer. I have to clear out the ice cream. What am I supposed to do about it?! I wail to the boys.

Together, we come up with a solution. A short while later, we are chugging milkshakes on the front porch while I read Ramona’s World. What a treasure.

Soundtrack to a day

I listened to a great deal of Sparks. One of the greatest duos of all time, and one of the most unheralded and under-appreciated musical acts ever.

Summer supper

We accepted my parents-in-law’s invite for dinner outdoors. My MIL’s pasta salad and rosemary bread. Delicious as always. Post-eating Connect 4 game and chatting.

A short time previous, my FIL had picked up tofu and peanut butter for us from Costco. We tend to crank through both products quickly. He handed them to us and grinned at our reaction to his appearance: bloody cuts over eyebrow and on arm and legs. Got tripped up on the curb at Costco. Looked bad. A whole conversation ensued about his wife’s disinclination to assist with medical matters. “What did you do when your kids were younger and they got hurt?” I asked her. She laughed: “Sent them up to my mother in law.”

Miscellaneous

Becca working out CE and CPR credit.

The ways we try and support those we care about in difficult times, through difficult circumstances. And the ways in which we try and support our own children who are supporting their peers through those difficult times.

Our 7yo has been making some of the neatest designs out of LEGO, including superhero-inspired typography designs.

I wonder what impact Trump’s being on Truth Social versus X/Twitter will have on the election? Much smaller reach, but he’s reaching true believers instead of the general public. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Is it better for his lies, ad hominem attacks, and cruelty to be contained in a single place? Or is it optimal for him and followers to stew, evolve, and build up strength?

Early evening

I contemplate the day:

I helped four kids map out school schedules for the year.
I did some driving and grocery shopping.
I did some reading, comforting, and mediating.
I cleaned the house kitchen.

That was the day.