Parenting is all about transitions. That initial transition that makes you a parent in the first place, the transition from one child to two, the transitions off the breast, out of diapers, out of the cribs and strollers. The transitions when the children first start going to school. It was harder when Lex started school, as the first, but I’ll admit I cried for several days when Eve started preschool even though the hours were very short. This summer feels like a big transition to me as well. The obvious reason, of course, is that they will both be in school full time in 18 days, but that’s not really it.

For seven years now I have been saying “I have young children.” This summer it hit home that I do not have two young children, just two children. A subtle difference, in text, but so huge in my heart. I know they will need me for years and I don’t mean to be a whiner here, but it’s hitting me hard. Their needs for me are changing. They no longer need me to diaper them or dress them or bathe them. They are fully capable of making the four dishes they eat for all of their meals. (I realize they do need me to teach them about eating a balanced diet, but I seem to be failing in that department!) They went to camp together this summer, happily. They put their own bathing suits on, navigated the locker room and sunscreen applications. They do solitary playdates now. They play outside on their own. They are just so darn independent!

Yesterday was a nice cool day and I thought it would be a good day to make a big batch of blueberry jam. A process they have, in the past, eagerly and happily helped me with. Instead they played a super elaborate game together all morning! That’s great, right? It is. Really. But I did miss them in the kitchen. I was lonely. Is that pathetic?! Eve has been asking to make blueberry cake and when I invited her into the kitchen to bake with me she said, “No thanks, I’m busy.” Sigh.

I am entering a new season in parenting and apparently I’m not sure how to prepare for it. I feel like I rocked the baby stage, but now I’m not sure what comes next. I need to find the next guidebook. “What to Expect When They Grow Up,” perhaps?

I’m slacking a bit with my blog posting here, I know. Lots going on, I guess, and at the same time nothing that moves me to blog. Sorry. Here are a few pictures anyway to tide you over. I have a good post I’m formulating in my head, lots of words and few pictures… though maybe “good post” is a matter of preference. :) Here’s what we’ve been up to this week!

Blueberry picking again. This time we made blueberry jam!

A new (to us) playground with a huge slide. Too bad it was SUPER hot so no one could use it.

A neat tire and wood car for the kids to drive.

This thing is always fun!

Slip-n-sliden’

Eve’s turn.

Drink break!

I love sunny close-ups!

Eve got mad at me for misunderstanding her dinner order one night and decided to make her own sandwich, including cutting the bread by herself! (don’t worry, I supervised) Of course she ate this AND the mini-bagel I had already made for her. We’re a carb crew in this house!

Doesn’t everyone eat breakfast with 3D glasses on?

Today we went to the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium.

It consisted mostly of stuffed animals in glass boxes.

They also had lots of spiral staircases. I learned today that Eve is quite nervous on spiral staircases.

While waiting for the planetarium to open, Lex impressed the silent crowd by reading the captions on the video out-loud to Eve and I (and everyone else!) I started reading quietly to the kids, but apparently his eye sight is much better than mine and he took over when I wasn’t reading fast enough! (he’s reading over my shoulder right now, as I do this blog post!)

We got home from the museum earlier than I had expected today. It wasn’t exactly a big place! It rained off and on the whole way home. It’s a weird, muggy, stormy day. Eve insisted on quiet time, despite just coming off a long car ride, so we all went our separate ways for awhile. Time to re-engage.