Memorial Day

We went to Studio Grandma/Grandpa’s house for a Memorial Day BBQ yesterday. We got there a little early, and Eleanor saw some flats of Marigolds Grandma hadn’t planted yet. She was so excited to help Grandma plant some flowers. I love the confidence that comes with this age. I told her she was doing a good job, and she said, “Yeah, I am a really good gardener!” We had done a little shopping earlier in the day, so Eleanor had to wear her new “movie star” sunglasses the whole time. After a few plants, Eleanor actually got her hands in there instead of only using the trowel. I don’t understand her initial reluctance to get her hands dirty considering her enthusiasm for the sandbox.

Phaedra loves this rock in Grandma’s yard. She’ll randomly stop what she’s doing while playing and go over to lounge on her rock for a bit. Then she goes back to playing. Eleanor always loved this rock, too. Last summer, she especially liked to cover the rock with sidewalk chalk and then lay on it, a pastime that was rather unkind to the laundry and car seat when it came time to go home.

The whole time Eleanor was planting flowers with Grandma, Phaedra was playing in the sandbox. She has LOVED being able to play in the sandbox now that the rain is finally slowing down. I should have taken pictures, but I was enjoying sitting and watching her too much. She had the most beautiful light on her that was softened by the leaves of the tree above her. It would have made for some adorable pictures, but I just sat and soaked it up, taking as many mental pictures as I could. I was enjoying the moment too much to go get my camera.

Then the cousins arrived, and we all ate. Uncle Alex was in charge of the BBQ, and he did a great job.

The kids’ table. Intruders will be shot on sight.

While we were letting our dinners settle, the kids played outside. I went out to check on Eleanor, and she came to me with leaves in her hair. She excitedly told me, “Mommy! I went all the way into the hedge! I got scared, but I braved myself up to go back out again. And we saw a poisonous bug! But it was already smashed.”

I assisted her in putting on a head lamp so she could go back into the hedge, and she went back in with two of her cousins.

Entering the hedge.

I heard Daniel telling her, “Let me go ahead of you so I can cut any branches that get in your way.”

See the two faces in the hedge?

I loved listening to them while they were in there. Eleanor would say, “Here. I’ll chop that branch for you Daniel. (swats at a little branch with her bat) I can’t get it. Can you chop that branch, Daniel?”

They found 9 whiffle balls in the hedge and several “poisonous” bugs, but they never did find the missing Nerf dart that was supposedly their entire motivation for entering the hedge. Eleanor just loves the adventures she has with her cousins.