Memorial Day Weekend Part 1

My goals were simple for this weekend: revel in my family, soak up the sun (with appropriate SPF protection, of course) and beautify the backyard. So far, we're right on track! Saturday found us traipsing around a rhododendron garden, snapping pics of blooms and baby ducks, only occasionally being terrorized by Canadian Geese. I feel as if I aught to know the names of some of these lovely flowers -- such as the one above. The long, delicate stems of blossoms tucked on the underside of luxurious green leaves . . . We had a lovely picnic, a family nap and a trip to the famed "Pirate Park." We are making a return trip there this afternoon for hours of sand/water fun.  
When Hubby and I were cycling -- pre kids, the fields of clover were always intriguing. They give off a lovely, warm, sweet smell and the color is stunning. They have come into bloom in the last week or so and I've wanted to get a more up-close-and-personal look at them. They do not disappoint! 
And finally, a shot of the little darlings . . . I had hoped to capture more of their fluffy cuteness but my own little duckies seemed to send them scurrying away. Oh well. Speaking of which . . . 

Big D has developed the habit of speaking in a silly, baby voice and is driving me over the brink. I think that I'd be a wealthy women or at least able to by myself a nice new pair of jeans if I got a dollar for how many times I say "Your Big Boy voice" in a single day! The irony is that I know if I just ignored the behavior it'd probably extinguish itself -- the more attention I give it, the more stuck it becomes. But it's driving me CRAZY! And Sis is her delightful sweetness except when she's not:) I could get some fabulous new shoes if I got a buck for every time I tell her to "Try that again. Talk nice." Oy! 

Having my own children has, I hope, made me a better therapist. I work with some young female therapists who have not had children yet and there is sometimes a parent-blaming tone in their voices as they present their cases. They just don't know yet how humbling being a mother can be -- that the most educated, skilled parents still feel like pulling their hair out and selling their children on the street corner. Self-doubt is a regular feature of this whole mother-experience. Often I think, "There but by the grace of God go I" as I listen to the stories families share. 

Today is the yard work portion of the weekend. We are planting grass seed and laying out a path . . . I'm also planting some Fox Gloves! Yea! I've been admiring some stunning plants of my neighbor and now I'll try my own hand with them. I was a little disheartened to discover they are poisonous. Digitalis. EECK. We'll be having the "don't eat the plants" chat later today!