Tonight was just us. No getting ready for something. No running to someplace. No expecting visitors. Just us. Hannah and I made mint brownies. Sam and Stephanie played puppy sale. Andy read the mail. We went for a bike ride.
After dinner we lingered at the table. Talking, laughing, breathing in and breathing out. We cleaned the kitchen together. Showers weren’t rushed. We read extra books.
Sometimes I’m struck by the simplicity of a happy family. Slowing down, smiling, appreciating the people who share the home. I know life won’t come to a screeching halt and as our kids grow older we will have more chaotic-running-a-million-different-places days than these lazy days. And I know there are blessings to come when we invest in lives outside of our home. Still, I hope I remember when things are feeling frazzled, it means we need to spend time together, just the five of us.
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Lovely. I agree with all of the above comments. Since my daughter’s been visiting with her troupe, I’ve tried to slow down time, take the moment and really savor it. I’ll miss these little tykes when they head home, so I was happy to read Peek-A-Boo Baby several times in a row, while rocking the two year old. Fleeting, satisfying moments.
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These are such precious moments. I remember those days. I can picture them from years gone by and sometimes I see glimpses of them when we spend time with our daughter. Enjoy them, I know you do. I’m not sure I enjoyed them enough. Time has a way of flying by and slipping away. Seize the moment! Thanks for sharing! Happy Slicing! Have a wonderful weekend! 🙂
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Love your picture. Your snippets of life in your house ring happiness and togetherness. 🙂
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Leisure family nights are my favorite as well. Time to slow down and enjoy the family we’ve built. Enjoy your time!
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Hi Ruth,
Your post resonated with me as there are times when we feel the same way in our family. Our two oldest daughters are out of the house now; one is working in NY and the other is a sophomore at a college in Boston. It’s just three of us at home now and we are in Calgary. Much of our time is spent figuring out how to spend time together just the five of us. We all need it especially as life seems to get busier even as we all get older.
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So lovely. I echo Bonnie’s suggestion. What a great visual reminder of this wonderful slice and this wonderful evening with your family.
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Your slice was a glimpse of heaven on earth. Thank you for sharing your moments of joy.
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I feel the same way, and I think our kids do too. They’re only 4, but still. Today was a “Mamma” (grandma) day. They played more games than they could count, baked cookies, read books and made a zillion pictures; perfectly content to stay at her house and not go a single place! You’re right-sometimes taking time to just be at home is the best. Thanks for sharing!
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The rhythm of your words reflects the smooth flow of the time spent with your family. Simple, staccato sentences, and long flowing lists. I love that you included “breathing in and breathing out” the way that you did. It really slowed the text down the way I imagine it slowed your life down today. Lovely day, lovely family, lovely slice!
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I found that is what I like best–the simple, every day activities. What a beautiful day it was today, too. Hope you have many more this summer.
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I enjoyed all the details you shared. Isn’t it such a typical but lovely evening when kids have both a bike ride & a puppy sale? It sounds like a lot of pure play. It’s great that you are putting the evening on paper, to relish again & again.
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Take this picture, print it, frame it and put it where you will see it and remember the Slice you just wrote 🙂
Bonnie
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I love those evenings when the outside world stays outside. Enjoy
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Savor these moments, they are like finding that lucky four leaf clover.
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What a perfect day relaxing and enjoying each other’s company! Our family has been out and about walking the last two evenings enjoying the spring air. It’s good to slow things down some days – and it’s not even the weekend! Enjoy your family!
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