She was there

If you read my blog maybe you sometimes stop by and visit For The Love of Naps.  Do you love her posts as much as I do?
Did you see her recent blurb about taking pictures of her kids and how she wasn't in a single shot from our trip up at the cottage? I feel sad for her. Her words were so true-even if she isn't actually IN the shot, she sure shows up in how she captures her tribe.  You can tell how important they are to her in all the different angles she shoots. So I perused through my pictures and found some.

So here is my tribute, which I know she deserves because she is such a huge part of this thing we call "The cottage" or "Up North". She hasn't missed a year and this year she arrived ON her birthday.  So we celebrated.

She caught a lot of nimmows.  Rocked the "reverse charades".  Ate some ribs.  Stood still during the keep away game.  Tried to beat me at badmitton.  Wore her boots.  Cruised and fished on the pontoon. Read a book and skipped the blogging.  Did a little dance by the picnic table.  Drank some wine and margies and maybe even a beer.  She is one of the main reasons the cottage is my favorite week of the year.

Hands in her pockets for the keep away game

She was there.
See ya next year big sis.

Shelby Farms Park

Have you heard of this place?
If you haven't been to one of Tennessee's neatest parks, let me introduce you to it.
Shelby Farms Woodland Discovery Park

On the website it is described as: Six play "nests," a winding steel arbor planted with flowering vines + willow trees, innovative play structures, an open grassy lawn, giant net + tree house climbing structure, ADA play elements, features for every age and ability level + more. (And it's totally free!)

And it's true. Not a stretch.  Although my pictures don't do it justice my eyes were wide, and I was wowed.  This place was amazing.  In order to get in to the play structure area you have to drive through this winding, amazing and beautiful farm land.  Because it was the middle of the summer it was (too) scorching hot and there weren't that many kids there.  We brought some water but for 25 people the 6 bottles didn't last long.  We were all sweating because it was so hot.  I was able to look past how wet from sweat I was because the park was so brilliant.  But did I mention it was hot?  If the weather had been more mild I think we could have stayed for hours upon hours.  It seemed like we all just got to touch and try each part of the playground.  Kids of all ages would, could and do spend hours here.  It's a different spin on your traditional park.

The kids AND adults had a good time.

Eli tried to be spider man for the first time.

So far I haven't found anyplace like this close to home.  Andy reminded me that with the difference in temperatures there, that park is used closer to year round than any parks here.  Here is the website  http://www.shelbyfarmspark.org/woodlanddiscoveryplayground
Make sure to check it out if you are in the Memphis area.

Groove

Some days are better than others.  I'm sure everyone can attest to that.

Yesterday we were rockin' and rollin'.  I was honored to be the listening ear for a friend who was not in a groove-who felt like she was climbing an uphill battle.  I tipped my head to her, gave some advice, sent a text-hug and hoped that a glass of wine would help her out.  I, on the other hand, was in a great groove with my littles.

But some days aren't like that.  The tables turned and today I felt frustrated, sad, tired and out of my groove. I tried to start fresh.  At least 20 times.  And it works, but you just have to keep going.  Keep movin' on.

Maybe it's because we are fresh back from vacation.  The kids can't remember what our routine is or where their favorite toys are.  I'm sure they just wanted to be outside, catching "nimmows" with their cousins.  But reality is, the cottage is behind us, no matter how heavy that makes our heart.

 I miss those early morning walks to the dock-sometimes before many others are awake.  I don't think I can wait 360 days to go again.

Especially when it's a day where everything is a battle.  Hugh won't let me put on his shorts. Eli wants a different fruit.  Nobody can find their shoes.  The car alarm is going off (again! me too sarah).  Nobody is patient or kind or uses soft words.

But and so.... tomorrow we start new. Fresh. We keep movin' on.  And I remind myself that we are given these chances to muddle through the hard stuff so we can appreciate the good days.  When it's easier.

When everyone listens to each other.  When the dance party is more than one song long.  When it's not every battle, but the right ones that I pick.

 When we are up north.

So tonight I give myself the advice that I gave my friend yesterday.  I smile at the message my sister sent, who feels happy, had a good day and feels confident in choices her family is making.  I look at pictures from our trip and I smile a sad/happy smile knowing the little E-Case had an amazing trip.  He relished it all. He lived and loved it.

 We don't have to be "up north" to have these times, these moments. I don't have to wait 360 days to go on bug hunt adventures or wake up with new energy.  So cheers to all you mamas who are doin' it, regardless of a rough, tough or beautiful day.

Memphis Zoo

So I'm gonna be honest....getting to the Memphis Zoo was a complete hassle.  No hard feelings towards anyone in the family, but it did take 1 hour and 45 minutes just to get out the door (See previous TN post re: not knowing what is going on with a lot of physical bumping, which includes which cars, what time is departure and what we are wearing).

I never thought I'd wear the same bright t-shirt as 25 others to the zoo but let me tell you---GOOD idea.  It was so easy to assign the kids a buddy, an adult and then just scan the crowd.  Nobody got lost or left behind. Miracle.

I loved this outing once we were there.  If you are ever in the Memphis area, this is a must do. The zoo is amazing, different animals than I am used to and all their "homes" are built and presented so beautifully.  I enjoyed watching Eli's excited face as he walked with his buddy (Elliot) the whole way.  His green shirt was a little big on him, and it was lunch time and it was nap time and it was HOT.  But he smiled and let his joy shine through, just like always.  Floating as he ran.  Prancing as he saw something new.  Come on, if you know Eli-you can just about imagine.

Here are a few snippets. You can't miss us, we are wearing bright green.  (Eli's buddy Elliot is only 5 weeks older than him.  Although they do not look like they are only 1 month apart-they stick together pretty well)

I love this stolen moment-a relaxed pose from a mama of 3 boys

These guys are totally cracking jokes about our green t-shirts

I love this stolen moment

This makes life totally worth it

We are looking pretty good for TOTALLY hot with no naps and a late lunch.  

Another favorite stolen moment

so...he rode home in his underoos.

PS-I was totally wiped out too.  What you can't see in this picture is that I am also asleep in the front seat.  We are parked in front of Uncle Chris's house with the AC blasting, for over a half hour we all slept.   As we tell Eli, we were all recharging our batteries for our next adventure.