i’m remembering these days that were long with free time.  there were calls of boredom and complaints of heat.  bedtime lacked routine and all five of us were often in one room.  it was summer.  we spent more than one day at the county fair.  the kids have plans for being involved in the fair next year.

of course the fair was more fun when we were with a baby who kept trying to crawl into the pens.

this was the first time i got to observe the actual judging.  very fascinating.  and this was the moment micah verbalized that all those times he bought himself trophies at the thrift shop they “didn’t count.”  sweet child.

with days of sibling rivalry and mounting irritation, this evening was a gift.  the kind of gift that drops to your gut and swirls all the way up to your heart.

we met up with papa for the traditional ferris wheel ride.  it was eliza’s first.

i admit i’m glad to see them land on ground safely.

we didn’t have much money along so they divided and conquered their 3 rides a piece.

the tilt a whirl bonded my children.  all three of them tucked in. i cherish this memory.  they do too.

this is why we take photos…to relive the memories when they seem light years ago.