Nine full days of family, the whole family, has come to a close.  It was so lovely and light and the boys are so deeply in love with their daddy, it made my heart glow.  We exchanged the woods of Vermont, for the woods of Maine, minus the chores, cleaning, and gardening to occupy us.  Just walks, boats, s’mores (of course), stories, and fairy houses filled our days.  My camera battery died the very first day, giving me the absolute gift of presence.

And upon arrival on our trip home, we found our garden in its full glory.  Beets, peas, every type of lettuce, even some carrot and zucchini, all ready for the taking.  After reseeding everything we harvested, and picking potato bugs until our fingers were stained orange, we took a little walk (for those under the age of 7 it was a chaotic dash, but you know what I mean) and reveled in an in between rain-shower rainbow welcoming us home.

Vacations are as exhausting as they are invigorating with small children in tote.  The packing and unpacking alone are enough to need a full on nap.  But the time is so well spent and so well worth every bit of the exhaustion.  Cuddling in with all these little boys who ended up afraid of bunk beds, and exchanging bewildered half smiles and laughing eyes with my partner in this crazy life, in the middle of an out of control, what is going on moment, made memories that I am confident will be unforgettable.  They bring a sweetness to my heart that just can’t compare.