OUR COMMON HOURS

Kelli Ann Wilson May 22, 2015

20 // 52

“A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2015.”

Lillia: This week our house has turned into some sort of crazy campaign headquarters! You decided that you wanted to run for Student Council as a Member at Large. In order to participate in the election, you have to make and distribute campaign materials, and make a speech in front of the whole school! So far we’ve made: 4 glitter-encrusted posters; 20 flyers with your beautiful face right in the middle; and 48 “Vote for Lillia” pins. If you win, you will be a member of next year’s Walpole Elementary School Student Council. I’m always surprised and amazed by the ways in which you are willing to put yourself out there in the world. You do things I would have been way too scared to do at your age, and I am so proud of you for being so courageous. In fact, I am ALWAYS proud of you. I am the luckiest parent in the world because I have you for a daughter.

Zane: This week we have been very busy! We’ve been outside for a lot of the time, now that the weather has really turned a corner. We’ve also been doing a lot of baking — brownies for Daddy and cupcakes for your baptism on Sunday. As is evidenced by this photo, you were quite the helpful taste-tester (or pot-walloper, as Papa would say). We’ve talked a little bit about your baptism and what will happen, and also why we are doing it. You seem excited, and I hope that someday you will be glad that we made this choice for you. I remember looking down at you as a three day old baby, and something in your eyes told me that you were really happy to be here. I hope you will always appreciate the gift of life that God has given you, and that you will always find the church a place of comfort and spiritual renewal.

Kelli Ann Wilson May 19, 2015

garden 2015 // week 2

Here is a little garden update for anyone who is interested. Growing everything from seed is an entirely new experience for me. I didn’t realize how long it really takes everything to get going. Last year I bought all started plants, so it seemed like the garden just exploded overnight. Starting from seed requires patience, and faith! Today it rained for the first time in ages , and it is such a relief. I’ve tried to stay on top of keeping the baby plants watered, and they are still growing well and are healthy, but I’m sure they were happy to get a nice big drink from the sky this morning! Not too much to report at this stage, but here’s the latest: the peas are now tall enough to reach the twine lattice — I had to add in some extra rows because my original lattice was too spread out; the kale is doing pretty well, though not big enough to eat yet; the beets all seem to be growing at different rates — the “chioggia” variety seems to be the hardiest so far; the carrots are also finally growing (I’ve thinned everything out since taking these pictures). We also planted some mesclun (mixed baby greens) and Zane planted his radishes, too. I couldn’t believe how quickly the radish seeds germinated — I think we saw sprouts the second or third day! The next step is to decide what to plant in the second raised bed. We’ll definitely do zucchini, but I’d love to hear your suggestions. I think we’re going to do tomatoes in containers this year because of blight and the sheer size of the full-grown plants.

Kelli Ann Wilson May 18, 2015

19 // 52

“A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2015.”

Lillia: It’s getting harder and harder to take portraits of you — this is the face I get most of the time! This week your class went on a special field trip to Grafton, Vermont. You visited the Grafton Nature Museum and spent two whole days out in the woods learning all about the forest ecosystem. You also hiked and explored vernal pools. You’ve got a busy couple of weeks coming up, with your dance rehearsals and performances looming large on the calendar. And, after that, the school year will be coming to an end. I cannot believe you will be sixth grader next year. It just doesn’t seem possible!

Zane: This week you had your spring concert! We were all very excited to see you sing, and all of your grandparents came. But, for some reason, once you were up on stage, you didn’t want to sing! I kept thinking, “Oh, maybe he just doesn’t know this song,” but you didn’t sing a single word of any of the songs. You were very well-behaved, though, and I just had to laugh because it was such a Zane thing to do. Afterwards, I asked you why you didn’t sing and you said it was because you were getting squished by the other kids. You’re a funny boy, Zane Wilson.

Kelli Ann Wilson May 13, 2015

bud to blossom

…What we long for: joy before death…
…What we know: we are more than blood — we are more than our hunger…
— from “Blossom” by Mary Oliver

²⁴ For “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, ²⁵ but the word of the Lord endures forever.” That word is the good news that was announced to you.
— 1 Peter 1:24-25

Kelli Ann Wilson May 11, 2015

18 // 52

“A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2015.”

Lillia: This week you have been much happier, and that is a relief. The highlight of your week was your first school dance on Friday! The fifth graders were invited to attend the last middle school dance of the year, and you were really excited. I felt a little emotional about it, of course. How can my baby be old enough to attend a school dance??? You came home pretty tired and sweaty, and reported that it was both the best and worst experience of your life. You said that only the fifth graders danced, and that you drank 1.5 cans of Sprite. I guess I should really come to terms with the fact that in just a few months you will be a real middle schooler. You also brought home your report card and we are all SO PROUD OF YOU for earning straight A’s! As I’ve said before, the grade isn’t everything, but you worked really hard to pull your B+ in Science up to an A and that deserves some accolades. Great job, Lillia!

Zane: This week we have been living outside. We’ve been doing tons of yard work, moving plants around, putting other plants in. You are such a huge help to me, and I really appreciate that. You’re so excited about all of the little pea shoots that have sprouted up! My favorite Zane story of the week is as follows: You came home from school on Tuesday and said, “Guess what I did at circle today, Mom?” I was thinking, oh, no, what did he do? Then he said, “I hugged a girl!” I said, “Oh, that’s very nice of you — why did you hug her?” To which you replied, “I had to hug her because she had a flower on her shirt and she looked so beautiful!” My heart just about shattered from the cuteness. (I hope the little girl didn’t mind being hugged.) Zane-a-roo, you are quite the little love bug!