Rhythm of the day

With few exceptions, like earaches and the occasional sprouting of a tooth, our days have a rhythm. When we wake, when we sleep, chores, diapers, playing, time outside. Not a set schedule, but a rhythm. The cadence varies here and there, the melody splits in to theme and variation (for weekends and new things), but always comes back to the song that our family sings together.

The giggles and the smiles, the tears and the blessed naps, the exploring, the wonder, the dishes, the laundry, the wooden spoon for her to wack at everything in reach, bowls to clang, paper to crumple and when Mama's not watching, to eat. (sneaky girl!) Crawling to learn, bumps from tumbling over, the perpetual jabber of a little language learner.

Lunch with mama friends while the baby rabble plays on the floor and squeals after the dog (who is so very over it all). The zoo, the park, the swings, swimming, playgroups, a walk (sometimes - this is a new beat to incorporate). Cooking dinner with a little one trying to climb the legs of my pants. Papa coming home, the shy little smile she gives him before burying her face in my shoulder, then reaching for more Papa snuggles.

Mealtime together, always and adventure. Bath-time, eating foam letters while Mama tries to soap a slippery babe. A fresh clean cloth diaper, soft clean jammies, a story from Papa bear, a snuggle, a song, a bottle, then sleep. Sweet blessed sleep. When the house is still and the sun has newly set and the tree frogs and crickets join in the lullaby of night. Then books to read, emails to send, diapers to wash, Husband and Wife again, not just Mama and Papa. The day's end sings like a song I know...Day is done, gone the sun, from the lake, from the hills, from the sky. All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.