I unplugged this afternoon. Really and truly unplugged myself from everything but my daughters. We played in the backyard. Round after round of, “Mom, you be the shark and I’ll be the mermaid, ok?” It was incredible, but you know what happens when you play a game of mermaid and shark with two children? You, as the shark, receive a writhing 30 pound barnacle to manage as you try and bite the tail of the squealing (and surprisingly swift) mermaid in a wading pool too small for your 70 inches and so you pull yourself (and the 30 pound barnacle with breathtaking ringlets) by your arms, your poor, quivering triceps to be exact.
I remember looking up at one point thinking, “Shit, I’m not taking any pictures.” And just as a lump began to snake its way up my throat, the tell tale pinprick sensation hit my eyes heralding tears making their move, Avery leaned her head around and said, “You sharkin’, mama? You still sharkin’ me?” And I was. It was bliss. Mercy, me, it was true bliss.






I gotta do this more often.
They are beautiful.
I need to do that too.
What a great way to spend a Friday afternoon! Thanks for the reminder and I love Avery's "You sharkin' me" that is too cute.
Sharkin' sounds mighty good on a Friday.
Good for you, mama! I have been doing a lot of that unplugging this summer. (Hence the large gaps in posting and reading). It's awesome to realize that I'm still addicted to my children.
every time, sister. every time i am blown away at how conscious you mother.
So. Much. Fun!
Adorable! I wanna go "shark" my son right now!
YAY for truly being present! It is so hard to do sometimes, then so easy once it has started!
oh i love the bliss of being in a true mommy moment.
so beautiful.
each and every girl on their heads.
Hi! I came across you blog through Cool Zebras. I hope you don't mind me coming back for more and dropping comments once in a while =)
I love that term "Unplugging." =)
Your girls could not be any sweeter, Mama. I just want to squeeze 'em!
holy moley i LOVE those pigtails … with those ringlets! your girls are so beautiful!!
i think sometimes us moms get too focused on housework and other things that need to be done, and forget the moments that REALLY matter, like "sharkin'" around with your kids. thanks for the reminder.
Need to try some sharkin' soon. Just got home from a 3-week vacation and the last week has been pure computer bliss after having limited access. But all that ended tonight when my 4-year old asked how soon we would be going back to Pennsylvania where we could play together again and catch fire flies. He had a mini suit case in hand ready to fly out this evening. Made me think that it isn't all or nothing. I just have to be present–especially post vacation!
Unplugging. I guess you could say that's what I've been doing too. Glad to see it's not just me.