Every spring we gather the kids and meet up with our buds back from high school days to go strawberry picking in Carlsbad.
Over the years, we've lost shoes in mud, experienced tantrums, and had kids packed up to go home with stained faces and fingers.
This year was easier. The simple fact is that our kids are getting bigger. I don't know how I feel about it. The truth is that although everyone told me it would go fast, I didn't understand how fast they were talking about.
Although I don't miss pushing the stroller up the dirt hills or little feet too young to know that stomping on fresh strawberries results in very messy shoes, I certainly miss the sweetness of carrying a little one in the baby carrier close to my chest as we watch the other kids run, pick, and sneak some of the red goodness into their watering mouths when they think no one is watching.
But this is a new season. My baby is now 3. My other babies are 4 and 8. Time shifts and I'm trying to let my heart roll with it.
As the children searched for strawberries that glistened like rubies in the afternoon sunshine,
the grown ups basked in their joy and discovery.
Each little had a method.
Some quickly picked with random abandon. While others methodically scanned, compared, and selected.
I stood and observed as they sprinted through the sea of green speckled with red.
The smiles on their faces and giggles with each other summed the day up perfectly.
Fun.
Family.
Friends.
And it doesn't get much better than that.
Well, except for a stop here...
For a lil' something-something...
No, In-N-Out, thank you. Really. Thank you.
Much love,
Katie
I'm linking up at Heather's Life Made Lovely Monday. Come on over and visit!
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16 comments:
oh...i am wanting to plant strawberries myself this year...maybe i am already late on that...probably! ~d. :)
love this post...love strawberries, love traditions, love Carlsbad, love in-n-out!
great shots! strawberry picking is the best. in n out is better. i'm kind of jealous.
how fun! i am trying my hand at growing some strawberries this season...
i love In N' Out Burger! wish we had one in the midwest!!
I would say that's a great tradition!!! Those strawberry fields look like heaven!
I soooo wanna go strawberry pickin :) You should try the sparkling lemonade...it is really really tart...which I love!
arrgh! Why did you do that to me!? Not the sweet words and kids and berries, but the photos of In-N-Out!!
Glad you got to do this with your family. So much fun.
What a lovely day! I love that you caught a nibbler. I am still a nibbler - I can't stand to see them all and not taste.
Love this post! We are not far from Carlsbad and we will def. have to do this! Thanks for sharing!! ps- traditions are the best! keep it up! and secretly, our husbands love the traditions too :-)
gorgeous photos here!!
i, too, love traditions! i love looking forward to things and making memories along the way!
love your blog!
I've wanted to go strawberry picking the last two years and haven't made it. It looks like so much fun. Plus, In n out always makes for a great day.
these photos are rockin' my socks, katie!
beautiful tradition, sweet family. love it!!
xoxo
i love your traditions!!!!
this is so sweet :), i used to pick berries with my great grandma! aww! also we just got an in.n.out in texas, yipeee
1. You taunt me with In-and-Out. I've only had it once. I will never forget it.
2. Blog Sugarrrr! I want to go. But it's too far away.
3. Strawberries! Yes, please!!
What a fun day. We are getting an In N Out here in Fort Worth mid-summer and I'm sooooo excited :)
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