Throughout the years while I was raising my four kids (beginning in 1954), I kept a journal where I periodically made notes about holidays, school, vacations, etc. As an occasion arises where I think one of my journal entries would be pertinent, I’m going to post it just as I wrote or typed it back in the day (except for an explanatory note or correction of a typo).
The children will be known here by the nicknames their grandfather used when they were toddlers: The oldest daughter will be Newsie (because she was as good as a newspaper for finding out the latest happenings), the oldest son is Bar (because he called Grandpa’s truck Bar and Grandpa called him Bar), the youngest son is Jackson, and the youngest daughter is Shanty (as in Shanty-Boat).
“Jackson saw a plump robin on the front lawn today and with the confidence of childhood announced: ‘There’s a robin. It’s spring!’ And I’ll have to agree with him that the miracle of spring has come to Maple Drive. The sky is a pale clear blue, serving well as the background for tender green buds and leaflets appearing on so many of the trees. Each lawn is the fresh green of spring and the gorgeous color compensates for the bare patches of earth. Daffodils, dandelions and violets are blooming, and the tulips are budding. The leaves of the iris are straight and sure and reassuring. The temperature is 80 degrees this afternoon and the kids are wearing shorts and crop-tops, and Bar and his friend Danny are tossing a baseball. Our dog Penny ran with great glee over newly-seeded lawns and through flower beds, and dug a foot-deep hole in the dusty patch beside the back porch. Newsie and her friend Rosanne came in with nosegays of violets, dandelions and large leaves, picked in the hollow and carefully placed in a yellow plastic cup on the refrigerator.”
Precious memories of a spring almost 50 years ago.
LILLIAN'S CUPBOARD 
such innocence of childhood. thank you for sharing.
Horrendous news we are following on the BBC and my thoughts too are with the people of Boston.
Your journal of your children are lovely memories 😉
A description that makes spring palpable. I remember the days of dandelion bouquets carefully tended.
How wonderful that you wrote things down. I wish I had been as smart. Now I have to depend on just what comes up in my head when prompted by something. I love the children’s nicknames.
Lovely post. I too wish I had written things down. Very sweet memories. My heart and prayers go out to Boston also.
Beautiful, reminds me of my four. Lovely writing.
Your post made me giggle and fondly remember the nick names our family had for each other. My aunt called my sister and me cookie and semi-cookie and I had fun Nicknames for all my children as they grew up. Thanks for brightening my day.
Beautiful post, thank you
I love to read things from your journal. Timeless and precious 🙂 . Take care! 😀
It was so smart of you to jot down those things – I bet it’s wonderful for you to remember while reading and it is such a joy for your children, grandchildren, and some day great-grandchildren to read!
Thank you for the nice comments. Actually, I already have two great-grandchildren – a girl, 8 years old and a boy, 5. Lillian
Oh my! I bet they love to hear about the “olden” days! 🙂