Friday Favorites!

So much for my intentions of actually posting this summer, ha ha! This has actually been a pretty low key week for us, and I STILL haven't been able to make the time to do it! Posts are coming, I promise. ;) I've still got garden and landscaping updates, as well as some changes in our bedroom and in Levi's room. Oh, and when Ethan heads to college, we'll be changing up the boys' shared space downstairs...but we're not going to even think about that just yet, right? Right. #cuethetears Or rather: #staymybaby

Anyhoo. I digress. :)

I know so many of you are packing in all things summer because you're gearing up for school in a few weeks, or LESS! I've got to say, I can't even imagine. And also, I think I might be a little jealous, HA! Summers are so different with big kids, they really are. Not necessarily bad, just different. Good thing I've still got two smaller ones to keep summers fun! ;)

I have to share this one! It just cracks me up! We've spent a LOT of time out here this year and I do love it. Twice this week we've had thunderstorms roll in in mere minutes and have had to evacuate rather quickly. I don't mind getting caught out in the rain, and the cooler air that came along with it felt SOOOOO good. It has been a really hot summer this year!

I don't know if this is nation wide, but a few theaters near us have summer movies for a dollar. It is fabulous! I brought the boys when they were small, and then with Isabelle, and I have the best memories of some fun trips to the movies and lunch with them. Well, this year I thought I'd brave the trip there with Levi, not really thinking he'd make it through, but he did great! He got a little antsy part way through, but then I just busted out some snacks and that did the trick. My Mom and Dad ended up coming with us last minute, and it was just the best morning. So fun! We saw Ferdinand- I thought it was adorable. And I only partially cried at two...no, three... parts. What a sap. I can't help it! Animal movies just get to me!

Look at Mr. Social! Waving to everyone, just saying "hey." SO unlike him- what is happening to my serious little guy?!?!?

Then we went out for lunch and got ice cream cones! My Dad, Grampy, treated, which was so sweet, and it worked out perfectly since I'd left my wallet in a JoAnn's bag in the sewing room (I'd dropped it in there quick when Levi took off toward the parking lot and had to run and grab his hand.) Such a beautiful summer day! And isn't Isabelle's new haircut the cutest! Her texture was just made for that style- I love it!

Here's a little sneak peek of my garden. It's small but has been growing so, so well. I think I may add another box next summer. Being out in our backyard on summer nights is probably my favorite thing to do!

So excited about this rose! The plant was nearly dead last month- shortly after planting it (Mother's Day gift), it lost its leaves and looked pitiful, so I've been babying it a bit, and this rose just opened the other day. Gorgeous!!!

I've also been quite busy sewing! These white dresses are my favorites, and apparently they're other Mama's as well because I seriously cannot keep up! Thank you so much to those who have supported me and my family! It means so much. :)

Simple White Coming Home / Blessing Baptism Dress

I hear from Mamas that these dresses are being worn as simple but elegant blessing and baptism dresses, beach portrait dresses, coming home dresses, and yes, of course... summer nightgowns! They're cotton and so soft, no harsh chemicals. They look so darling in pictures, especially sister sets, and can be made up to size 9/10!

White Petite Polka Dot Blessing Baptism Dress

(this dress has a ruffle at hem also)

Big brothers are the best! I find lots of gems on my phone that just make me smile. I love that they're always playing with Levi. I can't begin to explain the joy that he has brought to our whole family.

Speaking of Levi... he's up, time to go. Hope you have the best day and a super weekend! 

Joining in with Erika, Andrea and Narci today! Thanks, ladies!

Trying Some New Things for July 4th This Year!

First, let me just say that for fun, I uploaded pictures of Levi and Isabelle from two years ago and last year...and now I'm feeling a little heartbroken. Time, you are so cruel!

Ethan just came upstairs- Mondays and Wednesdays are his super early days- and we were just chatting a bit. Well, I was talking and he was nodding. Typical, ha! I told him that all twelve boys and their coach in Thailand were rescued from the cave and in fairly good condition. Can you even imagine what all those parents are feeling right now? It was such a heartwarming thing to see so many people from all over come together with the sole purpose of saving complete strangers, to go to such lengths to reach them. It's just terrible that one soul lost his life in the effort. His poor, poor family. They must be incredibly proud, though of course utterly heartbroken.

Well now I am all over the place! Life is so precious.

So anyway, this year we decided to do some new things. We were on day four of the heat wave, and the thought of dealing with our local fireworks amid the crowds did not seem appealing in any way, shape or form. Plus, we usually end up next to some cigar and cigarette smoking people, no matter where we go!, and it just plain irritates me to pieces. So, we got our own fireworks this year, and it was a ton of fun. I've got a gazillion pics to share, so I'll stop yapping here and just post the pics, ha ha!

2016: we had just brought Levi home from the hospital the day before because of a rare pneumonia, and he still wasn't feeling very well. Gah. Look at that squishy babyyyyy!

2017: the beginning of the make something festive and matchy for them, ha ha

2018: Levi's romper is still my favorite, so I'm saving the fabric I got for next year, and Isabelle adores her new checkered dress

Twirling like helicopters :)

Someone was very excited by the idea of having his own sparkler...

...until it got too close!

He finally went for it but didn't know what to do. Of course we were right there, ready to grab it. Or toss water on him. ;)

There's a smile!

It was taking forever for it to get dark. The sun doesn't set here in the summer until almost 9 pm. Don't be fooled- he looks like he loves these things. He did not.

Not sure WHAT to make of all the noise and fireworks...

Okay, maybe it's all good after all :)

Some of them got way higher- and BIGGER- than we'd anticipated. Talk about a mini heart attack!

He didn't settle down until well past 10 that night, and this was my view early the next morning. Remember, heat wave = family sleepover. So, so glad that's over. ha ha ha ha

We did not turn on our oven even one time last week, so we didn't make our two traditional favorites: Star-Spangled Fruit Tart and Poke Cake... now I know what we'll be having today since the temps are supposed to stay in the low 80's!!! Yesterday and Monday were SO hot again. This northern girl cannot take it!

I hear my little alarm clock now...I was hoping that he would fall back to sleep after his initial wake up at 5:20, but no such luck today. Fun times, ha ha! Have a great Wednesday! It's Donut Wednesday here. :) On second thought, maybe those desserts should wait until tomorrow... ;)

Sweet Summertime

Hey friends! It's been a minute, haha! Just getting into the swing of summer, because for us, it only started two weeks ago, and so far, so good. :) We've been strawberry picking, swimming nearly every day, the lakes, the beach, pool parties, to the movies...and now, I'm tired! HA There have also been so many sweet moments between siblings, and it feels even more special knowing how much things will change once college begins.

Last week was one of the longest stretches of heat wave that I can ever remember here in NH. We don't have a/c since it only gets hot for two months out of the year, but oh, can those hot, sticky nights be just plain miserable. We put in an a/c unit in our window and had a week-long family sleepover. I learned I'm not really a fan of the week-long family sleepover, at least in my room. But our upstairs rooms reached 88F by the middle of each day, so hot you could barely breathe, so there really wasn't another option. Just glad it's over! :)

I've got plans to post some pictures of our landscaping and the new vegetable garden, which is doing great, as well as some personal thoughts on motherhood. I feel like I'm always playing catch up on our activities that I don't really write much else, and I miss talking about more personal stuff. Maybe no one else misses it, but that's okay, ha ha.

Onto the pics!!

my morning buddy, not much changed there. ha ha ha ha

 Ethan often pulls over the chair and the two of them cook up something yummy.

#aww

we decided to move the patio table from the pool to the deck, and we love it! Inaugural lunch :)

 slow mornings are nice mornings, for a while anyway - my type A personality can't take too much unstructured time, ha ha

this sums up how we felt about summer Story Time with way too many big kids running around

 we'd rather be hard at work computing :)

or browsing the books

I'll let the rest speak for themselves...just lots of fun in the sun!

I'll share highlights of our 4th festivities in the next post- we did some new things and it was lots of fun!

Oh! And THANK YOU SO MUCH for all the orders for Rose & Ruffle! They keep me busy, yes, but I am so grateful. I have some sewing projects to share too- do you guys like to read them here, or have them on a specific sewing/crafty blog, like Rose & Ruffle? Just wondering! :)