Favorite Moments this Summer

One of the best things about summer for me are the slower mornings, time to just linger. And cuddle. :)

We celebrated Ethan's 19th birthday all weekend long, as has become something of a fun tradition. Having a summer birthday definitely makes this easier, and I feel a little bad for the others with winter and early spring birthdays where our outdoor options are pretty limited.

We surprised him at work with goodies - cannoli!!- and some cupcakes for his coworkers. That was a lot of fun...and it was HOT! So we went straight from there to the beach!

 Hola from the ocean!

Witnessing this little boy turn into a full fledged toddler right before my eyes. His vocabulary is limitless, which is awesome EXCEPT when big brothers think they're sooo hilarious getting him to mimic naughty words. He loves to swing, jump- even though his little feet don't quite leave the ground-, read stories, and dance. His obsession with all things trucks and tractors grows by the day. One of my very favorite things was when he started grabbing a bag to carry, would start to leave the room and turn around to call out to me, " Bye bye, Mama. Have a good day. See you ya-ter. Have good day at workin'." Oh this boy.

Levi loves checking on garden progress with me. Sometimes clothed, sometimes not, ha ha ha.

Beach days! Well you really can't get any better than beach days, right? This summer was SO (too) hot, we had more than our fair share of fun in the sun.

Family fun days...okay, so maybe that is my VERY favorite. With Ethan about to leave for college, we have been super intentional about our remaining days together. This past week and weekend were jam-packed. They deserve a post all their own. :)

I don't think I'm surprising anybody when I say that motherhood is hard. It is hard. But those precious moments when you overhear one sibling encouraging another, or a big brother or sister stopping everything to let Levi climb in their lap and read a story, or walking into the kitchen and seeing Levi on a chair by the counter with Ethan right beside him, cooking up something yummy, big grown up boys who would never admit to laying around on the couch with their legs draped over Isabelle so she can scratch or rub them...all these things and more I'm trying to store up in my heart and mind.

Edited to add: of course, right at this exact moment, Levi just started screeching after yet another 45-minute nap. Awesome. He is not definitely NOT ready to give up naps, and I am definitely not ready, either.

Aaaand it's early the next morning, ha! Admittedly, I've got lots more photos still on my phone, so I'll add those in later, or write a separate post, but it feels good to finally record something on here again. :)  Have the best day! I'll post some pics on IG if you want to see what we're up to today, and then the BIG day is tomorrow!!

Catching Up!

Well it's been a minute since I've posted...I can't help it! There is just no extra time in the mornings or during the day to sit at a computer, and really, that's not how I want to spend our summer together anyway. I should also mention that this title is probably misleading, as I suppose I'm not really catching up on anything since I can now hear Levi hollering for me upstairs. Oh boy.

So I'm alive, we're alive, just over two weeks left of summer break. Some days I feel like sprinting for that end date, and others, I find myself dragging my heels to keep it at bay. We'll see how today pans out, ha ha.

Happy Monday! I'll be back with something more substantial soon! Maybe... ;)

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... ;)