Here

Staying in our pajamas until late in the morning, faces stained with watermelon juice, stacks of books read and re-read throughout the day, games played, slipping-n-sliding, staying up until the sun sets, catching fireflies, roasting marshmallows over the fire, taking cover as the afternoon/early evening thunderstorms roll through, enjoying playdates with friends, savoring the first of the summer crops from the farmer's market, and generally s.l.o.w.i.n.g down.  Summer is here in all its full glory and we are doing our best to soak up the moments in between the doing.

June has been a month of adjustments for us- adjusting to our summer rhythm, adjusting to a Daddy travel schedule that has left him out of town more than home, adjusting to a new puppy and all the mischief that goes with having a new puppy.  But in between the bumpy moments there have been some really great ones too.  And there are many more to come.

edited to add: the bat was found on our front porch.  It isn't the first time we have found a bat around our house, but usually they are dead.  Imagine my surprise when I went to scoop it up, with gloves on, and it began to flap its wings!  I carefully relocated it to the backyard and when we checked on it the next day, it was gone.  I am hoping it did not fall victim to a stray cat as we sure could use the help with mosquito control!

Daddio

Happy Father's Day to my wonderful husband.  We started this journey barely as adults ourselves and here we are 11 years later.  I couldn't have asked for a better father for our children.  We love and appreciate you so much Daddio!

Celebrating

When I asked my girl what she wanted for her birthday, she would say "I don't know!", but what she did know is that she wanted a birthday party!  After experiencing several parties for friends, she was very excited to have her own.  And so I made it happen for her.  We did have to scale it back a bit (sorry, no ponies at this party) and a few boys were indeed allowed, but there was cake and crafts and lots of playing with friends and I would call that a success.  After the party was over, sweet girl re-bagged her gifts and "played" party all over again.  It warmed my heart to see her, to know she felt that touched by all that happened that she wanted to relive it all over again and again!  And I am ever so grateful for our friends and family that made it such a wonderful experience for her. 

Four

Four times around the sun, four years here with us.  Four years that seem like only four days.  And to you, four is so very big (but thankfully, for us, it is still very little).  You now say things like "surely" and "randomly" .  You tell long, elaborate stories that involve lots of different friends and sisters, all who have names that only you will remember (Hoda???).  We call you Francis as you like to make up songs about anything and will sing and sing.  You are the perfect mix of down and dirty and girlie girl, strong willed and nurturing.  And people still stop to comment on your beautiful golden curls!

I always said that she came into our lives exactly when she was supposed to.  With three older brothers, this girl is one tough cookie.  She brings so much joy to our lives and we are so grateful she is ours!!!

Happy Birthday Rudy!  We love you so much!  

Almost summer days

This past weekend was the first weekend in what feels like forever in which we had the whole weekend free from any scheduled plans!  These sort of weekends are starting to feel like a rarity and I am beginning to savor them when they do happen.  We tend to try and balance our time between "to-do" and "have fun" and so our weekend was sprinkled with trips to the Farmer's Market and Greenway as well as yard work and house repairs.  I even managed to get in a little bit of sewing!  After losing an entire week to tend to sick children, it felt so good to be moving forward in life.

And now we are on our last week of school!  Blake and I are wrapping up the year with a Botany block.  Not his most favorite, but I can see moments when he is finding it interesting.  I, on the other hand, am having a lot of fun.  I will try and post some pictures of his work (along with some of the activities we have done).  The little boys finished up last week (somehow between all the puking, I was able to administer the state mandated end of year tests) and have already slipped into our summer rhythm.  With the roses and gardenias blooming and the heat and humidity back, it certainly feels like it's time.

And now I am off to finish up some last minute birthday crafting for our special girl!

Happenings

A few weeks ago, we received some Painted Lady larvae, six to be exact, to hopefully raise through complete metamorphosis.  We were all surprised as the size of them and how quickly they grew.  Unfortunately, only one made it through to the chrysalis stage.  After about a week or so, we would watch daily for any changes or signs that the butterfly would emerge soon.  On Saturday morning, Parker pointed out how you could see the wings through the chrysalis and later that day, the butterfly emerged!  Unfortunately we missed it as we were at a birthday party, but everyone was excited none the less.  Right before bed, we released it into our yard.  I have to say I was a bit surprised at the boys' reactions.  They all were a bit sad, not quite ready to say goodbye and Parker even wondered why we couldn't keep it.  There were all sorts of questions following the release- where would it go?  What does it eat if we don't have the right plants (mallow or hollyhock)?  Would it come back?  It was a really great learning experience for us all.  

We were blessed with the most perfect weather over the long holiday weekend.  Jacob had received a drill, as well as other hand tools and a "building" book for his birthday.  Since then, he and his brothers had been plotting to make a treehouse in the backyard.  Of course, their plans were really elaborate involving rope bridges to platforms and zip lines.  Unfortunately because we do not plan on living in this house for much longer, they had to settle on a simple platform.  They all helped a bit in the process which I think makes it feel that much more special.  And now they have their own special hangout spot.  There is already plans for tarps and campouts and perhaps a pulley system.  

And that handsome pup?  Well, he is our newest family member.  He just so happens to be a 5 month old puppy of a friend who no longer could care for him the way he needed due to a growing homestead.  At first we planned on having him for a trial basis- he was strictly an outdoor dog there and well, we are an indoor/outdoor dog family.  The transition has been pretty smooth considering he is in a completely new environment.  I have to say, the timing wasn't the greatest as it turned out Kenna and Parker came down with the stomach flu, but it has worked out for the best just the same.  We simply adore him and are so happy to have a dog in the house again!