Funday Sunday

This past Sunday we had Ryan's company family day with the National Guard.   The girls were super excited since we were going to a POOL!! On the way there, Ryan informed me he had forgotten his swimsuit.  Well, with three kids I was a little nervous being the only one able to swim.  Ryan said lets make this a funday Sunday, not a whine day Sunday cause that just doesn't sound as good.  So, I decided to embrace the day for what it was.  In the end, it turned out to be a great family day and even continued when we got home!  From the traditional Sunday pancakes, to the family snuggles and book reading in the evening it was a wonderful day with the people I love most.  

Summer stories

 This has been a very busy summer for us this year.  Full of trips to the new camper, a beach trip with friends and lots of time spent just playing outside.  The girls have really learned to appreciate a slower life while visiting the campgrounds.   Being out in the country they listen to the noises nature shares and ALL those interesting creatures to discover have been a delight to watch, both in the excitement of the children and in my own interest!  The pond has been a favorite for the girls.  Ellie is becoming quite the little swimmer these days.  She is actually moving when she swims now!  Charlotte is still a bit unsure but is gaining confidence with each outing to the water.  Baby Rhys just enjoys being near the water or just close enough to splash a bit.  Next summer should be interesting with him able to more around.  Thank goodness Ellie is perfecting that swimming this year!

In addition to the swimming in the pond we went to the beach to swim.  In ohio.  After all the years I have lived in this city I never knew we had a beach so close. And by close I mean like less that 15 minutes away.   Thanks to our sweet friends for inviting us.  We had a blast!  And it was surprisingly relaxing!  A much needed relaxing day amongst many busy days.

As many adventures as we have been on this summer I must say my favorite days are those spent simply outside of our own home.  Nothing beats the comforts of home!  This has been the year of chalk for us.  So much so that not one but three of our neighbors have generously brought buckets of chalk for us to use.  Not a day goes by where we have not been out to draw a picture, or quickly outline the pattern of the ants, or just to show Mama a newly discovered technique (water and chalk = way cool)!  Even the baby has been enjoying the chalk lately.  The girls get super excited when he actually marks on the driveway, although they get quite the giggles while he is eating it too!  

Its been a great summer with lots of fun, but this mama is ready for a break.  With just a few more weeks until school begins hopefully I will be able to find a few days to relax and finally get out those knitting needles that have been collecting dust all summer long.  Although, I foresee less knitting and more camping, playdates, and one last visit to The Wilds before school.  Maybe I won't get my break afterall!  

Motherhood is:

loving. learning. growing. feeding. managing sleep deprivation. patience. teaching. balance. finding time for yourself. creating. uncertain. 

bedside table 

books I am reading

craftland



knitting and felting



Charlotte and I have been very busy the last few days making crafts.  She is a great assistant!!  When I am sewing she places the pins in the pin cushion and helps me snip the thread.  She is a great little needle felter too!  Surprisingly she is quite good.  Being the little parrot that she is, she just imitates me and does a swell job.  Being not yet two and very aware of the fact that the needle is barbed,  we take extra caution during this activity.  The Christmas list is slowly slimming.  Slowly, since I can't quite seem to focus on just Christmas gifts.  Other projects just keep creeping into the necessity list.  Although they are not necessary AT ALL.  Fun, feel good, and fancy.  YES.  but not necassary! 

Since many of these projects are gifts, you are stuck with pictures of my sewing machine.  And since extreme caution is needed when working with my assistant, taking a picture of such work would not be advisable!

HAPPY CRAFTING!!

Autumn

 It has been a busy season over here.  Several trips to the pumpkin patch, lots of time spent collecting bits and pieces of nature, and walks with friends enjoying the fall weather.  Our favorite park has a "forest"

attached to it. In the summer it was quite dense and the kids enjoyed chasing squirrels and running around in the grass.  Now all that is left is tall tree trunks and TONS of leaves on the ground.  A dream come true for Miss Ellie.  Charlotte on the other hand just wants to see what is under all those leaves.  As it turns out, it is pretty awesome.  Nuts, acorns and lots of sticks.  I could not be more proud that my children continue to enjoy spending time in the outdoors enjoying the land that we live on. 



Many of these acorns, sticks, leaves, ect.  have made there way into the house.  After finding them scattered about the house a few too many times I decided to create a designated are for out nature collection.  So the top of the shelf that only seems to gather odd things has now become our nature shelf.  I absolutely love walking down the stairs and getting to look at all the wonderful bits we have created or collected.  It always puts a smile on my face. 

Daddy's surprise

Sunday Ryan told us to meet him after nap at his Dad's house for a surprise. So as soon as the kids were awale  I throw them in the car with some snacks for the 20 minute ride to Pa's house. We visit with Pa shortly then jump back in the car for another 20 minutes. This time we don't know where we are going! Of course, I figured it out fairly quickly but kept my mouth shut! So after a little complaining about why we have to be in the car so long (which I was plenty happy as it was 20 minutes of uninterupted knitting)  we finally arrive at the surprise. We are at one of the bases where Ryan had worked this week. When we arrived the helicopter was not there and as luck would have it as we opened the door to the car we heard the familiar sound of the choppers whirl. The girls were excited to watch the helicopter land, although a little nervous at the very loud sounds and wind! They had fun (after the engine was off of course) exploring the inside and sitting in the pilot seat like daddy. 

Then came the real fun!!  A park right behind the base!!  It was a super hot day but the girls still had a blast.  Not only was there a park but a vegetable garden too!!  Charlotte liked this the best and did a little harvesting while she was there!  Oops!  So it turns out Daddy planned a great day and we can't wait to see what we will do next time Dad :)

Almost over

Summer fun is coming to an end shortly as Ellie heads back to school.  I will miss Ellie while she is at school but I am excited to spend some one on one time with Charlotte.  She loves helping in the garden and doing chores around the house.

Charlotte has also just recently found interest in reading books and learning how to put words to pictures.  This frustrates her sister to no end since she REALLY wants to read one of HER books that are NOT FOR A BABY.  I look forward to being able to read uninterrupted to Charlotte and not have the book yanked from my hands several times while trying to read!  

Another opportunity I am looking forward to with Charlotte while Ellie is at school is PAINTING!!  Charlotte loves to do art work and paint!!  As much as I love Ellie to pieces, she can be VERY BOSY!!  I am excited to see Charlotte blossom in her art without the guide of her sister.  Ellie loves to paint as well, so we will still have to set some time for her to join in the art activities.  The other day we made some bird houses  out of milk cartons and stick we had gathered on a walk.  Both girls were covered in paint and LOVED every second of it!  And mama got a little paint on her too, which secretly she was very happy about!!  

Had to throw this one in too to show just how much paint she had on her!!  She really is a mess sometimes!!