lemonade and smiles for sale.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Hayride.

We're starting to think about Fall. I want to hang on to our gorgeous weather and play summer for another season, but the kids are anxious for change. They want to talk Halloween, changing leaves, and thanks to Costco... CHRISTMAS. IN SEPTEMBER. It's kind of gross that they have decorations out, but it makes the kids smile. So we're easing in slow. Starting with a hayride with old friends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Happy Spot

Since it's a little obnoxious to instagram 20 photos, I'm blogging my phone pics instead. The beach is our happy place. Each of us love it. Mike called me from a job he was finishing in Morro Bay and we threw towels in a bag at 3:30 to meet him there. I'm so glad we did.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Star Struck

Last week the kids had their first school performance. It was an end of the year program their Preschool put on (they go to preschool Tuesday mornings). You would have thought they were graduating high school by the way my heart felt. I brought my camera but ended up recording in some crazy night vision so good luck seeing anything. But it was so, so sweet.

Ella is on the left in a white polka dot dress, Maxwell is on the far right wearing a white shirt. I'm the one behind the camera BEAMING as if they are the only ones on stage.

X's and O's

I cherish these years I've stayed home with the kids. Lately it feels like time's getting away from me. There's always a new phase, always a new season. This one feels busy- but in a good way. Sometimes I look at the clock and can't believe it's almost dinner time. Maxwell and Ella feel like such big kids. They wake up with their own desires and ideas and do their best to fit all they can into every day. Instagram has become the easiest way for me to capture our little moments, although I miss writing here. I have to be intentional about recording these passing months because I'll never have time to go back and remember it as fresh as it is now.

Last night M & E discovered the joy of tic tac toe. Caked in chalk, they covered our driveway in X's and O's. I felt the tug to slow down a little bit and make the ordinary things exciting again. The metaphor is too easy but I felt tremendous gratitude and love for this family of mine.

xxx. ooo. xoxo. 

 

 

 

 

 

Track Stars

Seeing our kids try something new is just about the best feeling ever. Maxwell and Ella participated in their first informal track meet. We were so proud you would have thought they were competing in the Olympics. All I had was my phone so Grandparents, here's a horribly fuzzy video of your little track stars.

Smile, All Six of Us

Michael's been traveling for work the past year but he was home earlier this month and he'll be home again at the end of this week...wait, tomorrow! Yay! The only time we usually have a family picture of all six of us is Christmas morning in our jammies with sleepy eyes. And even then it's not all of us together. My friend Amy took our family photos this month and she did such a good job! If you are local you should be in touch with her, she does great work and is so affordable (search Amy H Photography, Atascadero, CA). And she's my friend and I love her :)

Having pictures of our big and little kids together is so special to me...so I'm giving you a photo overload...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just Ella, So I Always Remember Her Like This

Every once in awhile Mike and I get each of the kids alone for awhile. The other day Maxwell went to work with Mike and I found Ella imagining away in her room. She is very into playing pretend. I am very into listening to her.