So, let's get to reminiscing, The Sweetest Things of 2015, Q2...
- Summertime Slowdown...ahhhh, the lazy days of summer! Finally, I have girls who are old enough to appreciate that adage. As much as I was looking towards the school year ending with a bit of nervous dread, it really is off to a fantastic start. The little girls' school year wrapped up in mid-May.
All smiles on the last day.Biggest sister was still classroom bound till mid-June. That month when the little girls were out of school, but Carter was still in school was a little odd. I still had one lunch to pack and one girlie to wake up (much earlier than either of us would have liked), but a relaxed day time schedule began to creep in. In prepping for the months ahead, I swapped out our rain boots, socks, and hair bow shelf for pool towels, sunscreen, and swim diapers.
Organization makes me happy.I may be changing my tune in a month, but so far, I've really enjoyed these summer days with my three girls. On the days when they are struggling to get along and bickering has become background music, I may be enjoying happy hour an hour or two early, but all in all, this summer is off to a smooth start.Carter's final month of first grade was lax as homework ceased and fun end of the year activities took over. We took advantage of the warm, homework-free afternoons to enjoy the sunshine before the real heat hit us (like a freight train) in mid-June.
Enjoying homemade pineapple slushes on Wednesday.
Teamwork! Initiative!Emptying their pool without even being asked!
Finally free! Bye-bye first grade!Once all three girlies were free, we really embraced the slow summer routine. Carter loves reading to herself in bed for hours every night, and then sleeping in till as late as she wants in the mornings.
Nothing sweeter.Murphy and Wright have been staying up later, too, also making for quiet mornings in our house.
Snoozing sweetheart.{I love my babies just a touch more for letting me catch a few extra zzzz-s.}In an attempt to keep squabbles and whining and arguing to a minimum and good behavior at a premium, I created an incentive system for the summer.
Super Star Summer.Some days, stars are flowing more freely than others.Of course, we were excited to get our pool rhythm going as soon as it opened for the season.
One of them looks ok with stopping to pose for a pic...
Had to catch the littlest walking away.
She's looking a little older than I'd like.Stop, Baby, Stop!I tried to keep our calendar pretty open and flexible, but the girls do have a few camps sprinkled in here and there.
American Girl Doll camp was a hit.We've stuck to camps they can do together this year. :) - Perfect Finds...we bought our house last spring and immediately made a lot of alterations. Once we'd gotten through that initial burst (new floors, whole house painting, stair make-over, custom built-ins, and more!), it has been nice to kind of rest in the space for awhile before making any more big changes. During that time of 'rest', we had an unplanned remodel thanks to a tree crashing through our roof as well as needing to replace our downstairs air conditioning unit - ahhh, the unexpected joys of home ownership. Over the past few months, though, I've gotten the decorating itch again, and have come across several perfect additions to our home. I finally found the perfect grey antelope stair runner for our front staircase.
Before.Pretty wood, but nothing too exciting.
After.The perfect resting spot for sewing Star Wars sock animals.Ever since we added the built-ins, removed the chair rail, repainted, and added drapes to Lindsay's office, I've been itching to find a replacement chandelier for hanging over his desk.
Before.Simple and classic, but didn't exactly pop.
After.Love the mixed metals. Gold and Gunmetal.We also begin the large undertaking landscaping/repurposing our yard. After a lengthy tutorial from my mom, I've even been able to keep my outdoor potted plants alive this year. (Well, all but two ;) As for the bigger picture, we met with a landscape architect and shared our ideas and got his. We are still early in the process, but we did make one initial change that has been quite substantial. We had little backyard (at all) to speak of, and a heavy wooded area blocked the view to the creek that is at the back of our property. We decided to have all of the smaller foliage cleared out creating what will be the foundation for a usable, natural area. I hate that I didn't get true 'before' pic, but this one gives the idea.
Before.Don't mind the leaf blowing girl.
After.We were shocked at the difference a day made!I've been enjoying adding things a little at a time to make our house feel more and more like our home. My wish list never seems to end, and planning the outdoor space together has been so fun for Lindsay and me. - Bonding with the Best...over the years this blog has documented my love spending time with those we love most. These last few months have provided the chance for lots of good bonding time. In mid-April, I got away for the weekend without the hubby or the kiddos (first time EVER!) to spend a refreshing weekend in the North Carolina mountains with a great group of girls. I felt like a teenager again having pillow talk and laughs both nights with the most fun roomie ever.
Best setting. Best girls.May brought the return of Pops and Misha and their visit couldn't have been more anticipated. The girlies counted down the days for at least a week prior to their arrival. They were able to see Murphy's first ballet recital and be a part of day to day life for a couple of days. They joined Carter for lunch at school, and Pops even walked Carter to school one morning. I wish I could say I'd been a better host, but I'm afraid I was a bit scattered while in the midst of packing and prepping as they their visit also included staying to watch Wright while the rest of us headed to Disney World.
Flowers for their ballerina.Just days after Pops and Misha left, we headed up to Ashe County where we had a fantastic weekend living the country life and catching up with some of our favorite people in the world.
Back of the pick-up truck riding.
Dirt angel making.
Sitting on a rock fishing.
Miss Murph fell madly in love with Aunt Lala and rarely left her side.{Can't say that I blame her. She's pretty great.}
The scene was so picturesque, we at least had to attempt a family picture.
Hard to believe these sweet babies all belong to us.The time spent together couldn't have been better. We loved seeing the land where Jeff and Holly will build their modern, farmhouse style home and where they are living their life together. As usual, laughing and story telling was a plenty, and we can't wait for our next visit.Just after school got our in early June, the Hancocks arrived for Texas for a visit. We hadn't seen my Carolina-lovin' cousin and her hubby since the girls played the role of flower girls at their wedding back in December. We had a fun few days with them just talking and laughing and eating and slip and sliding and generally having a great time.
Front porch pic. A new generation.A must before leaving ever since Kristen and her fam visited when we were kids.
Wrighty took the photo session to a new direction when she grabbed her'bow and ARIEL' to 'shoot you'.In late June, we got together to celebrate Pa for both his birthday and Father's Day. It was a sweet time 'meeting in the middle' at a BBQ joint, and enjoying a meal and making memories with cousins.
Happy Birthday, Pa!
Pa, Nanny, and grands young and old!
Carter couldn't love Clay more if she tried.She would rather spend time with him than almost anyone!We are so grateful for all of the wonderful people who fill our lives with so much love. From actual family to friends who are just like family, we could not be more blessed will a fine bunch of folks. - Seven is Heaven...on the 21st of April, the one who gave me my most favorite name turned the big 0-7. And, suddenly, she looked older. She talked older. She has gone from being a little girl to a big girl, and it kind of breaks my heart into a million pieces.
Seven year well check.Just as shocked as I am that she's an old lady.Since Carter agreed to forgo a birthday party in exchange for our trip to Disney World, the actual milestone was minimally celebrated.
A sister squeeze during lunch at school.
Her boy bestie showed up at the front door with flowers.I died a little.
A 'no bad color' cake at one of her favorite dinner spots.
Family dinner, plus dolls, at the American Girl store.Easter fell a week before her birthday, and in the weeks prior, Carter's interest in the holiday's meaning grew and grew. We talked to her about our Christian beliefs and showed her passages in her Bible that support them. On the night before Easter Sunday, she was in her room reading the story of Jesus' death to herself. She called out and asked for Lindsay and me to come into her room, adding that she wanted to ask Jesus into her heart. We scampered up the stairs, listened to her reasoning, asked her lots of questions, made sure this was her decision and her decision alone, and then listened to her pray the sweetest little prayer I ever did hear.
Love her.Love her heart.She's a girl with a million ideas whose mind never stops turning. From creating a 'homeless school' in the woods to writing stories of fairies and mystery, her imagination always sparks something unique.
Awarded the Skittles award for her creative ideas.LOVE how well her teacher got her.
The best biggest sister there could ever be.
She does her best dreaming with her Daddy.She's become an avid reader and reads for an hour or two each night in bed. She and I have also been reading one of my favorite childhood books together and dreaming of going to see it played out on the broadway stage.
Love her little hand next to mine.She's certainly not without her faults. She can put on the whine like a three year old and argue like, well, like I did at her age. It seems her temper can flare in almost no time and especially at an irritating little sister. But, the older she gets, the more I realize how quickly it's all going to go. I love her madly. - Royalty...oh my. Just when I thought Miss Murphy could get no more princessey, she's taken it to a whole new level. Example: one evening I was laying with her in bed and made mention of the birthday mark on her tummy. Me: That's where the angels kissed you, and said, 'Good bye, Murphy.' Her: You mean, 'Good bye, FANCY Murphy.' Me: Yes, 'Good bye, FANCY Murphy, go meet your family.' Her: You mean, ' Your ROYAL family. Oy. The first questions she asks most any morning is, 'Does my hair look crazy?' Sweet girl always strives to look her best.
She has a real knack for making me feel underdressed in most any setting.
Wrighty is thrilled to be her princess in training.She told me that she was going to marry a particular classmate so that she can 'share his mom's clothes.' And, I will admit, she did choose a mighty stylish Mom-in-law. She had her first ballet recital in May, and she instantly fell in love with the white and gold costume.
Perfect fit. In every sense of the word.
Last minute primping courtesy of Misha.Though I knew she'd love getting all fancy, I wasn't sure how she would do once she got on stage. Well, she blew me away by remembering every step and dancing like a pro!
Precious on stage.For such a royal girl, she sure does love spending time with us commoners. In fact. there's nothing that makes her happier than a special date with me.
Looking grown in those wedge sandals while skimming the funnies.
Sunglass stealer.
Lazy little lunch date.She was quite mesmerized when we got to go see our friend Byers off to her prom
and equally happy to support her at her lacrosse game.She says she wants to be a make-up artist when she grows up, and I'll say she does seem to have a knack for it.
An original design.And, because any true royal should be residing in a castle of her own, her crazy talented Daddy made her the most perfect abode.
A true labor of love.After her comment about 'Fancy Murphy meeting her ROYAL family', I asked her if she's disappointed that we aren't royals. She hugged me as tightly as possible, and exclaimed, 'Of course not!' So, so happy she's our own little princess.P.S... for good measure, if you're wondering what the littlest has been up to, more of the same... bossing us all around, shouting her demands, and being the cutest, goofiest little pint-sized cutie there ever was.
Donut lover.
Chicken rider.
Fancy-dress-wearer.
Cupcake connoisseur.
Bubble bath beauty.
Goof ball giggler.
Popsicle dripper.She continues to be the main source of both laughter and frustration in our home. And, she always gives me an excuse to get a special treat (as noted above by the donut and the cupcake and the popsicle).So happy to share all of these fun details of our last three months of living life. The hubby has been swamped at the office, and we're all so grateful for the hard work he puts in for our family. We're a great team, and I'm so proud of the life we're building.
