Summer at home

We are back from our final summer trip. The suitcases have been emptied & retired for a few months. We (the three girls and I) drove to AR to visit my MIL. She is a great host and lives in a fun little spot. For such a small place, it is actually still classified as a village, there is lots to do. One of my favorite things was a walk along Tanyard Creek. It is a pretty spot and perfect for kids. Who doesn't love hopping along stones and walking on creaky, wooden bridges? My MIL broke into her perfect troll voice while walking on the bridge.

The weather was so mild and cool compared to our sweltering Texas summer weather. I could have stayed longer.

But we are back, and happy to be back. Sorry for all the grumpy talk previously. I do have a legitimate excuse: mono. Apparently we all have/ had it and no one realized it until about four weeks into the virus when some blood work was drawn. Hmm. I wasn't expecting that one. So, a few weeks remain for everyone to rest, relax and wind down the summer before preschool starts up. We also added soccer to E & A's schedules so that will help to keep us busy. Their little shin guards are pretty cute - can't wait to seem them in action.

Grumpy

The party is over, the weekend is winding down, I am tired and I am grumpy. My husband is tired of me being grumpy. I don't even know why I am so grumpy, but I am! I am hoping it is lack of sleep and tomorrow I will feel light and refreshed instead of overwhelmed. The three girls and myself are venturing to Arkansas on Wednesday (I really need a few nights good sleep to ready myself for this day o'driving). Our week in Arkansas will be spent with Grandma and should be restful. I am also hoping to complete a large chunk of my knitting project while I am there. I have not had much luck getting much of it completed here. This will be a wrap. My first. I intend on making one for a friend that is moving from FL to a much colder climate at the end of the summer. It would be nice to finish hers before her winter starts. We will see.

The birthday party was a hit. Erika and Ainlsee had fun and there was a good turnout of other children to make it a noisy affair. I feel like all we did all day was eat and open presents.

It was fun to help them celebrate and to share in their excitement.

Two four-year olds and a soon-to-be one year old. It makes my mind reel in a very full and appreciative way. So, the house is quiet for the next couple of hours and I have some knitting that needs attention and an attitude to adjust! Better get busy.

Rain day

We are having a rain day today (similar to my rainy day in Connecticut, above). I did leave the house once for a well baby visit, but if it hadn't been necessary I would have hunkered down for the day. I have thought about this blog a bunch in the past few weeks, but I haven't logged in to write or read much. I not sure if it is lack of motivation or just nothing to share. Either way, I decided today was a day to pop in and say HI. My girls weekend away was bittersweet, I loved the time away and enjoyed seeing some new places, but I missed the folks back home. I missed them a lot. This was my first time away that I felt such a strong pull to return home. I account it to Aidan being so young still. My husband handled it all beautifully and everyone had a great time. So, it was a success by all accounts.

Another success, I hope, will be E & A's 4th birthday party this Saturday. Four years old. Tears spring in my eyes when I say it out loud. Craziness. So, there will be a dozen or so kids and lots of tumbling, a foam pit and who-knows-what-else. We opted for a gymnastics party. They are excited and I am getting prepared. I'll let you know how it goes!

Sous la table

This is a new favorite spot. All three girls seem to feel on level playing ground and often congregate here. It is all fine with me other than the occasional hustle and bustle of two bigger girls rough housing around the littlest one.
This morning while drinking my coffee they all decided to meet up under the table. It seemed especially sweet for some reason. I am leaving on Friday, alone, and knowing the fun that awaits for me this weekend makes family life seem much sweeter at times and more frustrating at other times. I find myself irritated by tiny things much quicker and simultaneously counting down the days to lift off. I also know that I will miss the little hands and feet while I am off without the rest of my family. Sure the flight will be nice & quiet, but who is going to make funny comments about mundane things and how can I be the judge of ugly face contests hundreds of miles away?
My husband made the sincere comment a few weeks back that I was so lucky to stay at home with our children every day. He is right and I often think this while he is getting ready for work in the morning. Well, now it is his turn for five days. He will be the lucky one and get to be the recipient of the comments (funny and whiny), he can judge the contests of all varieties, and he can enjoy the noisy, messy bliss that is stay-at-home parenting. I am sure he will be happy to see me on Tuesday night and I know I will be happy to see all of my family when I return.

Flour sack II

Okay - I just looked at my post and upon closer inspection of my photos I realize my stitches are pretty crazy looking. I knew that, but now YOU do too! Oh well - I am still in practice mode!

Flour sack

This is my newest bag. My MIL sent me a flour sack from War Eagle Mill. She was up there a few weeks ago with my SIL and I had put in a request for a bag on her next visit. I had envisioned the bag below and thought it would be fun to make.
I had everything except for the overall buckle and set to putting it all together when I received the bag in the mail last week. I am happy with the results, but I am not sure how much use it will get. Right now it is hanging beside my aprons and I like all the various shades of reds together. The sewing practice was needed and I feel good that I did something somewhat creative.

This weekend also included a trip to the beach (why was I thinking it would be fun? Aidan ate sand the whole time!) and coming up with new combinations for salads. That is about all I can manage to prepare for dinner lately. Summer laziness has hit me hard! Hope you all had a good weekend.

Returning home

We are home. It was a good time away, but I am glad to have everything and everyone under one roof again. With mid-summer here I am taking stock of what I have done and have not done. There are some things I had wanted to accomplish that I have not started so I guess it is now or never. I am really enjoying the summer days with all three girls and am surprised, pleasantly, at how smooth the days have been. There have been tantrums and tears, but it would be strange if those didn't work themselves into our daily happenings now and again - right?

So, with five weeks of summer remaining I am forging ahead. I hope to have some creative posts to share in the next few weeks as well. I am thoroughly enjoying some of my favorite blogger's projects. They are inspiring. I really wish there were more hours in the day. Catch up with you more later.