Coolige Movie

The kindergarten effect is the best thing that happened this summer. I'm not just saying yes to everything, I'm adding stuff to it. We can't just spend 10 hours at the pool, we have to invite friends and get pizza and turn it into an all day party. We can't just stay up late and go to the outdoor movie, we have to stop and get snacks and the kids get to pick out TWO candies AND a coke. These are the ways that I indulge. Here are pictures from the outdoor movie. John stayed home with Ridge, so we could stay out extra late: 

Mama-View, Summer 2015

With having a baby two months ago and my firstborn starting kindergarten and being able to play with my kids again now that I'm not pregnant anymore, I'm experiencing a wide range of emotions. Usually, I process them by defining/talking/writing/experiencing them each deeply. Crap. I just don't have time for that right now. Let them be, I say. They can get all murky and mixed together and I don't care. I don't have time for it all. 

Right now, this is all I can say: this might be the best summer of my life. I'm truly happy everyday. I'm having so much fun with my family. Here are a few pictures that I've taken around our house:

Fell asleep on the couch, balloon in hand

Burl gives his first bottle to Ridge

Angry birds, have you heard of it?

Poor Burl had his tonsils out and it was a rough recovery. He spent a lot of time right here

John found an old book of paper airplane instructions

Dance parties on the regular

I'm not in any of these pictures because these were all candid pictures that I hurriedly grabbed my camera to capture. (Half of them might be taken in our den.) These are the moments that are beyond my wildest dreams and I treasure them. 

Mandolin Fern

Fern has a colorful, loud, and fun personality that drips out in surprising doses. (Unlike her older fire-hydrant of a brother that sprays in full force-both great in different ways.) As we've spent more time at home, we've seen more of that side of Fern. I was lucky enough to capture it during her recent concert. These four pictures definitely show the range of our sweet Ferny. 

Battlefield Recovery Drive

We've been partially homebound since Burl had his tonsils out a few days ago, and we've all been all eager to scratch our adventure itch. I wanted to come up with something that was easy and got us out of the house and a brush of the outdoors. Burl is supposed to stay calm, cool, and very hydrated. I decided to take the kids on a drive through the battlefield with a few stops along the way. 

We met an off-duty ranger who gave us some tips on exploring the park. 

I finally got some of her pre-teen expressions with the camera!

We couldn't climb the 183 steps to the top of the tower this time, but I made big promises that we would return soon to make it happen. Because, duh, we HAVE to do that.  

I might have let the kids unbuckle for some deer spottings. 

It proved to be enough lite-advetnure for all of us. It will be even better once we're all operating at 100% and can explore to the max. 

Ridge's "Bonnet"

I think it's pretty evident that I'm not a "bonnet for baby" kind of mother, but ohmygoodness my mom bought a bonnet thing for Ridge and we couldn't stop laughing:

My 34th Birthday

My family treated me well this year for my 34th birthday. My dad made tacos, my mom made a cake, and we had a fun family dinner. The children enjoy the hype so much-from streamers to setting the candles out to Burl letting me use his get well balloons, they are very happy. 

Burl assigning place cards.  

There were a few lo's to my birthday as well, but it was all good. If having children has taught me anything, it is to hold any plans loosely because things can always take a different turn. I was ok with some setbacks. Plus, that birthday magic covers a multitude of mishaps. 

Mainly, I felt the love on my birthday-love for my family and love from my family.