One of those days.

The kind where all you can do is put the kids in their rooms, close the doors, and pour yourself a chocolate milk on the rocks. 

Oh what I'd do for the screaming and whining to stop. 

Because every once in awhile it is as idyllic as I hoped it would be.

The boy, his gi, and a milkshake.

Ephram is in karate. And loving it. 
Two nights a week on top of everything else we do is a tough pill for this 'busy' averse family to swallow. 
But he loves it. 
LOVES it. 
So it's worth it.


Tying that stupid belt two nights a week might drive me over the edge though. Is it supposed to be as difficult as I'm finding it??  

A summer retrospective.

Summer came and went with little written record. Or picture taking. 
But I did just dump the photos off my phone and am realizing a lot has happened and it all deserves at least a little mention here. 


So in no particular order and with only the smallest of  explanations... our summer.

walking

quadding

growing

spinning

wrestling

eating out

summer hair

summer bucket list

camping

waking

baseball

sleeping

kind of waking

golfing

visiting

drive ins

biking

girls day

wedding

melting my heart

driving

more visiting

eating

more driving

watching the kids discover new favorites

gathering around the firepit

weaning

beaching

playing

parades

zoo

family photo taking

homeschool prep

almost walking!!

A perfect evening.

Even if most of the day was wasted (inasmuch as finding some peace of mind can be counted as 'wasted') in a crowded ER*, the day ended blissfully. 


A walk.
A broken down, old bike found in a back alley and brought home with big plans for a return to glory.
Stealing Picking crab apples. 


Some swinging. 

Squeals of delight. 
And a very loud, very repetitive chorus of 'Best. Fun. Ever.' from the child who isn't afraid to speak her mind. 


Like I said, a perfect evening. 




*Wren is fine! A small bump that grew into a larger bump overnight is just a cyst and nothing to worry about. 

the drive home

We spent the weekend in our hometown. 
Our soggy, rain-drenched hometown. 


And it was just what we needed.


Some time to breathe. 
Some time to study.
Some time to practice.
Some time to play.
Some time to enjoy a town-wide garage sale a town over? Yes, please.


The rain situation there is out of hand. Crops won't be grown this year, basements and houses are flooded, spirits are sullied with each new rain cloud that rolls in threatening to let loose its swollen insides. 

For us who get to leave it all behind after a mere weekend, it is beautiful though. 

Game Day

And just like that it's here.