1st grader

 

back-to-school ice cream tailgate

a few pics from our first annual 

back-to-school ice cream tailgate!

a way to celebrate the end of summer and wish all our little friends 

luck before the bus riding, lunch packing and school bell rings! 

oh and of course an excuse to have "bouquets of sharpened pencils" 

(can i get an oh yeah from all those "you've got mail" fans out there?!)

 i wish i had a few more photos of the friends...

but alas my hands were busy serving up ice cream & yummo toppings!

happy back to school sweet friends!

monarch friend

look who came for a little rest with e&b the other day...

 it must know where to find some of the sweetest (ahem sticky) friends around!

farm, flowers & ice cream

for mother's day this year wes and the kids gave me a flower share to a local farm. 

a weekly share of 20 fresh-cut stems from the farm's flower patch.  

 the gift that really does keep on giving...it's been so great!

not only do i have beautiful fresh cut flowers on my table every week...

 i also get a weekly dose of my favorite things...

  outings to the farm...

fresh cut flowers...

ice cream with my helpers...

and memorable adventures with my kiddos.

it's been a happy mother's day to me all summer long!

thankful tuesday, 8/21

• breezeland peaches
• synchronized living room somersaults
• being a bug bite nurse
• lemondade
• 2 date nights in one week with my mister
• fenway's finest
• celebrating 65 years of camp putnam
• cousin drive-in/camp-out memories
• sushi night out with the girls
• the "good stuff / hard stuff" conversation with a dear friend
• journal day with ella - and learning a hard lesson
• errands with my little superhero who wore his cape around all the stores
• embracing e's new toothless smile...even if it makes me tear
• muppets manamana crazies with the kiddos
• rebounding after long day
• sunflowers
• back-to-school preparations and anticipation
• moments with julie...and relating like sisters
• birthday celebrations with ella
• sweet friends, kind words and a 6 year old that sparkles
• slowing down summer
• embarrassing moments - but laughing right along with everyone else
• saturday morning dress-up
• the good ol' hardwick fair
• pie eating, frog jumping and egg toss contests
• 4-corners with the cranstons
• swinging with the kids

"great is thy faithfulness.

great is thy faithfulness.

morning by morning new mercies i see;

all i have needed thy hand hath provided;

great is thy faithfulness, lord, unto me."

slowing down summer

our weekend was spent slowing down summer.  yes, that's right...using all powers to slow time and fully embrace all that is summer.  a commitment to do...

more sidewalk art...

more scooter rides to the playground...

more sandbox creations...

more shady spot chillin...

more bare feet in the sand...

more popsicle eating...

more picnic blanket playing...

more running around at the farm...

more garden harvesting...

more matching short wearing...

more flower picking...

more laughing together (note: out of control laughter caused by bennett pulling down my skirt for the world to see just as i snapped this picture)...

more riding with the windows down...

more flowers in mason jars...

more flowers behind the ear too...

more corn shucking...

more corn eating...

more burger grilling...

more lawn performances...

more dirty feet...

more movies outside...

more summer time loving!  that's where we'll be during these last few days of summer before school starts and we are thrown into fall schedules.  we'll be slowing down summer and soaking in every bit!  i hope the same for you dear readers!  xoxo!

six years old

six years old...

like the six petals on that flower cake...

needs two hands to count the years...

sweeter than ever...

happy birthday darling!

a few highlights from her birthday party at the apothecary.

a girlie girl day of making soap, lip gloss and bubble bath cupcakes!

 

so long 5...a remarkable year (link)!

hello 6!