Off

It's been a weird week.

I don't really know why, but I feel off.

Sort of... out of balance, or something. ? .

We've gotten lots of stuff done this weekend and are really making headway on our basement!

I've done some cooking/ baking, and tackled the mountains of laundry we had.

Ellie has a bit of a cold, but otherwise the girls have been pretty good.

So what's my problem?

???

I'm going to finish this post, have a cup of coffee, and sit outside in the sun for 30min.

Maybe I'll figure it out.

Or maybe not.

Either way, here are some photos as of recent I feel like sharing.

A few weeks ago, we went to the Carver County Fair with the girls.  Lila immediately wanted to ride the ponies, and this year Elle was old enough to ride as well!  Lila thought she was a big-shot because she didn't need anyone to walk beside her!

The Merry-go-round is a must for my kids... and me.  It makes them so happy!

 Ryan decided to try his hand at canning.  We started out simple and did a few jars of pickles and some banana peppers!  Not bad... not too bad at all!

My best friend welcomed her second baby girl and I got to snap some photos of the sweet new bundle!

Welcome miss Abigail Grace Ostby!

We went to the zoo earlier this week and saw a lot of activity we don't usually see.  The stingrays and sharks in the Discovery Bay were very active and the girls were thrilled to repeatedly touch them both! (even I thought it was pretty cool... this is why there are no photos, I was too busy petting sharks!)

The Lynx kitten was out playing around!  Do you see him?

And the Eagle was dancing for us!

 The girls managed to coerce me into the Butterfly Garden, but only because the zoo staff said because of the dreary day and mist... they weren't very active.  I'll look at em', but if one of those crazy things would have landed on me... I'd have taken off screaming!   Thankfully, they make for a pretty picture.

K.  I'm done now.

Off to enjoy my coffee and sun, and try to figure out how to get myself together again.

They make me happy

Lila

3.5 yrs old ("My birfday is in October")

Still dramatic and emotional, but sensitive to others and a mother hen to her little sister (most of the time)

Has started having "Quiet time" instead of naps and will often play by herself or read in her room. She does still fall asleep on occasion. 

Loves Jake and the Neverland Pirates, and Wild Kratts, while Dora has slipped to the wayside.

Sleeps with a million stuffed animals on her bed and rotates which one will travel with her to daycare each day!

Will start preschool in a few weeks and asks every day if it's time to go yet!

Has been telling everyone for months that she wants to be Rapunzel for Halloween ("because her hair is long and gold like mine!")

Is getting better with her emotional outbursts, but still has to be reminded "is this worth freaking out about?"

Sweet, beautiful, and my first blessing.  She makes me happy!

Elaina

2yrs old 

Mischeiveous and funny, a stinker through and through!

Still snuggly and affectionate and loves to sit and have you read books to her.  Her favorites currently are "All asleep" and "The Very Cranky Bear".

I've recently heard her reciting the lines from Cranky Bear by herself in her room!  Melts my heart!

She loves Team Umizoomi, but will watch Wild Kratts and Jake with Lila on occasion.

Her babies are still a fixture in her world, and yesterday acquired a new carrier for Lucy... she thought she was pretty hot stuff!

She hates getting out of bed in the morning and will literally run back to her room and bury under the covers... this does not bode well of teenage years!

Has excellent manners for a toddler and is always saying "I sorry, Thank You, and Please" (this is of course when she's not in tantrum mode.)

Speaking of tantrums, she has them.  A lot.  The terrible twos are a reality in our house right now, and I remind Ryan constantly that she is HIS child! 

But she's funny, and precious, and adorable.  Her cheeks begged to be kissed and her smile can melt even the most irritated mommy's heart!!! 

My baby, she makes me happy!

Because it's funny

I'm in a weird mood tonight.  

And because it's funny!

A good summer

As I sit here with the windows open, I can feel it.

The cooler weather, the overwhelming media push for "back to school" stuff, and the fact I bought a pot of flowers that included yellow mums...
all of it, gently nudging me to accept that summer is coming to a close.

And it's been a GREAT summer!!!

One of the best I can remember in many years!

We've been busy, and busy has been good.

Of course I like my down time (who doesn't?), and I now feel behind in all my photos and household project/chores, but honestly... who the hell cares?!

I've been enjoying myself, enjoying my family, and soaking up the sun!

Since I've been a little absent, here's my photo recap of late July until now!

We purchased a pool for the kids (okay, and me too)

I'm not above floating around on my raft in my 10ft pool on my back patio... don't judge.

 

My girls make up the oddest ways to entertain themselves, but since it keeps them occupied... we just roll with it...

They were taking turns piling all of their blankees and stuffed animals on top of each other,
 then spinning on the desk chair until they were dizzy.  Hey, whatever works for ya, right?!

I'm adjusting to my new job.

I have to admit, I really love my view on my way to work!

 My fellow commuters seem pretty nice too!

We know how to party like Rockstars!

Bathtime is fun.

See?  Summer is good!

I thought I had planted cucumbers in my garden.  

This is not a cucumber.

Again, don't judge... this is my first garden people... and watermelon works too.

They look so regal don't they?  

I love this photo of my dogs.

I like this one more.

Hahaha!

Speaking of dogs....

This lady turned 5 on the 8th~

Happy Birthday Rio!

 Have I mentioned I love my girls?

Have I mention my girls are weird?

Ryan and the girls made french toast for breakfast!

and yes, I look just like this before I've had my coffee.

 A grand summer indeed!

I will welcome the last few weeks of this season, but as I head to bed with the cool breeze blowing through my windows, I won't deny that I am looking forward to my favorite season of all!

If summer was this good, the fall can only be that much better?!!!!

Special

As someone who loves being behind the camera, I'm always searching for something extra in my photos.  Something that makes it a better quality snapshot. Something that makes them POP or really stand out...

 but every once in awhile, without even trying, I get something truly special.

Nothing fancy. No cute outfits. Hair messy and undone.

But melts my heart each time I look at it.

To someone else, it may be just another picture... but to a mommy, her mommy,

it's priceless.