Friday Photos, On Crack

You know how family pictures are only cool to the family their of? And how it's painstakingly boring to look at other people's vacation photos?

Well, consider yourself warned. I'm too busy to post anything of consequence right now but I will give you a smattering of what we've been up to, via a gagillion family photos. At least we're cute to look at.

Grandparents, you're welcome. Everyone else, I'm sorry.

Friday Photos

Thanks to this gorgeous farm, we had a splendid morning.
And lots of yummy cobbler.

Five

Dear Sienna,

Last Thursday, on July 8th, you turned five. FIVE! And I didn't get around to writing you your letter because we were busy celebrating at Seaside. Riding the carousel. Taking a train ride. Swimming in the pool. Jumping in the ocean. And perhaps most importantly, losing your first tooth. It was a magical day and one I hope you always remember. I know I will.


At five years old, you are full of life and mischief. You have the best outlook and keep us in stitches with the clever things you say, all of which is punctuated by your adorable "accent." (We think you lived in the Bronx in an earlier life.) You are enchanted with your girlfriends and are constantly looking for the next play date. You idolize your big sister and brother and are great at keeping up with them. You have taken to your roll as big sister perfectly. Little Austin will always have a playmate as long as you're around. You are wonderful with him and I love seeing you take care of him. And you can't wait to go to "big school" with Spence and Hannah! You are so excited to go to school with them and start learning Spanish so you can be just like them. I can't imagine all three of you hopping out of the car come September. What a big beautiful girl you are.

But the thing I love the most about you? Right now, at five? That you love your family with all your heart and are the first one to snuggle up with Daddy and I. You are sweet and kind, with a fierce feisty streak, and we wouldn't have it any other way.

Happy Birthday Sweet Squish. I love you to bits.

Love,
Mama

Home Sweet Home

Have I mentioned that I love summer?

Well, I do. Love it, love it, love it.

And usually, at this point in our summer we would have already had several trips under our belt and would be using our home as nothing more than a place to do laundry, unload and reload our car.

(Early morning movies)

But this summer has been different. This summer, we have parked our bums on our newly expanded patio and barely moved. We've watched movies outside, swam with our kids in the backyard, gone on numerous bike rides, BBQ'd to our hearts content and just taken it easy.

(Taking a break from swimming)

And I love this kind of summer even more.

Don't get me wrong. I love a good road trip. I am all about packing our mini to the gills and heading off on an adventure, but at this point in my life and in the lives of my kids, back-to-back trips has lost it's appeal. We are taking more time to enjoy our home and all that we have here, do the fun things our local community comes up with, and are enjoying a much slower paced time of year.

(Breaking in the new fire pit)

Next week we head off to Seaside which is something we always look forward to. Our kids love it there and the week will be fantastic but for the first time since I can remember, I'll be looking forward to coming home. Our little place in the world is shaping up nicely and I can't way to see what we'll enjoy here next.