Late-summer pictures

I’ve spent the last couple of days getting ready for our trip to KC. I’ve washed 5 loads of laundry today alone. Saff’s first tooth is poking through, and based on her unusually fussiness, it’s about to get a neighbor.

Here are a couple more late-summer backyard pictures. Notice the little boy in the background.

Here’s a little bit o’ hippie ghetto-ness. I’ve got my cloth diapers sunning on the chain-link fence (and the newly removed, yet-to-be-recycled back screen door). Classy. But hey, it works.

Since I NEVER have my picture taken, I tried a group photo a la outstretched arm. Here is the less than flattering result…

See many of you this weekend! We just can't wait!!!

Doors, doors, doors

Deciding to stay put in our little house has been such a good thing for us. We are no longer house hunting and instead are putting all of our energy into making this our “home”. We are putting down real roots for the first time in years. It feels really good.

This weekend, N finished the wiring/outlet/switch replacements and put on all the covers in the kitchen. Here is a picture of the new switches and outlet near the sink. Also, he installed my under-counter radio/cd player that I got for X-mas two years ago. Now I can listen to my beloved NPR while cooking.

Additionally, he installed our fancy, energy efficient (*ahem* $400) dog door. We put it in the old back door so that the animals can go in and out while we are in Kansas City. We have a house/dog sitter who will handle the feedings, but this ensures we will not come home to a house full of dog whiz.

Notice the scratches on the door and trim. Bad dogs!

Since we have an energy efficient dog door, I said we should probably go get a more energy efficient door to put it in. So today, N ordered a new door for the front and back of the house. The backdoor will have a large window above and the dog door below. For the front door we ordered a plain, smooth door and we will order a cool window kit from Crestview Doors. Time to dress up our little mid-century modern ranch!

Upcoming activities

Well I got my little farmers mailed off today. I also am having a joint garage sale with my friend Ali. So this week has been mostly preparing for the garage sale.

I ordered some bees wax off of Etsy and am looking forward to cooking up a batch of bees wax wood polish. Lots of creative things can be had from that endeavor.

Fading summer

The end of summer is always a time of preparation. I feel like a lot like the women of yore preparing my family for the upcoming fall harvest and winter doldrums.
R starts preschool in a couple of weeks. He’s so young and I’m not sure if he’s ready, but I’m doing it anyway. If need be, he can do 3 years of preschool and start Kindergarten at 5 like most children. This is a cooperative preschool, so there is much for me to do.

We are also preparing for our upcoming trip to Kansas City next week. On Thursday I booked plane tickets for this trip. I was DREADING the drive (14 hours) with two small kids. So now, we will be in the metro area for much longer. We arrive Wednesday the 31st and will fly out on Tuesday the 6th. I am most excited to see my Grandma M and for her to see the kids.

Saff’s sitting completely on her own. She’s even showing those first few movements for crawling. She’s also burbling up a storm.

Today was one of those challenging parenting days. R ran off at the park and again at the craft store. Both instances first frightened and then angered me. He is normally such a mindful little person, but today he was really off. I’m hoping a good night’s sleep and some down time tomorrow will help get him back on track.

Here they are enjoying a cool summer afternoon…

He played in his sandbox. She played with a book and a wooden ring on a blanket. I read a little and did a little needle work. It really was a sweet, quiet time in the back yard.

An army of farmers

Visit with Nonna and painted living/dining room

Oh how I wish we had taken before and after photos. Paint just makes everything feel so fresh and clean. It's now a bright sunny yellow entitled "June Day".

We never would have been able to get it done without the help from N's mom. Nonna is a lifesaver and our visit was super fun.

Here are the silly gooses posing for Nonna's camera...

Fabulous little farmers

I’m back to crafting and swapping. Here’s the prototype to my fabulous little farmer…

Here’s a cute model!

Here’s a baby stuck under the couch.

As you may have guessed, she's now quite mobile. Not really crawling, but rolling and scooting until she gets where she wants to go. Oh and she fell off the bed today. The first bumper was up and everything. Guess I gotta go dig out other bumper (she fell off the bottom). Luckily there was a dog bed at the foot of our bed, and that softened the "blow". It still gave me a heartattack and scared the dickens out of her. Yikes!

Sonic

N is obsessed with the soon-to-be-released Chevy Sonic. I'm really scared that it will come in bright orange. That's what we need... a bright orange car with a 01 painted in white. Hey, at least it's not another Scirocco.