Chasing July

...
July. You do it to me every year. Remember?

As soon as the crickets arrive in full force and the sun stays up way past its bedtime, we are already well  into our summer stride. We soak up every last minute of it. Fall is just around the corner--- already the beachy umbrellas at target have been replaced with aisles and aisles of school supplies. Oog. Not yet...I still have my glass half full of summer lemonade. I better drink it up.

This year, we shook our summer up just a bit more and threw a move in the middle. I mean we just hadn't had enough opportunities to build box cities, no? So, Austin  helped us out with a week worth of rain. Kids played, I unpacked and Lucy repacked a little more.

The week of rain was a new home balance that settled us in our space. Although, my OCD self needs our stuff completely unpacked to truly feel home. This up and coming escape to Dallas tomorrow couldn't come at a better time. Get me out of this space and away from Pinterest because while, yes I do need to take on all sorts of crafty projects, I don't need to do it all at once.

So this is me checking in. I'm alive. Chasing sunlight.

More and better to come!

Little Sister

She sticks her finger in my ear after fishing out a booger.

She loud and fast and full of gas…

Steals my legos, fronts with sass…

Quite the little pain in my a…

Oh! That little sister.

She steals my breakfast every day

NEVER follows my rules.

She makes my dinos dance and prance

She pirates all my tools.

For all the time I tell her no. And stop. And don’t. And go…

She’ll just look at me with this little smirk

Like she’s the boss… you know?

My mom tells me that she’s just small.

That soon, she’ll play my way.

She’ll learn to roar and stomp and race

Stop driving McQueen out of his space…

She’ll throw a spiral with ease and grace

Perhaps... that time's today?

My sister makes me crazy head…worse than any other…

But for all her noise and smells and fits...

She’s sure cuter than a brother.

Pool Hair

 ...
So the next three days have us hovering around 106 without a drop of rain in the forecast. I'm sweating just thinking about it. I see a lot of dates in the pool... as if we weren't already swimming twice a day.

Lucy has been rocking some pretty sweet pool hair this week.

You know, it works for her...

All that added volume goes great with her "say cheese" face.

Lots to catch up on this week! Think cool thoughts for us!

Our Guy

 ...
The man that loves you knew it at the very first glance. You felt it too.

His gentle spirit





















kid-friendly wit





















and calming presence





















always feels like home.

And for all your attempts at being bossy,

getting angry

becoming something you're not...

it didn't work.

He sees straight through it all to the most beautiful part of your being and loves you even more for it. Never forget this.

As you feel you are ready to try something new, I know he'll be right there cheering you on.

because our guy sure can roll with it.

After all, this ain't his first rodeo.

You see... we're pretty lucky... becoming a great daddy was not a learned trait for him. It just came naturally.

What I'm saying is that this super-snuggling

ever-encouraging



























guy-by-your-side is special.

He's someone to hold close for always.


































As if he'd have it any other way.

RED light

...
So, we aren't even going to take a moment and acknowledge how long it is has been since the last post. We're just going to pick up and move on with it. Mmm, K? Good. While it sure may not be documented here, life's been a-moving fast.

Let's talk first grade for a minute.

Cause... we're there. As in, I have a first grader... officially...wiggly tooth and all. Now, in case you didn't realize this, first grade is kinda a big deal. BIG conversations happen in first grade. Like DAY 1 of first grade life. Didn't you know? Well if not, no worries. You were in some good company.

Apparently, my Molly love has been just overflowing with this delightful need-to-know how it all works for sometime now. Secretly. The afternoon we peaced-out of the Kindergarten world, on our way to some celebratory sonic her little need-to-know cup bubbled right on over and out her mouth with the fun little bombshell of: "So, how are babies made?"

Shouted from the third row of the mini-van. At a stoplight. While Gabe sang the Beatles in the background.

"So yeah, Mom... I'll have a cherry limeade...and oh, btw... how are babies made?" to the tune of Strawberry fields. I get it... those connect in first grade speak.

You see, I talk to kids about their bodies for a living. No, really... I do. Child proofing sperm-talk. I got this. A couple "like seeds in a Mommy's egg inside the uterus later and we're on the same page."

Light turns green.

Gabe resumes full voice singing of Strawberry Fields refrain intertwined with some Lucy's in "DESKIES" with diamonds... I'm mentally high-fiving myself.

Next stoplight.

"Ok, but HOW do the swimmer-seeds GET in there"

Beatles stop... we're now talking penis across the car and little man loves him all things weiners. This stoplight banter has now upgraded to a full on discussion group sans overhead projector. "Anatomy anatomy, bodies like puzzles... lots of love.. yadda yadda later... and we once again are on what I think on the same page.

until...

"Why would anyone WANT to do that."

...time to upgrade my limeade to a margarita.

It's so fluffy.

...
Want to win the heart of one Molly May? Schlep on her face a load of frosty lip gloss and a light dusting of eyeshadow-blushy goodness and she'll look at you like you just gave her the world. Add a fluffy tutu to the mix and she is moved beyond words. A Molly without words ranks somewhere along the same scale as pigs flying. Just saying.

Knowing this, you can imagine the fluffy, her-world-gone-perfect, moment she experienced last Saturday. I think she giggled with makeup faced joy for the full three exits down the highway to the recital hall. Coupled with the fact that her Daddy---like a pro--- managed to tackle end of tee-ball game awards, race with two kids in tow and still arrive, flowers in hand, with minutes to spare... propelled Molly in to happiness overload. I mean, the joy's all there... just look at that real smile of major smeared glossy goodness. 

Between Gabriel's tee-ball game and Molly's ballet demonstration, it was perhaps our busiest day of parenting "schoolers". It was a small glimpse into a reality of growing kids and the excitement that goes with sharing in their accomplishments. While I know that there might come a day where we have to embrace more of a divide and conquer mentality, I am thankful that in this moment... we were all right where we wanted to be.

It was moment to treasure for always. I love those moments the best.

Wanna-be Big

...

I feel like the baby stage lasted forever with Molly. Granted... things were really different then. I was a full-time working, overly-exhausted, emotionally crazy (thank you, thyroid), new mom of a teensy. Her milestones all happened somewhat on target... more on the middle to later end, but it worked for me. More snuggles post work. No complaining here.

I think uncovering the unique traits of each of my children has been the most beautiful life lesson for this Mommy. I grew them all inside, followed the same sorts of diets, kept their new baby routines relatively the same... and yet, each of their childhoods will feel so incredibly different and unique to them... and to me.

So, while I thought it would feel sad that my tiniest kiddo (6 oz. smaller than Molly at her age) would be rushing milestones to catch up with the sibs, it really doesn't. I'm different... she's different... I want her to feel a part of their lives. With Lucy specifically... that kid is going to do what she wants to do within the realms of safe. She has her own plan for everything.

At least all her wanna-be big efforts are pretty stinkin' cute.