Max and his little friends

Two weekends ago we took a family trip to North Carolina to see Shawn and his family. A couple years ago Max enjoyed a similar trip with just me. He got to know Justin and they enjoyed each other’s company. This trip was nothing different. They instantly reconnected and had a blast all weekend. Justin didn’t want to separate from Max and mostly Max was game. There is a big age difference of 4 years but that did not stop them from having a blast together playing sports, swimming, hunting lizzards, watching a movie and just enjoying each other’s company. 

I love the smiles!

I enjoyed hanging out with them all and really liked having our families spend time together. 

Baby Zuchini for my baker

So after a couple days of summer rain we finally checked the garden. Last time I looked I did t see a single zucchini. That was maybe a day ago or two. Suddenly we find this monstrosity which Ellie has decided is her baby. It’s nearly 5 pounds in weight. 

The silly girl named it and wrapped it in a blanket. She’s decided we can’t eat this one either. It’s her real baby!

Thankfully she wasn’t afraid to use another one to try baking zuchini banana bread the next morning. My girl has turned into quite the baker this summer. She has made banana bread, chocolate chip cookies, zuchini bread and Rice Krispie treats. It’s nice seeing her take this independent step and enjoy it. I’m also very proud of her because I told her she had to take responsibility to clean up after herself if she baked. She has been doing a great job of it. 

Summer garden fun

We planted a garden on Mother’s Day this year. It has a little bit of a lot of things. We have enjoyed watching the plants grow from babies to producing vegetables we can eat. 

This was the first day we finally found some zucchinis and we were all excited!

Max and Ellie helped pick them. These things grow big fast. 

Chores

Since Sarah has left us I have been working hard to get the children to help around the house. We’ve been through a couple versions of a chore chart. 

Ellie is willing to help because it leads to Money. Max is willing to help on good days and he’s frustrated on bad days. Clair loves to help and sings the Daniel Tiger song when she does “everybody can help do something. “ (or something like that. It’s adorable when she sings her Daniel tiger encouragement sounds)

The first day Clair got vacuum the kitchen she was so excited. You see, this is a chore big brother and sister usually do. But today she is the big stuff. This one was so excited to vacuum and determined to do it right!

Gum balls make her happy

When we went to New York Clair choose a gumball machine as her gift. She was so excited as she has just started to be allowed to have gum. 

It was a big machine and a little amount of gum. She was so happy to share her few gum balls either everyone. She wasn’t worried about them going away at all. 

As a reward for her openness to share I ordered some gum balls to refill the machine. When I opened the bag and showed it to her she was so excited. 

I love to watch happiness in kids over the little pleasures of life. I hope my kids can always appreciate the little pleasures In the same way that this picture will always make me smile. 

Family adventures

Today was the day we planned months ago to meet the Govar’s. We were originally going to go to Fort Mchenry in Baltimore but the summertime monsoon (currently flooding my poor garden and killing my baby cantaloupes) made us change our plans and head to Leesburg to find some indoor fun instead.  

It all came together nicely. The kids got to run and play at a trampoline park while the adults chatted. We had some lunch at noodle and co where the kids sat and happily chatted separately. After running through the pouring down rain, We visited a candy store for treats. Clair hates the rain but we all persevered. Finally we ended the afternoon with a game of bowling. The kids were doing well, though the older ones did ask why we didn’t have the same rails they got. I think Ethan and Ellie might be ready for old school bowling where a gutter ball is a gutter ball. next time. 

The kids enjoyed each other’s company as did the adults. We love meeting the Govar’s. Everyone seems to get along really well. I wish we lived closer and I’m glad for the tomes we do meet up, usually one a year these days. 

After we separated we decided to swing by a vineyard and pick up our wine then head home. The kids played war at a table near the bar while we tasted the menu. They played wel for about 15 minutes. That was really all we needed. 

We headed home where he kids got baths, had dinner and watched a movie together. Meanwhile David and I enjoyed take out alone in the dining room with some wine. We were able to chat for a while. 

I am greatful for days like today where we won’t work and just enjoy life. It’s especially nice when we can do it with friends too. 

The kids even decided to have a sleepover tonight in Ellie’s room. I think they were up chatting until well after 10. They will be tired tomorrow. I wonder what time Clair will come to my bed for snuggles!

Life is good. 

A really good night

Tonight we had leftovers and tended the garden before dinner. Clair sat beside me snuggles closet while eating. Everyone ate without complaining. We enjoyed sale from veggies in our garden. I had some wine. The weather was gorgeous. Everyone was happy. 

After dinner Clair decided she was going to be my helper. I told her she could clean the powder room and she asked me to teach her right now, so I did. We decided while we were there that she didn’t need the step stool anymore. Wow, what a big change in my life- a decade after having children there is no longer a stepping stool in my powder room. 

Clair, Max and Ellie all helped me prepare a mountain of basil to make homemade pesto. Clair helped not only peel the leaves but wash them, pick out the bad ones, and make the pesto in the blender. She pulled up her chair and helped me with every step. She was even excited to taste it. She went to pick herself some fresh cheeey tomatoes to try it. She was so proud of what we made she even got David to try it. It was delicious! I think she found it okay. 

We then just danced in the kitchen to the country music google had been playing. She asked me why I knew every song google played. I smiled. She was so much fun to dance with. We twirled. We moved our arms. We moved our feet. We giggled. We kissed. We smiled and hugged. We just really enjoyed each other. She is an awesome person.