summer yardin'
What a summer. We’ve had it all this season. Some real tragedy in our extended family, some incredible growth, some beautiful memories made and some real taxing days that have brought us all closer together. It hasn’t been a typical summer but we wouldn’t trade our experiences for anything. I will blog about some of those moments soon.
Through these longer days we have really relished time outside in our new home and in our new yard! MY FAVORITE pass-time with our little fivesome has been in these warm and beautiful summer evenings. We are at the most fun stage where all of our kids love being together and love the same outdoor activities. Hours are spent in the evenings jumping on the tramp, swinging on the porch swing and planting new plants/pulling weeds! It’s been great therapy for the recent and heavy events. Regardless of life situations, I think there is just something magical about family time outside and we are soaking it all up.
I’ll be honest, I am no super-mom (fooled ya?? ;) lol) and am too afraid of braving it with all three at pools this year. None of my kids are strong swimmers (Scarlett still wears a puddle jumper) and I am too nervous about doing pools without Scott. We have really been just fine with our little backyard set-up! While we take our kids out and about lots, I’ve come to grips with the fact that this is not our year for big outdoorsy activities. Sure we go on very simple hikes (more like nature walks) but with two kids that need to be carried and one that complains after five minutes of walking, we are really happy with being outside in our little yard or bike rides in our neighborhood. Even as we grow as a family, I hope we continue to enjoy the simplicity of being home together and appreciate the beautiful surroundings.
Almost the exact moment that Scott walks in the door from work, Welles grabs his hand and says “gaggy, bassetball!” (daddy, basketball!). And as soon “gaggy” comes inside from lifting Welles up to throw ball after ball into the hoop, Scarlett is begging him to go back out and jump on the tramp or swing on the porch with her. Yeah, I’m chopped liver over here once dads home… ;) After dinner, we’re all outside as the sun is going down and temps are cooling. And when it’s still scorching we turn on those sprinklers and fill up that baby pool. Being outside with my people is how I want to spend the rest of my life! Oh... except when it's dumping snow in April...
Adding our porch swing (from wayfair) is my favorite touch to our yard. I could spend hours and hours (sometimes I do) after kids go down, talking to Scott and swinging. It’s my happy place… Another thing that has been theraputic for me is gardening. I never in a million years would have thought that I would enjoy it so much. I spent one day in a local nursery and now I’m hooked! I have all of these lofty plans for our yard and Scott’s been put to work! I loved planting these potted plants (dark pots also from wayfair and the bottom one is from West Elm turned upside down with a gifted pot on top! Got creative but it likely will not stay like that!). Scarlett is in charge of watering and takes this responsibility very seriously. Sometimes pesky little brothers try to help which always gets a good mess going and a big sister frustrated…
Like I said, it hasn't been a typical summer for our family, but it has been a beautiful one. A season I will always remember.
Kid outfits from June and January. <3
