.: winding down :.

Looking at the pictures from the last post (over a month ago, yikes!) it certainly feels as though we are heading into a different season.  The evenings and mornings are chilly enough for sweaters and socks. (though, no matter how chilly it is we still can't convince Frances to actually wear clothing)  The daylight fades earlier and earlier.  The garden has succumbed to weeds and even though there is still a good flow of collards, kale, and tomatoes, you can tell the plants are ready to call is quits. Slowly my mind shifts from thinking about garden plans and trips to the beach to sweater patterns and trips to the orchard.  

Neva and Frances started preschool at the beginning of the month at the wonderful Project P.L.A.Y., which Neva attended last year.  Even though it's just two mornings a week, having this structure to our week is a real contrast to the wide open, lazy days of summer.  They are having a wonderful time at school and, as sweet as it is for me to have three hours alone, it is certainly a transition for this mama to watch my two little ones head off into the world without me!  How grateful I am that they have each other.

(heading out to the first day of preschool together!)

Lastly, if you're in the mood for a video...

.: at the beach again :.

.: Ohio :.

We spent the first weekend of August in Ohio with Robb's family.  There were six kids, seven acres, two ponds and one puppy.  Need I say more?

.: July :.

In our parts the cicadas have just started their long trilling songs this past week. For me, that has always meant the end of July.  And the very beginning of the end of summer.  Even so, now is when summer feels at its most full. The garden is really starting to bust. I spend pretty much each day in the same summer dress. Mornings are spent outside, we take respite from the heat in the afternoons, and then run outside once more after dinner.  Little friends come over to play in the backyard and grownup friends come over for an impromptu picnic potluck. It's no wonder this is one of my most favorite times of year.

find cucumber on vine. pick. eat.

"Mud", or, "sometimes you have to let dinner get cold"

A storm right before dinner turned into postponing dinner to splash in puddles with boots, which turned into taking boots off to dip toes in, which turned into dipping hands in, which turned into....

Purple Brown Bear

One of the most delightful things happening around our house these days is Frances reading books to us.  Whenever we are reading together she will always ask, "Mama, when you're done reading your book can I read MY book?"  Most nights now she reads her bedtime stories to me.  The complete preciousness of it is just often too much and so I often end up letting her read, oh, five or six books.  How happy I am to indulge!

Here she is reading (with a little help from Neva) the classic "Brown Bear, Brown Bear"  As you'll see, most of the animals end up being purple....

.: June :.

Oh how we've been soaking up every bit of sunlight and summer on these long long days. 

Snacking on fresh strawberries from our friend's farm market for dessert.

 

Playing outside after dinner...a luxury we are afforded only this time of year!  Frances is just about outgrowing her swing which seems impossible.  It feels like THIS was just yesterday...

Yesterday we spent the day at  my favorite beach spot, Island Beach State Park.  We were joined by our dear friends, Kristen, Liem, and Emily.  There was much squealing, laughing, digging, splashing.  Both girls even ventured out with me (one at a time, of course!) to where the water was up to our shoulders.  Neva was clinging on for dear life but smiling and laughing.  Frances was completely serious as she was attempting to wriggle out of my arms and proclaiming, "Mama!  Let me swim!"