This morning I woke up to handmade paper chains draped across the dining room. Hand drawn cards from my babes. And pancakes with whip cream and sprinkles. Which means one thing, today is my birthday. Thirty three years ago today I came screaming into this world and haven’t stopped yet.

Since having my babes, we haven’t made a big fuss about my birthday. It’s just another year. But this year, Miles gathered the troops and had a crafting session last night with construction paper. I was sent to bed around 7 pm and told not go to come out. Well. If you insist.

Makena’s card depicted our entire family with a receding hairline. We all look like my grandpa. A chef’s hat was made. Masks were created and worn. A good old fashioned handmade birthday party. My favorite type.

And look what I got for my birthday! My own pair of chucks!!! I haven’t had a pair since seventh grade when I had off-white high tops that I would fold down and wear with alternating socks. Pink and green. Green and pink. With three swatches. White leggings. Big bangs. And braces. Fashion icon I tell ya.

Hope you all have a good one too!

One of Makena’s favorite cartoons and books is Charlie and Lola. And Lola’s favorite drink is pink milk. So today as I was packing Makena’s lunch box for the first day of school she turned to me and said “When I get home can I have pink milk?”

There were no nerves, no tears, no long hugs. No, I got nothing of that. As we hung up her backpack and lunch box on her peg, she quickly turned away and darted into the classroom.

So that’s it? But I needed more.

I needed a long hug. A ‘I will miss you mama, please don’t go.’ Anything. Maybe even a wave would have been nice.

So off went my little preschooler to her very first day of school. Confident. Happy. Secure. Oh I hope the world is kind to her.

And off went Keegan and I in the car. Keegan longing to stay and play and I missing a part of myself.

To Makena on your first day of school…

Stay strong my little bug. The world can be mean.

Don’t worry about what other kids say to you.

Trust your instincts.

Listen to your heart.

Follow your dreams.

Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something.

Be kind.

To everyone.

Love.

Everyone.

Especially those who are mean to you.

Have fun. Run. Skip. Laugh. Play.

Play until your heart’s content.

Love,

Mama

Today friends I am doing the Hokey Pokey. Not in the literal sense, but in the I’m moving every which way sense. “And you turn yourself around, that’s what it’s all about.” Clap, clap, clap. Cleaning the house. Gearing up for a family filled weekend to celebrate sweet Keegan’s second birthday.

Here is a picture of my birthday boy at 5 months on our trip to Whistler, B.C. to play in the snow. My how time flies.

Spraying my homemade cleaners all around the house and it now smells like lavender and tea tree. Quite the nice alternative to bleach.

Today I’ll be scrubbing, laundering, cleaning and sewing. Yes, you got that right. I’m going to throw in some sewing while I’m doing the Hokey Pokey. Why not.

Last year I made Keegan a crown for his birthday but my sweet boy’s head grew so fast it needs a little alteration.

No time to dilly dally, I must get on my way before blogland sucks me in and I spend all day on the computer.

Happy Friday!

School supplies.

Maybe it’s the teacher in me but back to school time makes my heart flutter.

The stocking up of supplies.

The scissors, the paper, the pens. I fill my cart with supplies for crafts for the next few months. The non-washable crayons and markers. Taking a risk.

This morning we are off to Makena’s school to meet her new teacher Ms. Katie. A big step for my little babe and even a bigger step for me. I think I’m going to need counseling when she goes to school. I think she’ll be fine.

Both of my kids long to live on a farm. Makena likes to sprinkle sand from the sandbox like she’s feeding the chickens. Keegan spends most days on his rocking horse yelling ‘yee-haw.’ So when the opportunity presented itself to spend a weekend on a farm, they couldn’t have been more excited.

There were animals to watch.

Tractors to ride.

Stars to gaze.

Croquet to be played.

And swimming. Lot’s of swimming.

Ahhh fleeting summertime.

There is something about making something by hand. Something I can’t quite put my finger on, that creates such satisfaction. Maybe it’s the time spent. Maybe it’s the love. Maybe it’s the test of non-immediate gratification. Maybe it’s the test of my patience. But there is something about it that keeps me coming back for more.

Like this little baby hat that I started a couple of weeks ago. Then decided it had too many holes and ripped it apart only to start over again. Definitely a test of my patience. You know I’m wanting to learn to be more still. To take the time just to be. It’s been a recurrent theme on my blog. The need to be still.

And with this week being the last week before preschool starts for Makena and a few days before Keegan’s birthday party, that feeling to flee arrives like a steam train. The need to run. The need to go. The need to get things done. But no. I’m going to stay put. Continue reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, a book I have fallen in love with for so many ‘patience’ reasons. Work on a little present for Keegan’s birthday. And simply spend time with my kids.

It actually rained last night. Let me rephrase that, it poured like God opened the floodgates. All night long. We woke up this morning to a fog in the hills that reminded me so much of our trips to the Pacific Northwest. And it’s supposed to rain all week. A great excuse to stay at home and just be. Just my babes and me. (Ha! That rhymed. That’s funny.)

I was greeted earlier this week by a sweet sound.

My youngest awoke from his nap, bright eyed and bushy headed. Playing the harmonica like he’s been doing it forever. Bopping up and down. Swaying back and forth. Making the most of the summertime blues.

As he was standing there, moving to his own beat, I looked at him and wondered how he got this big. When did my baby become a full fledged toddler? Next week is his second birthday and I’m starting to get a little sappy and reflective thinking about it. Slowing down to think about who he is. His spirit. And his quirky personality.

He’s now talking, the sing-songy voice much more pronounced and direct. The occasional ‘why’ to my demands. The ‘that’s hot’ to his food. The ‘uh-oh’ when things aren’t going quite as they should.

During the next week I want to slow down. Not the occasional rushing about to plan a party. No, that is not what his big day is about. It is about him. His sweet little life. And the joy he brings to ours.

I believe we are on day 46 of over 100 degree temperatures in Austin. That sets a record for high temperatures set back in the 1920’s. That’s 46 days friends. Over 100 degrees. Hot.
So with that brings very few outdoor activities. As the lake level continues to drop and boat docks are now sitting on dry land, we hibernate inside. The air conditioner seems to be pumping all of the time. No rest for the weary.

I’m a window girl. Not the I stand in a window in Amsterdam type, but the I like big windows in my house type. The entire backside of our house is sliding glass doors. The good heavy ones built in the 80’s. In the morning, as the sun comes up, the curtains are closed. The scorching Texas sun heats up my house like a greenhouse. Our bedroom has the same window. Although we like to sleep by starlight, the first glimpse of sunlight wakes both of us up in a race to close the curtains.

There is another window opposite the big wall of windows in our living room that has stood bare for quite some time. The previous owners had installed shades, but that space has always felt empty. Like they were never quite properly dressed for the occasion. The occasion being blocking out the sun in the late afternoon. The sun comes up over the lake and sets in the hills.

Lucky me, I found these silk curtains at the thrift store this weekend. And yes friends, that thrift store is in Dripping Springs run by a retirement community. Shoot, I hate giving away a secret. And yes, they were only $6 for the pair. They are the good old pleated curtains that your grandmother had hanging in her dining room. Actually, mine had lace curtains that are still hanging there. Sorry the picture is dark, it’s about impossible to take a picture of a window with this sunlight.

The bench I picked up at an antique store in Georgetown right before we moved into our house this time last year. It’s made from all repurposed wood. From doors and a vintage bed. It has been living on our front porch but I’m the queen of moving things around instead of buying new. So now it has a new home under the window. Now I need some rocking chairs for the front porch in time for fall and the cool weather.

I’ve decided that my favorite thrift stores are of the small town variety. Children’s books for .25, vintage silk curtains for $6, several yards of vintage fabric for .50, lot of vintage buttons for .25, Samsonite cases for $2. The deals just can’t be touched. My absolute favorite is in a little town west of Austin that is run by a retirement home. So not only do you get great vintage treasures, but also good conversation to boot. I was able to pop in there this weekend, kid free, to just wander about. Sort through bins I have never had the time to look through and find all kinds of wonderful vintage deals.

Like this Avon bird to go with Chris’ owl. I picked up tons of the grey stripe fabric. What should I do with it? I was thinking pillows.

And this Swedish child’s gardening book. The illustrations make my heart melt.

A truly sweet vintage book that gives kids a tour of London while learning their abc’s.

And these vintage bags that need a little TLC, but are in great condition otherwise.

Now I have a list of things to do. Create a purpose for the bags, create a windowsill garden and sew something. New rule, if it comes in it has to have a purpose and put to use. Otherwise, it’s just vintage clutter. I’ll show you the curtains tomorrow if the light cooperates! I actually already got them hung up. The anticipation was killing me.

My camera has been returned. I am feeling refreshed. And will be leaving to pick up my babes in a few minutes. All of my ‘plans’ went out the window this weekend as we just took time to be. Slowing down, no plans, no expectations. We went as the wind blew us. Something you certainly can’t do with kids.

A highlight of the weekend was spending it with family at my sister’s baby shower. She’s due in September and we can’t wait to welcome the newest baby girl to our family. My sister is not a pink girl, either am I, so I was able to work with blues, greens, reds and yellows putting together gifts for her little bundle of love.

A baby blanket made out of vintage fabric.

My sweetie nephew Phoenix admiring my work. Look at those tats! He’s a rockstar himself!

Everyone on the planet seems to be making these freezer paper stenciled onesies. I’m a little late to the game but here is my interpretation of my sister in a onesie. I vividly recall Miles breaking her heart when she was a little girl telling her that unicorns are not real.

And I also made some burp cloths but the Texas sunlight killed my picture. I do apologize.

I’ve still got to get some things done around here before I head out to pick up my little monkeys. No time for blog reading. Sigh. Email replies. Sigh. I’ll catch up with everyone as soon as I can.