Grace in small things: "Pink as can be!" edition (September 14, 2016)

1. Zo, showing her legos to Grammy and Papa via FaceTime: "Look! They're pink as can be!"
2. Kids wanting to work with me today, and they had some iPad time, so snuggled up next to me in the bed, they on their iPads, me on my computer...nice to have them there...
3. Loving being on the MOPS steering committee...such great women...and I wasn't really expecting to learn a lot from the experience, but no question I am...
4. Boiled shrimp for dinner...my mother-in-law is from Florida...she knows how to do it right...absolutely delicious...
5. Made some headway on my endless TO DO lists today...and also am looking at making some pretty big changes so long lists are a thing of the past...stay tuned...

XOXO

Grace in small things, August 26, 2016

1. Zo in her new fuzzy pink vest...and her "unicorn horn" hairstyle which is still a favorite look...
2. The beach with the kids today...nice summer day as well, despite the fact that it was cold enough that I could see my breath when I took the dog out first thing this morning...
3. Luke on his bike feet off the ground 100% balanced...Zo is getting there too...
4. Hot dogs and corn on the grill tonight, and peppers with cheese from my mom's garden...
5. Going to see Kubo and the Two Strings with the kids after dinner..it got great reviews and I am excited...

Grace in small things, August 23, 2016

1. Kids running up and down the stairs and sidewalk waiting for Sissy's haircut
2. And Sissy's new sparkle tennies...love...
3. Working on getting the upstairs clean and organized...
4. Kids painting yesterday morning and mixing the colors themselves...love Luke's dark lavender rain/snowstorm especially
5. Peppers from my mom's garden roasted with cheese...yum...

XOXO

Grace in small things, August 11, 2016

1. Big day for Miss Zo today...we met Grammy in Glenwood and she went to Junction for 2 nights alone with her Grammy and Papa...she was so excited about it, picked out her favorite dress to wear for the trip...packed her bag carefully (and brought a whole pile of stuffies she must have to sleep)...she's going to have a great time...
2. My husband had a work dinner tonight, so it was just Luke and me...we saw a double rainbow as the sun was going down that then the whole sky started to turn pink and orange with the sunset. "Look," Luke said. "Now the whole sky is a rainbow!"
3. Luke and I sitting on the porch before bed looking for meteors...and I'm about to head out there again to watch with my husband now that it's darker...I hope we see something...
4. And speaking of stargazing, we've had Jupiter in our view all summer, and it's starting to be there just briefly, going under the horizon before I generally make it out to the porch. It's been cool to hang out with Jupiter this summer...
5. Peaches and plums and tomatoes and peppers and eggplant from my parent's orchard/garden...the tomatoes and peaches are already gone, so delicious...I feel so loved getting these awesome treats from my mom and dad...

Happy meteor viewing!!

XOXO

Fun with kids: August 2016

Some things we're looking forward to doing as summer winds down:

Individual kid trips

Papa and Grammy have graciously offered to host our kids individually 2 nights each—a first for us, and at 4 years old it seems like a good time to do it. They are beyond excited. Zo gets to go first, this Thursday, then we'll swap kids Saturday and then I'll be going down for a week-long visit with both kids starting Monday...can't wait...

Orange creamsicles

I want to try this recipe...in our dino and monster pop molds

Camp out on the porch and watch the meteor shower

The Perseid meteor shower is back the night of August 11–12...I'll have just Luke (see above) and am thinking of making a cozy sleeping area out on the porch and watching...

Backroads exploring with a picnic

So many places to go around Steamboat...we'll be doing this more than once...

Float the river

I don't think the kids are old enough to float yet, but my husband and I could go...this is something we haven't done yet...

Go to an outdoor concert

It seems like wherever you are this is an option...a nice thing to do on a warm summer night...we're going to see Fantastic Mr. Fox...

Lay under a tree with a book

I think we're going to head to the Botanic Gardens for this (pictured above)

Hike to the top of something

Maybe Emerald Mountain, that we see from our house? Or maybe in Junction my parents and I will do this...

Make gazpacho

I'm going to try this recipe

Go school shopping

I have such great memories of doing this with my Mom, one of the few times during my childhood that I remember being alone with her. We'd go to the big city (Denver) and spend the whole day finding just the right clothes and supplies for school, eating lunch, talking about things that mattered. I'm going to spend a few hours individually with each kid while we're in Junction doing the same...

Pick a big wildflower bouquet

I've got my eye on some purple flowers that I've seen when we're out Jeeping...

Hope you enjoy August as much as we're planning to! XOXO