Paper Ribbon Stretchers & Hydrangeas

We needed to get out of the house, so on Sunday I took the boys shopping. Kevin found the toys at Pier 1 and uncovered a "ribbon stretcher." I absentmindedly told him to put it back. Then I remembered how much I enjoyed getting them from my elementary school.

One day a year, they had a fundraiser in February. I remember getting these little toys specifically from that mini carnival. There is something surprising & mystifying about being able to swat people with them & reach them without being in arm's reach. My brother Steven & I pretended they were swords as we walked home in the snow. We hit each other with them until they ripped.

I wanted Kevin to experience the phenomenon of having one. All for one dollar.

 

I love Hydrangea bushes. Rocky planted a row of them for me & I stare at them often. I always remember that line from "It's a Wonderful Life" and they feel so legendary.

I was distracted from the boys for a moment & turned around to this adorable scene. I took this before I changed the exposure & it was really dark. I had to include it though. This was such an honest moment, I will treasure it forever. Probably more because if I would have stopped to make sure it was exposed perfectly, I would have missed it.

I put these last two photographs together on purpose. By the end of the night, after baths, both of them ended up crying over something. It was humorous to look back & see quickly their little moods changed so drastically. Definitely had long phone call with Rocky & a little wine after they finally went to bed.

That man I've been missing all week comes home tomorrow.
We are all so excited. It feels like Christmas Eve around here. ♥

Trashy Treasure

It's been overcast & rain clouds have been flirting with us most of the week. 

I don't mind it so much. 

Grey skies are calming. 

It kind of feels like fall & that isn't so bad.
It matches my mood. 

This morning's walk was almost called off due to some light rain,
but we decided to go ahead & stick it out.

I talked Kevin out of his shark flip flops & he slipped on his old boots.
I let him borrow my umbrella.
I think I need to get him his own sometime.

We live in a little circle where the homes are small but we have generous yards.

Kevin adores helping Rocky take care of ours.

When I spotted a weed whacker sitting by someone's trash, I contemplated whether to let Kevin take it.
I like to repurpose & all, but I've never felt the need to take something that was set out for the trash.
Especially something that looks so much like a piece of trash.

 It was clearly broken & the blades removed. 

But then I knew how thrilled Kevin would be to have one to use alongside his dad.

I can buy him shiny new toys but after the thrill of opening the box, there's not a lot of interest.
After he toted it home & I saw his eyes shining, I knew I did a good thing.

Rocky is spending a week staying next to the River Walk in San Antonio.

I am jealous, but if someone had to stay in one of my favorite cities & eat delicious Mexican food... 

I'm glad it's my very best friend. ♥

Rocky's Ride

His eyes teared up as he spoke with conviction, "It's like the best birthday I've ever had."

"Rocky, it's not your birthday."

Then we laughed. I knew what he meant.
He was on his way to buy the bike of dreams & was slightly enthusiastic.

When I met Rocky, he had two things that meant the world to him. A sporty little black coupe & a bull mastiff, Max. Rocky didn't blink an eye when it was time to sell his car in order to get a "Kevin friendly" suv. Since then, he rotates between his old Suzuki bike & a car that somehow makes it to work everyday. He loves putting miles on that little thing & never complains. Although he does sometimes mention that without air conditioning his 30 minute commute kind of sucks.

This week it seemed the motorcycle gods decided he needed a break. He found a buyer for his current bike & a shop in Columbus posted a Hayabusa in {of course} black. I will admit that I couldn't remember the name of it & did a search on Google for Suzuki H... in order to figure out how to spell it. All I can tell you is that he is crazy about it.

Some parts of our life haven't been easy peesy {as Kevin would say}. I think we've ridden the roller coaster with white knuckles & came out breathlessly leaning on each other. He's taken care of our little family from Afghanistan, from a wheelchair, & from blood sweat & tears as he has ripped this little house apart in order to build it into something better for us.

My heart was just so happy to see how happy he was.

He tells me that he can't think of anything else he could possibly want. I have a feeling that sometime soon he's going to find a little droopy eyed, slobbering, four legged friend that wants to live with us & play frisbee with all the mans.

Honestly, I can't wait.♥

 

 We took a little ride & it is definitely a comfy upgrade from his last one.

 

Happy Father's Day Rocky.  ♥

My baby sister grew up.

We'll celebrate her graduation tomorrow, and I am sort of pinching myself because
I don't really know how 18 years went so fast...

She wanted some pictures to decorate for the party so she drove down here & we had a spontaneous sunset shoot. We left the house & had no idea where we were going, but I think it turned out well.
You can see more pictures from her session over on my photography blog here.

Selective Chores

Kevin loves helping with certain chores.
He insists on arranging my bedroom pillows each morning,
mopping {with the Swiffer}, and his favorite... cleaning the toilet.
He is not really into cleaning his room, which explains why I have not seen the floor all week.

When life settles down again {after today} we will be all over that.
For now, I will just pretend the rest of my house looks this peaceful. ♥

* My husband spent almost three weeks gutting & rebuilding this bathroom. A Before & After will definitely be posted someday... he worked magic in that little room. Magic.

Pitter Patter

Today was full of work, frustrations, and a lot of cleaning. We tried to enjoy our weekend, which meant we woke up on Monday morning to a messy house, no groceries, & a "to-do" list longer than my patience. So I decided to clean. It's what I do when I'm angry. When I'm sad. When I'm worried.

I know it doesn't take any of that away, but it sure feels good to have a pity party in a clean house.

A few hours into it, I noticed Damian's lips pouted in determined concentration.

Something he gets from his dad.

Then he just took off.

Sometimes cautious.
Sometimes {almost} running.
Some tiny spills.
Some wobbly steps.
Some very big smiles.
He's been walking in little bits for a month, but today he just decided that he's a walking man for good.
Just like his brother did four years ago.

These boys have a way of making us forget whatever it was that we thought was so important...

 Daddy came home shortly after the walking bonanza began & celebrated Damian's achievements with us.

 

I will need to get used to the necessity of putting shoes on his little baby feet.

I love taking little walks around our neighborhood. There are lots of Grandmas who grow beautiful flowers & share their puppies with Damian.

 He just turned eleven months on Sunday. I want to weep and reminisce about the baby that I am losing, but I was so proud & happy for him... there wasn't really room for that today. Those feelings will return & I'll allow myself the luxury of giving them my complete attention. I'm sure there will be many tears & plenty of chocolate involved. ♥

Strawberry Season

Yesterday was the most fun that we've had in a very, very long time. The combination of beautiful weather, a healthy family, & time off was exactly what we all needed.
I felt so blessed to have these handsome "mans" in my life...

 

I hope to share more soon! ♥