Yarn along-vacation

While we were in Chicago, I finished the scarf I was calling my Yearly Meeting scarf. (It's actually from this.)

It was a fun project and my first time doing a lace pattern. I liked the repeats but I did have to focus a bit more at times. 

I read a couple of books on our trip but I really enjoyed Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter. It was a lovely vacation read; with the Italy and the Elizabeth Taylor and the Hollywood bustle and the long-lost love story. Very enjoyable.

Linking up with Ginny for yarn along. 

Stocking up

We've been doing projects out of the Artful Parent book lately, it is such a great book for fun and fairly simple kid projects. Unity made about a hundred bean and glue pictures. 

I've also been trying to stock up, getting ready for the start of the year. The kids and I made two versions of these breakfast bars;  one with nuts and one without. They always love a baking project and I put them in the freezer so we can just grab one in the mornings, or stick it in a lunchbox. We have a little bit of summer left and a few more adventures, but I can feel that shift in the air. 

one is silver...

Yesterday we went to the graduation at the preschool. None of ours are graduating this year (thank goodness!) but it is always fun to see those big kids on the stage. This year they sang the old girl scout song "make new friends but keep the old." It was very appropriate since Unity ran into her dear friend Thalia from her preschool days and even though they haven't seen each other in a year, they ran around holding hands and dancing together. We made vows to try and hang out, different schools and schedules be forewarned!

Brixton of course, is still making his preschool friends. He has two buddies now that are the first friends he's made all on his own, without me already knowing the family. It's lovely to see how tender and aware they are of each other, while also ignoring each other, lost in their own world of play.

Silver and gold indeed.

Home again, home again, jiggity jig

The bags are unpacked, the to-do list has been pulled out and the toys are all over the floor again. Yep, we are back from our fantastic trip to Chicago. And all of a sudden, summer is down to a few last threads unspooling across the floor. 

I have to remember how to make dinner again, and pull out my meal plans and my trusty workhorses. I use other cookbooks but I always come back to these. And the coffee. Nothing happens without that. 

                   

Yesterday I was at Target getting school supplies and a mom walked up and dropped a box of tissues in my cart. Her kids were laughing but really,we are all walking around with carts full of the exact same items. Totally understandable. 

We got a couple more of these too. Unity has been wearing all her party dresses, trying to squeeze in these last days of fancy. 

When I went to check out the garden for the first time in two weeks I found this: 

                                   
 It's the very first pear from Brixton's tree, the one we planted when he was born.His tree is old enough to bear fruit. I'm in awe.

Almost time for kraut.

My friend Alisa gave me a few bean seeds from her garden this spring. I planted them, not really knowing what to expect. Only one came up which is probably good, consider what this one has done.

This is the ants at the picnic dress that Chris and Unity made earlier in the year. It's a bit too big but that just means she can wear it longer, right? 

and still more

Millennium

all together now

Chicago/ Forest Park

Four generations!

 

 

 

We are having a blast visiting with Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Bill, going on lots of adventures and just enjoying spending this time together.

 

Friends

                           This week Unity and Hiram have been in a Lego camp together. When I came to pick her up, the instructor asked "did they know each other before?" They've been friends since they were babies I told him. He nodded. "I can tell." he said. "They work really well together."

So thankful for this, for afternoons spent in the park with lifelong buddies, and little brothers who get along well.