summer. everyday. simple.

This summer is flying by and I cannot believe in less than one month, this girl of mine will be starting Kindergarten. We have been cramming as much as we possibly can into these long summer days: swimming, exploring, playing, and just being in the moment, together. We've been loving on each other and loving on the beach, our favorite summer spot (our favorite spot in general really.)

Bathing suits are a summer staple as we spend just about everyday in them. 
Logan has about 10 bathing suits and she makes sure that she wears them all. 

We try our best to eat healthy throughout the week, but divulge in daily ice treats. Dirty feet are mandatory and formal bed times are non-existent. While we all know routine and structure is just around the corner, we're putting that out of our minds and enjoying August and all it has left to offer. 

This summer has been so sweet to us with warm sunny days and cool calm nights. We've had just enough rain to refill the pool just as it begins gets low, and to water the garden for squash and tomatoes to grow. We've picked the fuzziest peaches and ate the most delicious melons. We visited theme parks, boardwalks, and many different pools and beaches. We are filled to the brim with special memories from our summer, but my favorite are the ones where we stayed home; swimming, sharing lattes, rearranging the dollhouse, and paging through random magazines. 

Life is so much happier when you choose to find beauty in the every day, and eventually I have found, that you don't need to try anymore, it just happens.

Hope you are enjoying your summer. 
August is my favorite. 
Sun shining, children splashing, the freshest of fruits, sandy toes, messy buns, and so much more.
Happiness everywhere you look.

december.

^ packing for one night is always the hardest.
^ rest-stoppers.
^ posed in front of a tree at our friends christmas tree farm.
^ firewood.
^ wine time.
^ holiday toys.
^ letters to santa.
^ pistachios double as a snack and an activity.
^ beautiful colors of the season.
^ holiday cookies for a playdate.
^ lehigh tunnel-- road trip.
^ another reststop stop.

December was so, soo good to us. We hated to see it go. We were tourists and we were house guests. We made new traditions and took part in old. We discovered places for the first time and revisited ones from the past. We sipped warm drinks and indulged in weekly soups. We spent days bundled while others were mild. December was full of surprises, experiences, and much love.

i s t i l l s . . .

^ brown bag wrapped tupils
^ home made french onion soup
^ f o u r candles for four years
^ i both love and hate my brother for introducing me to this
^ keeping my big girl little for as long as i can
^ mama baby day included a 6 month cleaning and check up
^ mimosas in the city
^ we the people, philadelphia
^ septa on a sunny day
^ nacho enthusiasts




Photos from my instagram.

little things / / from my phone

1.  real fruit snacks
2.  coffee filter snowflakes
3.  sunday morning iPad time
4.  v is for vulture (our letter of the week)
5.  tiny frozen drops on tiny frozen buds
6.  cream of wheat has become a staple breakfast
7.  pictures for santa
8.  semi-sweet dipped chocolate covered almonds is our go-to snack
9.  all that's left is this empty bottle
10.  masterpiece in-the-works

Lots of little themes going on this week..
See more photos on my instagram.




Linking up here.

b+w lately

 

 

    

proud mama// swing love at the park// farmers market fresh flowers// playdate in the ceiling climb// trying to drink, not 'cheese'// making faces all day err day// learning letters// trying out a new game// in the car waiting for grammy// indoor chalk outdoors

these days

• We've been practicing patience. [not pictured above.] 
• Lo went to her very first movie with her aunt, uncle, and cousins. She had the best time-- even though she couldn't tell me anything about the movie. But she did tell me how delicious the popcorn and soda was.
• We've been exploring the idea of homeschool-preschool. I may even doing a little curriculum planning to see if it's something we can manage.
• Lo and I have a ton of mama/baby time with daddy working 50+ hours a week. So needless to say, when it's the weekend, we soak up as much of daddy as possible.
• We spend a great deal of time poolside, mostly in. My girl is a fish, no doubt. The weather has been so disgusting hot and humid that if we are outside, we need to be in the water. I'm over this permaheatwave. Like for real.
• We have been forming budgets and keeping to them without much struggle. Such an accomplishment for us :]
• We have been eating fresh and local mostly with a few cheats here and there. There are many summer-months birthdays in our family, so cake is too often at the ready. 
• We haven't ventured out for many play dates lately, as much of our time is spent in our own backyard. But I did find a weekly story time/craft at the local library that I would like to take Lo to.
• We have been getting close to a daily dose of cousin time, which Lo is loving. These boys have her heart.
• We have been reading a lot of books these days, a lot more than usual. Often I catch Lo in a self made pillow nook somewhere with books.

lately...

We've been loving netflix.// We've pulled out the summer clothes.// Playdates have become a regular thing.// OJ has become a favorite.// Sunny days are no longer uncommon.// Despite the Paci hoarding in this picture, weening has been working pretty well with use just for sleeping.// Band-aids have become Lo's go-to accessory.// Logan fell asleep on the sofa for the first time ever-- and as a crib sleeper her whole life, this was a big deal.// We have been reading a lot. A lot, a lot.// Lo has proven herself to be an excellent worker and is so helpful with work around the house.// Currently, "stripey" blanket is Lo's favorite thing to cuddle and sleep with.