Life as we go it

Summer was busy. So busy that I neglected this blog for a couple of months! But I'm okay with that. I  tried to sit down and write on here SO many times, but I just didn't feel like it. But now that Liam is in 3K (eek!) and it's starting to feel a bit like Fall (ick!) I'm going to find more time to sit down and do this. I love blogging, it's just that taking the kids to the park, and walking down to the beach, and grilling fresh corn, and running through the sprinkler trumped everything else :)

So here's a real quick recap of some of the things we did this summer. I'd love to share it ALL, but that would take me too long. So here's what I have for you:

We kept busy with art & activities (a.k.a. time for me to get some laundry done).

I can give my kids a bowl full of beans & noodles & a scoop and it keeps them busy for an hour.

We took our first trip to Bay Beach as a family.

And you better believe it, Matt and I took turns riding on the Zippin Pippin.

A bike ride & dinner with friends.

We borrowed our neighbors' tandem bike and it was awesome!

We did lots & lots of walking to many places. 

Exploring neighborhoods, the waterfront, the farmers' market, piers, downtown, etc.

Matt and I attended my St. Mary's School Class of 1995 (8th Grade) class reunion.

It was so, so nice to see everyone and catch up.

And more music and food...

And went to the PGA with my mom.

These two grew up so much this summer:

THIS sweetie is full-on walking & running everywhere, eating every food imaginable, screaming/mumbling/pointing, giggling, loving on her brother and just blooming with personality, love and smarts. Chloe, you are simply my favorite little girl ever.

And THIS handsome little man has started going to 3K twice a week, for two hours. Happy and energetic one minute, cranky and moody the next minute. A total 3 1/2 year old! Smart and funny and artistic. He amazes me every day. Liam, I love you 'more than pancakes & syrup.'

Matt, I have not forgotten about you! You are still my favorite man in the world. Thank you for working so hard so we could do all of this fun stuff this summer :)

Peace,

Erin

It's been over a month since I last sat down to work on a blog post. Sheesh!! I could list off a dozen reasons why I haven't blogged in a while (I'm tired at night once the kids are finally in bed, we've been very busy) but I don't want to bore you with excuses! So I'll cut right to it -

We travelled to our cabin at the beginning of July and had a fabulous time! We spent a week up there and I think we could have stayed a few more days, had we planned for it. Matt and I and the kids went up (by "up" I mean to northern Wisconsin) the Sunday prior to the weekend of 4th of July. We had a couple of nights as a family. Then my mom arrived on Tuesday. My brother, niece and her friend, and nephew and his girlfriend, and my other brother & his family of 5 arrived on Thursday. My aunt, two cousins and a boyfriend arrived on Friday. And other relatives, lake friends and neighbors stopped by throughout the holiday as well. 

I will let the photos tell the story:

Richter Lake. A little piece a paradise nestled in the Chequamegon National Forest. On our pier (which is finally above water!!) looking out over the peaceful lake. And the new raft we just got!

Enjoying the lake:

- swimming

- looking for frogs

- playing in the water

- Liam on a boat ride with Matt

Liam 4-wheeling with my mom

My nephew and his girlfriend.

The kids having fun:

- playing cards

- decorating windows with clings

- applying peace sign tattoos

- arts & crafts at the kitchen table

Smiles all around:

- my mom

- my niece Caroline and Chloe

- my brother Jason

- my sister-in-law Nici and nephew Hudson

The end of summer is always so bittersweet for me...

I love, love, love summer. I love the sunshine, the flowers, the outdoor music & chilled cocktails. I love pontoon boat rides at the cabin, Liam playing in the sprinkler and nursing Chloe outside on the deck.

Yet as Fall starts to roll in I also look forward to throwing a sweatshirt on & going for walks in the cool, crisp air. There's nothing more comforting than making pumpkin pies, having fires in our fireplace and snuggling on the couch with my family under a bunch of fuzzy blankets.

So as Summer says goodbye and Fall says "hi" I plan to try and enjoy every little bit of it...

Goodbye warm breezes, hello coughs and sneezes.

Goodbye bees, hello colorful trees.

Goodbye tomatoes, hello potatoes.

Some things that made me smile last week:

Cooking with fresh vegetables from our garden and farmers market...

Liam and I went for a lot of stroller walks the past two summers. Usually once a day, and sometimes twice, depending on the weather. When Liam was a baby (two summers ago) and a toddler (last summer) it was easy for me to just throw him (not literally) into the stroller and away we went. 

But now that Chloe's here it takes a little more effort to go for a stroll. Liam climbs into the jogging stroller himself and Chloe goes in the Baby Bjorn or sling. Both kids are comfortable and I feel good knowing that they're safe (Liam can't run into the street and Chloe is snuggled up to her mama). But I often feel frazzled right before we leave, wondering if I have everything that I may need for the kids along the way. Do I have enough Kleenex along to wipe Liam's nose every few minutes? Do I have Band aids in case Liam hurts himself at the park? Do I have bug repellent in case we're attacked by mosquitoes?

I've always had a) sunscreen b) my iPhone and c) some cash (in case we come across a rummage sale or lemonade stand or stop at a neighborhood store) in the stroller at all times. But what about the other stuff we may need?

Well, now I don't have to worry about the 'what it' stuff anymore because I put together a little stroller kit for myself. Stuff that I can just leave in the stroller. Then all I have to grab when we go for a walk is my iPhone (and the kiddos). 

I bought this plastic storage case at Target. 

Liam has been playing with it the last few weeks. 

He puts toys in it and calls it his 'suitcase.'

Wipes, hand sanitizer (for Liam's hands after we collect things on the beach) and tissues.

I put first-aid items in one of the (many) empty pacifier cases we had laying around.