My Summer Goals

I'm SO, SO happy school is out. I suspect I'm much happier about it than my kids are. Why? Because, when school is in session, I miss the kids who are gone all day and I'm very busy with the kids who are at home. ...and it doesn't seem like the two groups get to do anything fun together. Ever.

I'm looking forward to more fun family time and less busy-ness. Plus, I have big, big plans to:

...sew A LOT. I have all sorts of sewing projects that have been begging for a little attention.

...get organized! At least organized enough that I can walk through my office (no exaggeration, I swear)  and that if I died suddenly, Tony might be able to find some of our more important documents.

One of the giant stack of papers that needed sorting was school stuff dating back to at least 2006. Bleh. Must recycle. Don't want to throw away anything precious. (You should see Sofia's fully illustrated Zoology notebook from fourth grade!)

To motivate myself, I went to Target and bought the cutest file folders they had ( for1/2 the price of the Martha Stewart ones from Staples. ...though I do want to buy every label she makes.)  I had a crazy time printing up my labels but eventually figured it out.

Totally worth it. And now I'm sorting and filing like crazy.

...redecorate my kitchen. Cozy took this picture. It's so honest. Too honest.

Yes, I love yellow.  No, the walls should not be the brightest thing in the room. I'm having a bear of a time choosing the right replacement shade. I think I'm on my 7th paint sample. Last night, I was bemoaning my inability to pick good paint colors. Tony said, "That's not true. Your only problem is your inability to accept the colors that are already there." He doesn't want to paint.

...and, last but not least, swim, play, and be lazy. Because that's what summers were made for.

My Mom's Old Line

Mom, I see your clothesline picture and raise you a cuter one.

I was thinking of having it printed on canvas and hanging it on my wall, it's so darned idyllic.

Getting Promoted

We had a couple of children "get promoted" this year.

Annika finished her one semester of Elementary School. I think it was a nice, gentle introduction to public schooling. ...and I'm grateful to discover that I have a second child who is naturally concerned with studying and turning in assignments. Whew.

...and she's growing into such a beautiful young lady. {Mom Sigh}

Embarrassed or happy that she had to walk down the isle with her crush? You be the judge.

Anthony's 8th grade promotion (moving up to High School - eek!) was a much larger event....so this was the only picture I got of him. And, as much stress as his academics have caused me this year, I would like to believe that his most "effective effort" was not in PE. {Mom Sigh - again}

Since the screen didn't share any of Anthony's accomplishments this year, I'm going to share a few.

These are some that matter to me:

1) Anthony had a "girlfriend" all year, who he treats with respect and consideration. And, if my sources are to be trusted, they have yet to kiss. :) {Mom Smile and High Five}

2) Although is doesn't always translate to good grades (someone doesn't turn in homework..and sometimes even classwork), Anthony has probably learned more about science this year than his peers have ever forgot. It's what he reads about in his spare time. When I teasingly tell him that "whatever 3-year-old made the faces in his book stunk at drawing", he rolls his eyes and explains the functions of all of the parts of the cell he was looking at.

3) My son is helpful and sweet. He empties trash, mows yards, cleans gutters, and does every other manly chore you can think of (even the dishes).

I sure love those big kids.

My Yarrow Dress

I got something new.

...well, for me (not you, sorry).

It's my summer dress.

And shoes to match. (Hopefully. I'm trying to exchange them for the next 1/2 size up.)

Ruby slippers to go with the sunflower print. (Tony has yet to learn the art of taking deceptively flattering photos. Sad.)

Still, I don't really think of it as my sunflower dress, since it exactly matches the yarrow in front of my house. It'll always be the yarrow dress to me.

Wild and Free-ish

I'm trying to redecorate my upstairs bathroom. It's not working. I ordered this print from Etsy to hang up there. But once I had it framed, it seemed too nice to hide in a second floor bathroom. Besides, some children neglect the fan when they shower. It could get all steamy and damaged.

It's kinda a good thing. I was getting tired of Klimt's Beech Trees anyhow. (I wanted birch trees.)

I love the mats. The frame guys was pushing me towards orange and green....obviously doesn't know me at all.

So, for upstairs, Sofi and I are painting something "in the style of" Katie Daisy. She did the background wash...

(I might need a second giant dining table. We have a lot going on.)

Sofi did the initial lettering in pencil...and then the control freak in me took over and went over everything in gesso the way I wanted it. Sofi didn't care. She painted a dragon.

Color will be the next time I have a spare moment and enough patience to let everyone paint.

My Fail

Hey, nobody's perfect. In my defense, these were all root stock when I planted them (minus the impatiens.....so I'm actually quite grateful they grew at all). It's much harder to arrange plants you can't see.

The results are just weird-looking. Still I'm not going to mess with them this year. I'll just let them grow and get established. Then I'll rearrange them all when they come up next Spring.

I am at least happy with how they're growing. :)

The Patio

I think this one is my true favorite. I just have a soft spot for shade plants....maybe from living in the "part shade" of Washington for so long. Or that they just seem to all come in the best color palate ever.

This one was actually planted this year, when my patio was almost finished.

Everything has bloomed and grown and spread just like I wanted it too.  The ferns are running behind a little. Next year.

All of my stolen sedums are growing nicely.

Soon, my chicks will be overflowing, just like my Mom's.