The week in pictures - May 13th - 20th

On Mother's Day, we also got to celebrate my sister's birthday. 

I love her. 

I love a fan in an open window on a cool morning. Thankful for those, because around here, they won't be here for much longer. 

A beautiful, foggy morning run. 

Well, this one will need a bit of explanation. The girl kid was sick early in the week. I was really tired from being up with her during the night, so in the afternoon I had a nap. When I woke up, this was on my phone. Apparently the girl kid made up a great game called "Day Spa." She took her American Girl skin care book and made the boys all natural face masks. 

This is what happens when you have a big sister. And do everything she says. 

The boys actually begged to play this game later in the week, and I am the one that said "no." Something about my organic yogurt and oatmeal being used for "Spa Day" didn't sit right with me.

I think it was the ick factor that the boys liked so much. I hope so, anyway. 

Late afternoon bike rides are becoming one of our favorite things. 

He finally asked me to buy him some new red Crocs. (I've been trying. He liked these just fine, thank you.)

We are spending so much time outside right now, again, knowing these days are limited. Scorching summer is on the way. This was a sweet night spent reading on the patio. 

When I say "cool" I mean, "not blazing hot." It's still humid, and everything sweats, even the water. And yes, I have been drinking out of Mason jars for years and years. They are my favorite. (I'm waiting for someone to buy me a "red neck wine glass")

Someone sat with me on the patio one morning. Shirtless boys absolutely kill me. I love it too much. 

I will admit to spending more and more time just like this. 

I filled up another legal pad with notes and journaling. I cannot keep up with all the Lord is teaching me right now. 

Can you have too many kitten pictures? Perhaps. I am thinking "no."

This probably needs an explanation too. I bought some organic gummy fruits on sale, and the kids were a little too happy about it. The package smelled so good that the baby kid decided that he wanted to smell it all the time. So he taped it to his face.

Yep. 

Alright then. 

Planning for next year's school year. New stage. Cue panic attack. 

My view from the hammock one late afternoon. 

Boys and kittens.

One day I'll be in that hammock alone and be sad about it.

Right?

My obsession with clouds continues. 

Baby kid got a rad new helmet. I wish it came in my size. 

Pizza and smoothies on the patio. Did I mention we love being out here right now?

Playing in the yard with neighbors while the moms sat on the... patio. Yep. 

The girls chilled in the hammock, making their spend the night plans, which included trying to stay up all night. (They made it until midnight.)

First fireflies of the summer. 

The new Crocs came. We couldn't believe the difference. (And he requested to keep the old ones. They are "special." *sigh*)

Saturday we went to work with Daddy where he played a local festival. The boys had more fun than they appear to be having. 

The next stop was my great aunt Virginia's 90th birthday party. She was married to my grandmother's brother. She's the sweetest lady. I hope I am this on top of things when I'm ninety. Seriously, it's like she's 70. 

One of my cousins found this old picture of my grandmother. The back of the picture was stamped "September 1946." I can't even tell you how happy this made me. (This also illustrates exactly where the middle kid and I got our "crazy hair.")

On my run when I got home from the party, this Packard was sitting on the street in front of my neighbor's house. Ironically at the birthday party there was a picture of my Aunt Virginia in front of a car just like this. It was so cool to look at it and touch it. I came home and looked them up and read about them online. So amazing. 

The girl kid was so happy to get an updated photo of her friend that we sponsor with Compassion International. If you don't already sponsor a child, you really should check out this organization. It has been the biggest blessing to our family, and I am so thankful for the work they do. She sat down and wrote Nicole a letter, telling her how happy she was to get a new picture. I love our sponsored kids. 

This is a picture of quiet. 

Sunday, the husband took the boys swimming at my sister's neighborhood pool while the girl kid was at a friend's house. He's been working a lot lately, and I feel like I've been working overtime too. Although I wanted to hang out with my sister, I knew I'd be a better mom this week if I spent some time alone. So I did. I blogged and listened to music (and the quiet.) I was glad when they came home, but I was glad for the quiet too. It was a nice end to the week.