fresh picked whimsy

summer blurrrrrr

Well, that went fast. Summer, what was your hurry? I thought we were having fun and stuff and then you had to go and run off...

there was a brand new firepit to enjoy...

and family fun at an Indians game...

a cousins visit to Indy...

and my first time meeting up with The Peach Truck...

the time we spent under water...

 and by the sea...

and swung by Georgia on our way home for brief, but quality time with my sister and brother in-law and nephews...

stopping to smell the flowers...

and getting up earrrrrrrrrrrly to watch the hot air balloon race out at the State Fair with my Katie...

a friend spied us on someone else's instagram feed {who I don't know!} that day, which was super funny!...

we loved the race so much, we decided to go back that night for the "glow"...

loved watching the balloons and loved watching sweet, young love grow between Riley and his girlfriend, Jen over the summer, too...

 we love you, summer! 

 Why can't winter go by that quickly?

Vitamin Sea

 It's the fastest week of the year.  We count down the days leading up to it...and they go by at a snail's pace.  And then, BOOM! It's over. Gah! Take me back!!!! 

We spent last week in our happy place, Gulf Shores, Alabama. 

I've blogged about it many times before: like here, here and here.

This year we rented the most adorable beach house...the Lucky Dog

It was a dog-friendly rental and we would give it 2 paws up if you are looking for a place to take your family and pups to the beach!  It was a 3 bedroom, 2 bath house and it was perfect!  There was a little fenced in backyard full of fun toys for them and less stress for us having to take them out to potty.

A little inside tour...

We had some stormy weather off and on during the week.  It would be super sunny with blue skies and then all of a sudden a wall of black clouds would swoop in. 

So, we would head back to the house for a little break and hang out on the screened porch and just watch the storm until it passed.  Griffin loved this hanging swing on the porch...

We all worked on this fun jigsaw puzzle and Sudoku, too...

The owners of this house have thought of everything.  There are games, cards, the kitchen is fully equipped with everything you could want and the drawer in the cocktail table in the family room was totally full of tons of issues of eye candy magazines.  I LOVED thumbing through them and daydreaming about our SOMEDAY beach house...

It was our first vacation with our brand new 21 year old.  She played bartender a lot. We brought our Nutri Bullet from home and it made fantastic frozen cocktails...

She was trying to style a pretty photo of her concoction...

I can't tell you how many photobomb shots she got before getting that one above...

Which takes us to the photos...oh, the photos.  We brought a selfie stick with us to GS.  Before we left on vacay, I posted our family beach portrait from our very first year that we stayed in Gulf Shores {2001}.  Griffin was just one year old!

We used the selfie stick and recreated this memorable picture...14 years later:

Of course, I'm trying to get our Christmas card photo and they are all a bunch of goofballs...

Me:  "can I get a nice shot of you kids with Daddy?"...

my turn...and I love it.

 Katie tried to get us to take a special family selfie of a selfie.  It was a #selfiefail...

then she took one with her brothers on the beach and it was awesome...

We loved bringing the dogs down to the beach at the end of the day each night, when it had cooled off and the sand wasn't so hot.  They loved it too...

the ocean turned pink from this delicious sunset...

On Thursday evening, we saw something we had never seen before in all our years going to the beach.

A shark!

He popped up right in front of us...thankfully we were not in the water! He was about 5 feet long and swimming in knee deep water.  KNEE DEEP!  Katie snapped those pictures.  I don't know how she did it...we were all so rattled by it.  Riley ran down the beach to some folks who were in the water in the shark's path to warn them.  The next day was our last beach day and sadly, we stayed out of the water all day.  But, we sure counted our blessings. 

 Yet another fabulous beach week is in the books.  We're already daydreaming about next year!  

Back to school lunchbox notes free printable

And just like that...summer is over.  Okay, i know...on the calendar there are still weeks to go before the first official day of fall.  But, when my kiddos go back to school...for me...it's over.  We're getting ready to send our oldest two away to college in just 3 days and our youngest started 8th grade today. 

{Deep breath.  Sniffle.  Holding back the tears}

They may all be too old for lunchbox notes, but i will keep making them for others to enjoy because i know how much my babies loved them when they were littles. 

So please, download yours here  for FREE and tuck one in your child's lunchbox or bag. 

Feel free to share them {as always, a link back is always appreciated}.  You can also find more of my illustrated lunchbox notes from years past and lots of other free printables here and by clicking on the free stuff for you button on the left column.

 

This is what it's all about

Growing up, my parents worked hard and made sacrifices throughout the year so that we could go on our vacation to the Cape every summer.  It was very important to them that we would have those two weeks of uninterrupted family time each year.  It was a priority. 

Because this is what it's all about...family.

{MawMaw & PawPaw with all of their grandkids}

I'll admit we wondered what it might be like to all live together for a week.  Eight adults, eight kids...4 families... 

But, it really worked.  And we really loved hard for that week. 

We kicked it off with Father's Day! 

We celebrated by heading to the fish market and buying lobsters.  We brought them home alive and cooked them.  None of the kids had ever experienced that.  We ate on the deck as the sun set.

I hope the kids will always remember it.  I hope one day Griff will say to his cousins, "remember that time we were eating lobster on the Cape..."

"and i broke the wooden mallot trying to crack the claw..."

good times...good times.

These cousins have been raised more like siblings than cousins...

these two were born 9 days apart and they've been partners in crime ever since...

 
they're all goofballs

the littles had no trouble hanging ten with the bigs...

love is sharing your earbuds with your cousin...

enjoying sundaes and cones on the porch of The Ice Cream Sandwich...

and midnight games of spoons...

One of our vacay highlights was the mini family reunion we had with our Massachusetts family while we were there...

Lots of love, laughter

 

 and lobster!

It's serious business learning how to eat steamers (steamed clams)...

like this...

 

it was a night we'll never forget.

This week was precious time with sisters...

and re-living cherished memories at the penny candy store in Hyannis we adored as little girls.

there was quality family time in the sun during the day...

and around the beach fire by night...

 

We made s'mores and sang sitcom theme songs and laughed so hard!

   

Do you like pina coladas?...

or can i interest you in something else?

Our accomodations were ahhh-mazing. 

And, staying together there was a wicked pissah.  (We all had fun trying to talk with a Boston accent)

We even threw in an extra little adventure on our journey home.  We stayed overnight in Buffalo, NY and made a late night run to see Niagara Falls.  The kids had never seen it before.

This entire trip was a big family fest with a heaping side of nostalgia most especially for my parents, sisters and I.  The Cape is magical for us.  Nothing but happy, lovely memories...going all the way back to my parent's honeymoon here and then years and years of family summers together here. 

The original 5, back at the Cape...

We are so blessed!  Thanks, Mom & Dad!

the day i joined a bike gang on Martha's Vineyard

We spent one glorious day on Martha's Vineyard.  Or, should i say Mahtha's Vinyahd.  We got up early and took the ferry.

It's a quick 45 minute trip to the island.  When we left the port at Wood's Hole on the Cape, it was raining and we weren't sure what kind of day was in store for us.  But, the skies cleared up soon after we docked and we had a beautiful day!!!  Some people bring their cars on the ferry!  You can see them driving out from the belly of the ferry onto the dock... 

The shopping on the Vineyard is pretty cool.  and pricey.

We all LOVED The Black Dog.  Fun stuff.

and my teens were especially happy to see this place...

the preppy holy land...

i've spared you the sticker shock look on my face. whoa.

Once the streets dried up, it was time to get serious.

ha ha ha!  We're so bad ass.

Seriously...this was one of the most fun adventures we have ever gone on!

Truth be told, it was a little scary at first.  Griff couldn't drive because he doesn't have a license yet, so he rode on the back of Katie's bike.  But we all got the hang of it pretty quickly.  We drove along the coast to Edgartown and tooled all around the little white picket fence lined streets.  The only bummer was that i couldn't take pictures while i was driving!!!  #bloggerprobs

26 years ago, mark and i went to Martha's Vineyard and rented a two seater.  We were 18 (Riley's age!)

My kids have seen this pic of us and when they heard we were going to MV, the first thing they asked was if we could rent mopeds.  I'm so glad we did!

Every where you look on this island, is like a picture postcard...

i want to live here so i can buy my art supplies here...

On the way home and sat outside on the deck of the ferry.

This giant sailboat cruised by flying The Black Dog flag...those people were getting their party on.

what do you think when you see this sea buoy?  I think of the opening scene to Jaws. Cue the music.  Jaws was filmed on Martha's Vineyard.  I don't think the locals love that fact, but the tourists do.  I also kept my eyes peeled for Carly Simon and James Taylor or any other celebs.  No such luck.

One last fun fact, because everyone asks...Martha's Vineyard was named after the daughter of the sea captain who first discovered the island.  And yes, there are vineyards here. 

It's a lovely, lovely place. We were so happy to share it with our kids.

cosmic cash

i know, i know...graduation season is just about over.  But, i wanted to share my graduation cash card anyway.  I had to come up with something clever that wasn't too cutesy for all of Riley's close friends.  

The quote on the card is fitting as Riley is going to Purdue.  Neil Armstrong is Purdue's most famous alumni!  I bought pre-made blank brown craft cards and envelopes at Hobby Lobby and a bunch of scrapbook paper.  The only other supplies needed are scissors and a glue stick!  Oh, and cash.  It looks like a lot, but really it's just a $10 and a $20 folded to look like more. 

I've made a free template download that you can find here and always on the sidebar under the "free stuff just for you" button to use if you'd like to make your own.  Cash not included, LOL!

Simply print it off and cut out the shapes and trace them onto the scrapbook paper of your choice...

i used a fine point sharpie to write the quote on the card and used an exacto knife to cut the slit at the bottom of the rocket to insert the cash. 

 I did have to play with folding the cash to make it look right, but it wasn't difficult.

and that's it! 

Download your free template here and your grad gift will be one that is out of this world!

 Congrats to the Class of 2014!

 

18 years flashes before your eyes

Everything was going just great and then Riley goes and does this...

And then without notice i look over at him at any given time of the day and a movie reel of the most precious moments of his life play in my head with an equally emotional soundtrack and i'm choking back the tears. 

I see him in that cap and gown, but what i'm really seeing is him on his first day of kindergarten...

Of course, there is a kind of spoiler alert as they begin their senior year in August.  You do know how it's going to end.  With that cap and gown, parties, prom, diplomas, and tears {mine, not his}! But in August you think to yourself, oh geez...that's not until NEXT YEAR! And then, BAM!...it's May.  And, so begins the emotional roller coaster of firsts and lasts and letting go.

i snapped this pic of him doing homework at his desk in his room.  one of the little things i will miss about him is seeing him there on a school night.  In the fall, that desk will be empty.

Last day of school...last time i will kiss him on a school day morning, standing at the front door telling him "i love you...drive carefully!" as he says "i will mom, i love you, too!"

ever.

The letting go.  I wrote about this when Katie graduated.  It's palpable.  It needs to happen.  It's the way it's supposed to happen.  But, it doesn't mean it doesn't hurt your heart.  This sweet, funny, snuggly little boy is a man now.  He used to need me to tie his shoes, tuck him in, hold his hand and wipe his nose (ahem, and other things).  And now he's driving, shaving, dating and leaving home in 2.5 short months. 

I'm telling you people, with little people still in the business of growing up.  This will happen to you, too.  And, you will vaguely remember me warning you about this.  Because in the right now, your life is messy and loud and you're breaking up fights over barbies, the xbox controller and who gets to ride shotgun in your mini van and really, you're just trying to use the bathroom without someone yelling your name.  But, i promise that one day, your little people will grow up like mine and you will miss all of that. 

We had a little party for our Riley, which we co-celebrated with our next door neighbors.  When we moved to this house, Riley was 2 and Nick, next door, was also 2.  They have been best friends ever since. 

We have embarassing photographic proof.

We capitalized on this when decorating for the party, which we held between our two yards...

table centerpieces (pics of Nick are on the other side)...

we lucked out with the most perfect weather.  We recycled the picture frame photo booth from Katie's grad party...

 It's been so much fun watching Riley and Nick grow up together.  They have a really wonderful group of friends. We got them all together for pictures the day before graduation. 

What a priviledge it is to be your Mom, Riley.  I am so very proud of you and the young man you have become.  There is so much excitement and wonder ahead for you!  Here we go!

i love you, Ri

"say woo-hoo"

it's all about mom

 i had a lovely Mother's Day, how about you?  i spent the weekend planting flowers and getting our yard all prettied up. 

Everyone pitches in and helps Mom...spreading mulch, cutting in flower beds and power washing the deck and nobody complains...happy Mom's Day to me!  i look forward to this weekend all winter long! 

Katie came home from school.  She's out for summer!  The boys only have 3 weeks of school left and we are gearing up for a graduation party, too.  Lots going on around here!

Aside from the yard work help, my kiddos know the way to my heart is something handmade...

Riley made this sign and set his alarm for super early Sunday morning so he could hang it up on the front porch.  He was so bummed to discover it had rained overnight and everything was wet.  So, he hung it over the fireplace, instead.  ♥

Katie made these cuties...

I made something homemade for my Mama, too.  I was inspired by this on Pinterest. 

Those are all of her grandbabies...

Katie, Riley & Luke

Griffin & Ben

Sam, Megan & Cole

It was a pretty simple DIY

• I searched high and low for flower pots that were smooth without a lip and finally settled on these simple paint cans from Lowe's. I think they were $2.99 each. 
• They were silver metal and i simply spray primed and painted each one. 
• My hubs drilled 3 smallish holes in the bottom of each one for drainage.
• I asked my sisters to send me face pics of the kids and asked them to fill the frame with their faces.  I had the pics printed at CVS and cut them out. 
• I trimmed the top of their heads off below their hairline
• I applied mod podge to the surface to adhere the picture to the pot and allowed it to dry. 
• Then, i covered the picture and entire pot with mod podge, using horizontal strokes around the pot.  Again, allow to dry thoroughly. 
• I sprayed them with an acrylic clear coat.  Dry.
• I filled them with potting soil and succulents. 

My Mom has a VERY green thumb and loved these little additions to her porch and gardens.

Happy Mother's Day to my beautiful mom... (i have always loved this picture of her!)

and to Mark's Mom in heaven...we sure missed celebrating you yesterday.

to mommies everywhere...you are awesome!

My friend shared this with me yesterday.  So cute...and true.

 

Prom

It was a night to remember.  Riley's senior prom. 

It's one of those life events that nobody forgets.  He had an amazing experience and so did we.  It was a new experience for me as a mom of a boy.  The whole prom process from this side was really fun. 

He didn't do an elaborate "prom-posal", but he did wait for her to show up at her locker with a lovely bouquet of flowers to ask her.  Then, so sweetly sent me this...

We went tux shopping and ordered a corsage. 

and waited for the big day. 

The morning of prom, he washed and cleaned out his truck, picked up her flowers and decided that the goatee that he had grown for the past few months had to go...

Dad helped with the button covers and cuff links...

and he was good to go...

We followed Riley to his date's home to take pictures. (we were invited!)

Riley's date, Anna, was lovely.  I loved her classic dress.  They had a really great night together.

They went with a big group of friends.  I wish i would have taken a picture of the crowd of parents who were taking pictures.  It was like the paparazzi.  Crazy.

except for these two dads, who were happy to step away from the crazy...to chat.  LOL

The boys are all really great friends.  And, they're hams, too...

 Ri & Nick were running backs on the football team together...

and these two will be roommates next year at Purdue...

these 4 go back to elementary school days together...

and Riley & Nicholas have been besties since they were in diapers.  We are next door neighbors.

and then it was time for them to head off for their evening.  You honestly can't believe that they are old enough to be going to prom.  Then you see him walking her to his truck and opening the door for her and being a gentleman. 

And you melt and choke back the tears.  Happy...sad...so proud.

He was on my mind every minute of that night.  My heart fluttered when he sent me this at the end of their dinner...

 and then this one from the dance...

I'm so happy he had a great time.  His senior year is winding down.  We are just a few weeks from graduation.  Where did the time go?

I'm such a blessed mom.  i love you, Ri...you have my heart.

 

they make me happy

these are my people.  they bring sunshine to my every day.

Easter hams...

photo bomb...

my parents have really learned to embrace the selfie.  they are so cool...

cousins...

always missing our family in georgia...

so thankful for face time, snapchats and instagram...and for big family vacations planned for this summer, where we will all be together! 

SO blessed!

♥