Splish Splash!

We went to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo, how about you?

I took the kiddos to Sunset Zoo. It was a fun, hot, sticky trip. The flamingos were my favorite and Everett's too, until he saw the tiger.  Only a few animals were hiding from the heat, so it was a nice (very strenuous when wearing a Beatrice and pushing and Everett) walk! Yes, he can walk and he did, but he prefers and occasionally I don't mind, letting him ride in the stroller.

I still can't believe I got a picture of the peacock in full display with both babes at my elbows! Isn't he amazing!

Also amazing, my beautiful kids! Everett was really into taking pictures too. I think he is going to be getting a camera of his own pretty soon.

Yay for the zoo! And hot, summer, June days!

And another month goes by

Summer is flying. Our days are full to overflowing with friends, playdates, grass stains, water, dirt, cars, jumping, yelling, singing, creating, sleeping, eating, and each one seems to end just a little too quickly. My babies are growing up just as quickly as the weeds in our garden.  I am trying to savor each minute, even when I get exhausted, because in the still evening times after they are in bed, I know that they will wake up a little bigger and do something new tomorrow. It is so exciting to be a part of their lives, to shepard their hearts, and to watch as they experience summer together for the first time. So beautiful, and precious, and fleeting. I want more hours in my days!

Oral hygiene is quite important to both kids. They must get it from their great-grandfather Stewart, who was an Army dentist!

Russ has travelled a lot more this year. Hard as it is to single parent, I think it is harder on the kids. They are always overjoyed to see their daddy again! Of course Beatrice doesn't really like sharing a lap with her brother, so her enthusiasm was a little dampened for the group photo!

Everett was thrilled to start practicing "catch" with his dad! Watch out Grampy, looks like you have another teammate this summer.

The first harvest from our garden! Look at our 'taters! And turnips! And carrots! We grew them! I just can't get over how cool  it is to grow our own veggies! Tonight I am making a veggie roast to go with the pork tenderloin, and yup, most of the vegetables are homegrown! Woohoo!

Bea likes to help with the dirty work, whatever it might be.

Everett on the other hand, likes to help with the dishes. Which is cool, because I get to wash my floors at the same time! Two birds, one stone.

And ever so infrequently, there is a pause. A quiet breath, and I get to read a few pages. Nothing could be sweeter than this time of my life. I am so thankful, for the headaches and exhaustion too, because they are the direct result of more fun than I have ever had before!

Living outside!

Every day seems to get a little warmer but we love it! Between mudpies, laundry, gardening, and general lolling about, we seem to be spending the better part of most days in the sunshine.

Evie loves to talk to his Nonni and Grampy on the phone. Almost everyday they get a call and sometimes quite an earful!

Our garden is really growing now! This is our first year and it is so exciting to see everything getting bigger and more delicious.

Another thing I love about the weather is fully utilizing my washline. I probably do three loads of laundry a day and it is so wonderful to see them flapping in the wind. Not only are we saving energy they smell so much better when they come in from the sun.

Of course these aren't outside, but I love the pictures of my guys together.

Come play!