sparkle?

Yesterday was the official end of the Essman family summer. Evie had his first day, full, all-day-long-day, at kindergarten. Of course there needed to be pictures. And of course, my beautifully concieved, first day ideas were impractical when we had 15 minutes to get loaded and drive to school. So I settled for a few snaps in the backyard.  Bea's face and Ev's face show it all. Excitment, nerves, happy, and sad. It is time. And I think it will be good for Evie. But Bea and I were very happy to pick him up at 3:30! And, I think Evie was glad to come home too. 

 

Not now. Then.

Everett started Kindergarten today.  I am reeling, but ok.  I have been meaning to get a million things done as our summer winds down and our fall winds up.  For example, sharing some happy, favorite moments from our wonderful summer vacation.  Well, I can check that box now!  If you ever wonder, what do those Essman's do for a month in North Carolina, well here is a photo essay to illustrate the basics. I always forget to document some of our favorite things like walking up to Panera for coffee, Henry's Gelato, swinging on the back porch, and being downtown.  But, this gives a pretty good idea what we get up to when we visit my family.  And it is always amazing how fast the time goes.

 

We love to go up to North Hills and walk around.  There is always something to do--even if it is blowing bubbles and playing on the fake grass (which is genius!).

Growing up I thought everyone's mom played the piano all the time.  Now I know how lucky I am to be blessed with those memories. Bea took the opportunity to work on her dancing whenever the music played.

My parents (especially my dad) are rarely without a project. This trip, Russ, my uncle, and my dad designed and built a lovely sitting porch for the front of the house.  Don't you love the colors? Mom and dad had the house painted for Amanda's graduation. It looks so fresh.

It was the perfect day at the beach. Next year we are going to get a house for a week.  I love the ocean so.

we have only been home for a month or so and Bea's hair is so much darker already. My sweet blond babies are turning into little brunettes.

The discovery room at the "bones" museum.



guess who?

My very favorite place to go in Raleigh is the NCMA-North Carolina Museum of Art.  We finally took the kids to the new addition. It was amazing. The natural light is breathtaking.

This sculpture blew me away.  It is woven from tin cans and metal scraps.  But it looks and drapes like fabric.

This is another of my favorites.  It is meant to be viewed through a converse lens (which they provide) which flips it. But the most astonishing thing is that Mona is comprised of spools of thread.

I asked Bea to look up...well, she did.

I love my baby brother. He is wonderful! Bea and Ev think so too.

My dad and his grandbubbies.  We had a wonderful stopover on our drive back that included seeing brand new calves, a vineyard, and a hayrack ride!!! It was beautiful!

If you are ever in St. Louis, make time for The Magic House museum.  It was really fun.

Wednesday

Today needed pictures. Because framing things helps me to focus on the beautiful life I have.  Sometimes, I get sidetracked with the busyness of being a mom and wife and home-maker and I forget to see the gifts that come beside the work.

 

When tee shirts get unknown stains throwing them in a pot of dye is more fun than relegating them to the rag bag.  Dyeing is magic.  Today I had red. Not a full packet, so things came out a suprisingly wonderful  vintage-red. 

Our town is small. But that makes taking a quick pre-lunch walk down to the square easy.  And sometimes just getting out of the house is the answer.

these moments happen.  And they are the most perfect gift I could recieve.

When you look up, things look bigger.

When you look down, things look smaller.

My treasures, Bea has been bringing them in, one at a time for me. They sit on my kitchen window, each a reminder of her love.

This morning, I needed pictures of this shirt on a body, for a potential client.  I enlisted Ev to be my photographer.  Bea insisted on joining me. While they are a wee bit fuzzy,  I love these three. Something about them just makes my heart happy.

look at her pose there. she's a natural.

The day is half over. That is okay.  Somedays I have to work harder at happy.  But it doesn't mean that happy isn't happening.  It just makes it something to savor.

Happy Birthday to Bea!

We celebrated as a family on her actual birthday and then had her "party" on Saturday.  It was frothy, frilly, sparkly princess fun both days! I love this smiley duo!

The pink sparkle Toms. And her birthday loot.  She is like me, she wanted to spread it all out and look at it!

My precious birthday girl. 3! I can't think of life without her and I can't believe it has been three years.

Our first cake.  It didn't taste very good. But Bea loved it!

Bea and her Grandma Jan.  Cutie patootie!

I said show me some teeth when you smile...Maybe next time I should add, act naturally?

More silliness. And the prettiest princess cake ever! Thanks Angie, it was delicious!

We lit the candles at least 4 times. The wind and the fans conspired to blow them out before Bea could!

No, you look awesome! And there isn't anything in your teeth.

Come on Evie, pick on someone your own size!

Sometimes you have to be silly, really, really silly.

Bea's favorite tutu--Tante Lienie knows exactly what a little girl likes!

Oma and Baba gave Bea the most amazing book. Each page has a puzzle on it.  We have put each puzzle together at least twice. Bea would work the puzzles all day long if I let her! She asks morning, noon, and night for her puzzle book!

Our first project from Bea's awesome birthday fabric stash! Thank you Joni and Erica!!!