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.