Officially Over

It was a toss up ~ the title of this post that is...Because today is my 35th birthday and our summer is officially over, it was either "officially over" or "half-way to seventy."

As of today everyone who is going to school is back in school. My sweet Stephen will be in school four days ~ Tuesday through Friday. I will certainly cherish my Mondays with him at home. I think I am even going to change my "change the sheets" day to Tuesday so there is more time for trips to the zoo/McWane Center and cooking/crafting activities with my boys. Walker will be at school on Wednesday and Friday.

I feel like Walker grew up overnight. As I came home from running this morning to quickly prepare school lunches, he came barrelling in the kitchen fresh from a shower with his daddy. I looked at him with his shaggy {yet recently cut} wet hair and big smile, and I swore he had grown an inch overnight. Last year Walker only went to school on Tuesdays, and he cried every single Tuesday. {Don't worry, he was fine before I deposited Stephen in his class around the corner.} Today we dropped Stephen in his class and proceeded down the hall to Walker's room. I was anticipating big crocodile tears because we still get them in the church nursery. Instead he walked in found his name card, put it in the bucket that his teachers had shown him last week at our meet and greet, and turned around and waved. I did get a big hug and then another wave. There were no tears. I think there might have even been a smile on his face ~ not because I was happy to leave him but instead because I was happy there was a smile. My feelings were not I

What did I do with my day? I met Frank downtown and we enjoyed a romantic lunch dining on ham sandwiches in the car while driving around making house decisions. And it was wonderful ~ truly one of the best birthdays ever.

So now let's backtrack to our last weekend at the lake. We spent one last weekend at the lake with family ~ Steve and some of Frank's Franklin cousins. Sadly, I didn't take many pictures...

Try, Try, and Try Again!

Finally, I made some edible granola. Yes this really was my third attempt and yes it has taken me over six months to finally get it done. That's the way life is around here...

I'm really excited about this because my husband and children love sunrise yogurt yet I have been on a boycott of high fructose corn syrup and processed foods. {More on that later.} When I read the label of the boxed granola I used to buy for this creation, I cringed and went on strike.

from the archives 2010

I knew making homemade granola wasn't rocket science but I just couldn't seem to get mine to turn out right. I like it and the kids like it, but it has to pass the Frank test. I'll keep you posted on that and then provide a recipe.

"Slowly, Slowly, Says the Sloth"

Do you know this book? If not check it out at your local library. It is by Eric Carle and has colorful illustrations and some great vocabulary.

However, I'm not here today to talk about children's literature though it is one of my favorite topics. I am here instead to give a construction update.

Slowly, slowly we are making progress...

The stone masons are back and committed to being complete for our fast approaching move-in date!

The cabinets are going in and I'm not sure which room I am more excited about!

The Laundry Room/Sewing Room/Office

{a.k.a. "command central"}

The Mudroom {with lockers for each child}

The Kitchen

Honestly, I think I am just excited about the ample storage to be able to put all of our stuff away whether it belong in the kitchen, mudroom, or command central.

Tile is being set in the master bathroom!



And now for my newest concern ~

Will this backyard ever look like a yard again?

First Day Jitters and a Delivery

Today we started first grade. I say "we" because each year is a new experience for all of us. It is a change, a time for us to stretch ourselves. Sweet Mary Frances gets to break us all in. By the time Betsy gets to first grade we will be old hats at this yet then we will be beginning a new era at the Junior High. {We won't dwell on that today.}


Mary Frances was very excited yet a bit anxious. She clung first to me and then to Stephen. No worries, he was holding on equally hard to her. He is ready to stay in first grade already ~ who needs 4K.

From school, we went home to clean the kitchen and then back to play at the Tot Lot before racing to see this!
Yes that is an 18-wheeler. Don't you know my boys were in heaven. Our cabinets are inside this large fascinating vehicle. We watched them unload for a bit.
The lighting is terrible for the following pictures as they were taken during our nightly tour of the house.
Those boxes contain cabinets for the kitchen, butler's pantry, and mudroom, and these contain my laundry room/office/sewing room.

Not only did they unload 80+ cabinets, they were able to install all of the vanities. This is a picture of the boys bathroom.
Here is the girls:

And one of ours:


And for old times sake we took a picture of Mary Frances in the same place where Frank always had his picture taken on the first day of school.