...to long weekends.

I love long holiday weekends with perfect weather. Don't you? This weekend was so busy, but all good busy. And I mean good busy in that I didn't have to touch tomatoes but to make a salad all weekend! ;)


We had family in town, so lots of cleaning and cooking to prepare. And then of course a lot of visiting and catching up!


I had both of my sisters in town on Saturday - at the same time. The three of us haven't been in a room together at the same time in years (my family has 4 siblings living in 4 states). And the boys had some aunt catching up to do.



Sunday was more family time, walks, ice cream and botanical gardens. The boys were happy but exhausted after so much.



So for Monday we knew we needed a laid back day, but wanted to get out in the perfect weather. We headed to Old World Wisconsin, which is one of the largest living history museums in the world (almost 600 acres). So much room to roam!



We walked and wandered and visited all the animals and looked at the gardens and went into each farm. We took tram rides around the farms and through the woods.



We played games and watched wild turkeys. It was a perfect day to be out - pants and fleeces and sunshine and blue skies. I love the cooler air and happy boys who could walk and run and play without worrying about prickly heat, heat rash or sun blisters. SO wonderful!


I'm back to the tomatoes and red raspberries, but that is OK. A little quiet kitchen is good after so much weekend! Happy Tuesday!

long lovely weekend.

I think the long holiday weekend finally made me feel like we are back into the swing of summer. I love long weekends with my husband home - and knowing A might have a longish recovery adjustment time we didn't make any big plans. A weekend together was what we needed, and we spent it well.


Time in the kitchen for canning, baking and making.


Time in the garden caring for the jungle.


Visiting new parks in the mornings before the heat of the day. Followed by cold treats.


LEGO playdates with friends on the deck when it got hot, fan blowing, icy pitchers of water, and red white and blue cookies to decorate.


Re-arranging rooms and playing lots of games when the heat (and allergies) drove us inside.


And some (not loud) sparks and sparkle for little boys who like that kind of excitement.


Who doesn't like a little sparkle?


I know I do.

happy monday!

Happy Monday! We had such a full weekend (for us) - I honestly didn't know if the boys would make it through (A admitted to me that it was all too much, but he didn't want to miss a thing). But, with lots of quiet breaks and some down time in between the parties and activities, they kept on going right until the end of Trick or Treating. Sweet boys.


They saw friends, went to parties, bobbed for apples, dressed in costume several times, and did some Kicks & Treats.


They tried some new fun party games, made decorations, answered the door for the wee treaters...


...had friends come trick or treat the neighborhood with them, and saw lots of pumpkins.


I have two exhausted and happy boys. :)


This morning as we all cozied up together with a blanket and had some warm cider and cinnamon rolls for breakfast, they sighed and said there is no place like home. I agree.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

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what a week??

Did I say 'what a week' last Monday? As all of us mothers know, just when you think you made it through the worst of it...the other child gets sick...we even had a middle of the night ambulance visit. What a week!


I think I can honestly say we are through the worst of it - and the cherry on the pie is that my husband has two weeks off! We have several mini-trips and all kinds of creative projects planned for the next two weeks. A lot of fun, wandering, and 'catching up' to do. Can't wait to share.

Happy Monday!

almost summer.

Even though we have been feeling under the weather with the worst ever spring allergies, we still have had to get out and try to enjoy this summer-like weekend as much as we were able. It has been so hot hoT HOT!


Our long weekend, in between having one day with a sick boy (and me somehow having a never ending migraine for over 4 days now---so tired of allergies!!!!), was full of water blasters, gardening, practice casting into the little pool, sparklers, robin watching and lots of ice cream breaks.


Not to mention haircuts...a haircut for one boy in particular who swore he didn't ever want to cut his hair. Until of course his long dark super thick hair was a bit much in the 90 degree with humidity weather - and then he said CUT IT OFF!


In fact, he liked the cut so much he posed and acted like a rock star. For hours. I can imagine his head feels pounds lighter and SO much cooler. They both look so good with their new styles. And the haircut is much better for the super soaker battles with the neighbor kids - you just towel off and go, no dripping! :)


Hope you all had a great weekend!

flying by.

I can't believe it is Monday evening all ready! I love the extra time we get together as a family when my husband has these 3-day weekends, but they sure fly by.


We have had a full weekend, and I have much to share in the upcoming week...new projects, creative outings, gardening milestones and new ideas. But for now, just a few photos of the day.


Hope you all had a nice weekend!