You Never Know

Ayden has taken up an interest in writing again.  He was interested in it for a little while, long enough to learn how to write his A anyway, and then his interests shifted.  I am a firm believer in letting kids direct their own learning in the early years so I shifted my teaching accordingly but now the pendulum has swung back.

"Look, mommy, S for Sarah!"

3rd time's the charm for N.

The painters were back today and Maverick was not used to them so he barked ALL day long.  The boys and I went for a nice long walk to my parents' house and to our farm where we harvested some lettuce and peas.

He was so excited to get to finally pick the peas that he hugged them.

SO good!  Haha.

Ayden had to miss out on his nap today due to the dog barking and such so by the end of the evening he was SO tired.  We went to my niece and nephew's preschool graduation and he fell asleep on the way home.  He stayed asleep while I got him ready for bed but before I carried him into the bedroom I sat down in the glider and snuggled him.  Logan was already in bed so it was just the two of us. 

I soaked the moment in because now that he is such a big boy, and such a good sleeper, I never really know when I'll get to hold him while he sleeps.  Tonight was my lucky night.

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "26 Weeks Pregnant"
Two years ago today: "Simple Syrup"
And three years ago today: "4 Months Old"

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Fresh Paint

Today was David's and my 9th wedding anniversary!  With everything that is going on we did not do much to celebrate.  We feel closer and more connected now than we ever have and we cherish each other so much each and every day. This year our gifts to one another was the freedom to not spend any extra time or energy than we already do to make the other feel special on a daily basis.  It was perfect.  

Our landlord is having the exterior of our rental cottage painted so I decided to run our errands today so we could get out of the way of the painters. 

Another library!  We can't seem to stay away.
This time Logan even had some same-age playmates!

Whole Foods.

The painters will be back to finish tomorrow and I plan for the boys and myself to be home most of the day but at least Maverick had a chance to get used to them so we don't have to hear him bark all day... At least that is what I am hoping!

This place really needed a sprucing so I am really looking forward to seeing the finished product. 

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Dear David"

Two years ago today: "Make A Wish"

And three years ago today: "Six Years"

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Getting Out

Sometimes it takes getting out of the house to be able to let go of the to do list enough to just relax and enjoy the day.  We ended up spending a couple of hours at our library today and all three of us enjoyed every moment.

Starting with some fun during story time.
It was beach themed so they got out the parachute and a beach ball.

And ending with books!

I read about half of Ayden's big stack of books that we checked out to him and then he looked at the rest on his own while I read a book of my own.  Logan snoozed in the Ergo the whole time so I was able to relax a bit.

When Ayden gets into the mood to look at his books at home, I always take the opportunity to be productive.  This was a welcomed change.

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Just Keep Swimming"
Two years ago today:"Bust A Move"
And three years ago today: "Block Party"

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Free Standing

Logan is an active member of playgroup now.  He crawls all over and explores all of the toys and friends. 

I guess all of those big kids inspired him today because he let go and stood all on his own 3 or 4 times.  When he was born with such a laid back personality, I really thought he would take his time with his milestones but it seems he is in even more of a hurry than Ayden was!  I guess I should have known better since he has such an active big bro...

David and Ayden found a toad and it gave me a flash back to when he held a toad around this time last year.  Here are then and now videos for your pleasure.  It is amazing how much kids change over the course of a year in these early days.

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Baaa Ram You"
Two years ago today: "A Pat On The Back"
And three years ago today: "Not So Lucky"

Down By the Station

Polly is a bionical cat. She seems to have bounced back, yet again. This girl has had me on an emotional roller coaster for years!  This does not change the renal failure issues but I suppose it is not as progressed as we thought. She went from sleeping curled up in her litter box and not eating for two days straight to jumping up the shelves of her cat cage and eating and drinking as normal. We are calling the cat cage her "retirement home" because of her old lady messes. Her new rules are to be in the cage, in our laps or outside. No more peeing and puking all over the house!

Today we got to go on a train ride with David's family!

It was really fun. Ayden was SO adorable.

 The ride was an hour and a half and he was completely entertained by the ride itself the whole time!  It was such an enjoyable experience. 

Afterward we all went out for dinner then back to David's parents' house for playing and watermelon. 

After we got the boys to bed David and I moved outside to enjoy the breeze and birdsong.  I am thinking we need to get a hammock...

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Just Keep Swimming"

Two years ago today: "Toddler Friendly Smoothie"

And three years ago today: "Finally, Some SLEEP"

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Out With The Old

Polly is such a fighter!  She is still sleeping a lot but she ate a little something late last night and throughout the day today. I am not sure what this means in the long run but for now it is a good sign that she won't be leaving us as soon as we thought. 

David's brother and his family are in town so we all went to the farmer's market and children's museum together!

Ayden loved that Daddy got to go too this time.

Mid jump!

Logan was reunited with his baby picture friend.

We came home mid day for Ayden's nap and some folks came out to see our dining room furniture that I had listed for sale on Craigslist earlier in the week.  

While it was beautiful, we originally purchased it for our old house and it was a tight fit here and definitely won't fit in our new kitchen. It was only up for 4 days or so and they decided to buy it!  That encourages me to start listing more stuff. I'd love to furnish our new home with money I make through selling items from our old home. The idea of starting fresh in our new style and with much less is very enticing. Starting big in this case has given me a lot of momentum and motivation to keep it up. They can't pick it up for another week or two but that gives me plenty of time to figure out what to do with all of the stuff I have stored in the china cabinet, buffet an book case. It worked out really well all around. 

We had a wonderful huge dinner at David's parents' house. Our sister-in-law is an awesome cook and she grilled up lots of farmer's market goodies. The boys were in bed by 9:30 and David and are snuggling up to watch se Netflix. We have another fun day with family planned for tomorrow! 

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Baa Ram You"

Two years ago today: "Getting Into It"

And three years ago today: "Projects"

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Late Night Gardening

Not too much to report today. We hung around the house for most of it, playing and doing housework. Polly slept most of the day again, only coming out for a sip of water here and there. She hasn't eaten for two days. 

weekly batch of play dough!

book worm

After dinner we all went over to our farm. David and Ayden mowed and I hung out near the car just in case this little one woke up. 

Eventually he did and after letting him at for a little bit I strapped him to my back and weeded out garden. I left my phone in the car or else I'd insert a photo here. It has really taken off!  I am going to need to thin my kale soon which always makes me feel bad. Picking perfectly good plants doesn't feel right to me though none of them will do well if

I leave them to be overcrowded so picking off some is better than losing them all. 

We all stayed out there pretty late and the boys weren't tucked into their beds until after 10:00. Logan slept on and off which we were there and Ayden was covered in mud from his mud kitchen so he needed a bath. I know it's not Summer yet but it sure feels like it. Ayden even got to see the fireflies before he went to sleep

which he loved. I am so glad our boys can go with the flow because as we juggle taking care of two properties and find that there just aren't enough hours in a day, it is difficult to adhere to a strict schedule. Things will level out again over the Winter but until then, we all just have to take life as it comes. 

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Doctor Ayden"

Two years ago today: "5 Tips To Make Your Life Simple {laundry edition}"

And three years ago today: "A Day Of New Things"

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