Summer Interns

We went back to check on the swarm this morning with no luck...  Then we went to have lunch with Daddy at work!

Don't mind the privacy beach balls...

They boys were playing together like crazy today!  I think they loved all of the open space. I ran the vacuum and it was AMAZING not to have to move 8 chairs in and out or maneuver around the furniture.  No regrets!

An old friend of mine brought her two kids out to our build site for a play date this evening.  It had been a while since we had gotten together and it was so great to catch up!

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "5 Happy Things: "Sweet Summer Time"
two years ago today: "Summer Fun"
And three years ago today: "Things Are Looking Up"

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Win Some Lose Some

I am really loving our new double jogging stroller. It is so much easier to be active now!  We went out for a long walk/jog this morning. 

We were out for about an hour total and did about 3 miles when it was all said and done. It was so incredibly peaceful and after such a great start, the rest of the day just fell into place. 

Logan took his morning nap and Ayden played with a slug.

Home for lunch!

And lots of playing.

Here's that third tooth and number 4 will be here any day now.

We left for the studio a little early this afternoon because I was meeting up with someone who purchased our non-jogging double stroller that I had for Little Miss and Ayden way back when. I had never gotten it out for Ayden and Logan and a double jogger is so much more practical for a more active/country living lifestyle. One more thing out of our lives and we got a little more money in our "stuff for stuff" fund. I think I am rubbing off on David because he wants me to list his golf clubs next. 

The only thing that did not fall gracefully into place today was when I found a honeybee swarm on my way home from the studio this evening. I got SO excited, drove home to get some swarm catching supplies and drove back to find they had already moved on. I was SOO bummed. You win some and you lose some and tonight was not my lucky swarm catching night...  I called to tell my mentor about it and he said that if they don't find a place, sometimes they'll go back home for the night and swarm again in the morning. He said to check back around 11 so that is my plan!  Wish me luck because we still have an empty hive to fill!

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Napa Cabbage Rolls"

Two years ago today: "A Picture Says It All"

And three years ago today: "Little Helper"

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Breathing Room

Ayden started the day with a little gardening!

Garden themed sensory tub that is!

Harvesting.

Cooking.

The people who purchased our dining room furniture came to pick it up today and I was excited to do a little rearranging.  We had a less than ideal layout because the far wall in the photo below was the only one with enough wall space for our massive buffet china hutch. We have had the kitchen table from our old house up in our office and I was using it as a craft table.  I moved the living room furniture to the far end and brought the table downstairs.  Now our eating area is right off the kitchen instead of across the length of the house.

Now when Ayden needs a refill of his milk during dinner, we don't have so far to go.  I've also been reading the book Love The Home You Have which has inspired me to put forth extra effort to create more inviting "cozy little nooks."

A place for reading.

Inviting places for the kids.

I have been exploring area rug options for the new house and can't decide if I want to go ahead and buy one for our new and improved style or if I want to get one of the ones from our old house down for the shed for now. I have been selling quite a few things and have some extra money to play with for new decor but I'll probably just keep saving it and go ahead and use what we have for now...  The issue is the DOG FUR.  Maverick is blowing his winter undercoat right now and the fur buildup between DAILY vacuumings is INSANE.  We even had him groomed while he was in the kennel during our camping trip over Memorial Day weekend and it is still covering the house.  While a rug will warm the place up a bit, I think I'll wait until this round of shedding is done before putting down a rug.

I also have plans for an eclectic gallery wall for the living room at the new house so I might go ahead and start putting together pieces for that over the couch since that big wall is pretty bare at the moment.  I have leaned a lonely DIY canvas that I did while I was overdue and waiting for Logan on the wall with plans to hang it but I feel like it needs something a little more than that alone.  So many possibilities and I am inspired!

I could not believe the physical relief I experienced with the additional space we have gained.  Those big, dark pieces, though beautiful, were just too much for this little house and they were not only crowding our space but also our minds.  Now we look across the house and see more space for LIFE to take place.  It was bittersweet seeing that furniture go, as we had a lot of wonderful memories around that table, but it sure was liberating.  Tonight, we are enjoying a little more breathing room and it feels good.

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Back Fill!"
Two years ago today: "Serendipity"
And three years ago today: "Smooth Sailing"

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Story Teller

Ayden has been memorizing a TON of his books these days. He'll randomly sit and read one to Logan or start reciting a story out of nowhere, weeks after we had us read it over and over again. He is quite the story teller!  Here is a video clip of his take on Room On the Broom:

In Logan news, he has officially cut his third tooth (first upper). I meant to snap a photo of it today but never did. Hopefully I'll get one to share tomorrow. 

Ayden went to bed with a runny nose...  I hope he is not getting sick on us!

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "CSA Week 2 Recap"
Two years ago today: "Fun At The Auction"
And three years ago today: "Close Call"

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Little Brother Problems

Some photos from our day!

The little stud muffin at breakfast.

#littlebrotherproblems

Batman makes a mean mud pie!

Two supers and the nectar keeps flowing!

My girls keeping cool on their landing board.

Porch roof is on!
We are falling so in love with this house.
Can't wait to make it a home.

Dinner was inspired by these beauties.
Shiitake mushrooms from the farmer's market.
Grilled them with onions and put them on top of rib eye steaks.
YUM!

Hope everyone had a great Sunday!

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

Two years ago today: "Secret Excitement"

And three years ago today: "On Hold"

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New Ride

The boys got a new ride this morning!

My friend knew I was on the market for a double jogging stroller so when she saw this one at a garage sale she texted me photos and offered to pick it up for me.  She even delivered it right away and I paid her back.  LOVE having my playgroup mommy friends for so many reasons...

We took a wait and see approach as far as strollers and baby gear go.  For the most part, we use our Baby Jogger City Mini for Ayden and the Ergo for Logan and that suits us just fine.  We also have the glider board just in case I need both kids in the stroller but that really isn't often.  It is getting hotter and more humid, however, and I've been taking a lot of walks to my parents' house or to the build site and Logan and I both get pretty hot.  And Summer has JUST begun! I thought a double jogger would be something we would really use.  

Now that we have the double jogger, I plan to sell our single jogger and another double stroller that we've never used to make the money back.  Again with the selling what we don't use to pay for what we need along with two things out, and only one in. Normally I wold sell items first and literally use that money to purchase the new item.  This time I wanted to have the double stroller before selling the single one since I was making due and using it regularly.  

Logan's face...  He cracks me up!

The brand is My Safari, which I had never heard of, and the best part is that it has all of the features that I love in a stroller.  Nice big basket underneath, both kids have trays with cup holders, the trays flip all the out to the sides so the kids can get in and out easily, the sun shades are separate and detached so I can pull it all the way forward if we are facing the sun, the seats individually recline almost all the way, the front wheel can lock in place or swivel, the control for locking the front wheel is up by the handle, it has a wrist strap so the stroller can't get away from me on a hill or something, the harness straps are VERY easy to adjust.  And just for fun, it has a headphone jack and each child has a little speaker in their sunshade.  My only "complaint," if I would even call it that, is that the light grey color gets dirty REALLY fast.  Overall this was a gem of a garage sale find and I'm so happy with it!  I see even more walks/jogs in our future.

Ayden enjoys having a stroller mate!

In other news, we discovered a mulberry tree on our property.  Always exciting to have something to forage!  I may try to make some honey sweetened mulberry jam.

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Visual Clutter"
Two years ago today: "Summer Routines"
And three years ago today: "Belly Laughs"

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Sweet Traditions

We picked a BUNCH of strawberries today!

Ayden LOVED having his own box to fill.

Admiring and learning about the blossoms.

Brother BFFs

Strawberries are one of Logan's favorite foods!

The stroller kept him busy while we picked.

Warm from the sun and DELICIOUS!!

There aren't many things that compare to the flavor of fresh strawberries.  Some of nature's finest candy in my opinion!!  Schools around here had their last day today.  I guess Summer is officially here and we couldn't be more excited about it.

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Maintaining Harmony In The Home"
Two years ago today: "Easy Beet Chips"
And three years ago today: "Reach!"

Thank you for stopping by Life With the Ladniers!

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