wordless wednesday

sunflower fields forever

Posted on by mommyinthemidwest

One of my co-workers has been telling me about her friend’s sunflower field for some time now so I finally decided to check it out after picking up the boys today. It was a little hot and a lotta buggy, but we had fun perusing the beautiful varieties and settled on 7 pretty flowers to take home with us.  I thought I had six, but I miscounted — I owe someone $.34! Bonus – it was a quick, fun photography experience.

IMG_0550 IMG_0552 IMG_0559 IMG_0560 Theo wasn’t really into it — he was more interested in complaining about the bugs and trying to climb the fence to the cemetery.

IMG_0569 IMG_0573 IMG_0579 Dexter liked helping me choose and snip flowers, then he would put them in the bucket.

IMG_0601
Final bouquet. Total cost $2.  (And $.34).

xo,
~C~

tuesday night friends

Posted on by mommyinthemidwest
The boys continue asking to see their former babysitter, her husband, and their son.  So, we happily oblige by inviting them over for a cookout / playdate once every few weeks.  I think all the boys (and us girls) enjoyed the company, the cool breeze, and some yummy burgers, pasta salad, and ice cream cones. 

The big kids enjoyed the ice cream too – despite the deer-in-headlights look you see here.


 There was a chill in the air that made it feel like October instead of August and reminded me that time is running out for this type of get-together.  At least for this year.  Soon it will be getting dark well before bedtime and we’ll be bundling up in jackets and hats.  Until then, we’re gonna squeeze every last drop out of summer.  

xo,
~C~

things that made me smile/cry

Posted on by mommyinthemidwest
stuff for smiling:
Well-behaved boys and fast-moving traffic on the way to Tennessee Friday night.
My niece playing games on her iPod with her cousin.
My husband snuggling up with our 3 month old niece.
A delicious food truck lunch with my nephew at the Dogwood Arts Festival.
Cousins crafting.
My mama and her gorgeous grandbaby, Penelope Quinn.
Kids playing at the park.
Grown-ups playing at the park (my sister).
Sister love.
A child’s curiosity.
This.  THIS THIS THIS.
Donuts at dusk while their cousin practices baseball.
A bed full of the three cutest guys I know.
A family day at Dollywood with my hubby and our boys.
Boys drivin’ cars.
Boys drivin’ ducks.
Boys splashin’ and laughin’.
His hand on mine.
Train ride in the mountains.
Finally getting home and seeing these two snuggling on the couch.
This face.
And the things that did not make me smile during that same time frame? Tears.  Or at least some negative feelings. 
1. Only having 2 days to spend in TN.
2. Traffic jams that meant an 8 hr drive home.
3. Theo’s eyes swelling up from seasonal allergies. Hello, Zyrtec. We remember you from March – June 2012.
4. This: 
5. Boston Marathon.
6. My very, very good friend moving far, far away. Good, good friends are hard to find and keep in the same state apparently. 
7. Other stuff. Blah.
How was your weekend?
xo, 
~C~