Yard project!

 

We started our yard project today!  Let me just say that I really don't mind yard work.  I actually like to mow and trim hedges etc., but I suck at it!  I DO NOT have a green thumb.  I am terrible with grass, and the only reason the bushes and other stuff is still alive is because it is really low maintenance.  I am always amazed every spring when they come back.  I managed to kill off a huge chunk of grass in the middle of the summer by over-zealously fertilizing, and I desperately tried to get it to grow again.  It was just too hot and sunny in this spot, so I finally sought out help from people who actually know what they are doing.  I inquired about a different type of grass, but the person I spoke to suggested we just give up the fight and do what a lot of people do which is go yardless.  This is all I have thought about for about two weeks now.  I looked at hundreds of pictures, and talked about it until I drove Lyndon and several other people crazy.  This is basically phase 1! We still need to put in some plants and do some stuff to the other side, but this is a good start! And, I would like to thank all of my fabulous neighbors who came out to help.  They made the work go so much faster and definitely made it more fun! I am very happy with it, and can't wait to get the plants going.  More to come down the road! 

Fall has begun!

Logan played in his very first flag football game Saturday!  He did a great job and even scored a touchdown!  It is bitter sweet for this mama.  He loves football, but I cringe at the idea of him playing tackle football! At least for now, we can just use the age thing to keep him where he is! 

I missed the shot of him actually making the touchdown.  I couldn't get the camera going in time, but this is the after shot. Good one, huh?  He did the Forrest Gump thing where he just kept running.  His coach had to yell after him to come back.

 

And, in other news...

 

 

...we had a small funeral service for a roly poly that Luke managed to keep alive for two days.  He insisted that we make a home for it and give it food.  I am not sure of the cause of death, but it probably had something to do with being smothered.  At any rate, he is now resting in the front yard flower bed.  Luke was very sad, but he has moved on to the giant worm he found today. 

 

And,

 

Logan came home on Friday with a note from his teacher that he really had lost his tooth during lunch.  She said they looked all over for it and thought that maybe he had swallowed it.  He was very concerned that the Tooth Fairy would not come, so he asked me to write a note.  He told me word for word what to say.  I am not sure why he insisted I write it, but I did.  She did visit him, and he got a dollar which Lyndon says is just crazy.  Then, he lost another tooth today.  At least he will have money in his piggy bank for me to borrow now! 

 

 

 

 

Project!

 

I have had this chalk board paint for about 6 months now.  I finally got around to putting in on one of my kitchen walls!  I love the way it turned out.  I also found that very old window frame at a thrift shop.  I decided I did not want to paint it and wanted the antique look, but I did go over it with some spray on sealer to keep the rest of the existing paint from coming off.  I thought it would be a fun way to put up the menu for the week. Now I know why I put off painting anything.  It just made me realize that I may as well finish out the kitchen which is going to be a major undertaking because that includes painting the rest of the walls and staining the cabinets.  And, that means I have to then do the dining room and ultimately the hallway, living room and stairway.  And, if I am going to paint the stairway, I may as well go ahead and rip up the carpet on the stairs and paint them. And, there are a couple of light fixtures that need to be updated...

School is here!!

 

Luke started his last year of pre-school today!  I had to work to get this picture, and he refused to put down his toy, but at least he kind of smiled! 

 

Logan started his 1st grade year last week!  He is a little more excited about school than Luke, but I think Luke will be way more excited next year when he gets to go to school with Logan.

 

I made it through both days without crying, but in fairness, we are all in need of a break from each other and really needed the change in routine.  Next year will be a completely different story...at least I have one more year to get used to the idea of them both getting on that bus.

 

Praying for a smooth and fun school year!

Last days of summer!

 We had a very busy last month of summer.  I did not capture everything, but here are some random pics from our last couple of weeks!

This is the only picture I have of him upright.

I can't keep this bird feeder full!

In case you are wondering, this is a bird feeder I stole from Lyndon and put ribbon in it.  I saw something on Pinterest (surprised?) that said the birds will use ribbon and yarn for their nest.  I am pretty sure none of it has been touched at this point, but it is cute in theory!

Logan tried to capture the mountains from the moving car. I don't think it worked very well.

 

We took a trip to the mountains with Nana and Papa! 

 

Biltmore!

 If you have never seen this place, make sure to put it on your to-do list (sorry the picture is so dark). 

We also took in Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN!  This is a really cute amusement park, and we were  impressed with the rides and activities for the boys.  We were there all day and still did not get to do everything! There are also a ton of shows to see.

 

I could not resist this pic!  We were watching a group of performers sing a bunch of country songs.  I could not tell if he was bored or really into it.

Upon our return from the mountains, we helped take care of this cutie!! He LOVES squeaky toys, fyi!

We also returned to this...a long story that ended in staples and bruising from another dog at the kennel.  We will not be taking her there again, and luckily, the wounds healed without any issues. My heart broke for her, and it is not even worth the time to express how I feel about Club K-9! I think she was pretty embarrassed by the cone especially when her friend (see pic above) came over to hang out.

 

Happy September!!

 

 

 

A little more sewing!

I have been busy the last couple of weeks making these goodies!

They are for a very sweet set of triplets!  I hope these help E,F, and S get a good nap in at school so they can go home fully rested for Mom, Dad and big brother!    

As for the rest of the summer...

...this is what we have been up to: swimming in the pool and in buckets, cleaning, babysitting, golfing, fighting evil, museums, exhibits, snake watching (from a distance), making homemade ice cream (chocolate chip and cookies & cream thus far), dog sitting, summer reading, crafting (magnets, coloring, painting, chalking, gluing etc.) and most importantly, helping one special person celebrate his birthday!  The pic of the food is Lyndon's requested, heart-stopping birthday dinner. And, do you see a theme with Luke?  He is conveniently absent for the cleaning and babysitting; however, he is clearly present for ice cream and cupcakes.  It is ok. He burns it all off fighting evil.

Hope you are having a very happy summer!