Cloud 9

Do you know what it's like to be so stressed and tired that you wonder if you will ever recover? You finally get away for a couple days... and it turns out to be magical? The tension slips off your shoulders, your heart is full, time stands still and you feel a wistful desire that it would last forever... yet, at the same time you feel refreshed and ready to conquer the world!

That was my weekend. And it was wonderful because I spent it with my best friend. 

And now I'm happy to be back with my little ones. I know that the warm fuzzies might wear off a bit but I won't forget that I have the best job on earth! 

Autumn Beauty

Last Tuesday, I did some portraits of my sister-in law. She is truly an amazing young lady and also an avid reader of Jane Austen and other great literature. Here is one of my favorites: 

Autumn Burst texture by Kim Klassen.

{linking up with Sweet Shot Tuesday and Texture Tuesday}

Blog Run Wild

Last night I dreamt that cartoon animals took over my blog.
This place has been neglected for so long that I wasn't a bit surprised. While I was away the pesky critters snuck in and, finding no one around, they moved right in. In my dream, I could not get rid of them so I enlisted the help of my husband- this didn't surprise me either because he is something of a computer guru.
Now, I don't think of myself as superstitious but you better believe I checked my blog first thing in the morning! Yep, it was just a dream. But I still wonder...

Do you think my sub-conscious is trying to tell me something?

What day is it?

I keep asking myself over and over. 

I finally settled on Thursday. Wait, is that right? hmm...

Anyway, the last couple weeks have been really crazy. Not bad, just crazy.

So I'm taking a moment to sip my coffee and reflect while the children sleep and the house is quiet.

I have been thinking about... oh, the kids are awake. 

I guess it will have to wait!

Scavenger Hunt

1. Stairs

Yep, it's raining today.

 2. Macro

3. Clouds

4. Abstract

 5. Smile

my brand new nephews!

Soccer Season

Yep, it's that time of year again, when the five year old runs his heart out and tastes sweet victory or bitter defeat...

And believe me... he feels it. 
He got his competitive spirit from his dad- and it is strong.
Last year was his first year and as dad helped him put on the cleats he said that cleats make him run faster.
Our boy asked "Does fire shoot out the back of them? That would be super awesome."

Fabulous Friday

I love this because he looks like he's trying to blend in... 

...maybe he is feeling bashful because he just molted all his tail feathers.

A Visit from My Niece

Remember how I told you that my big sister had a baby? Well, one of her daughters came to stay with us for a few days while mamma & baby were in the hospital.

This 11 year old holds a special place in my heart because back when I was a teenager, before I could even drive, I babysat her and her brother almost every weekend.
They were so darn cute and they filled my heart with joy. And they still do!

This girl is the spitting image of her mother, a little lady, a proficient helper and a very sweet girl.

We took her back to her family yesterday evening and by the time I tucked my kids in bed they had asked
when she would come again approximately 100 times :)

Here's a little glimpse of our visit:

On Sunday I took her to meet the new baby. We couldn't hold him that day but he is healthy and home now!

On Monday we just goofed off.

On Tuesday we had a "pool party" with a couple of her girl friends... 

and of course my boy thought it was funny to spray them. He is a boy after all!

"You stay here fwoggy, I'll be white back."

  

a real frog in our pool?!

We visited the wildlife preserve yesterday- the peacocks were molting their gorgeous feathers.
She got to take one home (a feather, not a peacock)!

The ducks and geese were molting as well, but we all know... it's not the same.

  While she was with us she took it upon herself to teach my little guy to talk. This turned out to be quite a difficult task -she would ask can you say "taco"? or can you say "high five"? and he would smile and nod vigorously. She did teach him to say "yes" instead of just nodding- what a triumph! She was obviously proud of her success and she said "that's what I love about little kids, I can teach them how to talk."

I thought my little guy might grow tired of his rigorous speech therapy but this morning he found his play cell phone and called her name over and over. 

Yeah, I think he misses her as much as the rest of us.