h0ldfast: To .... An Ode to Summer -

The plan was to already be asleep by now.
But I naturally felt like I needed to have all sorts of everything accomplished on this last day of summer vacation.

We mowed the lawn.
I actually like mowing the lawn.
Probably because I don't have to, if I don't want to.
My 8 & 9 year old boys need the experience however.

There is also great ice cream in the freezer.
Muffins on the stove ready to be baked fresh in the morning.

The school room got one final vacuum & this put there & that fixed.
We're welcoming friends to our place in the morning.
Pretty excited for a new year, with new schedules.

But first ..... a dump of pictures from the phone from the last couple of months.
As usual raw & unedited.
I think the sophisticated way to say that is #nofilter :)

.... way back from our camp trip. the good ol' pine shack. we're all grouped up under the sign .... except for brother boy - who is just walking right past.
#beautifulholiday

..... when leaving for errands with mom always bring 1. blankie 2. a tractor 3. an entire box of graham crackers. check, check & check
#howhomeboyrolls

..... i never ask for these sort of moments but i always do my crazy best to remember them when they happen.
#thebrotherhood

.... the day i was mopping under the table talking to amie
#ithinkthatwasthelasttimethefloorgotmopped

..... while it's tempting to mock the circa 1986 polly flinders old school dress now being worn by daughter number two - don't. also we were watching world cup.
#amiealreadydid

..... it was the only morning of the whole summer we made it to the farmers market.
#justchadmeandhim

..... favorite parts of summer .... nothing to do but sit outside & read good books
#ilikespendingmydayswiththem

..... a boys knee ran into her eye. she said the boy fell down & she didn't.
#vacationbibleschoolgamewounds

- - -

..... the last meet of the season i was going to take pictures all day. but at not quite 6am the camera battery was dead.
#phonepicsforthewin

..... they should've got medals - early mornings, crowded bleachers, hot.hot days.

#thelifeofthelittlebrotherandsister

..... we found the perfect color nail polish & wore some team spirit

#youcanlookgoodandswimfast

.... different parts of the day found our tent full of friends

#swimmeetsaturdays

.... sometimes after a race he'd come find me & we'd sit & take selfies.

#andhedcoolmeoff

- - -

..... save the sheets buried under all that, it's what got pulled out from under their bed.

#idrathercleanaboysroomthanagirlsroom #anyday :)

..... the eye doctor wouldn't let us all make appointments at the same time - this was one of our trips.

#bigfamilyproblems

..... always a surprise scrolling through pictures.

#thereweremanymorejustlikethis #execptmyarmwasindifferentpositions

..... darling-ness standing on a counter

#slayme

..... a little throw back for you.

#blinkthatwasjustyesterday #or2008

.... i look over while shopping & there she is - sitting on the floor of target diligently studying the spanks :)

#iletalltheotherwomenthinkwhatevertheywantedto

.... a good picture of summer & how we spent a lot of it.

#lifewithwe

..... waiting for his turn

#muffinsandcookies

...... getting their tickets stamped ... or scaned

#sisters

..... maybe we didn't pay attention to every single play.

#blurryselfiesforentertainment

..... i am only completely in love with his people art.

#itsthehair :)

..... again homeboy in his man towel ... fresh from the tub.

#itswhatmendo

.... i would have argued that a 24 count box of new crayola crayons was the best back to school find there was - but this. this was a well spent 60 cents.

#thenalwaysbeaunicorn

..... she's a gifter. always creative. always thoughtful. always truly giving something of hers to someone else.

#sailorspresenttoben

..... he 'helped' clear the table one morning.

#itwasnthelpful :)

..... yep.

#grandmahadcoolclothesinhighschool

..... when your friends baby falls asleep in your arms & you spend hours just chatting. only its more than just chatting 'cause life is more than just a chat.

#andHeisstillgood