Clearly

So clearly I have had less time for blogging recently. I think I forget why I originally started this blog...to give far away family and friends pictures into our daily lives, to keep record of our goings on so my future self and my kids will remember what we've done and where we've been, and to share anything that might encourage readers I've never met who've wandered here for one reason or another.

But sometimes I loose sight of those things and think that, unless it's some perfectly photographed DIY or some amazingly unique and beautifully documented adventure we've been on that I shouldn't share it here. Silliness. It's not a vehicle for making big bucks in ad sales (though that would be nice) or for appealing to the masses and securing thousands of regular viewers (though I'm glad YOU'RE here). It's for sharing and remembering.

So here are a few things worth sharing and remembering from these past few weeks....

Hudson started school. He's capable enough and school is close enough that he can ride his bike to and from school by himself. Such a big boy!







We finally hung the lamps we made. We covered plain Ikea lamp shades with wood grain contact paper and cut out a scalloped edge. I pretty much love them.



Then we painted the wall a vintage chalkboard green so the boys could draw all over it.






I pretty much love that too.


(drawings by Jude, age 4....super cute, right?!)

We're all making an effort to draw more.



(current residents of Fort Armstrong)










This Monday we're gonna start a (hopefully) weekly family drawing night.

We've been spending a good deal of time at the new Fort Thomas Coffee. A kids play area in a coffee shop.....genius. I've actually been able to sit AND drink coffee AND read. READ!



Eli is in that "wanting constant attention" phase. "Play with me! Hold me! Feed me! Repeat!" Cute and exhausting.





We also went camping! The big boys (Daniel, Jason, Hudson, and Jude) biked 30 miles to and
from the campsite. What champs!



(photo by Jason)

A total of 70 miles over one weekend on a single speed bike at age 7--way to go Hudson!






It was a good team building vacation. Not the most restful trip we could have taken. But very good.





A visit from family!








Turns out Eli loves biking despite regular helmet fails.

So that about brings us up to speed. I'm gonna try to be more regular here. Even if it's just a photo of something I'm thankful for from that day. These are good times and I don't want to forget them!

Arian

Simple Pleasures

This week felt a little calmer. Maybe it was the bit of alone time I got. Maybe it was the late night coffee shop date I got with Andrea. Maybe it was the slightly cooler temperatures. Maybe its because I found my journal and made an effort to use it to sort out my thoughts and organize my day. Maybe it was because of some great conversations we are having around here. Probably all of the above : )




I felt pretty grateful for a lot of the simple pleasures around me, like getting to spend a little time each morning tending my herbs and flowers. These are a few of my favorite things....




Fresh cut flowers in mason jars




Homegrown tomatoes






Watching the boys make each other laugh







The new coffee shop our friends just opened in town




Sunny, 75 degree days.








Walks and bike rides




Days off with the whole family. (That's Jason there in the black tshirt. He lives with us as an honorary Armstrong. He's great.)




Quiet mornings




And the rare but glorious long nap with this little nap buddy.




Hope you're enjoying your weekend! We're off to the park!
Arian : )

Tired and Happy

Shew! I feel like this summer break with 3 boys at home and a hard-working husband is kicking my rear. It's good, but the kind of good that requires strong coffee at 9pm. Here's the past couple weeks...


The newly renovated Washington Park! They took a run down park and made it beautiful again and I think it's the new favorite hangout spot for almost everyone in the city. (Here is what it used to look like when we hung out there!)





And I think it's finally sinking in what it does and will mean to have 3 boys---mud. everywhere.





And lots of bumps and bruises.


And lots of outdoor adventures.








Love my boys!














They make me tired and happy.


Arian : )