After reading about microfilm in one of our [many] Boxcar Children books, the boys and I checked out a microfilm machine at our local library. It was really interesting and the boys seemed genuinely intrigued. We were struck by how few photos there were in newspapers in the 1850s. Chase came up with a great explanation...they probably didn't have as many cameras. And now you know.
Ashley and I took the kids on quite an adventure today. A zoo, a playground, a picnic lunch, a splash pad, and ice cream. All before nap. It was intense...and really fun.
Now we all need a lazy day to recover!
*Shout out to Ashley for the perfect splash pad photo!
This is how Robbe takes his s’more.
Happy Independence Day! It was kind of a weird day around here. No plans with family and the heat + rain kept us indoors a lot, but is was still a good day with our little family.
Here's what did keep us busy today:
There you go. Busy, but low key all at the same time.
**And a throwback to last year. At least the boys are consistent.
We’ve spent the last two afternoons at my aunt and uncle’s pool and it’s been pretty terrific. You might know that I’m not much of a “pool person” but with the boys getting older (and therefore more independent in the pool) combined with fun cousins for them to splash around with, I’m starting to understand the appeal.
We finally hatched a butterfly! I think it's reasonable to say that I was probably the most excited about the metamorphosis, but the boys liked it, too. I mean, the whole transformation is incredible, isn't it?
A special shout out to Grandma Bibi for finding a home for our little guy. Thank you!
It was hot. It was stormy. But it was super fun!
We had a great time camping this weekend at Coon Fork County Park. Full disclosure: we used my parent’s camper (which is why the heat was bearable). It was our first camper trip and I have to say, it was pretty sweet.
I could get used to this fancy camping thing. Also, camping with friends is about the best thing ever. Nothing bad about dividing up child rearing and food prep all weekend long.
In the past two weeks, Chase has decided he’s a reader. It’s been pretty incredible to watch. I knew it was coming. I’ve been waiting patiently to make the decision on his own and it finally happened. And he’s oh so proud.
You guys, Eau Claire is really beautiful.
I’ve loved succulents for a long time. Unfortunately, they don’t seem to feel the same way. The boys planted their own succulents with thier 4-H club today. Fingers crossed they have better luck with their new friends!
What has to happen shortly after picking strawberries? Strawberry shortcake, of course. With real whip cream. It was as delicious as I dreamed it would be.
The boys and I were back at it today: berry picking! The temperature was cool, there was a lovely breeze, and there were no bugs (I know, I was surprised, too). The picking wasn’t quite as plentiful as I prefer but we got the berries we needed so no complaints. Ah, summertime in Wisconsin.
**Check back tomorrow and I’ll add a couple of links to past berry picking adventures. It’s too late for me to tackle that now. :)
Almost two years have passed and we're still visiting the same rocks. But look how cute these kiddos are!
Celebrating 12 years with this guy. It doesn’t get much better.
*Special thanks to my mom and dad for watching the boys. Such a fun weeknight treat!
Sometimes Father’s Day and our anniversary lands on the same day. When this happens, it becomes even more apparent to me how lucky to have this man in my life. He’s truly my best friend and the best dad. And I’m not even exaggerating.
Even though Father’s Day this year was harder than any other we’ve lived through, it makes all of us hug each other a bit tighter.
And an extra special shout out to my dad for all the sacrifices, love, and laughter he’s provided for me over the years. I love you.
Have I mentioned lately how truly lucky I feel to have two kids that are best friends? It’s going to make summertime shenanigans a lot more enjoyable...that’s for sure!
These little nuggets are loving their hand-me-down cameras (except that one with a new iPhone...that’s no hand-me-down). My boys go through phases where they can’t go anywhere without them. Someday I’ll make a photo album of all the “artistic” scenes they capture.
A day late, but that’s how it goes sometimes. The whole family met for some Tuesday Night Blues at a park across the river from us. It was a beautiful night for an outdoor concert and yummy picnic.
Check out this new sweet mural in downtown Eau Claire. We’ve been watching the empty wall transform over the last ten days and it’s been fascinating. We even made it over for the official “unveiling” and got to meet the artist and get her autograph. Living downtown is the best.
After three separate *and huge* family/community events yesterday, I was just too tired to throw together a blog post. The photo above is of my dad's side of the family (he's one of eight siblings) including a very small number of extended family (nine to be exact). All of his siblings, all of their kids, and all of their kids' kids made it to a 90th birthday celebration for my Grandma. It was pretty incredible to see all these people in one photo. And we all really like each other. Isn't that amazing?
small city | BIG DAYS
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