A couple of things.

Aloha!  I will be digging my toes into the sand and (hopefully) learning how to stand up paddle board this week, but wanted to mention a couple of things before I unplug.

First, I am so thrilled to be guest posting over at the lovely Luvinthemommyhood! 

My post covers how, after realizing my knitting addiction, I went from newbie to sweater knitter in a matter of weeks.  I know not everyone is as quick to obsess as I am, but hopefully it resonates with some knitters out there.  (And if you happen to be checking in from Shannon's blog, why hello there!  And thanks so much for stopping by).

Next, guess who finished her first KAL sweater just in time to pack for vacation?  Yup--and I absolutely love it.  It is destined to become my go-to layering piece, especially for sundresses.  Notes are here.  I fully intend to take proper shots (on the beach perhaps?) but until then, here's the self-portrait bathroom shot.  I match our shower curtain, how nice.

Well, I guess that's it.  Mahalo everyone...I am off to join Charlie in Hawaii.  Be back soon.

Sandra

Thinking about installing a gallery wall. (after adequate obsessing)

We have a nice staircase that leads to our upper floor.  And more than a few times, our contractor has commented on the width of the staircase--it's evidently a smidge bigger than typical? Makes for a nice feature, he says.  And who am I to argue?

It's got me thinking I should appreciate it more.  Enter the idea of a gallery wall.  We had one in our first house--down the hallway of our one-level ranch--and I loved it.  Plus, I can't ignore the call any longer.  Every design blog I visit seems to showcase one these days.  

But it was actually a couple of years ago, when I first spied Ashley Putnam's home featured in Lonny, that I started obsessing over gallery walls.  Her take was probably the first time I saw an eclectic mix work beautifully in a gallery wall .  Before that, everything seemed to trend towards the Pottery Barn matchy-matchy (which I also like, but I like this more). 

I think a not too fussy arrangement, jam-packed with color and texture, will work really well, considering my current residents.  I want a mix of photos, prints, and artwork.  I've started collecting simple pieces from Etsy and have found some great frames at thrift stores (painting a few orange!), and am checking out several online shops for affordable art.  I also fully intend to incorporate some of the boys' drawings. 

On the upper level, if all goes well, I might do a ton of family prints.

A picture I took last week at the beach will surely make the cut.  

 Oh--and this print--how I love this print (available here).  

It probably won't go on the gallery wall but I think it's a must for the basement play space.  Or maybe the top of the stairs?  Plenty of ruckus happens there, too (Stair Wars, get it?).  Yep. It's perfect.

Sandra

Beach break cont'd.

More pics to follow but this one makes me smile--especially when I ran it through some vintage-y photo actions--so thought I'd post.  A steady diet of ice cream + Italian ice + unlimited tickets to Wonderland rides = plenty of hug tackles.  This momma knows the tricks.  

On a more serious note, we learned of the passing of a family friend this week.  Someone very dear to Charlie, and by extension, to all of us.  We are reluctant to accept the sad news, but find much comfort knowing she joins her daughter after being apart for so very long.

As you might imagine, this has me feeling reflective and sentimental.  

Life is so precious.  

Hug who you love.  And do it often.

Sandra

Beach break.

Be back from the beach soon (having a ball).  Until then, happy 4th of July!

Sandra

Memorial Day, 2012.

Oh, the annual water fight.  As usual, I took a ton of shots while trying to stay dry.  I think I'll let the pictures speak for themselves for once (flashback to 2011 and 2010).

But first, I should back up a bit and toss out a reminder that our neighbor's son declared war on our boys three years ago at the Memorial Day cookout.  It's important to note that our neighbor's son is fully grown.  With a job.  And discretionary income he happily spends on fancy shmancy squirt guns each year.  In contrast, our poor boys are usually stuck with last year's broken bits because their momma has yet to make it to the store to replenish the armory.

But not this year!  This year Santa brought all new water guns.  And we started early in the day preparing water balloons.  

We also called in some additional troops.  I think everyone had fun. 

 Even the dads, in the end, could not resist getting into the action.  

The kids pulled off another victory.   

And I've rarely seen Max happier.

It's a great way to welcome summer.

Sandra

p.s.  We had a special guest that weekend.  My dearest, sweetest friend who got me running and is an organizational whiz.  Miss you Hallie!  You will be so proud to see how I'm continuing to tackle some spaces...

Little runners.

I trust that I am not the only parent who taps into the earnest desire of her little ones to "help" when, perhaps, it would be especially helpful.

Say, when the front yard is a soggy bog and there is a surprise nip in the air and you would prefer to stay in the warm house and keep your slippers dry? Right?  Right.  

I'm pretty sure that they love it when they indeed help.  Because fyi, Will's attempt to help me stir some cookie dough that consequently ended up on three walls of the kitchen was not all that helpful.  I'm hoping I did not show it.

Sandra

p.s.  Yes, if you recall, we do this in winter too.  Because if you double recall, I get cold extremely easily.

p.p.s.  Have you noticed that most of my recent pictures of Will show him sporting his beanie from last year?  He truly loves his hat and always has it on if it's even slightly chilly.  He even sleeps in it.  At first we tried to discourage him because he gets all sweaty.  But he insists.  And we decided that this was not a battle to choose.  So we let him fall asleep in it and take it off later, laying it next to his bed.  He usually puts it on first thing in the morning.  I often use the phrase "love it to pieces" or "love it to bits"...and he may do exactly that with his hat.  You can imagine how much that warms my knitterly heart.

Second half marathon, check.

So Charlie and I ran another half marathon.  I didn't get to train for this one very much.  Instead of doing four or five long runs to acclimate myself like a good running plan lays out, I got in one measly 9 mile run.  And it was a month before the race!  Not recommended.

Here's a race photo proof until my copy comes in the mail.  My finish time (2:10:56) was slower than my first go at this.  But I'll take it--all I have to do is remember that a couple of years ago I couldn't even run a mile without stopping (truly!).  So finishing any race makes me smile.  I am officially a runner.  Never thought I'd say that.

In fact--as further proof I'm still digging this running experiment--the day after the half, I signed up for another half marathon.  It's the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon.  And I'm so excited because I'm running it with my bestie.  She's a runner but it's her first half!  We met in 8th grade and have done so much together--from Robert Palmer and Bon Jovi concerts, permed hair, and questionable fashion choices to Maid of Honor duties, pregnancies, reunions, and play dates.  But it's our first race!  And it's right around our birthdays.  It's going to be awesome.  

Charlie is not running this one and I have visions of him bringing the boys to cheer me on.  With cute signage.  And custom shirts?  Even pennants, maybe? These are just ideas off the top of my head, mind you...  I'm usually not at all about making a fuss over me.  But every time I see a kid cheering on their mom from the race sidelines, I melt.  That's officially what I would like for my birthday.  

Sandra

Ramblings (i.e. I have not slept in five days because Will's been sick, so insert a title here)...

It has been, what?, two weeks since Spring Break and I have yet to recap?  Then again, it occurred to me I have yet to recap Chicago, a beach weekend, and heck, even Disney.  I think it prudent, then, to warn that there may be an onslaught of photo heavy family posts.  There have been requests, you see.

But today I decided to post about something else--something related to home improvement.  Because it's spring and what do we do in the spring?  Why, we build shelving of course!  Yup.  Charlie's been at it again.  This time, he's building shelves and a bin system so that we might reclaim the laundry room.  (Why is it that laundry takes up so much of my life?  It is the number one thing I had no idea about--that laundry for a family is a full time job.  Or maybe it's just me).

There has also been some knitting I need to share.

(Max took this shot.  I was trying to teach him about lens flare and how sometimes it works.  I think he's getting it...)

Happy Friday.  I will try to write something substantive and possibly even coherent soon.

Sandra

Littlest one still loves rainbows.

We are headed to visit family for spring break.  I believe there will be cake to celebrate our spring birthday boys.  Did I mention I made rainbow cupcakes again?  They were requested.  I can't believe he remembered from last year.  (I just clicked to see that post.  My goodness he looks young.)

I'm not sure how I'll ever catch up on all that's happened recently.  But as they are growing so fast--much too fast--I'd best try harder. 

Happy spring break.  Take pictures!  And try to eat a rainbow, if at all possible.

Sandra

Be back soon.

Someone around here had a birthday.  And he made a special request for his birthday breakfast (donuts are usually a beach week treat only).

He wasn't thrilled about blowing out the candle, though.

He finally came around.  Grudgingly.

After a few salty bites, we were good.

The rest of his day was spent having fun with friends at his bowling party. 

I'll be back to share more about that soon...but first I need to get ready for a certain 8-year-old's birthday tomorrow.  He would like crepes for his birthday breakfast.

I can't believe he's turning 9.  

I'll be back in this space soon.  Because I should have a little time before Leo's birthday in a month.

So if anyone's wondered where I've been, it's nothing fancy.  Just staying busy with my boys and celebrating how long I've been lucky enough to be their momma.

Sandra