Life can be sweet

Like everyone else, we're enjoying strawberry season in the South.

FYI- Sister's shirt says "My Dad Rocks" in huge blue-glittered gothic letters. I got it at a yard sale for $4. Awesome.

Happy weekend, friends!

Brother and me (specifically, our legs)

This is Brother's favorite new spot: firmly attached to one (or both) of my legs. Kind of makes walking a challenge, but at least I know where he is at all times (which is more than I can say for my friend who is struggling these days with her teenaged son.)

The forest folk have been living in some custom-style tree houses this week. They seem to like it very much.

Fairies are from Magic Cabin.

Small stuffed animals from this etsy shop.

Wooden animals from Anne Moze (so wonderful and cheaper than the European brands!)

Blocks built by my husband last Christmas.

Mama got a new pair of shoes...

... but was so distracted while loading the car that she forgot to take them off Sister's feet and put them on her own, thus accidentally wearing old-lady clodhoppers to her graduate-class teaching gig instead of the stylish wedge sandals. Sheesh.

um, I didn't think it was THAT big...

For Brother's birthday party (coming soon!) I decided to buy one of those jump houses designed to be used at home. They are always pictured in yards, but I say why not the living room? Only thing is- it's a tad bigger than I thought. Just a smidgen. I mean, it only takes up the ENTIRE den (which is a rather large room.) So, there's enough space, right?

(Picture DH rolling his eyes and shaking his head at me.)

Oh, well. I may not will an award for mathematical/spatial thinking but my kids think I'm a pretty cool mom right now. ;-)

"date night"

I put date night in quotes because most of our date nights tend to be at-home-after-the-kids-are-in-bed affairs. (Getting a babysitter and doing things out and about town on a weekly basis tends to be cost-prohibitive.) On this date night, we spent time with our plans for our new house, tweaking problem areas and envisioning each space. I love this stage of building a house. You can sit down with all your dreams and a stack of home magazines and books and create!

the smallest shell seeker