This was my summer of allowing unfinished/in-progress kid projects to sit in the dining room all. summer. long. I had to talk myself out of tossing things and cleaning up weekly. My goal: to get kids to play with previously untouched toys, make art messes, and build/create more than is possible during the school year.…

Throwback to midsummer wanderings with E in town.

My garden leaned toward overgrown and shaggy this year. I was hoping for the perfect amount of blooms and didn’t cull as thoroughly as I should, with the resulting flowers ending up covered in mildew because they were too crowded. Next year, I solemnly swear I shall Chelsea Chop thoroughly.

A rare photo with me actually in it. V and I were waiting around for the guys to finish getting tubes ready and decided cute mother/daughter photos were required asap. R was working very hard on having a presentable smile.

I always consider myself on top of the game when I have a pre-loaded charcuterie box waiting in the fridge for the moment kids come through the door yelling that they’re STARVING.

V’s idea of the perfect, end-of-summer getaway.

“Look, you match the bouquet!”

Finley: still wildly energetic, only slightly less prone to biting. E continues to be in his face at all times and completely oblivious to any nips or jumps, R remains steadfastly terrified of him.

Family weekend and a cousin I haven’t seen since my wedding (TEN YEARS! Insane).

Hands clasped securely as they go off in search of dinosaurs to slay.