9.30.2014

{Today}

today i timed the baking of these cookies so they would come out of the oven just before picking up aubrey from school and riley for lunch. the perfect warm chocolaty tuesday surprise.


today we drove through the park and found the perfect spot.


today we took just a moment to let loose and fly.
be a kid.
forget the two tests tomorrow and the pile of laundry at home.


today we caught a glimpse.
right here in our own park.
and we like it.


hope your today was lovely.
cindy

{Weekending}

hi friends.
on paper this looked like a humdinger of a weekend.
packed to the brim with the planned and the sprung upon.
but i was determined to make it work and to find the little things buried in there.
little things to remember and to hold tight to.
little things to stop and notice.
little things to love.

baking muffins with aubrey while janey slept and daddy and riley drove an hour and a half away for an early morning soccer tournament. we had so much fun and laughed the whole way as we drove to the grocery store...twice!...for missing ingredients. we even had a few extra to wrap up with twine and share.




***



on our way to aubrey's last soccer game of the season and sadly daddy and riley had to miss it. we made sure to cheer extra loud.
she is fierce.
but dainty.
and if you look hard enough you can see a little ballerina on the field.





and the tongues out the whole time!!:)




 but it was hot! huh baby?

but your first shiny gold medal and a bag of cheese-its makes it all better right?



we loved watching you play aubrey! you always had a smile on your face and gave it everything you had! we can't wait till next season!

***

after lunch and a cool down janey went to a make-up dance class and aubrey and i headed to our little library. we spent one glorious hour together getting lost in books and puzzles.
no distractions besides the colorful pages and it was perfect.


every time we walk out of the library...come rain or shine...she says, "here mom, hold my books...i wanna balance on these rocks. watch me!"
sweet sweet sweet


***

did i mention our neighbors got a pool?
did i mention neighbors with a pool is pretty awesome?




it was a perfect fall that felt like summer evening.

***

rileys team played so well on saturday there was a possibility we could stay and play for the championship late sunday afternoon.




they made it...championship here we come!


we lost 2-1 in the final game.
but you wouldn't know it by these second place smiles.
this was one happy bunch!


 sorry i cut you off babe...



i guess they were on a winners high because after the trophy ceremony a lot of the players wanted to try their luck at the bungee jumping trampoline. of course my little daredevil and her copy cat little sister wanted to give it a try to.
i knew aubrey probably wouldn't go through with it...but sometimes it really is easier to let them get hooked up and figure that out on their own am i right? (janey on the other hand said very matter of factly..."no way!!":))


she took about two jumps then unharnessed and just jumped on the little tramp...which she can so handle! (I promise everyone...that really looks higher then it was...i was down low on the ground looking up!)





but this one...totally different story!









whew!
what a day.
what a weekend.

it was 6:30 and we were finally back in the car...ready for a quick dinner stop at barrel cracker (as aubrey calls it) then our long ride home.

here's jane and i enjoying a post dinner rock on the cracker barrel porch. i didn't take many pictures of this one over the weekend...but she was my bud! sunday was a loooooong (12 hour!) day for her and she managed to smile though most of it. sitting on the sidelines in the sun, cheering her big sister on, and keeping her little sister happy. thank you janey brooke. i love you my sweet!



it was a humdinger of a weekend that's for sure.
but we packed it with love and lots of memories.

hope your weekend was a happy one,
cindy



9.25.2014

{47}

47?
47.
47!
not so bad i guess.

bounced out of bed with a little extra pep in my step this morning. no sleeping in for me on my birthday...oh no, if there's ever a day you should take stock of yourself...what you need...and what you certainly should do without...today is the day.

so i headed down to the treadmill with a smile.
and some good tunes.

this one made me smile extra big today and i think it will be my theme song for the year. what do you think?
ha

slid into bed with each of the girlies this morning for their rise and shine wake up. it's their favorite way to greet the day and i have to admit...when i slow down to do it each morning...i feel better too.

when i got to aubrey i said "this is one of my favorite moments of the day"...with her sleepy face, groggy voice and messy hair she rolled over and said, "i know, i know the other two are when you snuggle me at night and when you pick me up from school." i laughed out loud and said "now how do you know that?" to which she replied..."i just know you mom!"
melt

after drop off i went straight to get my hair done. no more repeats of last year. oh no. i was covering those grays before the camera came out this year!

here's a very awkward selfie to prove i am gray-less and 47.
oh yes i am!

...ha i didn't even bother to un-do the seat belt on this one...


i scooped aubrey up at half day dismissal and we went straight to meet daddy for a thai lunch. same thing we did last year. i'm nothing if not predictable right?




later dave and aubrey worked on my requested cookie cake from meg



after the girlies got home we had a yummy dinner.
one of my faves...chicken tacos with all the homemade trimmings.


thank you baby for all the love and yummy goodness this year!
you really made the day special!


then it was present time.
i'm gonna  ask you in advance to ignore all the totally weird and silly expressions on my face! how does the camera manage to capture every dorky look? but if i left them out the girls would be like....."mom...where's the picture of my present/card/thing?"




gift wrapped necklace from homecoming parade and popsicle stick bookmarks

and here she wrapped up a mason jar with some of her candy and coins it...the tag said "a goodie jar for you":)

 not sure what's up with aubrey's expression here....




thank you everyone for all the sweet texts, phone calls and goodies this year. i really do have some amazing friends and family.


but my sweetest gifts on earth live right here!
here's to 47!
i'm gonna make it good!