The late July Garden and table

Yes, yes!  the garden in late July.  I had a bit of a critter munch my sunflower completely and the leaves from my squash and cukes.  I HOPE.....the flowers on them will still produce something.  We have blueberries, apples and a peach.  At least the tomatoes weren't touched and the first bite of that garden fresh, still wam from the sun tomato is just making my mouth water.  Also, The garlic is harvested and dried. 

 as simple and fresh from farm and garden foods (most eaten raw) are making their way onto our outdoor table every night, I can't say that there is a better taste in the world!

16 things for 16 years

16 years ago This July 10th we became a family.  It was a warm and breezy day right on the coast of Maine.  I could have died and gone to heaven with how beautiful the day was, there with everyone we love so much.  Best decision we ever made.  I think we both can't believe how fast the years have gone by as we are knee deep in the tough parts of bringing up our three children.  I thought I'd post 16 things that I've learned in these amazing 16 years....

1.) Putting the relationship first above all the other stuff ....kids, chores, friends, is hard, but crucial.
Date nights rock and you need to make them a priority.

2.) You have to let the little stuff go.    Who cares if he can't put away his shoes and turn lights off.  I am not the only one who lives here, and I am also as imprefect as they come.  Holding grudges or being passive agressive benefits no one.

3.)  If something REALLY bothers me, don't keep it in until it explodes out of me.  Thank's good for no one either.  Life and relationships are't what they appear to be on social media, everyone has imperfections, arguements and ups and downs. 

4.)  Ask for help, and communicate your needs....he's not a mind reader.

5.) Do something nice for your spouse out of the blue...get his favorite coffee, or that new outfit he needs for his next business trip if he doesn't have time. Even after 16 years, this matters.

6.)  Don't nit pick the "your job" "my job" roles.  I have heard that the best marriages come about because each spouse is happy with their respective roles.  Do as much as you can around the house in the time you have and he will do the same.  Know that not everything on the TO do list is going to get done right now, or even in your lifetime.  It's OK, have patience.

7.)  Don't fight about money, and openly discuss it often.  Have a budget and stick to it. 

8.)  Always answer his texts and calls, no matter how "busy" you are.

9.)  Be able to say you are sorry when you have acted like a total jerk.  (about grudges...see 2)

10). Develop family traditions and rituals about your relationship.  For example we started getting out and looking at our wedding pictures every anniversary.

11.) Thank him for things he does ...notice and appreciate. " A person who feeld appreciated will always do more than what is expected".

12.)  Learn how to use a snowblower, lawn mower and drill.  Learn how to do things yourself.  Seriously.

13.)  a sense of Humor is vital....

14.)  Go on new adventures together.  Be willing to at least try things that the other one likes. 

15.)  Exercise and be active together.

16.)  Be each other's rock and safe place. One brings the other up when they are down (try to not both be down at the same time!).  Lessen each other's anxiety because you CAN do anything together.

Our staycation part 2

 Of course I wouldn't be vacation without beach days.  The day we choose to go down, the weather was warm and sunny and the water was calm, like a lake!  We had a blast relaxing, reading and swimming.

Next up was the 2nd annual, L and Daddy 2 day  camping trip.  They had a beautiful site right on the ocean.  I don't think L could have been more excited about his one on one time.  They Kayaked, hiked, bikes and cooked over the campfire.  One evening there was a baby crying at the campsite next door.  L said, "I don't see how anyone could be crying, I LOVE it here." I think he's already planning for next year. 

 While they were away, the bigger kids and I took a trip down to OOB for some minigolf and a huge bucket of pier fries. 

 Saturday, everyone came back together for J's b-day.  He had a blast surprising him at Flatbread with a family and cousin party of 13!  Afterwards we had a sleepover and stayed up until the wee hours laughing, talking (like pirates!) and listening to some rockin and rappin 90's music.  Just awesome memories. 

The beginning of the next week, we were wrapping it up.  Swimming in the pool, playing, catching up on chores, and starting new projects. Ready and inspired to to start the the annual big fall decluttering, mental and physical :)  After breaks, we all have such big intentions don't we?  Well, that's a wrap on out summer staycation adventures in this great vacationland state of ours! 

Our Staycation week Part 1

 Monday....it was some fabulous weather to visit the lobster shack for dinner. The kids all want lobster rolls now!  Climbing on the rocks , listening to the waves crash in, and having a 360 degree view of the ocean is just amazing. 
I love this tradition. 

 Tuesday, the big boys were off to Golf 9 holes and the little boy went to the range later in the day.  there is nothing like waking up to see where the day brings you. 

He ended up with a lightning bolt haircut. 

And is working on some new inspiring projects.

Next Up......camping and birthdays and cousin visits and new bikes! 

Mid Summer Daze....

the six week Summer School session  started up for our girl
2-2 1/2 hours a day 4 days a week.  She loves school, the routine,  her friends and teachers so it's not really a big deal to go in summer.  She's such a joy this one. 

Here she is with "Miss Fancy the 3rd"  We're a little more lax in summer and let her bring some toys for break time. 

The school budget in out town has been all over the news locally and statewide.  This year, enough was enough and a huge advocacy group of parents and kids came together.   It's just the beginning of  what a large group with a common goal can accomplish.  Hopefully this puts an end to the fighting and bickering over taxes and money and next year, our summer leaves less time for advocating and more time for relaxing!  the kids learned a lot about adversity, politics and rising above all that to still be kind to their neighbors anywho.

 I ended up doing the GM cleanse that week with J and I after our 4th of July binging.  I felt a little like I was starving myself for the first few days, but then had tons of energy after that.  It helped me get creative with the healthy stuff, drink tons of water and see what I could make taste good.  I lost a maximum of only 5 lbs, but I'm still having my banana cinnamon shakes in the mornings :)

 WE took a trip to Boston to help Grandma move in to her new place.  Of course Grandma, in her upbeat happy eternal optimist self, makes every life transition just the best.  She was so happy to see all of her treasures find new homes with all of us.  I know she will just thrive wherever and whatever she chooses to do in living out the remainder of her years.  The legacy, stories and example of her life well lived full of love and family at 47 Page Road will carry me though to the end of my days.  I hope she always knows how much she is loved. 

 Of course, there was lacrosse for the 207 travel team and this melty HOT weekend.  It wouldn't be the Harvard Tournament if we weren't baking out there. I really have a love hate relationship with this sport.  But, what he is learning, there is nothing else in life that will replace it.   The boys of course played their hearts out in some really tough games. 

We took an evening subway  trip to the North end for some cooling off sprinkler fun and some dinner.  It ended up all being just right and really fun for all. 

After the tournament I had a super busy week at work  so summer life was really a little mundane around here.  We're still loving going to the farm and picking up our weekly share of veggies.   Sometimes we walk the trail in the back woods sown to the stream.  Also, plenty of bickering between these two as well (Just keeping it real)

There is some relative sleeping in going on around here for growing bodies. L and T were also in camp this week.  L went to lego and Art camp, and LOVED it.  He had super student every day and when I asked him how...he said " Well, I just like everything they do there"  First successful camp experience for the win!

On the first weekend after I was done work foe 13 days off in a row, We headed up to Stowe Vermont for the last 207 travel tournament.  Another HOT and humid weekend.  We rented the cutest little cabin for the weekend and ended up having a GREAT time.  All the families hung out all weekend and BBQ'ed and laughed and supported out team. 

Even though it was HOT and humid, we had to schlep all our stuff for miles through muddy cornfields to get to the fields, it was worth every minute of it to watch these boys go 5-0 for the weekend and end of winning the championship game (T had two goals!) in sudden death overtime. What a way to end the season.  That high I'm sure will carry them through for years to come.   

On the way back, we stopped at the famous Ben and Jerrys for probably the best tasting ice-cream cone on the planet (WHAT CLEANSE?!), and then proceeded to make the 4 hour drive home through the lightning storm of the century.  All in all it was a fantastic way to start a vacation week!