so long sweet summer...

This weekend marked the unofficial end to summer. Both of our boys head to school this week, the pool closed on Sunday and football kickoff is just one more weekend away. And though I'm ready for Fall and all that comes with it, this summer has been my favorite yet, and so this weekend I felt a strong desire to soak up all the sights and sounds of summer one last time, and to really appreciate all the ways in which this summer has been different from those past...

Like the fact that this was the first year I managed to keep all my plants and flowers alive and blooming all summer long. Or that my oldest son -- who used to be terrified of all things creepy and crawly -- is now willingly picking slimy, muddy worms up with his fingers, carrying them around with him and making them his new pet.

Our kids were at such perfect ages this year -- old enough to really be able to do a lot of activities and try new things -- but young enough to still find so much joy and fun in the smallest of experiences. And by the way... I don't know that we've ever had such beautiful and perfect weather in August.

I wonder what next summer will bring. Will Jaden learn to ride without training wheels? Will Brandon learn to dunk his whole head under water at the pool? There are always changes on the horizon, and so much seems to happen in a year. So for the sake of nostalgia and sending this sweet summer out with a bang -- we lived this weekend like we were experiencing it all for the first time. We grilled giant pork chops, turned on some music, the outdoor speakers and the deck lights, lit the mosquito candles and spent an entire Friday evening outside. I let the boys stay up late, soaked them extra long in a bubble bath after their slimy worm play and let them eat chocolate before bed.

We went back-to-school shopping on Saturday afternoon -- just me and the munchkins with stops at Barnes and Noble for some train table play and treats and mochas from the Starbucks at Target. After our shopping trip, we spent two hours outside playing with play-doh on the deck. This is the longest the boys have ever sat with their play-doh and it provided me the perfect opportunity to paint my nails and download a new book to my Nook.

We wandered through George Wyth Saturday night, stayed out past their bedtimes for a stop at Dairy Queen and had close encounters with the sweetest of deer...

These deer live not far from our house down near a wooded area that the boys and Cody always like to drive through. However, this is the most deer we've ever seen on this drive, and they were not afraid of us at all. As we would pull our car up to a stop right next to them, the boys would roll their windows down and say hi to them. The deer never ran, just continued to munch on grass and stare at us until we went along our way. We must have seen almost 10 of them throughout our drive, and at the very end? A big buck with horns.

On Sunday... probably my favorite moment of the whole weekend. We decided to skip church for the first time in a very long time in hopes that the boys would sleep in. They didn't disappoint, as we didn't hear a peep from them until 8:30. We took our time getting ready and had cinnamon rolls on the deck for a 10:00 breakfast. After eating, Cody and the boys went on their way to look at some hunting supplies, while I had a little extra time with my coffee, my book and my hair drying in the morning sun. After this perfect morning, I'm going to try really hard to have more relaxing mornings just like it.

After my favorite lunch of roasted garlic potato soup, we soaked our toes in the Falls pool for one last time before they close their gates for the year. Some of Jaden and Brandon's best friends showed up at the pool, and they spent an entire hour playing catch with the football in the water. And to end the weekend... a family cookout at George Wyth park.

I breathed it all in this weekend, filled my senses with all the details surrounding me and felt extra thankful for our cozy, cute home and the memories we made here over the last few months. I held on to it all, knowing I'll need these memories in the middle of January and February, knowing that our calendar is about to get very full and knowing that my boys are growing up so stinkin' fast.

We had a good weekend, and I have more updates already written -- waiting to be posted. A whole new routine starts this week, and I'm ready to tackle it all!

this weekend, we...

...went shopping downtown CF with my aunt and Mom. Stopped at Pablo's so my uncle could get a "giant burrito" -- his only request for lunch. I picked up some killer garlic olive oil bread dip from Sweet Basil Market and a cute Fall knick-knack for my favorite shelf. The day was absolutely gorgeous, and I've decided I don't spend near enough Saturday afternoons strolling through that part of town.

...cleaned our basement, organized our toys (again) and built a new train track on our train table. Every time I rearrange the tracks on our Thomas table, the boys treat it like it's a brand new toy again. They love the new configuration, and I'm quite proud of it myself. It surprisingly takes a lot of effort to get all those pieces to flow and fit together nicely, and the fact that I keep re-doing it... a pat on the back for me.

...speaking of toys. I unboxed one that had been in storage for a while. The boys received a little amusement park for Christmas, and it has a remote control battery back with it. Push the buttons, and the ferris wheel, roller coaster, bumper cars and merry-go-round all spin in sync with each other. It takes forever to put together (not sure why it's designed for five-year-olds), but it lights up their faces whenever I take the time to do it for them.

...had our family over for a cookout. Cody got both grills going, and we enjoyed steaks, foil packs, sweet corn, potatoes and Scratch Cupcakes. I remember questioning why we would need two grills, but now I totally get it. Hence why we also acquired a second crock pot, and I wouldn't mind having at least one more of those either! It was a gorgeous night on our deck, and my aunt and uncle got to familiarize themselves with Lucy. They love her, too and my aunt was amazed at how pretty, sweet and content she is. Oh yes... and the boys captured a frog and observed it in their little bug habitat case that the Easter Bunny had brought for them.

...spent Sunday afternoon and early evening at Cassi's house. Ella had been begging to play with the boys and the boys had been begging me to play with Ella.

...tried on my Matron of Honor dress in front of the family so they could all get a sneak-peek. I love the dress, it fits like a glove, and I can't wait to wear it again in November. And Brandon... my little Romeo... told me I look pretty. :)

...watched Cody and Brandon bond over alligator stories by our own backyard creek. Brandon was getting a little unruly Saturday night so while the rest of the family ooh'd and ahh'd over Jaden's drumming skills in the basement, Cody took Brandon for a stroll around our property. He told him tales of alligators and crocodiles and gave him lessons on the outdoors. I could just see Brandon's face soaking it all in from my view through the kitchen window. Daddy-son moments every Mommy hopes for.

...took a late-evening trip down to the amphitheater and splash pad by the river. It was a gorgeous evening, and these simple pictures are some of my favorites from this summer. Give me water and a sunset and my family. It's really that simple.

Daddy hiding...

This week... Brandon's preschool open house, Jaden's last tball game, hopefully one or two more trips to the pool and an unofficial farewell to Summer. It's been a good one, but I'm ready for the Fall that awaits.

My home. So much pretty...

what's going on...

The to-do list is long and the calendar is full. Which of course means that Summer is coming to a close, and Fall is right around the corner. Evidence of that can be found in my Pumpkin Cupcake candle sitting beside me -- (I never light the pumpkin ones before September 1st - I just stare at them and smile. :)) -- and a backpack full of fresh, new school supplies just waiting for a Kindergartner to cart them off to his first day of school.

Big things ahead. Huge. Summer flew by, and my kids keep getting older. Two school open houses. Two first days of school. A wedding shower and bachelorette party. Kickoff. A couple of work trips. Pumpkin candles and Harvest garland all await.

But in the short time leading up to it all... here's what's been going on.

We've been soaking up family this week. I took some time off work, and my aunt and uncle drove in from Weeki Wachee, Florida. (It's near Tampa and Orlando, in case you were wondering). We've been reconnecting after two years apart and we aren't done yet, as we have a couple of days left together. We've been showing off our favorite town and filling our time with some of our favorite things. Spaghetti dinners. The pool. Bubble blowing. Tony's Pizza. Tball games. Downtown streets and river walks. We're savoring what's left of this season and this chapter in our boys' lives. Next week, Jaden says goodbye to many of his friends that have been a huge part of his life for the past year -- as they all go their separate ways. (Why do I feel like I'm getting a glimpse of high school graduation?) Brandon got his first birthday party invitation. Cody's ready for work to not be quite so busy while my work gets busier. Seasons come and go so fast, and I'm just riding the waves and hoping I can remember how it felt -- when my oldest was still 5 and my youngest was still 3. And things like cookie baking and blowing bubbles were all they needed to feel happy and content. I love these two little's of mine, and I'm feeling sentimental and thankful for this summer in our lives...

A few images from the week...

dropping feathers and watching them get carried away...

always ecstatic to see the train go by...

So much more to come...