Our Anniversary Weekend

My parents so graciously took our kids for our anniversary weekend.  It worked out well for us because it fell on Labor Day.  Tho we didn't plan it that way, I recommend getting married near a holiday so you can claim a 3 day weekend for anniversaries.  

I'm not sure why but its felt like somewhat of a hard summer (internally) so the time with Mike felt much needed.  We took the kids down to the river house on Friday night so we could pick up the canoe.

Saturday morning I just leisurely "pittled" around the house while Mike got things ready for our canoe trip down the James.  He packed lunches and all. We put in at Pony Pasture and took out at Reedy Creek.  It was a gorgeous day...  sunny, clear, warm, no humidity.  So it was fun and relaxing.  My favorite part was to have Mike in charge, let him do everything and just be along for the ride.  :)

That eve we went to dinner at Legend.  We sat outside and just ate slowly- drinks :), appetizer, entree and we talked.  We had lots to talk about.... some complicated stuff, some fun stuff.  But we needed to just talk- without any restrictions of when to be home.  

Sunday morning, we enjoyed church then headed to Nacho Mama's for lunch out- when was the last time we got to do that?!  Again, it was gorgeous weather and we just soaked up the sun, each other, and no commitments (well, except to each other, which is actually the commitment we needed to soak up).

Later that eve we went to a movie (did we hit every big activity we'd been missing out on or what?!).  We saw The American and I really enjoyed it, which says a lot b/c I'm not generally a movie-lover.  But it was fun to just watch a good movie in the theater, eat popcorn, and drink Coke.

Monday wasn't quite as exciting b/c we did some needed things around the house.  But it felt good (to me) (for Mike) to get things done that had been neglected on the list for a long time.  :)  Thank you, my husband.

And I feel like things have felt better, felt easier, less burdensome since then.  My soul has felt lighter over the last 2 weeks.  I think it helps that its a new season, a new groove to get into.  But I think its also God grinding off edges from each of us (that NEED grinding!) through each other, making us less of ourselves and more of Him that's in the other.  

Last Dip

We went to the pool for the last swim of the summer on the Wed eve before Labor Day.

Mike often had a study group on Wed eves this summer so we enjoyed going there for a picnic dinner.

My handsome helper likes to help with his "lee-bug".

Lily loved the water.

And she watches her big brother closely.

She enjoyed summer peaches.

Peter has the ever faithful dinner of cucumber and green pepper.  We enjoyed lots of yummy fresh veggies this summer from Carolyn's garden.

Over in the corner of the baby pool we'd often have a pretend bird's nest.  We'd role play the mama, daddy, or baby bird and "fly" around the rest of the pool flapping our wings and looking for worms.  (We'd do this when there weren't many other folks there.)  Peter is offering me a "worm" that he's found in the pic below.

Lily enjoyed lots of cruising around the edge.

I really can't believe how fast the summer and pool days went by.  It feels like a couple days ago that I was writing about our first dip.  It was a sad eve to leave the pool.  Sad to think that next time we get to go my babes will be almost 2 and almost 4.  How does this happen?  I just want to hold onto them and soak them in.  I don't want them to grown into jadded big kids & adults.  I am loving their innocence and joy (well, when they aren't crying or tantruming).  Time slow down!  I just want to hold and kiss their faces!

Birthday Walker

These pics are from Peter's birthday evening... we had some play time in Peter's room...

Peter held his arms out and Lily practiced walking to him, then got a big hug (love this pic)

and this one isn't esp great but its funny b/c Peter looks so much like a little Mike and Lily is a little me ;)

"I'm so excited!"

That pretty much sums up Peter's feeling about going to "schooolll"!  He was really looking forward to it and so were we.  It went great!  More to come...  He is too cute!

This morning we went to the farm.  We only saw one of the horses and it was in a small area and just looked somber, wouldn't acknowledge that we were standing at the fence, talking to it.

I said to Peter, "Peter, maybe the horse is just having a bad day, maybe it's sad."

Peter said in a sweet & concerned voice, "Maybe it needs a Mommy"....  oh, my heart!

Perzanowski River Weekend

The last weekend in Aug was our vacation with the P side.

Its always a really fun and relaxing "end" to summer.

Kathy and Ski do the majority of the child watching (esp in the mornings) so its great!

It made me happy to see so many in the water!  

(The jellyfish were gone so we could SWIM again! yay!)

Isn't that a beautiful site?!

Peter had swim practice with Aunt Becky and Mike.

swimming back to Becky

(swimming really just meant going an inch under water and moving his arms and legs but he was fearless at it and its a great start- Aunt Becky said she's dreaming of an Olympic Swimmer so she can say she knows him. Wouldn't that be cool?!  We can dream.)

....and back to Daddy

Jumping off the pier

"I wanna do to again", over and over!

We'd planned to have Peter's "Party" at the house but then at the last minute decided to move it pier-side so everyone wouldn't have to come up from the water.  It turned out perfect and so well coordinated, w/o any planning.

Everyone enjoyed cupcakes and ice cream

...and then went back in the water!

HOW FUN IS THAT?!

The cousins:

Liam (3), Lily (13 mo), Bennett (17 mo), Peter (3)

It was a fun, fun summer!

noteworthy to me

Pretend is the best.  I am loving it.  Its hours and hours of free entertainment. 


Peter has moved up to underpants.  I am not saying he's potty trained but we've ditched diapers (except "naptime/ night time pants" (Pull Ups).   I had the dr tell him (or I told him that the dr said) "No More Diapers" after you turn 3.  


I am done nursing Lily.  Its sad.  I am SAD, really sad!  I can't think about it b/c it makes me really deeply sad.  I've loved it (unlike with Peter).  So I am hoping it will fade from my memory so the sadness passes fast.  It was a blessing to continue this long (this past weekend was my goal) b/c I thought I'd have to quit earlier when I was away.  So I am thankful for that.  I could try to drag it out but I am trying to force myself not to.  :(


Lily is on the verge of walking!  She's been walking to us for weeks.  Last night she up and walked half across the room on her own at Brian and Megan's!


I am considering this our bonus week of Summer.  Things don't start up again for us til next week- YAY!