thejlbs

Dreadlocks Season

Jessica — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 01:45:41 +0000

I cut these off Moxie tonight. The long one was attached like a suitcase handle.
iPod for scale.

Signs Of Summer

Jessica — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 03:22:27 +0000

Fireworks. Hour+ nap in the parking lot. Four hours of play on the lawn. One minute in traffic on the way home. Not even kidding. We are pros.

Baby walking sticks. Aw.

Summer camp! Safety Town! Day 1: Weapon Safety. It makes me sad that this topic is necessary, but I’m still pumped up about summer camp nonetheless. Because Day 3? BUS RIDE! FIRE DEPARTMENT! POPSICLES!!! Now that’s the innocence of childhood summers I’m talking about.

Slooooow Down

Jessica — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 02:55:40 +0000

I don’t know why exactly, but everything at the moment feels hectic and over-full and frankly, crazy. It could be the state of our home’s renovations (thankful for a very serene upstairs to retreat to, minus one lipgloss upholstery stain that hurts my brain every time I look at it). It could be the lack of routine- hello Safety Town this week! Or it could very well be that we are trying to do too much summer, way too fast. So here’s my vow to slowing it down this week and maybe even running a five mile lake loop every single day, just to air out my brain and get my world back in order. Here’s hoping you get a chance to chill out and run with the turtles too!

Different

Jessica — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 03:15:46 +0000

I was just remembering this day when I wore a ridiculous ponytail on the top of my head all day long. Because, you know, vacation. And Bastien, at about 5:00pm says, “HEY! I LIKE YOUR HAIR!” As if seeing me for the very first time ever. And I’m like, “Aw shucks. Why?” And he’s like, “hmm… because it’s different.” And this is how I know for sure he will someday make the best boyfriend of all time.

Ch-ch-ch-changes (which can also be known as ch-Ching)

Jessica — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 03:37:39 +0000

Our lower level is slowly transforming. Here are some sneak peeks into what’s been happening…(which will mean nothing to those who have never been
in our lower level to begin with)…

And what’s still to come…

And the custom bleacher seats, for the kids…

And there’s still so far to go. But where we are is better than where we’ve been, that’s for sure.
Good times.

Chart Much?

Jessica — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 00:45:39 +0000

This is going on right now. Reading rewards. A half marathon in progress. And money for getting dressed and eating. Yes, I recognize where we have missed the mark.

Picnic Packin’ Perfection

Jessica — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 02:57:12 +0000

I come from a long line of impeccable picnic packers. My grandma has been known to smoothly pull an entire Thanksgiving buffet out of her basket. I’m not even kidding and I’m probably underestimating. There is a lot to learn from that woman who manages to serve hot dogs, beans and the like, still piping hot after a few hours travel and only wrapped in newspaper.

I’ve been summer beaching with my kids for three or four summers now on at least a weekly basis. I’ll never forget one of the first times when I invited my dad. Hadley was a newborn and both kids took turns screaming while I tried to just get a couple turkey sandwiches into the cooler. I swear it took an hour. I think I had to stop once or twice to nurse Hadley. My dad was bemused and insisted we did not have to leave the house. Oh but we did.

Things have since gotten easier, or more streamlined at least. I have very standard fare- some type of meat and cheese roll up, portable fruit and peanut butter for Bastien, carrots and hummus for me and Hadley, nuts, and water. I also try to throw in a treat like fruit snacks or goldfish if we happen to have one around. No fuss, no frills.

So this year I can tell I am beginning to arrive, as they say. At 10:45pm the night before the first day at the local beach, my basket is packed with all of the above mentioned PLUS fresh baked cookies AND fresh popped popcorn. Oh, and homemade BLT salad for me. There will be no standing around in the kitchen with screaming children in the a.m.. It’s straight to the beach for us. I am feeling fancy and accomplished. Is there a blue ribbon contest for such things?

3 x 2-Year-Olds + 1 x 4-Year-Old = ???

Jim — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 03:13:45 +0000

Hands down best shoot ever. I was so excited to be a part of this, I insisted we stay up late just to make sure you started off your Monday morning inspired too. What an amazing feat we have here… The worlds of cuteness, exemplary behavior, weather, scenery and photographic skills all colliding. And to learn that not a single bribe or piece of candy was even mentioned until the very last shot, well, it kind of blows your mind doesn’t it? But wait till you see when the candy was mentioned… You’ll know it when you see it…

Not even yet with the candy!

Wait for it…

Yep, right there. That’s what candy looks like.

As we are redecorating our living room it takes every shred of self restraint I possess not to print every one of these and plaster them all over our freshly-painted walls. Never mind that it’s not my family.

Wishing you a day that looks just like that last shot. XOXO and CANDY!
TheJLBs

Summer Summer Summertime

Jessica — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 03:54:19 +0000

Friday begins our summer bucket list. We will promptly sign up for the library summer reading program, go to a garage sale or two (to spend our hard-earned chore-chart money!), and partake in an evening commencement celebrating Bastien’s graduation. In the long days that follow there will be plenty of swimming, biking, camping, hiking. Then lemonade making, alfresco dining, day camp exploring, and amusement park-ing. We will make a calendar but leave plenty of wiggle room for spontaneity. Personally at the end of the day I will treat my students to the coveted outdoor yoga experience, filling my heart and theirs beyond measure with peace. Then because of this joy, I will treat the kids to a few “get out of bed free” passes– for firefly catching, fireworks gawking, and glow-in-the-dark dog toy fetching. Seriously, is there a better time to be alive than right now? Certainly not!

All-Stars Review

Jessica — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 01:58:35 +0000

I spent all day Wednesday trying to figure out why I was crying. Non-stop. As in All. Day. And oh yeah, this.

Bastien just 3, first day of preschool

Hadley just 2, first day of preschool

Bastien just 4, last day of 3-year preschool with beloved Miss Bre.

Bastien just 4, first day of 4-year preschool

Hadley 2 1/2, first day of fall preschool

Beloved Miss Renee. The best.

Last days of 2-year preschool with Miss Rene.

Last days with Miss Kathy. (Or, Miss Kaffy)

Hadley 3.5, first day of fall preschool

Bastien just 5, first day of fall preschool

Hooray for Miss Renee again!

Miss Kristen!

Bastien 5.5, last day of preschool with Miss Renee. Wah.

Hadley just 4, Miss Kristen, Miss Dina and Miss Jamie. Dream team.

Bastien 5.5, Hadley just 4, last day of preschool. Completely all grown up and ready for college.