the 10.8

1.  It's officially time to put in the garden this weekend, so I'm pretty happy to look forward to that.  I've been doing a little plotting in my head, and plan on putting it on paper before I go purchase all the plants.  Rowan wants to plant tomatoes, and Fletcher wants to plant sweet peppers.  Done and done!

2.  Brian's new job has allowed him to be home most nights for dinner and bedtime.  Which is good and bad.  We're loving having him for extra time, but we're having an adjustment period to the bedtime routine.  Here Brian is "calming" them down for bed.

3.  Rowan is turning out to be a fairly girly girl.  She still like cars, trains and trucks like her big brother, but she's in love with the Disney princesses, and is insisting on a princess party for her birthday next month.  Hold me.

4.  I should have known what a girly girl she was going to be when she got into my makeup and carefully applied mascara.

She actually got some of it onto her lashes.  Without a mirror.  Watch out, Tammy Faye!

5.  I am having fun looking forward to and planning on some summer trips for us.  The anticipation is almost more fun than the trips!

6.  It made my week to find my beach tote diy on Brit + Co a few days ago!  You can see my original post here.

7.  Ever since my friend talked about making shakshuka, I can't get it off my mind.  I'll be experimenting with it tomorrow, and maybe have a recipe post for it soon!!  It sounds delicious.

8.  Rowan has had her first art show!  Her painting, entitled "elephant" is currently hanging in the community center.  Yes, I'm pretty proud.

9.  I'm pretty excited to read this.  I wish I had more time to read.

10.  I'm getting into a good working groove on project make something.  Finally getting names knocked off pretty quickly, and I've really stretched past my comfort zone to create things that other people like.  It's been fun and so fulfilling.

the ten.7

1.  I painted Rowan's nails for the first time last week.  She loves to play with my nail polish bottles, so I thought she would have asked before then, but it was the first time she asked.  She was very excited, but did not get the concept of waiting for them to dry.  So her first manicure wasn't exactly best.

She was pretty happy anyway.
2.  The paperwhites I planted to bloom at Christmas are in full bloom.  Late, but beautiful.  And their scent is so lovely.

3.  Can't. Stop. Eating. Citrus.  Fruits.  Tis the season!  They are my favorite, and between the clementines, blood oranges, and meyer lemons, I'm in winter fruit heaven.

4.  I made the mistake of buying a children's record at a thrift store recently. It has classics such as 10 Little Indians, The Farmer and the Dell, and The Bunny Hop.  Now I get to listen to AND dance to The Hokey Pokey no less than 10 times a day.  Rowan loves it.  And it may have to disappear for a while...
5.  My littles have switched appetites.  Fletcher used to be in the clean plate club (not that I force that here) and Rowan ate like a bird.  Well, recently, Fletcher has been eating about half as much, and Rowan has turned into a MACHINE.  The girl ate 3 slices of bread AFTER her lunch yesterday.  THREE.  She's tiny, and I have no idea where she's putting it!  Her belly is rounding out nicely, though.  She was always a chubby baby, but then just thinned out at 18 months, and has barely eaten since.  So I'm not complaining!

6.  I put up a couple Valentine decorations.  I was planning on more, but I've been busy making other things.  I had these up for a week before Fletcher noticed.  I guess after all the Christmas it IS a bit underwhelming.

7.  Nothing beats a sunset on the beach, but winter sunsets can be really pretty.

8.  Has your family been sick all winter?  We've been battling with colds since October, thanks to the germ fest that preschool has turned out to be.  Julie's post on winter health is something you'll want to bookmark if the answer is yes.  So much great, natural health tips here.  Seriously, go read it.
9.  This boy.

His latest Fletcherism: After I kissed his cheek while tucking him into bed, he asked me, "Will this kiss stay on forever, or will it wash away in my bath tomorrow?"  He kills me with his sweetness.
10.  Speaking of Fletcher, I just found out that Amtrak partners with National Park Services to provide "Heritage Appreciation" during your ride.  It could include rangers dressed in historical attire or musical entertainment.  How fun is that?  I think we may plan on doing a weekend trip this summer.  If you're interested in it near you, check it out here.

the ten.6

1.  This week I had my very first parent/teacher meeting!  Many more to come, I know.  Fletcher is doing so so great, especially considering he is the youngest in his class by far.  I am so proud of everything the teacher said about him.  He's smart, and that makes me proud.  But it's his kindness and compassion that slays me.  Proud mama, here.

2. I stayed up late last night cooking for some good ol' forced family fun today, Army style!  I also stayed up finishing a portrait of Rowan for a fundraising auction.  I'm not actually auctioning off the picture of Rowan, but using it as an example for a portrait of their choice.  I'm just going to say it.  I'm pretty nervous that no one bids on it.  I guess if that happens, I still have a baby portrait of Rowan?
3. I haven't gotten even one Christmas present yet.  My blood pressure just jumped when I typed that.
4. I'm hosting my in-laws for Thanksgiving.  My blood pressure just jumped when I typed that. 
5. How long will this last?  She's wearing her Halloween costume every. single. day.  I have to talk her out of the wings when we go into public.  Have I ever mentioned I have the most stubborn 2 year old in the world? 

6. Kris's hats are pretty much perfect, and I think we should all urge her to start selling them.  (Ha!  As if a homeschooling mama of 4 needs one more thing on her plate)
7. We have an Army ball coming up next month, and I think this dress would be perfect for a December ball.  But I'll probably just wear something I already own.  Boo.
8. I have 13 of those big Rubbermaid tubs full of Christmas decorations.  That is all.
9.  This.

10. I know my postings haven't been as regular lately, and I'm sorry about that.  I usually work on pictures the night before, and write up my post in the morning before the littles are up.  Well, daylight savings really put a kink in that one!  I'm just too much of a night owl to wake up even earlier.  Also?   I put a lot of energy and time in this here blog, and sometimes it feels nice to pull back and invest that time and energy in other places. 

the ten.4

1.  Rowan is turning into quite the artist.  I've gotten her steered away from here:

and over to here:

And her masterpieces are getting better and better!

I know.  I have mom eyes, but I love each one!  I could paper the walls with her pictures. 
2.  On our trip back home, Brian and I started listening to the book (audio book) Beautiful Ruins.  We were a little optimistic about how that trip would go, I guess.  But the few hours we DID listen to were so sweet and funny!  We both laughed the whole time.  Can't wait for our next road trip to hear some more.
3.  I've been craving salads a lot lately- probably due to the heat.  I do love a hearty salad.  One of my favorites that I've found is an Avocado Black Bean Salad and this Watermelon Salad looks amazing- I'm going to try it (found this lovely lady through a mutual friend- she has a very tasty blog, indeed!).
4.  I have a weakness for white eyelet on little girls.  And I know a little girl that would RUIN the crap out of a white eyelet dress.  But I still like to look and say "awwwww...."  So sweet.  On a little girl that never moves, that is.
5.  My goals for the weekend don't really match up with our plans to stay home and relax.  The stay at home part, yes.  But I'd like to plant some seeds (late), work on a little indoor project, and also get a little painting done.  Oh!  And I have some (self-imposed) back orders on embroidery.  I'm looking at you, new baby Jackie!
6.  I'm catching up on Girls on hbo go right now, on the recommendation of a friend.  It makes me laugh pretty hard because of all the inappropriate humor.  It's highly inappropriate, which makes is all uncomfortable and hilarious at the same time.  True. 
7.  I love watching my children sleep.  It's not stalkery when it's your own children, so don't worry.  But.  Rowan sleeps like I do- lightly.  You creak the door an inch and she is up and talking a million miles a minute.  But Fletcher.  He sleeps like a ROCK.

Brian took this picture, and at the time, he was pretty paparazzi.  But Fletcher didn't even flinch.  He's a cutie, right?
8.  Same friend as the Girls recommender introduced me to Pacing the Panic Room.  If you are a parent, go read it, starting here.  (hand-bra, ha!)
9.  My neighbor keeps bringing me produce.  I can't keep up with all the vegetables!  I'm going to make a huge amount of soup and then freeze it I think.  There are only so many ways to make zucchini!
10.  The other morning when Fletcher woke up, he came into my bed and we both looked out the open window.  I asked him what he could hear.
Fletcher: Birdies chirping.  And the leaves laughing.
Me: Why are the leaves laughing?
Fletcher: Because the wind is tickling them!
I need to start carrying around a recording device to capture all the amazing/funny things he says!

the ten.3

1.  I don't know if I mentioned this, but we found a babysitter!  She's been with us for a couple weeks now, and is working out great.  She makes it easier for me to get some things done during the week, and for Brian and I to have a date night every now and then.  We ACTUALLY saw a movie not too long ago! 
2.  Yesterday I found a frog in our house.  I'm not sure if it's the pool, or our heavily wooded neighborhood, but we have a lot of frogs round here.  They'll keep you up at night with all their caterwauling (frogerwauling?).  Anyway, Mr. Frog jumped out at me while I was picking up shoes, and I screamed.  Yes, I'm a girl.  The littles came running because mama screaming = good times.  And Fletcher was so happy to see a frog hopping around in the house!  So I put him to work keeping an eye on the frog while I went to find something to put him in.  I came back with a bug box, and the frog was nowhere to be seen, and Fletcher and Rowan were happily playing with cars.  I asked Fletcher where the frog went, and he just shrugged his shoulders.  ARGHH!!  So I put him back to work picking up the shoes and bags where I had last seen Mr. Frog, while I stood a safe distance away.  Finally, after much screaming (me in sissy-girl fashion, the littles in fun gleeful fashion) we finagled Mr. Frog into the bug box and took him outside.

Fletcher named him "Puddle-jumper" and did NOT want to let him go.  It took much convincing that Mr. Frog, er, Puddle-jumper would enjoy being with his froggy friends more than being in our home.  Phew!  Living out here has been a lesson in creatures and creepy-crawlies.  The spiders are so ridiculously large, you can HEAR them walking.  I am *not* kidding about that.  We heard one swimming in our pool.  (shudder)
3.  Speaking of spiders, Rowan has taken to asking to eat ridiculous things.  I ask her what she wants for lunch, and she'll say, "the couch!"  And then she'll laugh hysterically.  The other day she asked to eat spiders for lunch.  So I provided spiders for lunch!

Hummus, pretzel sticks, and a couple of peanuts did the trick.  She was delighted.  Motherhood is one part love, to one part discipline, to one part thinking on your feet.  True story.
4.  Summer is not my favorite season, but summer season foods ARE my favorites!  Strawberries, rhubarb, squash, zucchini, and green beans... just to name a few.  We've been grilling out more, and I've been throwing random ingredients with veggies into grill packets and each one tastes better than the last.  If I actually had a system, I would post a recipe.
5.  Red hair is hard to maintain with the summer sun.  I've been doing a lot of hat wearing, and a lot less of hair washing (gross).  Dry shampoo is my new best friend!! 
6.  I found this website, which now has me obsessed with landscaping around our pool (it has tons of general landscaping ideas).  But seeing as how we'll be here for only a couple years, I hate to spend a bunch of time and energy on it.  What to do, what to do...
7.  I've been loving the maxi dresses/skirts this summer, and this one is right up my alley.  I'll take it in a large, please.  Email me for my address if you'd like to gift it to me (ha!).
8.  Last night I left the laundry on my bed for just an hour or so, and look what it did!!  It got busy and multiplied.  That's the last time I leave it alone on my bed.  Naughty laundry.

9.  I'm itching for a road trip, but I can't decide where I want to go.  Maybe we'll just settle on a trip to see family and friends back in Chicago/NW Indiana.  Brian and I used to take many many loooong road trips before the littles came along.  I'm looking forward to the time where we can pack up and go without worrying about diaper quantities, sippy cups, and snacks.
10.  We've been *loving* this vintage Parker Bros US map puzzle that I got at fuzzymama's always wonderful etsy shop. 

Fletcher needs help putting it together, but then he sits backs, and soaks in learning the states.  He loves geography!  And he's learned quite a few, and which loved ones live where, so that's a bonus, too.

the ten.2

1. Since starting this new job in March, Brian has had a reduced staff due to pregnancies, injuries, and people just plain up and leaving the Army (not blaming them!).  So we're lucky when he makes it home in time to just see the littles before they get tucked into bed.  And when he actually gets home early enough to play with them before bed?  We're all in heaven.

2.  I have been laughing at all her posts, especially dealing with a busy little boy and a newborn girl.  Been there!  Plus I can commiserate with being a sahm AND an Army spouse. 
3.  I got to spend the whole day out and about in Jefferson City last Saturday all by myself (thank you, Brian!!).  I hit a couple of thrift stores, ate a leisure lunch out, stopped at a craft store, Barnes & Nobles, a couple clothing stores, and topped it all off with a trip to Target.  Yes, our closest Target is 1 1/2 hours away.  Sad times.  It was an awesome day, and I snagged a couple of gems thrifting, including these Pyrex refrigerator dishes that match some of my hand-me-down Pyrex.  Cute!

4.  I'm so looking forward to a long visit from my parents next week- especially because Brian will be in the field the whole time.  This is like a business trip if you don't speak military.  It's so much easier to be a mom when your own mom is around.  True story.
5.  I realized when I saw this recipe that I have never cooked with beets before!  Crazy!  Probably because Brian detests them, but since he'll be gone next week I think I'll try them out.  Looks delicious.
6.  I'm looking forward to planting my herbs and maybe some lettuce this weekend!  And I think Brian will put in his pumpkin patch.  We missed doing it last year due to moving, but it's a tradition with him.  He puts in a massive pumpkin patch, finding new and interesting pumpkins, and then we have a harvest party to share.  The year before, our yield was around 40.  Can we skip over summer and just head toward fall?  No?  *sigh*

7.  Speaking of planting and such, we are still lucky with our new house and all the wonderful things that come up blooming!  I'm not even sure what these are- they look a little like flocks?

8.  My children are not angels.  But they can sure look angelic in the right light!

9.  Not to be a last minute procrastinator, but I'm still trying to figure out what to do for Rowan's birthday this weekend.  We don't really know anyone here yet, and family is far away.  Brian votes for camping.  I vote for staying home while he's camping with the littles.  Sounds fair, no?  On a side note, how is my baby turning 2?!?!
10.  I love when dinner turns out so pretty, I feel compelled to take it outside in the waning light and take a picture of it on our deck.  Pretty.  Oh, and tasty, too!

the 10

1.  I'm feeling super blessed with all the family coming to visit and helping so much while they stay.  Brian's brother and his girlfriend stayed a few days, cleaned out the yard even more (after my own brother did round one) and mowed!  And this yard ain't small.  They played with the kiddos a ton, and were just generally good good company.  And now Brian's parents are visiting and helping out so much, too!  Blessed!

2.  We have a bamboo forest in our backyard.  It's weird.

Weird because we live in Missouri.  Totally non-weird if we lived in China. 

But we do think it's quite pretty!  And really insidious.  It spreads rapidly through the lawn.  These pictures do no justice to vast thicket of bamboo in our yard.  We like it, but you have to admit it.  Weird, right?

3.  What's not weird is everything else planted in the yard.  It really is beautiful.  The iris and roses are blooming like CRAZY.  And I really really heart this lily of the valley.

And the dogwood trees, too.

4.  The littles! Are! Playing! Together! Nicely!  Aaaand now I've just jinxed myself by putting this out onto the blogging universe and tomorrow they will poke each other with sharp sticks or something.

5.  I wasn't so sure about the whole colorblocking trend, but then I saw this dress.  *swoon*

6.  My kid is kooky.

7.  So is my other kid.

8. I am super proud to have kooky kids.  It's like a badge of honor to me that my littles are slightly strange.  I can't explain it, but I just love it.

9.  I actually like rainy days! 

I think they're just as beautiful as sunny days.

10.  Bath time can be super fun around here!

Glow sticks, bubbles, and frogs with French accents (it's a thing here).  They NEVER want to get out of the tub!