We had a fun and busy past week over here!
We spent time with family, visited the fair, and celebrated my nephew’s birthday! Here’s a look at all the memories we made.
Family Time 🏡
I surprised the kids by taking them to my mom and dad’s for a sleepover! Well, none of us got much sleep but we had a great time regardless. 😉
There was a slip ‘n slide, apple pie baking, thrift shopping, time outside, lots of relaxation, and playtime.
Thank you to my mom and dad for opening up their home to our crazy crew!
Fun at the Fair 🎪
We made it to the Washington County Fair on Friday night and had a great time. We all really loved wandering around the animal exhibits (rabbits! cows! goats!), the big kids rode a few rides and played a game, and we all left tired and happy.
We rode a trolley from the parking lot to the fair and it was very entertaining for everyone!
Before we arrived, I told Jimmy I was most excited to see the animals. As soon as we stepped in the rabbit barn, I felt my body relax and I couldn’t stop smiling. Why are animals the best?!
The kids were allowed to play one game and they won giant blow-up toys that caused all sorts of sibling battles. 😂 I kind of can’t wait until that hammer pops!
The rides were a big hit! We held Dakota while Sadie and Mordecai went on rides and she would wave to them every time they passed by. It made my heart so happy to see their love for each other.
That’s sibling relationships right there: bashing each other with a blow up hammer and waving while they ride rides. 😆
Frosting 🧁
My nephew, Titus, turned four-years-old! He is such a fun little guy and has overcome so much in his four years of life. He is a big John Deere tractor fan, so when Hannah asked me to make his birthday party cupcakes tractor-themed, I was excited to make custom toppers and use John Deere-colored sprinkles.
We had more family time at his birthday party on Saturday evening! We loved celebrating the birthday boy and catching up with extended family.
Happy birthday, Titus! The next birthday in the family will be our Sadie girl turning eight in September!
Daily Life ☀️
Daily life around here has looked like trying to keep up with laundry, cooking, cleaning, and everyday tasks! We made waffles over the weekend and it reminded me that I should always keep some on hand because they’re such an easy breakfast!
I love using my trusty mini waffle iron and I just acquired a powdered sugar duster. Where has that been all my life?!
The weather in Pittsburgh feels like it’s edging ever so closely towards fall. The humidity is a touch lower and the mornings and evenings are cooler. The light even feels like it’s shifting from bright to golden. Niva has been appreciating the cooler temps on her walks.
Speaking of fall, I decorated the big kids’ beds with a fall-themed blanket and pillow as a surprise. They loved it!
Now I kind of want my own fall bedding. 😉 We haven’t fully decorated for fall, but we’re definitely thinking of it! I can’t wait!
We pulled out our bounce house and the kids loved playing in it. I store it in a big tote bin, and every now and then we pull it out and it’s endlessly fun for them because it feels new and special. That thing is still some of the best $100 I’ve spent!
I’ve had lots of early morning Bible study time lately. I just finished reading the book of Amos.
And Malcolm has been living his best life hunting for birds out our window. 😉
Other Notes and Thoughts 🗒️
- Scripture I’m loving: If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 🕊️
- Recipes to make: peanut butter pretzel chocolate chunk cookies and easy layered ratatouille. 🍅
- The kids were singing, running circles around our kitchen, and giggling the other night while Jimmy and I loaded the dishwasher after dinner and we both stopped and just soaked it in. Hearing their pitter patter footsteps is such a blessing. Each of our children have been prayed over and so wanted. To just live everyday life with them—seeing them happy and healthy—is more than I could ever dream of. God is so good. 🙏🏻
- We had a really great homeschool day the other day because we did Sadie’s reading lesson in our hot tub! We read The Princess in Black and soaked while Dakota took her afternoon nap and it was amazing. 🙌🏼
- Speaking of reading, Sadie is super into the graphic novels titled Catwad (😂) and every time she starts one, she completely ignores the world while she reads as fast as she can. I love seeing her immersed in a book! 📕
- Dakota turned 18 months old! I’ll be posting her update soon. She is doing fabulous and started speech therapy this week. 🎤
- I thought this quote from Simple Abundance was beautiful: “The woman who works with her hands only is a laborer; the woman who works with her hands and her head is a craftswoman; the woman who works with her hands, her head, and her heart is an artist.” 💛
Whew, this post was a long one! Thanks for sticking with me if you made it to this point. I have more to share, but need to start my day before the kids wake up and need hugs and hot cocoa. 🥰
Living My Full Life 