Saving Water

I snagged this free barrel from work before I quit and it's been sitting on the side of the house for a month. We've had some cooler weather and not so busy weekends so the hubster helped me out and hooked it up! 

It took some wandering around Lowes to find the right parts and cost about $50, but after 2 moderate rainfalls it was full. Probably should have done this 2 years ago and at the beginning of planting season. 

It would nice if it was another row of cinder blocks high but we were worried about the 450 lbs tipping when it was full.  I can still fit a watering can under the spout, it's just not super easy. I also got a soaker hose that can reach the herb/veggie garden. That will be the best option I think. 

Should be perfect for next summer!

Blueberry Picking

I saw an article in the paper in July about local blueberry picking and thought, "Lincoln LOVES blueberries!" So 4 mamas and 4 babies drove out to Pungo and checked it out a few days later.

There were blackberries too which were much easier for L to pick.

By the time we got to blueberries, the kiddos were a sticky mess (mostly Kai) and had full bellies! Wear purple or blue shirts if you go next summer.

Chivalry is not dead. 

Lincoln loved the wagons and the golf cart most of all, not surprised. He's obsessed with anything with wheels and shouts, "Tuk!" from the backseat of the car at every truck or van or large vehicle we see these days.

We came home with $5 worth of really delicious blueberries and blackberries. At $1.95 a pound, you can do the math. Lincoln was not so helpful when it came to picking the berries, but super helpful when it came to emptying the buckets.

We had some sweaty, sticky kiddos and a few nasty diapers in the coming days, but it was a success! I'm excited for apples and pumpkins in a few months!

Baby Valone!

He's not here yet, but we celebrated his upcoming arrival when Lincoln and I were in Minnesota in July. I kept things simple and had it at a British pub in downtown Minneapolis. They prepared the food and they cleaned up! Easy!

We made an alphabet book and played a little gift bingo. I think the mama to be enjoyed herself!

We had a great turnout and Blair's grandma made it from Virginia too!

I don't predict that she will make it to her September 14th due date. My guess is September 8th (full moon).

Good luck, Blair! Get ready to have your world rocked! (In mostly an amazingly awesome way, but also in a lack of sleep lose your hair lots of poop incredibly crazy kind of way.)

Flying Baby

Lincoln took his first flight at 7 weeks and we've taken several trips in between including one international. The older he got, the harder it's gotten, but this last trip wasn't so bad. He'll finally watch a video for 8 minutes or play with stickers or playdough. My girlfriend compared herself to Mary Poppins while flying with a toddler and I don't think she's too far off!

Lincoln screamed for 20 minutes during our holding/waiting for take off. Then we got our own row of 3 seats. Nice work, buddy. No, I didn't pinch him, but the guy next to me have. (not really).

Occasionally he sleeps. That is glorious.

We tried the baby leash. Hated it at the airport. Loved it at home. Go figure.

Layovers are the worst, but when there is a USO inside of security, it can be tolerable. A room with a door that closes is a novel idea with a curious toddler. I enjoyed the fact that I could sit in a chair and know he couldn't go far. Drink a coffee even. People like him cause he's cute and I don't mind letting them play with him either. :)

The USO at MDW even had toys and computers with access to YouTube. Hooray!

This lasted over an hour. It's going to be tough when he out grows the baby carrier!

Summer Buzz

Lincoln's hair was getting a little crazy and the back of his hair has a different texture that made it always look like he just woke up from a nap so one afternoon we decided to give him a summer buzz. Glenn had just cut his a few weeks earlier.

 He did really well til the end when he got kind of squirmy so we missed a few small patches, but it has grown on me. He looked so much older as soon as we did it!

 

 Just like daddy!