Clem's First Haircut

I never quite know how my little Scorpio will react to things. Sometimes we get big reactions to little things and other times we get no reaction to bigger things.

Her first haircut was one of those things we didn't quite know what to expect. This was a long-overdue haircut. Clementine was starting to look like she'd been raised in the jungle!
As soon as we walked in, Clem charmed the owner into giving her a sucker. This sealed the deal; she was a perfect angel the rest of the time!



I had been putting off this haircut for awhile because Clem's hair had finally started to get some curl at the ends. I didn't want to get rid of it! But now with her new haircut, the bottom is actually curlier. That makes me happy.

They even gave her a little certificate at the end with a lock of hair!

Dinner al Fresco

Everything we own is either in the backyard, garage or some other random place while we work on installing new floors. We can't really utilize the kitchen and we have no place to sit once the food is served. This has made meal time a little challenging.

These days we eat in the backyard. All we really need is some delicious BBQ,

some big, juicy summer berries
and a friend to share it with.
Pants are optional.

The Family Business

We are well into the floor overhaul and it's all hands on deck around here! Even Clem's in on the action! She's a great helper and loves to put in her own planks. Of course, she has her own technique. It involves a lot of "squishy squishy squishy" mantras, stomping and a perfect dismount.

I don't know where she gets this stuff but it cracks us up!

Backyard Skinny Dippin

Clem got her first backyard pool today.
As soon as she saw it, she took off all her clothes and hopped in. I just love this beautiful, fearless adventurer!
(Please ignore the dead grass in the background. Project #1009 involves killing the grass at the fence line and putting in a rock garden. Right now it looks gross, but just you wait! It'll be gorgeous soon.)

love them

Blogger Mama

Over the last few months I have found so many phenomenal moms who blog. They post their creative ideas, their tricks and trips, and the DIY decor they come up with. I, then, steal all of their ideas.

I often find myself without a clue what to do with Clementine on rainy days. She's not really a "toy" girl (although she loves her kitchen). She needs to do and construct and figure things out. I found this genius idea several months ago but can't remember the blog I got it from.

It's one of those .99 cent blocks of styrofoam from Michael's, a bunch of golf tees and a shellfish mallet we've never used. I set it all on the tray for her (we learned the first time that eventually the styrofoam crumbles; the tray helps to contain those crumbles) and she goes to work!

She always makes this face when she's trying to ignore me and concentrate on her task. It cracks me up! (video at the bottom of this post)
My friend Erin has a blog where she posts about interior design (http://roombyroombyroom.blogspot.com/)

She posted this idea the other day. It was exactly what I was looking for, but just didn't know it. I made my EAT sign yellow to match all the counter accessories we have.
(we had spaghetti casserole for dinner tonight--see it?).

I love the color and the space it fills. Cam loves that it reminds us what we're supposed to do in the kitchen.
I also found this idea several weeks ago on another blog (once again I can't remember which, sorry!). I'd never made a wreath before but gave it the old college-try. I am happy with the way it turned out and even happier that the burns on my fingers are finally healing.
They're supposed to be like calla lillies, get it?

I am having a hard time finding my way back to crafting (I haven't scrapbooked in over two years!!) but have been trying to do something creative while Clem naps on the weekends. Both the wreath and the eat signs I was able to complete while she was sleeping. I am so thankful for these inspiring mama bloggers!

To the Beach!

Oh, Seabrook, I wish everyday was Seabrook vacation day! It was so peaceful and communal and laid back. We will definitely be back.

This is a planned community and this planner is a genius. They thought of everything! There are big houses, little tiny cabins (with lofts!) and little homes like this one where we stayed for 4th of July weekend.
There are bikes to borrow in a lot behind the general store. You just ride 'em until you're done then leave the bike outside your house and someone will borrow it from there! Meg and I rode bikes for the first time in many years.

Clem and Nolan on the last day at Seabrook. Do you see the resemblance I see?

We had great weather the first two days we were there. It was sunny and warm with a nice breeze off of the Pacific. This was the first time Clem had ever been to the ocean before (we live on the bay). We brought all kinds of toys to the beach: pails, shovels, a kite, dump trucks.

And what does my daughter do?

She sprints full-speed into the ocean. She paid no mind that the waves were knocking her down and the tide was sucking her out. I would help her to her feet only to see her run in again and again and again. She was soaking and miserable by the end of it so we went back to our cabin to soak in the hot tub.


Our little house was in between two parks. One had a major playground built just for Clementine sized adventurers. She loved it!

We had such a great time at Seabrook. It was the perfect place for a family. I can tell Clementine enjoyed it too. She radiated the entire time. I think she's got the idea of vacation now.