Yesterday And Today

Yesterday the girls set up our "summer table" and spent a good deal of time on the porch reading and knitting. Setting this spot up last year was one of our favorite things, and we all felt that it must be continued this year (and each summer as well). With the renovations taking place this summer I think this spot is going to be even more essential than it already was. 

In the evening, after dinner, the four of us spent some time tending the garden. 

Support was given to the peas and to this sweet Morning Glory that we were surprised to find growing in one of the garden beds. 

 The gnomes finally made it their spots in the garden beds, too. 

The day ended with the girls and Gretchen snuggled together in their "new" room. They've clearly missed sharing a bed, and there's talk that once they're back in their usual room that they'll be pushing their beds together again. 

 Today. 7:38am. The storage container arrives. 

 This will house most of our belongings for the duration of the renovations. 

By 7:48am the container was in it's spot in our driveway and the empty truck was on it's way back to the lot. 

 Mid-day. 

 "Mama, we have our own dance floor!" 

Awaiting the addition of the larger furniture.  

 We did our first Camp Google experiment today. 

 The girls wondered what the eggs would do when different amounts of salt were dissolved in the water. It was decided that the only glass where the amount would change would be the middle one. 

It was fun to see the different results, though we all agreed that seeing the eggs at three different levels (like shown above) was our most favorite! 

Couches tipped on their sides + a table cloth = one super cool tent!

We're happy to have the boxes in the container and the house one step closer to being brought back to its usual gorgeous state! Thank you to everyone who helped us as we got ready for the renovations to begin. We are especially grateful to those who: loaned us bins and boxes, helped us pack, shared their knowledge, wisdom and suggestions with us, who are providing construction free shelter to our sweet guinea pig, and to those who have offered us places to escape to when we need a break from living in a construction zone. We are so blessed and so grateful to all of you and truly cannot thank each of you enough! xo

Weekending

 On Saturday while we were working on getting more of the house packed up I came across these two disposable cameras left over from our wedding almost thirteen years ago. They still had pictures to be taken so I set them aside to show to the girls when I had a moment. For as old fashioned as they are a camera with film was totally mind boggling to them. "I look in where?" "I wish I could see the pictures!" "Developed?!" Once they understood they had such fun taking pictures. Now, just to find somewhere to get them developed. It's been ages since I've needed to do that!

 Since Dave's parents and Donna and Peter had been out on the Cape they decided to stop by on their way home so they could celebrate David and Grace's birthdays with them. 

 The cool thing about having a grandma who's a college Chemistry professor is that you can score some pretty cool lab equipment for your birthday! 

 She was fascinated by the various slides that were gifted to her with the microscope. 

Thank you, Grandma Joan and Grandpa Ron for the fabulous microscope! 

This gift will surely be loved for years and years to come! 

Later that afternoon it was off to the mall with Aunt Donna and Uncle Peter for a special trip to the American Girl store. When the Doll of the Year is named Grace like you are and lives in Massachusetts like you do it just needs to be your birthday gift! Thank you, Donna and Peter, for such a special trip in honor of her upcoming special day! 

 Sunday we enjoyed a lovely breakfast at the Wayside Inn and were very enchanted by these sweet soldiers in the gift shop. 

 Then it was back home and right back to packing. These two never cease to amaze us with their dedication to whatever the project or task at hand is. We are so grateful and so blessed to have such incredible helpers. 

Looking at this pile of pictures I was struck by how much living was represented here. From college to our wedding to life as a family of four this pile represents all that's gone on in our lives since we graduated from Hartford in 1999. It's incredible to think that we're packing up our house to have the wounds from the Epic Winter That Was finally fixed (along with some projects we've been looking forward to doing since the day we bought this sweet place back in November 2003). It's going to be quite a journey over the next several weeks and we'll be sure to keep you updated along the way! xo

Lights, Camera, Action (and Ice Cream)!

The girls did an absolutely fabulous job at the dance show on the last day of dance camp! Learning five dances in under a week and making all the fun costume pieces to go with the aforementioned dances was just super impressive! Each day Grace come so very happy yet so very tired. It was an incredible week and she's looking forward to next year already! 

The final lunchbox note of dance camp.
I may have had a little too much fun with this one! 

Of course, after the show we just had to get ice cream! 

Is there any better way to celebrate? We think not!

A perfect ending to a dance filled, fun filled, packing filled week! xo

In Which Emma And Mama Go To The Market

 We took a break from our packing on Thursday for our Emma and Mama Adventure. It was a gorgeous day and absolutely perfect for a trip to the Farmer's Market! 

After our adventure we went in search of some boxes but every where we went no one had any. It was such a treat when Sarah texted to let me know she had three (no, four!) empty Rubbermaid bins we could borrow! 

Grace's lunchbox note of the day. xo

{This Moment} Summer Concert Bound

{This Moment} - A Friday ritual. A single  photo  - no words- capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you are inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments section for all to find and see. We wish you a wonderful weekend! xo

Emma And Mama's Packing Adventure

Eight boxes packed, paint samples chosen and a break for lunch at the local diner made for one very productive Emma and Mama Adventure yesterday!

For those that don't know our house endured a fair amount of damage thanks to the "Epic Winter That Was". Because of all the ice dams/water damage we need to pack up the entire first floor, the girls' room and a bit of the upstairs bathroom in preparations for the renovations that will be starting soon. Eight boxes packed (and one box and large bag of donations set aside) yesterday was a great start but goodness there is still so much more to do. We're excited for the renovations and to see the gorgeous end result!

 And, since Dave got in on the lunchbox note fun the day before, Emma asked to be the one to leave Grace a note yesterday. I love how the lunchbox note leaving became such a family affair! xo

Another Day, Another Adventure

 Craft Day at the library (followed by a trip to the mall to choose birthday presents for David and Grace) made for the perfect Emma and Mama Adventure yesterday! 

We arrived a little bit early to pick Grace up from dance camp and got to see a bit of the musical theater dance they were working on! What a treat! 

Yesterday morning I had to run to Target before dance camp so Dave packed Grace's lunch. I love how he added on to my note from the day before! 

Ready for camp (and looking like an older girl all of a sudden). This mama cannot take how fast the days, months and years are flying by! Nine is on the horizon! xo