Color

I grew up in a pink house. It was accidentally pink. I heard it looked something neutral in the cans, but when it was painted, it was undeniably light pink. I loved it.

There are beautiful neighborhoods with impeccable color schemes that are lovely to visit, but I can't deny my love for neighborhoods with paint jobs that are decidedly a bit out there. Clearly I'm living in the right city for this. ;)

Scoot Scoot

"Maggie girl, what do you want for your birthday?" we've asked every day this month,

"A scooter. A purple scooter." 

We don't know where the obsession comes, but she's been telling us the same thing for at least six months, before her birthday was ever on the horizon. Now it's looming, and we've officially ordered the purple scooter. Sophie has declared that she will be getting Maggie her scooter, which I'm assuming means that she's planning to wrap it in all the washi tape and tissue paper to be found at my house, with a card and beaming smile of pride that she has gifted the expressed wishes of her best bud. Brian and I have purchased the cutest little helmet you ever did see, and we're all set. 

Today, Sophie let Maggie borrow hers to practice, as she says "just in case you get a scooter for your birthday Maggie. I'm not saying you will for sure, but maybe!" 

If her time on that scooter is a sneak peek of the smiles and laughter we'll be receiving in exchange for her own scooter, we're in for some good times. I LOVE birthdays. Love love love them. 

xx

Change

I'm a bit out of sorts. 

It's nearly the end of the summer and I had a meltdown late last week about all of the to-do's on my list left undone. I scrambled to paint the girls' room this weekend with Brian, in a great effort to appease my own critique of my summertime under-achievements. I've been cleaning my heart out to recover from our vacation and my painting efforts. 

I'm fumbling a bit these days. I've been calm, cool, collected and comfortable for awhile, so it's about time that I go a bit out of my comfort zone, yes? I've had my children, learned the ropes of motherhood, and have been on coast for a bit. Now we're about to embark on a whole new era of motherhood- the era of pencils and papers and unfamiliar faces and teachers and friends... and I'm a bottle of self-doubt and nerves. Somehow having a clean home and having the girls' room a fresh white rather than the terrible green we inherited seemed the potion to settle me back into confidence about the pending newness, but it hasn't. 

In truth, when I sit to consider all things, I am confident in my five-year-old. I know she loves people, she is sweet, she is social, she is smart, she is capable. She will thrive in a classroom, being taught by a teacher with the patience I lack, gaining skills and knowledge I wouldn't even remember to share with her. It's time and we all know it. 

I just thought it'd be easier to watch my girls grow up. I thought, hey, I'm not a crazy emotional person. I don't get easily rattled by circumstances. I definitely won't get teary when they go to school. Now we're nearly there, and I'm eating my words. This morning, I was sitting doing research on great lunch boxes and I was struck with a moment where my throat constricted and I swallowed so hard and my eyes were watering. I was alone but embarrassed at my silliness. It's school, for crying out loud! My girls are growing up and it's a beautiful thing!

It's just that- as I've said here a million times- I treasure the lovely preschool stages. The sweet kisses on my cheeks from adoring little girls, and the hands that want to hold mine and the feet that want mine to follow. I know this stage. I love this stage.

I don't know the next. I don't know how the inseparable friendship between my girls will develop when one is gone so much of the day. I don't know very many of the other kids, and I don't know the teacher. I just know that it's not what I have now. And I like what we have now.

I do believe that change is good. Change and growth build character, and character is the formula for building beautiful people with resolved integrity. What sort of story would we have if we just spent our days in the safety and adoring care of our mamas? Our world view would be skewed and revolve directly around ourselves.

To learn from the good and learn from the bad and learn from growing up- and be proven to become a person of deep-rooted conviction, filled with love and compassion for others--- these are the elements for raising strong girls of character.  

So I must let them grow up. I must let them be their own little people, encountering and rising to challenges that come their way. I will savor every bit of our last three weeks beforehand, and perhaps discard my lengthy to-do list entirely, in favor of more quality moments in the sunshine. 

And hopefully I will be able to order #2 pencils and a thermos without any tears. ;)

"So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care of itself..." Matthew 6:34a

Gone Beachin'

We're at the beach if you need us! (Maybe you noticed from my Instagram?).

We may just call it on real life, set up a tent here, and become islanders forever. Really though... hop out of bed, go paddle boarding or surfing with the kiddos-- gives that stay-at-home-mom rep a whole new life. 

Seriously, we're loving it here. We'll love home when we get there too, but for now, we're living the dream. More soon! xoxo

Weekend Links

Photo via Dutch Living

The little boats above are just way too cute.

This makes me thing a job at Buzzfeed sounds fantastic. I love when people are funny.

I'm the type that tends more toward the "you're okay" parenting that she writes about, and I have a certain similar complex about it {Disclaimer- my kids running down SF hills are the exception... I'm always hands-on about that one. I have seen too many cement faceplants to let them try anymore}.

Hmm... this is pretty interesting...  My view on the deal is actually just that we're responsible for ourselves, so if we're checking social media when it makes us feel unpleasant and negative, well... let's stop checking, right? Gave me some food for thought though, I'll give it that.

I love good fish recipes. This looks amazing AND simple. 

Fabulous ways to use a shoebox.

A lovely living area. I love admiring home design.

Gorgeous, yet simple salad! 

This outfit has me thinking that fall looks pretty fine. 

Adorable dress for girls.

Finally, hey! Follow along with me on Pinterest and Instagram! (I'm there more than I'm here. ;)

Happy Weekend.