8

It's birthday party time at our house. We've celebrated Laura's 8th birthday with an art party with 8 wild girls. We painted an ice cream cone on canvas and I was doing my best to channel my inner Bob Ross, but he never showed. The masterpieces were definitely unique and it amazes me how different they all turned out despite receiving the same instructions. 

Laura was very specific this year about the cake so we watched some you-tube videos and bought the frosting from Hy-Vee's bakery. I'm pretty sure the girl in the bakery pulled a "Heidi" as I got a boat load of butter cream frosting for $3.99. Got to love those bakery and deli girls.

My girl is 8, wants a Fitbit for her birthday, loves to party plan and get her craft on. It's like she's been here forever, but at the same time it feels like she just arrived. How can that be?!

Summertime and the Living is...

I love the song Summertime by Ella Fitzgerald. Would I describe summer with two energetic kids as "easy" as Ella does in the song? That would be a hell no.

Here are some other adjectives to describe summertime.

Summertime and the living is adventurous.

Sam really wanted to pass the swim test at the pool to be able to go off the diving boards this year. So on the first day of summer break we went to the pool and made a bee-line to the swim test lap lane area. Last year Sam had to be rescued during a swim test, but he was determined to pass this year. It wasn't pretty, but he passed the swim test with flying colors. While heading to the diving board he told me he was going to do a flip off the board. I told him for the first time off, just do a regular jump to get a feel for the board and the water. He successfully jumped off the diving board and then headed straight for the high dive. When he reached the top of the ladder I saw the color drain from his face and he was no longer smiling. I had a feeling Sam was going to turn around and just stick with the low diving boards for the day. But my adventurous Sam walked slowly to the edge of the board and didn't jump...he flipped off the high dive! When thinking back about my words, I just told him to do a regular jump the first time off the diving board. Since this was his second time, I guess he figured he was good to go.

Summertime and the living is full of art projects.

Laura is in her element doing art projects. When we put together the gallery walls, you would have thought she was Joanna Gaines from Fixer Upper. She's so confident and really has an eye for detail. She's tough too. The notes she leaves next to her projects screams don't mess with this girl.

I also tackled a project that was on my to-do list for years. I refinished Grandma Claussen's china hutch. I didn't realize it at the time, but I officially finished this project on her 88th birthday. Everytime I look at it, I think of her and it sparks so much joy.

Summertime and the living is random.

I felt like I was constantly at the grocery store this summer. I have so many pictures on my phone of random items from the grocery store that L & S would say they wanted and my usual response was, "Let's take a picture to remember for your birthday."

Summertime and the living is full of family time.

The Strawberry Festival, Aunt Liz's Wedding, G.G. and Papa Camp, The Schulz Family Vacation, Reiman Gardens, & Molly's Birthday Party. We were lucky to see our families a lot this summer and the the kids absolutely can not get enough of them.

Summertime and the living is growing our minds, coordination, & bodies.

Sam learned how to rip stick, knee board, ride the flow rider at the pool, open up cans using a can opener, and tie his shoes this summer. The kids rode 10 miles on their bikes yesterday with no complaints.
Today was my official first day back at work and they kids went to Dana's house, our beloved babysitter for the past 7.5 years, for the last time. They both woke up to their alarm clocks and got themselves dressed on their own this morning. Seriously alarm clocks?! I just got rid of Sam's crib!!

Summertime and the living is definitely anything but easy, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Design Services by Laura & Sam

Design Services by Laura and Sam

515-988-2900

Here are some examples of our work in Ankeny

Sam is our muscle man he can move a sofa!

I am the organizer

This is me and Sam, the organizer and muscle man!

She is our driver and assistant and substitute.

Gallery Wall 1

Gallery Wall 2 (still in progress)



At my very organized desk.

Aunt Liz Gets Married

We've been looking forward to Aunt Liz's wedding for a while and it happened on June 17th. Laura was the flower girl and Sam was the ring bearer. They got married at The Metro in Chicago which is concert venue that Mark has performed in front of the crowds during his bachelor days. Some of my favorite memories of the weekend include the following...
My birthday surprise flan at the Mexican rehearsal dinner complete with a sombrero, a sparkler candle, and "Happy Birthday" sung twice (in Spanish & English)
Laura getting her hair done and feeling like a little princess
Sam feeling like a "secret spy" in his suit and tie
Putting together the bathroom baskets with the Glen Ellyn ladies and their commentary.
Liz and Mark's vows they wrote to each other
Russ's toast to Liz was so long, but oh so sweet.
Sleepy Sam that tried to sleep in my arms for the later part of the evening. He.is.so.heavy!

And they lived are living happily ever after!

Field Photo Shoot

On the summer bucket list Laura wanted to take pictures in a field wearing a flower headband that she made. You know me and making summer wishes come true (remember the mermaid at the pool story last year?) 
This girl could get her picture taken all day. If you look closely, you might see some sparkle on her ear lobes as she got her ears pierced on Tuesday!

Stay tuned for Aunt Liz's wedding post coming soon!

New York-New Opportunities

Eric and I got to spend four days in New York City! We visited all the places tourists go in NYC-Central Park, Empire State Building, The One World Trade Center, 9/11 Museum & Memorial, Times Square, Metropolitan Museum, Carrie Bradshaw's stoop, and Live with Kelly & Ryan!

Of course a trip to NY wouldn't be complete without visiting the Statue of Liberty. While visiting, I thought of our relatives that didn't know the language, didn't know the living conditions, and couldn't bring many possessions with them on their voyage. However, their fear of the unknown was outweighed by the hopes and dreams of the opportunities the new world could provide for them and their family. It made me proud of our forefathers for their bravery and sacrifices to ensure the family's future of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness would always be a "given." Basically it made me want to wrap myself in the American Flag. 

Life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness is this month's theme as Eric started a new job at Business Solver in West Des Moines. He is the Assistant Vice President of Production and Planning. Just like our forefathers, he decided to take a leap and embark on this opportunity. Unfortunately, just like many of my forefathers I'm sure if I tried to explain what that title really means I would get it all screwed up.