ending August

Shawn had an early meeting today and I was bummed to miss out on my Tuesday morning walk with Kim (my so-cool neighbor that I might just have to tell you about some time if she'll let me), but then the big kids didn't wake up...and didn't wake up...and didn't wake up...could it be? Could my kids be sleeping in for once in their short lives?!  So Kate and I made the Oat Scones I've been hoping to try (thanks, Jen! oh and I added blueberries) and then I read almost the entire paper before Kate started frantically beating me with her "book?! book?! book?!" as if she could not live another moment if I did not read Chicka Chicka Boom Boom five-times-in-a-row-right-now. Oh but I love her so.
Once the big kids had roused and eaten and dressed and stood on the deck hollering their good-mornings at neighbors and dogs, we did some math and Tristan read us a book and then we headed to the pool (because we have one more week of pool time and we plan on making the most of it!)  It has been a long and full summer for the Campbell house and while it seems our Fall has begun in some ways (school, a mum planted in the flower bed, new shoes that cover the toesies...) I think we have a lot of these sunny-with-a-high-of-95 days ahead still.  September is upon us, but Summer clearly isn't going anywhere just yet.
Tonight we will pack around sixty people into our house for a Bible study that started with a handful of families wondering if anyone would be interested...
I can't think of a better way to close out this month called August.

thoughts today...

She and her three little ones watched from the beach this weekend as a boat set sail for Pakistan.  Their "live action figure hero" was on that boat.  I love that she calls him that.  I hate that she had to say goodbye to him again (and on short notice with no pre-deployment leave -salt in the wounds).
Praying, dear friend, that His peace which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds...

august break | three for the weekend

There's a new coach in town...

This kid is pretty excited about it...

The girls, however, are having a bit of trouble staying on the outside of that bright orange line...

it's dinner time here

Gruyere chicken & broccoli is in the oven...but I'm kinda craving those blueberry muffins & that red wine.  I think I know what's for breakfast tomorrow (right -minus the wine of course.)

bubble gum snow cone

She got a haircut this week.  Those locks battling the hair clip (and winning) have been transformed into tidy little side-swept bangs.  She kind of looks like a big girl now -except she's not.  She's my teeny-tiny, sparkly, pinky-purpley, bubble-gum, giggly, cutie Kenna.

jazz at the museum

A concert on a somewhat-cooler-lately August evening was a lot of fun.  I enjoy jazz music so much more when it's live.  Seeing the individual musicians work magic with brass and strings, and the movements of a high-energy conductor makes all the difference.  I just wish I had taken better pictures.

bokeh

I've been trying to pay more attention to my camera settings (instead of my usual lazy use of program mode).  When I pay attention to my camera settings, I get better pictures (imagine that).  It just takes a few extra seconds of thinking for a photo full of sparkly, beautiful bokeh (and those blue, blue eyes I love).

august break | three for the weekend

When daddy comes to tea...

for my love

movie night

tangles

The yellow buses are making afternoon rounds and I hear them but don't feel the tug I thought I might.  Our days at home are colorful and fun and also messy and sometimes frustratingly knotted.  As we work out the tangles, we glimpse a masterpiece in the making.  I wouldn't miss this beautiful mess for anything.

herbs

I've never had much luck with indoor plants but I am determined to start some healthy herbs this week.  I can give up summer till next year but not my fresh herbs.
Side note -herbs is a funny word.

august break | three for the weekend

Not a care in the world...oh to be one again.

noticing

I am noticing hints of Autumn, like the reds in this photo's background and the many dry leaves already littering the sidewalks.  I love the quote Robin posted about them and I hope she doesn't mind my repeating it here-
Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. ~Albert Camus

into the woods

We found trails in the neighborhood!
Tristan is learning to like them.
I think he's a bit jealous of the girls...

peachy

The peaches became a 'rustic peach tart' to share with friends.  The photo became an experiment in textures like, 'old paper'. I thought both were lovely.

loss

Just days ago I watched my children falling in love with a beautiful old tree and took those pictures of their beaming faces as they played under its branches...

Friday morning, after a storm, we walked out our front door and saw this...


I wanted to weep.

august break | three for the weekend

my garden

It's only a few pots now.  Mint, peppers, basil and the amaranths, of course.  When I start to miss my old garden, I step out the front door and and say hello to these (while trying to ignore the pampas grass on the other side of the door that the neighborhood landscapers keep chopping up with the hedge trimmers...)

little girl

We built a tiny fairy house at the base of the climbing tree (leaves for beds, acorn cups...you know).  Then she ran all the way home to get her wings because she wanted to be the fairy living in the fairy house at the base of the climbing tree.

lemonlight and baby Grace

Angie at lemonlight recently shared a completely fun action.  It is addicting, let me tell you.  In honor of my newest niece's arrival yesterday, I played with a photo I took of Lisa and her belly back in May.  The possibilities are endless.  I can't stop.
A a proud auntie, I must also share this normal, single-faced photo of sweet baby Grace Diane (via Lisa's camera phone...what did we do before camera phones and text messaging?  O rght, we bght flm n rote fll sntncs on papr w/ pns -lol!)

Lisa, I can't stand that you are so stinkin' far away...please oh please bring this sweet babe out to see us soon!  Congratulations and our biggest hugs to you, Brian and Josiah!

peacefully

I stumbled upon the August break as I was considering the need for a bit of quiet.
Vacation is winding down, routines are changing, new things are starting...even the weather is turning.  Life is in transition.
I'm still here but I'm just going to sit peacefully beside you with a book or perhaps my long-neglected sewing machine or I might even disappear into the woods with my kiddos for a bit, but I'll certainly be stopping every so often to quietly share my pictures with you.

the climbing tree

The heatwave has subsided into a perfectly breezy summer warm.
While the cool and mysterious box fort still stands, there is a world of earth and sky and dappled sunlight welcoming us home as we emerge from July.
Oh it is good to be back outside.



I came across this at Susannah Conway's blog and it seemed just the thing.
And so begins...