Staycation Day 1

For years now, Brent and I have generally taken separate vacation weeks in the summer to avoid daycare costs.  This week is my turn to be on Staycation with the kiddos.  Time off is time off...even if you aren't traveling to explore some fantastic foreign city or beach.  It is nice to spend lots of time with the kids here at home...and a lot less expensive! I am grateful to have a fair amount of time off from my job to experience a little work life balance when the sun is out.

Lisa

I am grateful for my sister, Lisa. She makes family gatherings fun and my kids think she is the best thing since gummy bears.  I love her boys, Lucas and Miles, so much I can't help but cover them with slobbery kisses each time I see them.

The hood

Our neighborhood is quirky with an eclectic group of folks that we call neighbors. Our house being in the center of the main block, we tend to be the place that gets lots of attention from the neighbor kids. Our bunnies that generally live on our porch attract folks too. Today a preschooler and her toddler brother from a few houses down showed up asking if they could pet the bunnies. We pet bunnies, our cats...and here is a photo of them huddled out front with Mr. Pancakes, Dom's hamster, in his wheel.

I am grateful for our neighborhood...as I know we are lucky to have it.

Summer Lilies

I have had these lilies growing along our back patio for over 7 years, and they come up every summer without fail.  Perennial bulbs are my kind of gardening...low maintence to the nth degree.  I love these flowers, so full of color and some of them stand up as tall as me! 

Life Doesn't Frighten Me

After the recent passing of Maya Angelou I went out and found a book I had heard about a long time ago, and knew I needed a copy. The poem is fantastic...full of strength and grace.  The illustrations are works by one of my favorite painters, Basquiat. This book makes me happy.

Basil

He is one of my favorite cats of all time...but it's complicated.  We currently have 3 cats. Sugar stays inside, Midnight goes in and out...and Basil moved out.  After we adopted Midnight, Basil just decided he was happier as an alley cat. We see him hanging around in the alley on the side of our house but sometimes weeks go by and no sign of him.. Sometimes we get lucky and he visits us. Today, he did just that...and we showered him with love, treats, and catnip. He is scraggly and skinnier than usual, so he spent some quality time at the food dish.  Here he is rolling around on the kitchen floor...grateful to have some Basil time today.

Sum sum summer time

 Even though I have to work each day this week, it still feels a little like vacation since Brent took the week off to spend with the kids. It's my turn to take vacation next week...and until then I will just appreciate that it is "keeping the front door open" weather and evenings are lazy, and free of homework or super-early bedtimes.