Summer begins.

Summer has officially arrived.

We spent the long weekend doing a little bit of everything.

Kicking the season off right with family, friends, a pool & grilling out.. & don't forget the wine.

Today I spent the afternoon with the girlies outside.

It is so nice to have the sunshine back.

These cuties are going to have a fun summer.

xo.

my little ballerina.

Maddie's first ballet recital was last weekend.. She did awesome, I'm so proud of her! 

She had a little solo during their routine.. she nailed it.

Of course, I cried.

a little stretching and practice 

& a little Tinkerbell to calm their nerves.

They were all nervous before they went on, I was for them too. 

I had to crop it in to see this picture of her doing her solo --

[below] look at Maddie -- last one on the right.. up on her toes- so cute.

so proud of our girl

sissy love..

xo.

party time.

hello friends, hope your weekend was wonderful!

we had a very busy, but very special weekend here.

Lots of fun stuff :)

Josie's 2nd birthday party was Saturday.. 

nothing crazy, just a little party to celebrate the fabulous little being that she is.

white chocolate (colored pink) dipped marshmallows..

pink rice krispie treats..

chocolate covered & cheesecake stuffed strawberries..

we had other food but the sweet stuff makes for better pictures :)

she is so loved. 

Thank you to all of our family & friends who came to help us celebrate.

Me & my girl.

we got a cute family picture too

& of course I had to snap a few of the girls..

Maddie was giving her little sister a birthday hug.

...

we also had Maddie's first ballet recital this weekend.. but that is a whole other blog itself.

she did awesome.

be back soon.

xo.

Josephine is turning 2.

I can't believe my baby is TWO.

It seriously brings me to tears thinking about it.

Where do I start, my sweet Josephine--

 I have always said her personality is as sweet & strong as her name.

She has no fear, only as long as her mama is by her side.

Although she thinks she is three-- sometimes, I can still smell her sweet baby breath.

Her laughter is contagious & she could melt your heart with one sweet look from her big brown eyes.

Today someone at the store told me "she looked like a little lady.."
sometimes she has the attitude to match.

I love her so much, I don't think I could love her more.

she is my baby.

..there's no rush in getting older..

xo.

street market.

I had some free time to myself this morning.. very rare, so I took advantage & went downtown to the market for some fruits & vegetables, I think I ended up with more sweets though :)

I took home some gorgeous flowers--

Sunflowers, my favorite.

& Stocked up on some goodies..

I fell in love with this pretty little thing-- string of pearls-- I took home a little one, so hopefully it flourishes into something like this!

I might have to go back for this pitcher plant.

Of course I had to have something sweet-- I couldn't decide so I got it all.

I even went home with my favorite cherry pie-- can't wait to dig in tomorrow.

I made sure to bring the girlies home a little something-- or somethingS-- because I know I couldn't bring home just one pair.

They love their binoculars, they will be busy this weekend!

xo.

a taste of summer.

This week has been unusually hot.. thank goodness for water hoses & blow up slides.

Hopefully we have LOTS of summer days like this.

some cool treats 

& breaks in the shade

& a sweet baby to love on..

the girls were a little obsessed.

you can bet they slept well last night!

xo

hello sunshine.

We picked some of our favorite books & sat outside..

all morning.

I brought some "books" outside to look at too :)

and of course,

We had a visitor too..

While the girls were napping I sat outside with a book & my camera waiting for this little guy to come back. I wish I had a better zoom lens-- but that didn't stop me-- it just meant I had to be brave and go in for the shot.

My neighbors definitely think I'm crazy, 

because I know they couldn't see the little bee that I was chasing around.

I like that one above, its wings were flapping so fast-- I caught them right at the top of the bee's body.

have a lovely night friends :)

xo