Summer 2k15~ Day 4

All 3 junior residents of Hosmerville have summer wheels and we have lots of "bike~able" destinations on our "Summer 2k15 To~Do's". 

I don't have wheels {although I did score a "new" bike for Audrey at a garage sale a couple of weeks back and could downgrade her to her smaller set of wheels if needed} so "Game Plan #1" involves me running alongside the kiddos when we head out on our summer adventures. 

If all goes well, it'll be a win/win situation. Kiddos get fresh air, exercise, and fun & the momma doesn't lose all the progress she's made in running because she can't get to the gym as frequently now that the kiddos are on summer break. 

Yesterday, we successfully implemented "Game Plan #1" and headed to a park about a mile away. The kiddos played for about an hour and then we returned home, maintaining about an 8:00min/mile pace. 

I got in a 2 mile workout. They got in several rounds of "Hosmerville Ninja Warrior". 

Not bad. Not bad at all. 

Summer 2k15~ Day 2

Hello, summer sunshine! We spent the day at Stony Creek Metropark.

Sun, swimming, grilling, great times with with great friends. The essence of summer all wrapped up in the perfect beach day. 

We had so much fun I didn't even get a chance to snap some pics on the beach so I made the kiddos pose in the van while Tom ran into the store to get some last~minute essentials.

Summer 2k15~ Day 1

We didn't waste a second kicking off the start of our summer vacation.

First stop, a book sale hosted by friends of the Warren public library. Audrey has had this sale on her radar for a couple of weeks, Austin..... not so much. But we all spent a good hour browsing through the stacks & came away with a lot of new titles for summer reading. 

Then, my favorite stop of the day~ Krispy Kreme. It was "National Donut Day" and Hosmers are not ones to pass up donuts. Ever. Especially when they're hot off the line and FREE!

Yum! The peach pie & lemon cream donuts were ahhhh~mazing! Total carb overload but totally worth it.

Finished the day with some baking {pecan pie bars~ mmmm!} and gardening {so. many. weeds.} Lovin' that the next few months are going to be full of laid back summer days. 

86 Days of Summer~ Opening Day

But who's counting? The Hosmers, that's who!

After starting school in the middle of August down south and finishing school into the month of June up north, there are 3 minis and 1 mama resident of Hosmerville that are completely and totally burned out on everything school. 

We kicked off summer with awards assembly {honor roll, science, vocal, & language arts awards~ 2/1/1, respectively}, school picnic, field day, and the inaugural night of the Dodge Park Farmers' Market. 

Food, sunshine, and fun. Let's get this party started!

Welcome to summer 2k15!

Is It December Yet???

I have never anticipated the approach of winter {well, except when we lived in the South & it was more like a spring season up North} BUT with big news like this marking my calendar, December can't come soon enough!!!

A Tennessee Christmas

So we're moving in less than 3 weeks but the calendar in Hosmerville is also saying it's Christmas time. I spent the weekend packing away my fall decor and spreading a little Christmas cheer around the house.

I've quite possibly just earned the top spot on the movers' naughty list but I just couldn't resist. This will be our only Christmas in Tennessee {technically speaking} and I just had to see how the house would look for the Christmas season. 

I limited my excitement. 

Slightly. 

I didn't decorate the outside of the house. Even though the weather, although windy, is mild and I have tubs of white lights just waiting to twinkle. I didn't put up any 3 out of 4 Christmas trees. Although I'm sure it'd be nothing to just run a big roll of Saran Wrap around them a couple of times. I'm sure the movers have the heavy duty stuff in their arsenal of supplies.  And who wouldn't enjoy the challenge of transporting/delivering a fully decorated 6 ft. tree 700+ miles?

So here's a sneak peak of what Hosmerville "coulda~woulda" looked like had we been around to do a proper Tennessee Christmas. 

We are enjoying it now. There are no guarantees this momma elf will be able to pull off a Hosmerville Christmas, Michigan edition this year. 

~the buffet in the front room~

~ vintage pop bottles & my grandma's cookie cutters on the kitchen counter~

~vintage ornaments handed down from my mom {the one decorated tree ;)}~

~the living room mantle~

~inside the fireplace~

~the wall nook between the front door & the living room~

~the entryway {all of our favorite Christmas stories in a wagon from my grandpa & grandma and my kiddos' trike~

Tooth Fairy Trickery

Baby Hosmer finally lost her 3rd tooth yesterday morning {at this rate, we quickly calculated that she'll be right about 18 before the last baby tooth wiggles free}.  She wrote this letter for the tooth fairy last nite~

She was quite disappointed to discover this morning that Tooth Fairy's name is, in fact, "Tooth Fairy". When I asked Lexi what she thought would be a better name, she replied~ well, I was thinking her name would be Gloria, or something. Oh, this child. I so love her!!!

Cannonball Into Summer

We've been spending a lot of time poolside lately. Without any friends & family and church or school activities to keep us busy, swimming is a great way to pass this {somewhat} lonely, boring summer in Hosmerville. 

Kiddos are happy. 

Momma is happy. 

Bring on the summer fun!!!

    


    

Homesick

Oh, how I miss Louisiana! I could make a list that goes on and on with things that I miss about "home". We didn't even live there a full 2 years, and yet how quickly the South and the people and the things that, well, just "made" Louisiana what it is just grew on us. 

I'm jonesin' for some Louisiana big time and it's gotten me into a rather long funk. And then an epiphany last night (actually something I've known all along, but just not willing to accept~ I mean, every momma deserves a good pity party now and then.... right? ;) ) 

I've decided that no amount of longing or wishing is going to put me back where I most want to be right now. I must move forward. Onward into this new adventure that will be our life in Tennessee. So last night while I was out walking Ed I started making a list of the things I like better in TN~ the power of positive thinking & all that jazz~ ya know? So here it is:

1. I like that the girls don't have to share a room. Here in TN they have their own spaces.
2. I like that Tom has an office and he's not crammed into a corner of our bedroom with all things work related.
3. I like that there is a beautiful park and playground within walking distance for the kids to enjoy.
4. I like my dishwasher. Finally, a machine that actually makes dirty dishes clean. Seriously, I *heart* this dishwasher.

So there it is.  It's a start, anyways...

Golden Birthday

This little guy turned 12 yesterday. Can you say spoiled? He loves to burrow in warm laundry so the dryer ran almost constantly as the kids kept him well supplied with warm beach towels. 

The blue penguin he's snuggling is his newest addition to his collection of friends. This one has an empty water bottle on the inside so he can crunch on it. The kids put treats inside it so he's really lovin' it. 

Birthday dinner was a fresh lamb and veggie medley and homemade peanut butter banana ice cream. For the birthday boy, that is. Us humans stuck to turkey burgers, rosemary garlic potatoes, and s'more ice cream cake~ yum! 

Happy birthday to the most loved Hosmer in Hosmerville!!!