Life lately, June 2025

As we're finishing up the first weeks of June, life has been rather full. Here are some of the things we've been up to over the last several weeks:

I had a very sweet Mother's Day weekend. On Saturday, we just rested and enjoyed the sunshine, sitting on a blanket in the backyard, the boys hopping up to play here and there. We very often have house or outdoor projects to work on during the weekends, so it felt like a special treat to just relax outside and truly take a break. Nicholas built a fire and we roasted hot dogs over it. I made sourdough cardamom bread. And on Mother's Day, we went to church and then my father-in-law came over for lunch and brought me flowers. My heart felt very full.

We've made more trips to the local arboretum as a family. Look at all those shades of green! And of course we had to see the model trains.

Robins made a nest on a the tire of a neighbor's vehicle, so we had a first row seat to seeing one, then two, three, and four blue eggs laid! And then after some time, we checked daily and one by one, the eggs hatched and the baby birds grew. Cooper actually saw the first baby bird hop out of the nest. All very neat for the boys (and for me).

There has been lots of fort building, and things have gotten quite sophisticated. This particular fort was entirely their creation; they had no help from me. And magnetic tiles and Legos! My mom brought a few other toys on their recent visit that the boys have enjoyed as well. Building toys are always a favorite with our boys, and the past few weeks have been no exception.

In our yard, we've continued to work on the trails in our little woods. Nicholas cut back the overgrowth again and now there is much work for little boys to be done: moving rocks, building teepees, finding old pieces of metal (treasure, of course). I am thrilled with the number of wild blackberry bushes we now have access to, and they're in bloom right now. We pulled out the kite on a windy day, and went for a rain walk on a rainy day. The garden is coming along pretty well. This year, we planted tomatoes (Roma and a slicer variety), zinnias, marigolds, picklebush cucumbers, and zucchini). And the boys have been busy in the "rock room," also known as the pea gravel under our deck.

There are all the little moments I just want to bottle up: Arlo's tiny hand in mine (and those wrist rolls! My favorite). Snuggles with Finn, who just wants to touch Arlo's hand or snuggle him every moment of every day. Cooper, who is always looking for ways to make his littlest brother laugh and asking to hold him.

I am often knitting with a baby on my lap, in the carrier, or next to me. A few stitches here, half a round there – it all adds up, even with (what seems to me) a very full life. And before I know it, I'm able to finish a pair of socks. They are my favorite on-the-go project.

And then there's all the little bits and pieces of normal days. Preparing and eating meals, holding a baby for contact naps. Having friends over for playdates, and visited friends' homes for playdates. Tidying and cleaning and "resetting" our home after a full day.

A few other things we've been enjoying lately that don't have an accompanying photo:

• Season 2 of Andor. Such a well-done show. Cinematic and entertaining and fascinating.
• The boys are especially enjoying "Alternative Rock," namely All American Rejects, Anberlin, The Rocket Summer, and the like. They love anything with a good beat.
• At a friend's suggestion, I bought the digital download of Jillian Hankins' Simple Sourdough Cookbook. We have loved the blueberry muffins and everyday chocolate cake. And most recently, I made the Honey butter sandwich bread (yum) and the naan, paired with this recipe for Greek chicken and tzatziki, which is amazing.
• Nicholas gave me the generous gift of a Purity coffee subscription for Mother's Day. And it is so good. We are really enjoying one or two cups of that each day.

June promises to be an especially full month with swim lessons, VBS, and a birthday in the family in upcoming weeks, but that's all for now!