Never fear---our neighborhood is well protected with these super-heroes living next door to me!
I mean, who stands a chance against eyes like these?!?!
I mean, who stands a chance against eyes like these?!?!
The weather today was perfect. It was so cool this morning, that I almost wished I'd thrown a sweater in the car. After sitting in a mandatory training all day long, I was so happy to finally get home and have some time to be outdoors. I decided to finally tackle the almost overwhelming task of weeding my front flowerbed. While I've been able to keep most everything alive (despite the hottest summer in history), the weeds seemed to flourish in the drought conditions. I knew it would be a big job, but it needed to be done and I thought it might serve as "PT" for my hand, too.
As soon as I walked outside, I was quickly joined by a little friend from next door. Gabriel had a thousand questions so I attempted to divert his attention by suggesting he pick up the acorns in my driveway.
Something about tiny acorns in little 2-year-old hands . . . so sweet.
And his giggles of delight as I dropped one "baby acorn" down his shirt! He repeated the process over and over, squealing as the acorn touched his tummy.
As I continued to work on the weeds that have been overtaking my beds, Gabe really wanted to help. He attempted to fill the bag, but finding that kind of difficult, he brought in the reinforcements. Mater to the rescue!!
Carter joined us when he got home from daycare and the questions about weeds and ants and dirt and leaves (and lots more) were doubled! (Carter's shirt kind of says it all)
How about that great outfit that Gabriel has on?!? His mom just purchased an industrial monogram machine and is hoping to eventually make it her full-time business. Her work is beautiful!!
The weeding may have taken a bit longer than normal, but I didn't mind a bit! It was refreshing---both the weather and the boys!
P. S. I can't figure out why my font keeps displaying so small---for some reason Blogger is not saving my preferences. Sorry if you needed your reading glasses---I did, too!
My street is only one block long and I've lived in this house for 18 years. Many of the residents were elderly when we moved here, but we got to know each other through regular get-togethers like National Night Out. However, as the years have passed, things have changed. Being the age of A/C and television, we generally return from work just in time to go inside for dinner and then watch TV or work on the computer----we don't sit outside and visit with neighbors as the generations before us did. As my older neighbors have moved away (and sometimes passed away), new families have moved on the block and last weekend I realized that I don't even know most of them! So, I decided to throw a Memorial Day Block Party. I recruited Carol to help me. Anna and Callie helped me put flyers on everyone's door during the week. Since I knew so few people, I wasn't sure how many people would actually come, but I vowed to Carol that even if it was just her family and me, we would sit outside and have a good time!
With all of the wonderful ideas available online serving as inspiration, I longed to create something pretty, with a great patriotic theme--- Something like this. . .
Source: hostessblog.com via Linda on Pinterest
or this . . . .
Source: socialcouture.typepad.com via Linda on Pinterest
or even this .
Source: creative2xmom.blogspot.com via Linda on Pinterest
A really busy week prevented me from going "all out", but I did manage to put together a few fun touches.
(hooray for Dollar Tree) 
I set everything up in my carport and then waited. 
And they came! 
Not everyone, of course, but about half of the block showed up!
We had tons of yummy food . . . 
a new baby . . . . 
new neighbors . . . . 
and time to sit and reminisce . . . . 
and get to know each other a little bit better. 
Everyone seemed to really have a great time and wanted to know when the next get-together would be.
