Days of Summer::7

Our summer is jam packed with birthdays in our family. Starting with my sis-in-law's b-day in May, mine in June and through August with my brother and nieces, we are in constant celebrating mode with someones birth! This means good food (of course I think of the food first!), fun get togethers, and gifts. I always have my eyes open for the perfect gifts for those I love. I love giving gifts and enjoy it even more when it's something I can be creative with. By this time, I'm usually fresh out of ideas for gifts and come August, I'm really stretching my creativity to come up with some clever gifts.

My grandma's birthday was this past week and we celebrated it on Sunday. I am not a crafty person. I enjoy others crafty abilities, but I have a hard time with my own. I do scrapbook, but that's about the extent of my craftiness. A few years ago, I did get the opportunity to learn how to do a bit of beading. I have made a few bracelets and fixed a few necklaces, but nothing elaborate. The gift I made for my grandma for her birthday is an extension of my simple beading skills. While cleaning out my nightstand last week, I was inspired by a hook I had found. I had made this bookmark before and thought it would be the perfect gift for my grandma (who practically reads all.day.long.) on her birthday from all of us grand kids. It is adorned by all of our birthstones.

She cried.

I'm thinkin' she loved it.

I am sure it will get a lot of great use.

A simple project.

A creative summer birthday gift was given. Ahhhhhh....

Now only 4 more birthdays to go! I need some more inspiration!!!! I am sure my messy closet won't hold nearly as much inspiration as my nightstand did...but then again, maybe there's something in there to help get me through the rest of these birthdays...naaaaaaa...I'm not really in the mood to tackle that job! My inspiration will have to come from elsewhere!

Days of Summer:: 6

It's been a soggy week. More rain has fallen again today. Makes me think that our pass to the pool this year has been a waste. What a bummer that we haven't been able to use it much. 2 weeks ago it was near 100 all week, and we used it then just about everyday. And it's a good thing we took advantage when we did. Because now it is steadily raining and the temperature struggles to make it past 80.

I am not much of a summer gal. I prefer adding layers to my wardrobe rather than taking them off. But for some reason, this year has been different. Maybe it's the cute swimsuit and cover-up I bought, that I for once in my life, feel comfortable in. Maybe it's the money I did spend on our pool passes. Maybe it's the age Owen's at and how much I enjoy seeing him explore the world around him when we try new things. I'm missing summer.

This summer has been different. I haven't dreaded it as I have in the years past. I guess I've somehow needed summer this year and now that it has only made a slight appearance a couple of weeks ago, I'm longing for it. I thought I'd have oodles and oodles of pictures to share by now of us soaking up the sun and enjoying the warmth the season has to offer, but instead, I'm finding myself stuck indoors, with a 2 year-old, trying to entertain and keep said 2 year-old from becoming too bored. I'm entertaining from indoors these days and finding all the resources I can to keep him occupied. We don't watch much TV, but this week I have found myself turning it on so I can get a little break and keep my sanity in tact. Our mantra lately has been...rain, rain go away, come again another day!!!

Summer will return eventually, I'm sure (probably just in time for our pool pass to expire!). Thank goodness a trip to the beach is in our near future...that will surely help cure these summer woes I'm having. Unless, of course, it rains there too. {Deep sigh...}

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I do have some more Days of Summer pictures to post from last week...when it wasn't raining. When Brad had the day off for the holiday, we took advantage of the nice weather (ahem!) and went to a little local zoo. Owen LOVES going to the reptile house and gawking at the "gadors", turtles, and snakes. He could spend hours upon hours watching them, however, it is a reptile house...so the smell and humidity of it all begins to get to me and I end up convincing him it's time to go. Reluctantly he comes and we move on to seeing the other animals the small zoo has to offer. We get up close and personal with the turkey, land turtle, and eagles they have there. On this particular day, the "gadors" were quite active. Brad doesn't usually have the chance to join us on these afternoon excursions, so Owen was very excited to show his daddy around and share the excitement with him.

Just so you know...I really try hard NOT to get the back of Owen's head everytime I take a picture! It's a challenge...but I'm working on it!

Days of Summer::5

Garages have been lined up. Tunnels have been built. Cars have been pushed and played with.

It's been a nice lazy day of summer! Funny how on the days we do nothing, I need more of a nap than Owen does. I'm more exhausted today, with staying home and playing, than I am when we are busy running around! Maybe I'll just have to continue this trend of the day and find a good place to plop myself and engage in some sort of mindless activity. I surly don't have enough energy to clean! Let alone, the energy to make myself useful! If you listen carefully, you can almost hear the couch calling my name! The pitter-patter of the raindrops outside are persuading me to continue my laziness! I love a good summer rain!

I hope you are also enjoying your lazy days of summer!