Summer's Magnum Opus: the Porch

 

Before

Ear "muffins" for those loud machines

Theo and I painted for hours and hours!

After. Isn't it nice?!

August

A favorite hiding spot.
Talking on the phone to Grandma here.

Theo's glorious blue tower

Small group kiddos

A rare bliss: everyone doing my hair!!

Isn't he a cute little hobo?!

They learned how to make pesto themselves! Pick the basil; pluck the leaves off the stems; wash it with lots of spinning in the spinner; put leaves in food processor; add parmesan, walnuts, oil and salt; pulse until smooth(ish). 

Mama took ill for 3 weeks, poor me. But they learned how to make themselves dinner. And I got my first card from Frida! Can you see the blue coloring on the green paper? She saw Lukas and Theo's beautiful get well soon cards and was inspired. Thank you, you three.

A play about Queen Athaliah with Farmor and Farfar. Directed and costumed by Lukas. Narrated by Papa. 

Sister also took ill (for one day). The boys cared for her well:

Auntie Mercy got a pet preying mantis, so we read about them and drew them:

And no occasion is required for a cake.

We started school at the end of August. Which means these favorite toys for Mama:

(paper cutter and laminator)

And these very fine students!!! Theo is in PreK and Lukas in 1st Grade!!

July

We got to see lots of Caleb and Ruth in July! Here in Bemidji:

And here in our fine city:

In July we also played at home:

And took swimming lessons every day for 2 weeks!

Theo's in the white hood :)

And you can see this happy boy

I love to see them sleeping and realized I should just keep an occasional log of it:

See the winter boot inserts?

We got new Sweden soccer jerseys in time for the Olympics:

The grapes ripened early this year: