friendship, frozen toes, and strawberries

When the month turns to April, we hear the strawberry fields calling our names. It may be super hot one year and freezing the next year. This year it was freezing. Wearing flip-flops produced frozen toes, but it was all worth it.

We've done this for a few years now with close friends. We no longer have babies in strollers or worn in carriers. The kids don't marvel over each strawberry like they did when they were younger. They no longer ask us, "Does this one look okay?" before picking.

 They are big now. They don't need our input when it comes to strawberry picking.

I don't necessarily love my boys getting bigger, but I'm learning that being a mom means that I grow as they do and that's not such a bad thing.

Kevin found a moment to check in on Charlie's progress. In true Charlie form, his bucket was filled to the brim. That is how that kid lives his life.

Jack was the youngest of the group. He still was pretty amazed at the whole process. However, he was more interested in running through the rows and rows of strawberries. That boy doesn't stop. 

Luke, is our methodical one. He evaluated each strawberry. He was his own quality assurance team.

Good advice was followed by each kid.

Jack's joyful skip illustrates the level of fun they had.

A family tradition with friends who are like family just would not be the same without this...

Yes, Kevin is taking a pic for instagram. That's how we roll.

I hope you have a wonderful week!

Much love,

Katie

as honest as it gets

Hi Friends,

I hope you are each enjoying your weekend. We have been slammed with plans thus far. We spent Sat. in San Diego at the Cub Scout Fair and then headed to an amazingly planned pirate party.

Today, I'm heading to my classroom as soon as my morning cup of happy jolts my system before meeting Kevin and the boys at church. Then it will be back to the classroom to prep for the week and for Open House. I don't necessarily love working on the weekends, but it provides me more time with Luke, Charlie, and Jack after school during the week, so it is worth it!

To top off the weekend, we are going for our annual strawberry picking. It is something I look forward to every spring. The massive strawberry field is dotted with rows of ruby red berries and is perched on a hill overlooking the ocean.

We follow our strawberry picking with IN-N-OUT because there is no other way to end a fun-filled annual tradition with great friends than that. I may even indulge in a chocolate shake because it is that kind of day.

My new contribution at Beautifully Rooted is posted.






I'd love for you to visit. It reveals a raw struggle I'm facing as I mother my 3 special guys.

Thank you for letting this be an open, loving community to share such struggles.

May your weekend be blessed with family, love, and joy.

Much love,
Katie

snow day so cal style

Well you already know my stance on traditions. I am a freak, yes, I know. Along with my list of major traditions falls the "must visit snow once a year" tradition. The good thing about living in North San Diego County, is that we are within a 2 hour drive to the mountains, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, and less than 30 minutes from the beach.

We are spoiled rotten and we don't take it for granted. But, we also know that we trade open space, slow pace, and cheaper housing as a result.

Julian is a very small mountain town within a short driving distance. We go up every fall to pick apples and usually once a year to have a snow day. It is at a lower elevation so when there is a storm we know we have to get up there within a couple of days before the snow melts.

We made plans with friends and headed up the mountain.

 You have to love the contrast of palm trees and snow.

 Am I the only one who has flashes of Ma and Pa shopping at the general store when I pass old buildings?

Once we found our spot, which was clearly marked "no trespassing" we jumped out of the cars and went for it. We figured a ticket for trespassing would be worth the fun. We live dangerously like that. Speaking of living dangerously, we go sans appropriate snow clothes. Much like the logic of using an umbrella in Southern California, if you only have to use it once in awhile, they really are not worth purchasing. So we let our kids freeze. It's okay, it builds up good character. Or something like that.

 You may notice that we don't invest in sleds either when boogie boards work perfectly fine.

Something tells me that this is how I'll always remember my guys.

FYI: soccer shoes are an excellent snow shoe replacement.

And the day would not be complete without a snowball fight.

While there were a few bumps and bruises, a kid who didn't care to participate, and complaints of frozen hands, it was still a day to add to out family tradition bank. Days like that are priceless.

Much love,
Katie

Good morning, friends!

I'd love you read my monthly contribution at  Beautifully Rooted today.

What are you up to today? We're off for a doctor appointment and haircuts. It is supposed to rain, but it looks like clear skies. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping we can make it to the park. I'd much rather watch my guys hunt for lizards and collect sticks than get stir crazy inside. They are true California kids and don't know how to play inside for long!

Happy Friday!

Much love,
Katie

easter 2012

I may or may not be a mom guilty of convincing her sick kid, Luke, to join in the family egg hunt on Easter despite having a fever for 4 days and vomiting on and off along with the fever. Have I mentioned my zeal for traditions before?

Much love,
Katie

three

There are moments when I capture all 3 of them together and I stop and give thanks.



Much love,
Katie

Linking up with Heather at Beautifully Rooted.
Beautifully Rooted-Found

a mama's intuition

A few weeks ago I had a day that was like most days during my lunch. I dropped  my 4th graders off in the cafeteria, quickly ate a few bites in the teachers' lounge, and made a mad dash back to my room to do as much as possible with my extra minutes before the bell rang.

On some occasions, I take my lunch and bring it into Charlie's kindergarten room. I sit with him and his group while they do math centers. However, I usually do this on Tuesdays so the teacher knows when she can count on me to come in and help.

Since it was Friday I was trying to ignore the gut instinct to go see him. I just had a real sense of missing my buddy. As I tried to reason with myself that I didn't want to cause any interruptions, I continued to have a nagging sense that I should go check on him.

As I slowly opened the door and peaked my head in, I noticed there was a substitute. So I tried to mutter something along the lines of, "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know that the kids had a sub today. I'm a mom. Well, and a teacher here. (Feeling really stupid at this point). And I just pop in sometimes (great, now I sound like a helicopter parent), and hang out.

She smiled and said, "okay." I think it was more of like, "Ok....this lady is kinda nutty" but I went inside anyway.

I immediately noticed that my sweet Charlie was holding a bag of ice to his head.

My not too affectionate boy climbed into my lap. I decided it was best to go into the hallway so I could get the details.

It turns out he was just bumped by a big bouncy ball. I think it may have been more of an emotional reaction than physical. My new role as a working mom has not been without struggle for my 3 boys as they struggle with a big change in our daily routine.

He begged me to take him home, but I convinced him to go back to class. However, within minutes I heard my classroom door opening.

Charlie was back.

This time it took a little snack from my cupboard, a chance to sit in Mom's teacher chair, and a little photo taking distraction.

we are fierce

It has been my best lunch break yet.

There is nothing like finding joyful moments in everyday life experiences.

May you have a moment of joy in the mundane today, too.

Much love,
Katie

linking up with the anderson crew

pillow vote...while I'm at home on Easter with a vomiting kid

I just bought a new chocolate brown sofa.

Sorry for the i-phone pics

I love it. It was a custom order that someone backed out one so I got a super deal on it. I mean super. I could have found a sofa on Craigslist for the same price! Whoo hoo!

However, girlfriend needs new pillows. Our placemats are our color inspiration for the room.

The first one is from Pottery Barn (Teens...haha!) and the second one is from West Elm (on sale!).

Which one do you like best??? I love both. I love how modern the West Elm one is. My main concern with the Pottery Barn one is the amount of white.

1. The white will get REALLY dirty with my kids.
2. I'm not sure if I like that much white against a dark brown sofa.

Hmmm. Help a girl out!

On a much more important note, may you each have a very blessed Easter!

Much love,

Katie