Well I was going to blog about our new outdoor furniture, but before I show and review our shiny new purchase (actually my husband’s fathers day gift) I thought I would show a bit of our summer reality.

Legos. Everywhere LEGOS.

“Mommmm, Henry is messin with my legos!”

“Mommm, Drew is a meanie, he is making me annoying” (I did not mistype, he says that and of course his brother replies “you are already annoying”  the joy of children spaced nearly five years apart!)

This is from the first day..tantrum, flipped over an ottoman, laying on it watching tv and of course totally ripping the underside “lining” oh and yes that is a new ottoman..they broke the legs of the Ballard one!

 Trust me I did not style this “mess”…who has energy for that?

I once had an email from someone that “sensed I was frustrated with my boys “and recommended some parenting books or a course.  Really sweet, well-intentioned I am sure.  I assure you, I love my boys but they are wild and wooly.  I wouldn’t have it any other way..I am glad they are “active” but it is constant and it isn’t  always easy or “sweet” or perfect.  It can get frustrating when they fight and tear up nice things. So I just wanted to be honest about our reality.  As discussed in this series over at Sixth Street Design blog, we all have strategies and try to keep the chaos under control but its inevitable with kids. And that is okay. Life isn’t perfect.

 So, as we all know..when things get crazy..the best place to go is OUTSIDE!  Even when it is really hot and humid.  Get fans, buy a tacky blow up pool, whatever it takes! Despite the heat, we have enjoyed being outside this summer (thus far, I may not be able to say that in July and August)

Thanks to my husband our backyard is so nice this year.  I can’t believe how these elephant ears  have grown…I bought them in a small little bucket half dead for 75% off last year or the year before and they have gone nuts.  Total miracle because I don’t have a green thumb but I love them…they are going to take our shed over!

So peace “y’all”..hope you are having a great start to the summer! Get outside, don’t get too upset if something gets broken during a nerf gun war, and check back later in the week and we will begin a discussion on outdoor spaces.