A productive day, some great memories, and a horrific pin!

I have been cleaning house lately - not cleaning as in scrubbing - but rather I have been going through cupboards, drawers, and closets. I have a pile that is quickly growing that we will donate. This morning Charley and Henry went through our toy bins and amazingly we sorted things out and decided what we could donate and what we should hold on to. Ed could tell I was in a groove..so he suggested I go through some boxes that my parents delivered after we moved into this house. When we moved into this house we were graced with a large unfinished basement - plenty of space for me to fill with crap. Yes, I will be honest, crap.

So Ed brought up these boxes:

and the boys and I dove in. It was a little frightening....but it was also a hoot. I found notes from friends in High School. I found three diaries. I found books to share with my boys...I found jewelry that should NEVER have been available for purchase. I found an entire box of cassette tapes...Incredible! So here are a few of my favorite treasures...or at least the ones that gave me the biggest smiles...

 

First I pulled out these two books.  They were part of my Grandma Dort's collection. 

The memories flood back!

Our family went on a couple trips to the beaches in Florida. Impressed that these moved from Sheboygan, to Williams Bay, to Minnesota!  And they weren't broken!

The boys were very interested in the jewelry boxes...there were two.  This one was the most interesting.  One item I am really wondering about is tucked in back on the bottom level...

Why on earth did I have matches?

Or these horrendous earrings!

And this pin!  I remember this pin...WHY ON EARTH would I EVER WEAR THIS!  

And Maybe this is why I didn't date anyone in high school!

Oh gosh - does this item bring back heartache and pain. 

Yearning to be given one of these...or the turmoil of who would complete your circle...

I am rolling my eyes right now and smiling really big because I have two boys! YES!  We won't have to deal with this - I don't think...

  

Charley loved this jewelry box and the umbrella...it has a ballerina inside that spins with music.  I did point out the little girl on top....and then I realized - let him love it and fill it with treasures.  This is part of growing up -  finding treasures from your parents past.

Amazing how some books you NEVER forget!

Love that I still have this!

And this pencil was a favorite.  I REMEMBER IT!  The eraser is almost used up.  I remember it writing wonderfully and sharpening like a dream.  

  

This AWESOME cassette tape was one of 100's in this box:

YIKES!  If you loved mix tapes...you would be in heaven!

I even found one called "Depression 101"....what the heck was that all about?

I took those 8 boxes...and I now have 1 box that will be stored in the basement.  I have two boxes that will be donated.  And I had two bags of garbage.  I also had a small shoebox full of notes, diaries, letters, postcards, and more mementos to read through and enjoy!  

I am proud of myself for the hard work I have put in this past week.  We'll see what more I can find to chuck or donate this week. My goal right now is to have our living area filled with items that function with purpose in our life.  And I want our nooks and crannies to be filled with the items that are precious or hold memories...not junk :)

Doing this type of cleaning is exhausting.  My mind is tired...remembering such a wonderful childhood....and realizing how fast the time flies and how quickly the crap accumulates :)

A Little of This and a Little of That

I was calm today because of this post that I read just before falling asleep last night.  I did get snappy when cleaning up tonight because Charley tends to think he is helping clean up but really continues to play.  Ed has been working long hours...going in early and working later.  It makes for long days for me.  And the boys miss him.  When he does arrive home he is swept into play immediately.  But with the long day...I was calm...and I was patient.  Thank you McKMama.

We started Henry's new ECFE class today.  There were several more people in the class making it a lot more overwhelming for my shy guy.  In these environments he CLINGS like nobodies business.  I find it frustrating at times but am realizing that this is his little personality right now and I will just embrace it.

Charley continues to spew Star Wars trivia ALL. DAY. LONG.  I have no idea how he even knows stuff because he has only seen episode 4 a handful of times and episode 5 once.  After Henry woke from nap they got busy with the tinker toys.  Suddenly they appeared in their winter jackets - hoods on.  They were being "Darth Mar"?  I have no idea if that is how you spell it...I have no idea who that is...but they played for a good 45 minutes in their winter jackets, with hoods, and their tinker toy sabers.  During snack they sat side by side and plotted...I am amazed at how this five year old big brother can play so nicely with his two year old little brother.  Henry will say, "Chewy."  And Charley will respond, "Yes, that is Chewy's ship.  It is flying to blah blah blah." Henry replies, "Yep." And off Henry goes flying to blah blah blah. 

The other night at kindergarten orientation when it was time for Charley to go with the teachers to investigate the kindergarten area he hesitated.  I was so overwhelmed with the whole event that I immediately started to panic and insist that he had to go.  Ed put a hand on my leg and turned to Charley and said, "Would you like me to go with you?"  Off they went...leaving me with tears in my eyes...because it is moments like this, when my partner in life amazes me with his level headed rational calm response.  He is such a good daddy.  And I am so glad we compliment each other's personalities at the important moments.  

Tomorrow is Friday and Charley and Henry will know that when Daddy gets home Friday night it is the weekend.  Mama knows it too.  A cozy simple weekend is what we have in store. 

Happy Friday!

Sarah

Whirlwind of a Weekend

It has been a whirlwind of a weekend. Ed and I were blessed with another weekend away...we could get used to this....one in July...one in September...THANK YOU Grandma Charlie for coming and watching the boys for two nights. I know they can be exhausting.

Ed stood up for his good buddy Casey so we had the rehearsal dinner on Friday night and then the wedding on Saturday. It was fabulous! Lots of fun seeing good friends and even meeting new friends. Casey has been a friend of Ed's since childhood. He has become a good friend of mine and I am so thrilled to see him so happy with his wife Katie. She is so fun and I know she will be a good friend for a lifetime. Their wedding was so special and unique. The view from the ceremony and reception was this:


The whole event started at 7pm so the first few hours during sunset as the evening city turned to night was spectacular! I am really disappointed in the pictures I took of the bride and groom. I was hoping to capture more of them. But I got swept up in the fun. Thanks for such a fun evening Casey and Katie!

Arriving home on Sunday we were both tired. But being away for two nights we had the itch to hang out with the boys. So we got out our fire pit and made a fire for the first time in our yard. The boys each roasted a few marshmallows. It was nice.




Today we went to our favorite apple orchard and picked two huge bags of apples. For dinner the boys had a bowl of cereal and apple caramel sundaes...yum! Charley starts school on Wednesday! Can't believe summer is pretty much over. We delivered homemade strawberry freezer jam to our neighbors tonight ...Charley thought they could make their first peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with it. So it was 'Good luck in school tomorrow' jam.





Good night!

Friday night...on the town...

Good Friends - fun times!

Jacket, Jeans, and a Martini!

Could he be sophisticated? Love HIM!

Because of them we get a weekend away. Tomorrow is will be their magical day. Casey is getting married to an amazing woman, Katie. She will be a life long friend!
Can't wait to celebrate their life together.