Day 746 | Outdoor Time

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Due to the *finally* beautiful weather, we busted out of the house today and ventured over to one of our favorite places: the Wheaton Regional Park. We played at the park. We rode the carousel (twice). We hung out with some friendly turtles, swans, and fish at the pond. We had a picnic in the shade. We even got to ride the miniature train (which was questionable due to an overnight rainstorm). Sounds pretty awesome, right? It was.

Side note (that is definitely worth documenting): Chris and I noticed some unwelcome garbage in our front yard the other day. Because our house is right off a busy road, it's not unusual for some stray candy bar wrappers or newspapers to get caught in our grass, but this discovery was particularly disturbing. It looked like chicken feet. Gross, bug-attracting chicken feet. I finally got the stomach to clean them up today and, it turns out, was in for a crazy surprise: they weren't chicken feet at all. They were these rotten-smelling, oozing mushrooms called stinkhorns. I know I should somehow feel comforted that we didn't, in fact, have discarded chicken feet in our yard, but if you had been the one to try to remove the stinkhorns, you would understand how terrifying it was (I didn't know they were mushrooms at that point, after all). To say they were foul-smelling with a terrifying consistency just doesn't cover it. I hope these new friends aren't here to stay. 

Day 745 | Corn Avocado Salad

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This *might* just be my favorite salad. I've been counting down the days until fresh sweet corn hit the shelves at the grocery store...and this week it did!

Here's the recipe

. I look forward to enjoying this yummy concoction several times this summer.

For those of you recreating, I don't add the jalapeno. We're not a big fan of spice around here and I don't think we're missing anything.

Day 744 | Spray Park 2016

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You'll be glad to hear we made it to opening day of the neighborhood spray park. It's funny how every year brings a new attitude towards it.

2014: Robbe was too little (just a few months old) to really enjoy/appreciate. Chase was super excited.
Two years ago.

2015: Chase was more leery but Robbe loved it.
Last year's post.

2016: Now Chase is back on the bandwagon but Robbe would barely get his toes wet.

Interesting, isn't it?



Day 742 | It's Hot

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It's becoming apparent that we went right from winter to summer around here. It's been in the 90s the last three days. As you might have guessed, I'm not a fan.

The photo above was taken upon our return from a one-hour outdoor birthday party we attended. These boys were sweaty to say the least. Robbe faired pretty well. Chase, however ended up with a mild case of heat-knee and heat-belly (both those areas hurt) so he requested we leave early and enjoy our air conditioned house instead. I did not argue. 

Day 740 | Petey Update

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If you look closely, you can see the little black escape route from Petey's cocoon.
Luckily, the Bulldogs are satisfied with this development with or without a moth in the cage.
Good news and bad news about our favorite little caterpillar: he emerged from his cocoon, but he didn't survive the weekend.

Remember, Petey started as a caterpillar. Then, the next day, we woke up to him in a cocoon. We brought the little guy into Chase's classroom so all the Bulldogs (his class mascot) could enjoy Petey, the Chrysalis. And they did. They really did. He was stared at, talked about, loved and shaken. A lot.

This type of caterpillar stays in their cocoon for about two weeks. After about three weeks, I had all but given up on seeing Petey as a moth. Then, last Friday, Chase's teacher emails to say that he emerged from his cocoon!! Unfortunately, the Bulldogs didn't have school on Friday so we all had to wait until Monday to meet him in his new form.

As if the roller coaster of emotions I had already been through wasn't enough, I then get an email from Ms. Liz yesterday saying Petey didn't make it through the weekend. Are you kidding me?!? After all that? Urgh.

Please note: if you talk to any of the Bulldogs, Petey escaped to be with his family. :)

Day 738 | Under Contract

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No, this photo isn't from today. You can tell because the sun was shining and, once again, we've gone two days without seeing it. Oh, and there's more rain in the forecast for tomorrow. Are you kidding me?!? Ahhhhh!

We had a productive Sunday with lots of quality indoor time. But nothing was caught on camera. Sorry about that. Instead, enjoy this cute little bug posing with the official "under contract" sign in our front yard. At least it's a constant reminder that this whole moving-across-the-country-thing is really happening.


Day 733 | So This Happened...

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Remember how I posted yesterday that we accepted an offer on our DC house? Well, I'm beyond thrilled to report that we have a new home to move into. This one...behind the adorable four year old who posed like that completely spontaneously.

Our offer was accepted this evening and it's everything we dreamed it would be. The location, the yard, the kitchen, the screened porch...everything. It has been an anxious couple of weeks around here but it looks like this might all work out after all.

There have been some happy dances around here. Ok, lots of happy dances. The boys seem confused and embarrassed.

Day 732 | Our First House

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It is with great excitement that I report we accepted an offer on our house last night. Whoa.

After four days on the market, we were beyond lucky to be able to cross "sell DC house" off our to do list. That's a big one. 

It's not going to be easy to lock the door on our beautiful red house for the last time come July. We've loved calling this place home (and the first we've owned) for the past two years. 

The neighborhood, the neighbors, the trains out our front door, the access to all the District has to offer, our home: it will all be missed. Terribly missed. 

Day 731 | Confirmation Celebration

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Sweet Isabelle was confirmed today. I mean, she cannot be that old, right? It's absolutely true that when I think of this girl I still think of the peanut of a three year old with the big, beautiful eyes and infectious smile.

It makes me beyond happy to know that we'll be back in Wisconsin to participate in her high school experience...and maybe, just maybe, I'll come to terms with the fact that she isn't three anymore.

Maybe.

Day 729 | A Farm Outing

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Robbe has been *not so patiently* waiting for a trip to see the "moos" for the past two weeks. Thankfully the rain finally stopped yesterday and we got to make all his dreams come true with some tractor horn-blowing and atv-riding in addition to all the cow-sightings.

Grandpa has done his job of instilling a love for the farm into both my little guys. I like it. :)

Day 728 | A Good Day

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It was a *nearly* perfect Wisconsin day. The boys and I walked down to meet Grandpa, Great-Grandma, and Uncle Brian for breakfast. Then we spent over an hour at the sweet little library. And we even squeezed in some hot-tub time (the boys love that thing) before lunch.

After that fun-filled morning, I was treated to my very own spa day (thanks for the amazing Mother's Day gift, Chris!) with a manicure, pedicure, and facial. It was the best.

To wrap up the day, I got to hang out with my nieces for a bit and then hosted some friends for dinner. Sounds pretty wonderful, right? The only thing missing was my #1 husband. That would have made it absolutely perfect.