Day 2415 | Picture Day
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Look at these handsome dudes. They’re ready with their smiles for photo day.
Day 2414 | So Long, Peanut
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Good news! Peanut just turned old enough to be adopted and he’s already got an interested family. Sad day for us, but we knew it was coming. A kitten that cute was never going to be at the shelter for long.
Day 2413 | So Long, Summer
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Whew. It was a toasty one today. And it looks like fall arrives tomorrow, so we had to take advantage of one last dip in the pool.
Knowing Wisconsin weather, it’ll be about eight months until I’m really warm again. At least I soaked a lot of it in today to keep in reserves.
Day 2412 | Foggy Bike Ride
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The stars finally aligned for a bike ride to school this morning (usually errands, appointments, or weather tend to get in the way). It was a foggy one, but that made it even more fun.
Day 2411 | Pie Baking
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Eleven apple pies, a dozen apple turnovers, and one pan of apple bars in four hours. Pretty impressive, right? I’m feeling very thankful for being included in this family baking activity. I can’t think of a better way to spend a fall morning.
Day 2410 | Birthday Thrift Sales
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A big two-for-one today! I got to spend all morning with one of my favorites for her birthday (including her little peanut) AND thrift sale at the same time. Amazing, right? I’m so thankful to have this lady in my life and am grateful that she decided to spend part of her bday with me.
Day 2409 | New Co-Worker
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This little guy is a very sweet addition to my day. He does make me a little sleepy from watching him snooze most of the time, but is there anything cuter?
This is him snuggled into the side of my sweater while I’m working. He weaseled his way in there all on his own. Amazing, right?
Day 2408 | Back to the Library!
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Guess what?!? The Eau Claire library is back in its downtown location. Of course we needed to go check it out on the first day!
It closed in April of 2021. That’s crazy, right? Here’s the blog post I wrote right before it closed for renovations. A year and a half ago!
We’ve been frequenting it’s temporary location and another nearby library, but it’s not the same. We missed this building. We missed being able to walk/bike. We missed the causal pop-ins when we had a few spare minutes.
We’re so appreciative of the library team for taking on this incredible transformation. The renovations are beautiful. The building seems much more suited to the needs of today’s library. And I can tell they’ve got big things in store for future programming. The renovations might be complete, but we’re excited to see what the future holds.
Day 2407 | Meet Peanut
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We’re back in the foster cat business! This is Peanut, a six week old kitten who is bringing a lot of excitement and energy to our days.
Flopsy doesn’t seem to *love* the new temporary family member, but I can tell he’s coming around.
Day 2406 | Reboot Social
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This new restaurant + arcade opened last week and we’re pretty excited about it. We played some classic arcade games, some pinball, and even a new board game. I hope the new business is super successful and look forward to a return trip.
Day 2405 | Dominoes
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Thanks to the new domino competition show (new to us, anyway), we’re real into dominoes at the moment. It’s a mess, but they are fun. If we end up getting an epic topple, I’ll be sure to post a video.
Day 2404 | Brothers
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I hope they’re always this close.
Day 2403 | Labor Day Weekend
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It was a beautiful Labor Day weekend. Lots of time outside. Lots of sunshine. And lots of family time. There was also a pretty epic pillow fort.
Day 2402 | First Day of School
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Things are getting serious over here. We now have a 3rd and 5th grader in the house. Both boys were beyond excited to be back in school and both had fantastic first days. They’re exhausted. But happy.
Day 2401 | Welcome Back Day
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School supplies have been dropped off and the annual photo with your teacher has been captured. This is our fifth year having Ms. Jenny as a teacher and our second with Ms. Maddy. It sure it nice to have multiple years in the same classroom! Tomorrow is the big first day. These boys are ready to go back and are about as excited as they can be.
Day 2400 | 2400!
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The next 100-day blog post landing on the last day of summer? What are the chances?!? To celebrate, we’re going to answer a couple of end of summer/school-related questions during our team update. It’s been a busy few weeks for us (can you tell by the lack of posts…sheesh!), but I’m hoping that along with school starting, a simpler routine will follow. I’ll let you know how that turns out. Ha!
Sara
FAVORITES: Reading all the books, school starting back up, dried mango (always), lazy mornings at the lake, making chocolate chip pancakes, soaking in all the warmth of a fading summer
BIGGEST HURDLE TO OVERCOME: Balancing design work, subbing, volunteer work, housework, and, oh yeah, being a mom (that little gig)
DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE: Getting the *hidden spots* in the house organized–some of these closets haven’t been touched in six years.
MOST EXCITING THING ABOUT SCHOOL STARTING: Not having to think about childcare!
WHAT SHE’LL MISS MOST AOBUT SUMMER: Weekday adventuring with two of my favorite humans
Chris
FAVORITES: Friday evening lake swims with the boys, scoring flight + hotel deals, any potato chips, preparing for his Fantasy Football season, yard games, perfectly cooked french fries, bunny interactions, family walks around the neighborhood
BIGGEST HURDLE TO OVERCOME: Coming to terms with the sunset arriving earlier and earlier
DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE: Getting back into top ultimate frisbee shape
MOST EXCITING THING ABOUT SCHOOL STARTING: Listing to all the great stories related to friends and recess
WHAT HE’LL MISS MOST ABOUT SUMMER: All the epic family badminton matches.
Chase
AGE: 10.5
FAVORITES: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series, chocolate chip pancakes, chai tea lattes, playing video games (currently LEGO Star Wars), reading anything, setting up LEGO Mini-fig scenes, going for walks, debating his opinion, collecting pens, Banana the banana stuffed animal, chatting with grown-ups, Smarties candies
BIGGEST HURDLE TO OVERCOME: Waiting (patiently) for the Eau Claire library to reopen. The whole family is *very* excited but I think Chase might be the MOST excited. We'll be able to walk to get books again SO SOON!
DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE: Getting *slightly* taller to make riding his new bike a little easier.
MOST EXCITING THING ABOUT SCHOOL STARTING: Being with friends and getting out of the house
WHAT HE’LL MISS MOST AOBUT SUMMER: Being able to be lazy and read a lot
Robbe
AGE: 8.5
FAVORITES: Breakfast cereal, Star Wars LEGOs, Star Wars movies, playing pickleball, Tootsie Pops, changing up his ice cream order, creating elaborate LEGO battles, doing swimming flip turns, stuffies (stuffed animals), chai tea lattes, playing video games, homemade mac + cheese, picking apples, Perry the Platypus (a stuffed animal), playing tag with Flopsy
BIGGEST HURDLE TO OVERCOME: Moderating his body temperature. This kid gets super hot or super cold very quickly. Maybe fall is the season for him!
DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE: Welcoming another foster cat into our family (we just don't know if Flopsy is ready for it).
MOST EXCITING THING ABOUT SCHOOL STARTING: Recess. And friends.
WHAT HE’LL MISS MOST AOBUT SUMMER: The chance to go on fun vacations
LOOKING BACK AT 2300 POSTS
Day 2399 | Soaking Up Summer
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The last few days of summer vacation have flown by (like the rest of summer, I guess). Here are some moments captured along the way.
Day 2398 | Mini Golf
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Since the weather wasn’t cooperating at the lake this weekend, we figured it was the perfect opportunity to try out a local mini golf establishment. The course wrapped around a wooded lot and provided just the entertainment we needed as we waited for some sunnier weather. I even beat Chris by one stroke! And I’m pretty sure I wasn’t cheating—he can back me up. :)
Day 2397 | Sweet Corn
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Sweet corn is definitely one of my favorite foods to harvest. After this year, I think the boys get it, too. It’s so easy to pick, the ears accumulate quickly, and it’s simple to know whether it’s ripe. Also, it’s delicious. Obviously.
Day 2396 | Summer Babysitter
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The boys hit the babysitter jackpot this summer when our sweet neighbor agreed to hang out with them a couple of days a week. They went on all sorts of adventures, played a ton of board games, taught her a lot about LEGOs, and just enjoyed having hours of undivided attention. She’ll definitely be missed around here as she heads off to college, but we’re so excited for this next chapter in her life.
