Must-See TV

Have you seen the Great British Baking Show? I'd heard buzz about it for awhile but frankly thought it sounded like a snoozer so I avoided it. Curiosity finally got the best of me and once I started watching it was hook, line, and sinker. I even got Ryan to willingly watch it with me. It's like any other reality TV show but it's unlike any other reality TV show because there is virtually NO drama between contestants. No back-biting, no sabotaging, and no snarky remarks at or about the judges. It's totally a show that the whole family can watch (Davis, my little sous chef, joined us a few times). Give it a watch for a couple of episodes, you might be surprised how much you like it. Now excuse me while I go try to master the art of baking French Macarons.

Project 333

I recently heard of Project 333 while watching a documentary on Netflix about Minimalism. I was in the thick of working on some really intense fitness goals, but I told myself that once I accomplished those goals, I would focus on Project 333. I'm still working on those fitness goals, but a friend motivated me to take the plunge with this project and the positive peer pressure won out.

If you've never heard of it before, it's a minimalist idea that centers on clothing---you narrow your closet down to 33 items and you wear only those for 3 months and box the rest of it up and get it out of sight. This includes shoes, jewelry (except for sentimental pieces like wedding rings), outerwear, and accessories (like gloves, hats, scarves). It does not include undergarments, lounge clothes, or exercise clothes (unless you wear them all day long). You can read more about it here. I took the challenge on three weeks ago and I must say that I really like it. I said goodbye to a cluttered closet! Goodbye to decision fatigue about what to wear! And goodbye to purchasing items I don't really need just because they are "on sale." I'm now much more interested in clothing that fits me great and that can stand the test of time.

I didn't mention this project I took on to Ryan because I was curious to see if he would notice. He didn't! We'll see how I feel about my clothes in another 2 months, but something tells me this minimalist idea is one I will want to stick with.

Maddie @ Nine Years Old

On a date with her to downtown Camden. 

Making post cards at our family reunion in Bear Lake.  

Marshall Point Light House. One of our most favorite spots in all of Maine. 

Maddie is such a light in my life. There are so many qualities about her of which I am proud. She is kind, thoughtful, gracious, intelligent, hard-working, and compassionate. She loves her family and shows that love often. I want to hang on to nine-year-old Maddie forever. She just ran her first cross-country meet yesterday and I am so proud of her. Running is hard work and she is doing so well with it. She currently loves Harry Potter, white bread, mint flavored ice cream, and sugar snap peas. She still lets me read to her and kisses me goodnight every night. She is one of my life's greatest blessings.

Nathan @ 4 Years Old

 My baby is 4 today. No more car seats (yay for boosters!), diapers are long gone, and in one more year I'll have  kindergartener. All that said, I love watching my kids grow up. And this kid is so entertaining to be around these days. I love having him as my constant side kick.

• Nathan adores Isaac. He wants to eat what Isaac eats, play what Isaac plays, and do whatever it is Isaac is doing. They are a sweet pair. 
• He is a pretty good eater, but his favorites are ham and cheese sandwiches, green beans, cottage cheese, oatmeal, eggs,cheese, avocados, any fruit (except mangoes!), and pretty much any kid food you can think of. He HATES broccoli (hello gag reflex!) and complains when he has to eat PB&J instead of ham and cheese sandwiches.
• He tells me (and Ryan, and the kids) that we are his best friends in the whole world multiple times a day. It's heart-melting. 
• He loves to jump on the tramp, build with magnatiles, watch tv, play the wii with his siblings, and ride his bike. 
• He tells me often that he loves me even when I'm mean to him, and the other day he said the following prayer: "Please bless that Mom and Dad will feel bad for being so mean to me."
• This kid is just the perfect caboose for our family. He makes us laugh on the daily and we love him.

Davis @ 7 Years Old

Davis is inquisitive, happy, thoughtful, passionate, and kind. And loud. he is very, very loud. 

He almost always puts his shirt on backwards. Way more than 50% of the time. It is a mystery to me and Ryan.

 He has a tender heart and is often found sharing whatever treat or snack or gift he has been given. He thinks of others often.

 He loves school. His teacher is excellent and the kind of educator that parents dream of having for their children. He thrives in school and particularly in math and reading. It's fun to see him happy at school.

 He and Nathan tend to butt heads, but there is a sweetness to their relationship sometimes too. Isaac and Dave spend most of their free time together. They particularly enjoy playing the wii, reading Harry Potter, and playing sports together.

He still gives the best hugs, the best compliments, and the best snuggles.