Eckenrode Family

Frugal Fun

Slipy Slide

We created a homemade slip and slide (or slipy slide as Ben calls it) with plastic drop cloth, a hose and a hill.  I got the idea from Frugal Family Fun. We already had the plastic on hand and when the temperatures rose to almost 90 I thought we needed to get wet.


But Scout and I are both more than ready for the cooler temperatures to return.
 
 
 
 

Here Lately

We've harvested the last of the garden pumpkins and potatoes. The only thing left in the garden are the last of the ripening tomatoes and the cutting flowers which are still going strong. We were so happy with our first attempt at a big garden and we’ve learned a lot. We plan on scaling down the size of the garden and the number of tomato plants for sure. We’re happy with the amount of food we have canned but the number of tomatoes we had to process got a bit overwhelming at times.

Miles and Ben never cease to amaze me at their ability to get lost in imaginative play together. I will never know all of the places that their imaginations take them but it so fun to watch them play in their own made up world. I love when I recognize a scene from our real lives being reenacted in their play which seems to happen a lot.

We ventured into the woods for a walk today and noticed all of the signs of the approaching season.


We walked past Miles' favorite tree which he’s named the Dancing Tree.

In the mornings when Miles is in school I am usually Ben's constant playmate. Pushing him on the swing, riding the lawn mower with him and playing with the cats.


At lunch time when they are reunited it is so obvious how much they love each other and rely on each others company. The waste no time in getting right down to it and back into their own world.

Signs That Fall is On the Way

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

~Amanda Soule

Ben at Almost 4

On the verge of being four, here are a few things I’ve come to know about Ben:

:: No one does bed head quite like him
:: He acquired my strong will

:: He has a great sense of humor and can say things that cut right at the core of the situation. For example “Are you mean at me?” Instead of “Are you mad at me?”

:: He still talks like a toddler and I’m desperately holding on to that. I don’t look forward to the days when I can understand everything he says clearly.

:: He will do things to spare my feelings. Like he wanted to ride the tractor the other night and wanted to know who would ride with him. His dad and I both said we would. He chose me and then when I said he could ride with daddy he said, “Are you sure? I’ll ride with you next time ok?”
:: I’ve never been loved by anyone like he loves me.

A Bit of Sewing

Recently a friend of mine had a baby girl. It's hard to resist sewing for a baby girl when I get to make ruffles and use fabrics with flowers. When I came across this fabric in my stash I new it would make some pretty sweet pants for a baby girl. I used my go to pants pattern - Britches & Bloomers by Jackie Clark. This pattern is easy and quick to sew up and with the embroidered onesie the outfit came together in a little over an hour. Awhile ago I also made this hoodie for Miles from Figgy's Beach Bum Hoodie pattern.
He has worn it a few times, but I didn't have my camera around to get a photo. The hoodie is roomy and comfy for him and looks great. You'll have to take my word for it...