boat and tote

A really good friend invited to go out on his boat over the weekend. My thought was-- it would be rude to decline such an invitation ;)  So early Saturday morning we loaded up and headed to the lake. I am more of a surfer/long boarder type, but after a day out on the boat I am beginning to see the allure of life on the water that way.  All 3 of the kids had a wonderful time, although Margot through a perfectly understandable tantrum when we put her life jacket/swimmie/bathing suit on. It was so stinkin adorable though. Go ahead take a look and see for yourself--

{left: Richie and JB :: right: Chaz and JB}

{growing feet}

{special moments}

{there is a bathing suit there- I lost the strap...promise!!}

{where we spent most of the afternoon :: Lake Allatoona}

{my baby girl -- who gets spoiled with her own collage}

The following day was filled with a cranky Margot and sunburns that ranged from nonexistent {Richie} to severe {Royal}. But oh what a day full of memories. Their the kind you don't exchange them to keep the peace. It's good to rememeber to get out there and play hard. Go ahead and tucker yourself out. It's all apart of living. Each experience becomes a part of you and something you will carry with you for the rest of your life. Tell me about your weekend. Do you do anything to blow your hair back?? 

xO-Etheline

First Day of Preschool

Welcome friends:) We had a very special day here at the Tenenbaum home yesterday.

That's right. Yesterday was the first day of preschool for Richie. A group of us moms from church decided to put together a preschool co-op. We do it twice a week for a few hours. I see excellent things in the making!! I was the test runner yesterday. It was so good for me on many different levels, especially since I'm starting kindergarten with Chaz in a little under 3 weeks. Let me just say thank heavens for apple timers. It was my saving grace.

Here is a little peak into our homeschool/preschool loft area. I feel so blessed to have such a space. I feel like some great learning is going to be done in this room, and not just by Chaz and Richie.
 

Isn't that the cutest chalkboard? $1 at a local thrift store. In other news-- I'm not overly happy with this map. Maybe if the nautical stars were actually on it I'd like it a little bit more. You see there are certain things in life that I'm totally type A about. Good wall art/maps is one of them. This, however, will most definitely do for now.

And without further ado, here is our little preschool group. They are all so adorable and eager to learn. Everything they do is the most important thing of all time. They use there little hands to explore and create things us moms have and, let's be honest, haven't heard of. What more could one ask for? Tomorrow we will be focusing on learning about apples. I have a whole Johnny Appleseed thing planned. I'm utterly excited!! Painting smocks will be used:)

Has your summer started winding gown yet? Have your kiddo's started school? I love seeing all of the 1st day of school photo's popping up all over facebook. Ours won't be up until September 4th as I am a Northerner and am strongly against starting school before Labor day. I'm just sayin' ...lol

Listening to: Emery- From crib to coffin

xO-Etheline

Words To Live By: letter addition

I have always carried a love for the French language in my heart. It really is a romance language. So in lieu of anything else I will simply say--

 Dear Royal-

{via}

xo- Etheline

Share this with the one you love tonight<3<3

iPad weekend dump

I was a trigger happy woman this week. I think I snapped 70 alone today...don't laugh--

{we are getting ready for school--to bad it's not Autumn}

{life}

{our girl-- notice that updo? can you believe it?}

Hope you all have a lovely weekend. I will be nursing my sick husband back to health. Let's pray I don't catch it!!

xO- Etheline

Words To Live By

Let me just start out by saying this is in no way a reflection of life currently in Georgia, but I heard this quote by Winston Churchill the other day and I just loved it. 

{via}

I, in my life from time to time, have fallen into the hell that occasionally is partnered with this life. And while I whole heatedly believe in prayer and faith in God to help you get through the trials of life there is also the lover of post hardcore music and long boarding side of me that needs that kick in the butt via words to keep going. To keep moving forward.

 It is my hope that if you find yourselves stuck in the depths of the darkness know that it is not a place that you have to set up shop and stay. Keep going, there is an end, even if it's not yet in sight.

 xO-Etheline

One inch at a time

Over the weekend I snapped a shot of myself to record the progress I'm having with my hair growing out. Now if you look at this photo one might say, "but it doesn't look long at all."

And you would be right. Right? Wrong!! {lol} My hair has finally reached a length wear I can actually put it back with a whole heck of a lot help from bobby pins, that forms something that resembles a messy chic up-do. I know?!?! Can you stand it? I nearly fell over in my chair. That is I would have if I was sitting in one.

 So here's the question of the day and please {seriously, please} chime in with your thoughts and experiences...It's been two months since my last trim. Do I let it keep growing or go get another trim. Does the 6 week rule apply when you are trying to grow hair out. I'm leaning towards not, unless I get some really convincing arguments, since my trim will probably cut off everything that grew out since my last one.

Listening to: Fun. Some Nights

xO- Etheline

A fresh start...in the middle

If you know me even the tiniest of bits you will know that I prefer the cooler weather. As you can imagine August in Georgia...not my favorite thing to experience. So when we woke up this morning and I was on the back deck looking for Richie's shoe for church {don't ask...lol} I was shocked when the words, "Whoa it's cold out," left my mouth totally on their own. Royal raced outside to see if I was pulling his leg. Low and behold I wasn't. Thermometer read 63 degrees.

{insert angelic choir here}

We immediately shut off the air condition and have had windows and porch doors open along with our attic fan which has sent the loveliest of breezes through our home. Even with the degrees rising as the day has gone on the humidity that ruins our summer days has disappeared. It really is the only explanation.  I am in no way complaining. It's spectacular. 

After church we came home and I was feeling a little annoyed at how messy my house was. Not tornado style, but there was a few things out of place in each room which is just enough to make you wanna scream. Know what I mean? Well I set to it and started straightening and to my surprise with the help of my children playing on the deck and Pandora I knocked the clutter out quickly.  

{Please excuse the horrible dead tree. I'm not sure what is going on with it}

With the breeze swirling through our house I sat down at my table for what feels like for the first {real} time on our new home.  Like I'm finally settled. It's an odd feeling really, but the memory of it's familiarity is welcomed. 

I hope now to have the blog up and running a little bit more regularly now. I hope you will stop by and comment. I love comments and new friends. Old ones too; tremendously:)

xO-Etheline

Stay tuned for more photogs of the house:)

Simple joys

Here's hoping that this weekend as memorable as its shaping up to be:)

I know I've dropped the ball on this whole blogging thing lately, but on the occasion my real life is more of a priority than my imaginary perfect blogging one..lol

So if you are still coming around I appreciate is immensely. Have a great weekend.

Full Circle

Happy August 1st Friends!!

I think it's really neat that you can find amazing prints like this online archived on the Conde Nast website. Honestly; is there anything more fitting to welcome August than an Olympic centered cover of The New Yorker....from 1960!?!?

Sidenote:: I know it was only 12 years ago, but I really miss the 20th century.

Now- If you are anything like me you eyeballs have been glued to the telly while you are holding your breath and waiting for Michael Phelps to become the most decorated Olympian of {ALL} time.

{via}

It's odd that all around me {I have a brother going into 8th grade} summer is "winding down" and kids are getting ready to go back to school this Monday. MAJOR yuck!! I on the other hand am still enjoying summer and planning my lessons for school that doesn't start for another 5 weeks. This is what I love to refer to as a perk of homeshooling:)

In other wonderful news we are moving into our new place tomorrow!!

Let me say that again...WE ARE MOVING INTO OUR NEW PLACE TOMORROW!!

I am really excited to finally sit down and put my fingers to work as I unravel the story that has been in the making for the last two months. From South America to the USA it's going to be a fun story you won't want to miss. Maybe when all is said and done you will understand why my friends have started playing "Where in the world is Etheline" {insert Carman Sandiego music here}

Good night friends<3 Sound off in the comments below and share with me your favorite even to watch during the Olympics thus far.

xO- Etheline