hump day nuggets: little bits of the season in photos and words about the last week
Lots of travels and friends and family in the last few weeks. Lots of bare feet, backyard games and early cocktail hour. Lots of airplane bribery (if you keep your seatbelt buckled you can have an ice cream cone when we land), naps on the go and late bedtimes. Lots of squash growing by the second, all day open windows and blue blue sky.
nuggets.
:: Where to begin? How about with my independent, sweet potato-haired crouton.
:: And then my independent, honey-haired bug.
We’ve been having tea parties with this itty set. It was a gift when she was born and I remembered it it was stashed at the back of the big girl books the other day. I swear she drinks gallons of water by the thimble-full. More please mama? You want some too? Cheers!
:: Followed by the Holt Family Croquet Championship of 2010. My parents love a good game. Pinochle, folf, horseshoes/coits and croquet are our bread and butter.
There’s lots of strategy and game (smack) talk.
They taught us well: it’s all in the playing, not so much in the outcome.
Although we all enjoy a win.
:: While in Minnesota each of my parents got to love on my girls in their own way.
For my dad, it’s adventure and activity.
For my mom, it’s the best hug you’ve ever had and exploring a bit closer to home.
And my brother bumped his cool uncle status up significantly.
:: Now we’re home from our travels and, truly, I just love being home with my kids. I feel so fortunate to pop over to friend’s house for water romping in between sewing and playing and writing and naptime.
And to take time at the neighborhood playground every early (TOO early…) morning.
Margot runs and slides and swings.
Us other three girls are belted and swaddled together watching it all unfold.
:: And, Really, it’s amazingly awesome to witness the growth and differences in my daughters. I feel honored.
Ruby is cautious. She wants to be held and bob bob bob bobbob her way into the cool, slick water.
Quietly absorbant.
An observer.
A devout lover of those she knows and trusts.
Comfortable in my arms.
Margot is fearless. She doesn’t like to splash. She doesn’t like sprinklers. She prefers to jump in.
An explorer.
Breathlessly amazed by every little beautiful thing.
Brave and trusting.
A lover of anything that makes her heart beat faster.
:: And then there’s the RELATIONSHIP that brings out entirely other parts of both of them. Oh, really, I feel honored to be a part of all of this.
ps I want to give a shout out to Urban Baby Bonnets ( a previous sponsor) as her hats are seriously as essential as diapers and fruit leathers in my world. This is evident by their frequency in my posts! We love them.
27 Comments
So happy to be up reading late night nuggets. they are accompanying a still warm brownie and I couldn’t be more content. thanks for sharing your beautiful world.
I want a brownie! Oh I am SO craving sweet right now. Off to hunt around in the pantry. Maybe I should make brownies…that might be ludicrous at 10:45…
I love all of my sweet toothed blog loving friends.
I am up working and I’m about to go in for ice cream.
Thanks for the nuggets, Nici. Miss you as always.
xo
YAY – nuggets! Such great pics of the whole fam. Umm, when did Bug start drinking Sierra Nevada Porter? Shall I stock some for our swimming date?
loved reading this. makes me appreciate summertime visits with family even more!
Glad to have your amazing words and pictures back!!
Your girls are too sweet! Glad you had a good time in MN; what a traveling bee you’ve been. I love the pic of Margot, the doll & the tea cup. What marvelous play. Dress up in the grass with tulle is amazing as well. xoxo
Awww summer days! Gotta love it. Great post. You look just like your mom!
Beautiful.
But…two kids on the blanket. One Sierra Porter. And, you expect them to be FRIENDS?!
funny to see part of my mn scenery in your posts. i’m used to you guys with mountains and such.
it’s so amazing watching sisters grow together.
trust me … you will hit a rough patch or two. BUT. the positively wonderful FAR outway the frustrating. my advice? keep these pictures near. because you WILL pull them out and occasionally rock in a corner saying “they really do love each other. they really do love each other.” to remind yourself.
I love the picture of Margot on the white bench in the green boots! How do you choose photos to put in your house….you have a billion perfect pictures of those little dollies!
I love all of the adorable pictures! I definitely remember the Holt family folf games throughout the neighborhood. My fave pic is of you with martini glass in hand and baby on your back!
Oh, that poor lone beer, it was destined to be mine. I would have much rather enjoyed it then gone to the grocery store, it was a madhouse. Next time. Nici, it was nice to see you and your girls.
Ha! Totally Jana! Let’s do it again.
I love it – great summer nuggets! Of course, I especially enjoy the shot of you with Ruby on your back and a martini in your hand.
Y’all are doing it all up nice.
And I’m with Margot, I love orange a lot, too. If only I had someone sneaking my orange stuff to the wash…I’m afraid that part of being a grown-up is having to come to terms with your own stench and wash stuff when you’d rather just put it back on and go out to the tomatoes.
I just love the photo of Ruby on your back–to me, the baby on the back means she’s getting so big! And I’m with Finny on the martini in your hand, too. It’s a great photo of you! xo
This post made me smile. I love the crochet/martini glass pic… very chic! Your girls are beautiful.
I love Ruby’s gummy little smile and those bonnets. Welcome home!
I’ve been waiting for these, and I knew they’d be good. There’s such a peace about these photos and your trip and your girls. I love them so! And your win pic with that martini…you look so proud. Ha ha.
So awesome! Your family and those adorable girls are such gems and it makes me so happy to read your sweet and joyful nuggets of life! Thanks!
So cool that you’re already noticing the differences between your girls, it’s always amazing to me how two people so different could come from the same stock. keeps it interesting for sure.
Beautiful, inspiring pictures as always.
,,,the photo of margot and her uncle conveys nothing but love,,,triple love the view from your lens,,,i imagined so that “mama-diggy” would have baby stapped to her back with martini in one hand and mallet in the other,,,it all looks like perfect family fun!,,,
Ah Nici, the way you love your girls. Its awesome.
I am going to try and hold your perspective near as this last week has been the worst and oh so trying. Total parenting disaster, combined with sick preschooler, sick tired mother and way too much heat. Oh, I dream of two happy kids and lots of vacation days. Can’t wait. xo
Please don’t think I am crazy BUT that is My Friend Jenny in one of the first pics! I had (and loved) her as a little girl! Oh I am so glad to see your sweet girl enjoying her! It brings back wonderful memories for me!! Love your blog!
Andie
Nici~It was pure bliss having you all here!
Margot~YOU are an amazing child. I love everything about you…you make me laugh, cry and thankful that you are my granddaughter. Loved snuggling with you, hearing you say, “uppie, Uppie UPPIE!”, how smart you are…..even loved when you shushed me! You melted my heart when I would say,”I love you so very much” and you would reply “I know”. When you held my face between you little hands & said, “I’ll miss you so much”…well you know I lost it! I am counting the days until I see you again! I Love You a Bushel and a Peck!
Ruby Pie~You are beautiful child! You have silent wisdom behind those blue eyes. The delight of my day was when your mama would bring you to me each morning with your frog-legs kicking and a big smile on your face! I love how much you love your mom too…she is a special lady, mama & daughter! You Are My Sunshine!
I can’t wait until I live closer to you all….
xoxo Mom/Gram
Nics,
Bugster (so glad she likes post Bug!), The Rubes, On the Road Andy and Dig this Chick are always ready for the grand adventure!
Everyone is so grounded in the things that matter….and things that don’t matter so much except at that moment in time like a come from behind Croquet win or a long range frolf hole in one!
BTW I’m thinking the industrial strength Canadian Croquet manufacturer might be a great sponsor for Dig this Chick given the extreme Croquet documentation!
Awesome visit, really enjoyed our time including the bike ride into Excelsior while Gram Holt watched the trouble makers. So nice to have an extended visit to just chill!!
Need the high res pic of the family so I can view immediately on the wall!
Much love,
Bakka
How about a friendly suggestion? Get your kids a soda maker from SodaStream and you will not regret it. My kids love to pick syrups and the entire process makes our family meals much more fun.