smelling the roses

hi friends! sending love and love to you all. i've been spending some time with my family...finishing up work projects...and dreaming a bit. bee learned how to smell (and not eat) flowers last week...and there was just something so breathtakingly beautiful about it and her and those tiny little heavy breaths in. anyways, it made me realize in my own small way how an'ache i was for a genuine, authentic life...filled with smelling life's roses (and maybe sometime eating them too). little ones have a way of reminding us of that..

we're leaving for the ocean on friday. a week away with the loves of my life..time to paint...time to rest...time to collect way too many seashells. (while i'm away you can see peeks of our trip on instagram: @katiespencilbox)

p.s. the summer issue of anthology magazine is coming out and me and matt...our bobbins and our house are all featured inside. here is the trailer and bits from our photo shoot!



Issue No. 12 Trailer from Anthology Magazine on Vimeo.

my birthday roni

today is our guy's birthday day! (july is the luckiest month for my little family). we're planning on fajitas and a night swim and shooting the works to celebrate him tonight. (and his twin brother todd!) summer birthdays are the best!

happy happy birthday, my matt...to the only guy who i would ever let call me his bobby brown "roni". i love you so much i could burst into pieces...then burst into pieces some more.

have a wonderful weekend, friends!

hello summer

the dog day summer heat is officially here...the past few days have been nothing but water and popsicles and bare baby bums and soaking wet boys. even max's rubber goldfish managed to find some water! with just a couple more weeks until we go to the beach, i'm going to enjoy this new summer sun and try to get this ginger-fair skin of mine in line.

happy happy hot summer week, everyone!

once upon a time- bee has a 1st birthday party

sis's first birthday party was saturday! our house and hearts had never been fuller for that girl on her special day...so much family and friends there to celebrate. everyone brought books and books for bee and her library. so many amazing books to curl up and read to together! we had lots of sweets and fizzy things to drink...book character masks and a table set up to write a special note to bee in her books. (i'm a firm believer in writing notes in books!)
all in all the day was hot and hectic and funny and sweet...just like our phoebe! my oh my it's been a year...and i can't wait to see what happens next...


shopping list:  floral paper straws // bookplate stamp // alphabet plates // napkins from target // bee's dress-vintage // book props and character masks and garland and bee's party hat are homemade //

a phoebe turns 1

and just like that...our baby bee is a year old. at 1, phoebe sue is the wildest and funniest and orneriest friend in town. she twerks to pop music and snarls and growls when she's pleased. she claps for no good reason at all...has hair that will never ever stay down ever...and eats up every last bit of all the things to do and learn in this world. she's strong-willed and curious. funny and reserved. she is absolutely more beautiful and interesting a person then i could ever have dreamed her up to be. her life is a gift....and today we celebrate it over and over.

this past year has been so full and amazing and exhausting and significant. from reclaiming the birth experience to a full year of nursing every two hours...there have been moments of feeling like a super woman...and many more moments of feeling the weakest i've ever felt. but there is beauty and a whole lot of wisdom where those two meet...and i'm forever thankful for the chance to get to experience it all.

so today we clap and snarl and twerk for bee! happy happy birthday, our girl! you are loved 10x4x5x20!

a look back: phoebe's birth post // first year // monthly updates



12 month phoebe from katie stratton on Vimeo.

camp max

saturday we all gathered up together in the rain to celebrate max and his birthday...summer camp-style. we made a nice fire and lit up lanterns while the little ones ran wild in the woods. food was grilled and sweets were had and i couldn't think of a better way to ring in max's 9th year. 

today is max's official day! this time last year we were celebrating him in between my contractions with phoebe. she's never one to miss a party! 

 

happy happy birthday, my boy. mama loves you wide as the widest moon. you're my favorite friend and forever guy...you're my max. 

shopping list:  post card and notepads from sideshow press // ice cream cups bought here locally but you can find some here // A-frame tents made following a little bit of these instructions ( i used 9x12 painters dropcloth to cover them...and painted the yellow stripe) // birch paper straws bought here // large craft paper food trays from here // s'more cupcakes and merit badge instructions from MARTHA (i designed my own badges)  // invitations and canvas bags and camp t-shirts are homemade ( iron on's for the t-shirts)  // much thanks to max's 2nd mama sara for some of the photos!