fun things

We are well into August and I find myself frantically trying to squeeze in all that I can before school starts. It's not all going to happen. I'm trying to accept it. BUT we did do one of, if not THE MOST important thing we could do this summer.

the. beach.

Summer can end now without me spiralling into depression.

We've also had our fair share of the pool.

B took a dip.

He wasn't digging it.

There has been lots of playing outside with the neighbors, forts, and mixing a variety of concoctions. Yes, I did see him taste it.

Someone is gaining strength. He has also found his fingers when he sleeps, here he is having a happy dream.

Why....

bother getting a fancy camera and learning how to use it when I have a fabulous friend who takes beautiful pictures of my kids, while she is babysitting, with her own fancy camera.

He's been into holding B lately. "Hold this?" he asks.

And then .."all done" as he pushes B back to me.

Tuesday we went to Den's parents to check on the place while they are in Alaska.

Bringing in the tomatoes.

Fed the fish.

Catch a butterfly, show mama, let it go.

They spent a lot of time chasing butterflies, their were so many!

J had his last summer cello lesson, and during it we went to a nearby park to sweat, I mean...play.

Check out her hair... back in the day when I had bad perms, this is what i was going for...but not so nappy.

Closing Up July

I can't believe summer is over. Okay, maybe not exactly over. However our month of August is booked and then it's school so it kind of feels over.

Just a few shots of what we did this month.







This little kitty (tiger) would actually stay in the basket when she rode around.



His new scooter.


He thinks he's cute. He's right.


Went creek stomping, again. Took some friends that are city folk :)


Added a new addition to the family. Probably shouldn't call him family as we are going to eat him when he's big enough. But the kids have the responsibility of bottle feeding him morning and night. They mix up the formula and clean the bottle.

Guess who loves it the most. He has been named Thomas Francis.


Peeking through the back door of the calf stall.



Care group came over for dinner.


V enjoyed the weather that evening.


This was last thursday after a busy few days. We had a relaxing day at home that included mani's and pedi's. Check out my son. Is it just me or does my daughter look like a scared monkey?


We walked up to the neighbors to see their puppies. V found a toy.


Actually, I walked, she pedalled.



Found this after hearing..."mom! mom! I can't! I can't!" This being his new phrase for many things. He climbed over the back of the couch to get into it (i have it back there until B can use it) and he couldn't get himself out.



J: Mom...can I take a picture of Callie nursing her babies?

Yesterday was J-man's 9th birhtday. He spent the first half of the day with Dennis. They went out to breakfast and then worked on some fence at the farm. Guy bonding stuff. While they were away, E and I did some decorating, made a birthday sign, wrapped presents and decorated the cake.

At one point I was upstairs and E and V came up the stairs w/ boxes on their heads.

So I drew them faces.


Then I caught her doing this. She cracks me up. (she lost her other front tooth on sunday!)


When the boys got home we let J open a couple of presents.

Then we took a friend and went to Cracker Barrel for dinner. (that's ketchup on his friend's forehead)

Then we went home for cake. This year's creation... an X-Wing fighter. Like me it isn't perfect, but I was generally pleased and J loved it, and that's what counts!

He always gets overwhlemed with love when everyone sings to him. So sweet. (he's definitely my son)

Then, V decided it was time for presents.

The bummer about this pic is that the moment before this moment, he was holding the legos over head cheering a big "yes!".

From grandpa and grandma.

Then everyone left except Grady and they went to bed with their glow sticks (around 9:45ish)

But they didn't go to sleep until after 11pm.

Thanks to all who sent greetings, gifts and love to make his day extra special!

9

There he is.
Leaping into another year.
Year 9 of life to be exact.
Love him.

this week

Yup...gave in to the summer buzz. Said I'd never, but we did it. His hair grows so fast, it's so thick and it's been so hot. He loves it.

Yesterday we played in the rain.

We had planned to go creek stomping and swimming w/ Den's mom and a couple cousins and we kept those plans despite the rain.

Notice V has no pants. They kept falling off so we ditched. He don't need no stinkin' pants.

They kept running back...

...and forth.

Then a quick plunge in the pool.

Praying that there would be no thunder and lightning. (there wasn't)

Some of us were plumb tuckered out.

Last Sunday I made great great aunt hank's (Henrietta) camp pancake for the kids. I had been describing it to E, my lover of questions, and decided that it would be easier to show her. YUM. (I know these pics are blurry...my hands shake like a drunken sailor when I try to take pics w/ no flash)

Today during J's cello lesson I took the others plus cousin Ethan to a park to feed geese & ducks. Those buggers are aggressive! The one white goose was hissing at us. So ungrateful, in my opinion. We quickly finished off our few pieces of bread and got out of there.