Working Girl

Starting in a couple of weeks, I will be working here. Thanks to awesome friends who will be helping with the kids, we will soon be a two income family!

Sicky McSickerton

Thanks to them :), we are under the weather. Runny noses, sore throats and coughing are taking over our lives. So much for a boring week...

Boring!

Man are we boring this week! Aside from grocery shopping we have done almost nothing this week. Certainly nothing that is blog-worthy. We did have a couple of falls this week resulting in major bruising on the faces of both of the kids. For this reason, we have decided not to be seen in public until at least one of them is healed so as not to be reported to social services. We are, however, still bathing the kids. So, for blog updating purposes...I give you, "The Back Float"

The Girls Camp Update

So, sadly, I think this will be a little anti-climactic. First of all, I didn't take any pictures. I should have. Because I am not sure that Matt believes that I really did any of the things that I said I did. (Except one-there is proof of that one--keep reading).

Day one: I drove up to camp with three very cute 14 year old girls. They slept the entire way. It was the quietest two hours that I can recall.
After getting all settled in at camp it was time for the big certification dinner. Third years are required to start their cooking fire without matches (or a lighter-believe me, I checked!). The girls were awesome and started the fire in about 20 minutes. I was in charge of the dutch oven cobbler. I dug a big hole, lined it with foil and added my coals, the dutch oven, and more coals. After 1 1/2 hours it was done and deliciously golden brown. Success!

Day two: Nothing too terribly exciting this day...cracked 20 dozen eggs at 5am, chilled with the girls, had a little nap, a good day.

Day three: The hike. Seven rugged miles along the Appalachian Trail. I survived.
Then I got a hand massage and manicure at the "Little Piece of Heaven" camp salon. You haven't seen hot pink until you have seen my fingernails on the third day of camp.
That evening I had to certify the fourth year girls in astronomy. It was overcast, there were hardly any stars. We found three stars of the little dipper, a satellite and an airplane. We called it good.

Day four: More certification. I taught the girls orienteering. I didn't bother telling them that I have to use the GPS to get to the grocery store.
Thurs. afternoon there was a massive water fight, belly flop contest (sorry, I didn't even enter so hold your comments), a spiritual program and testimony meeting. A very fun day, despite the masses of crying teenage girls.

Day five: time to pack up and head home. We cleaned, packed, cleaned some more and were finally cleared to leave. We got the cars loaded up, girls loaded in and were ready to hit the road. That is when a huge tree jumped out of nowhere and assaulted the old Chrysler. I tell you, the nerve of those forest trees. Bullies. Just plain, old bullies. A few minutes later, and minus one driver side mirror, we were on our way. Two hours of silent driving (the girls were sleeping again) I was back to the comfort of my home. Matt's mom was cooking, the kids were napping and I had a nice clean, hot shower calling my name. I answered willingly. Home sweet home.

Rain, Rain, Go Away

Do you think it is too late to start building an ark? We already have two ants and two centipedes living in our bug habitat.

Summer Fun

It has been raining here for two days straight. There is no end in sight. I was actually COLD last night. In August.

SOOOOO, as a tribute to summers past, here are some pictures of a fun playdate we had a couple of weeks ago, when it was warm. And summer. In August.

Sigh...

One time, at Girls Camp...

I will be spending the next five days here:

Finally

This is in response to all those sassy comments on the last post. I tried to get the book at B&N but they were all out (see I'm not the only loser in town). Anyway, the book came Friday, I finished it yesterday and I am now on the hunt for some new literary adventure! Any suggestions?!?

Waiting...

...decidedly unpatiently for this book to arrive. I thought the whole purpose of the PRE-ORDER is so that the book will arrive on the release date. Not so my friends. Here we are THREE full days after the release and I still do not have this book in my hot little hands. Maybe my mail lady will have mercy on me and bring it today. If not, I will be the one on the evening news chasing the mail truck down the street screaming, "Why, WHY?????"

Party Time!

We had a great day celebrating Mason's birthday with friends yesterday. We had his party at a park near our house that has a great pirate ship playground. The kids played, the dads tossed the football and the moms visited. It was a fun day and we are now glad to retire all birthday festivities until next year. Although, Mason is convinced that he is turning five next week. Not really sure how to explain that one!

The Birthday

As promised, here are the pictures of our little family party celebrating Mason's birthday.

These little guys haven't left our side for the past week. Thanks Henry!

Mason took to riding his big boy bike very quickly. He now wants to ride it everywhere. The store, the park, the gas station.

Here you can see Mason's birthday cupcakes in all their glory. He didn't seem too disappointed in their lack of size or creativity.

We had a great day and are now looking forward to a little party with some friends later this week!

A day at the Farm

We took the kids to a local farm called Terhune Orchards this week. Despite the stifling heat, we had a great time with tractors, farm animals and cider doughnuts!
All the kids enjoyed chasing the geese, feeding the geese, goat and donkey, and sitting on the tractors.





We finished the day with a picnic at Lover's Lane park while the kids played in the giant sand box and climbed play structures to their hearts content!

As Mason would say..."That was a good, fun day!"

Hungry Hungry Hippos

In our home there are a few sentences that we hear over and over again. Some of those are "Is it time for lunch?" or "Are we having lunch yet?" or "Mom, it must be lunchtime!" You would think these kids were never fed. This morning they ate breakfast #1 consisting of yogurt, juice and toast and breakfast #2 consisting of oatmeal, milk and a banana. After that we made it until now, 8:52 am, before I heard Mason say, "Mom, let's have pb&j for lunch. You can go in the kitchen and make it now. I'll be waiting at the table."

WHAT???????? Boy was he disappointed when I told him it was still three hours until lunch time. It's going to be a long three hours around here.