Soaking up the Summer Sun with Swimming, Snacks, and Swedish fish

A bit of illeration in the style of a fellow blogger, MckMama. She takes amazing photos; I'm no where near her level, but here's a bit of our fun.
The kids were shocked and amazed when I stopped at CVS and said pick whatever you want to drink and a few snacks to share. I could barely walk down the aisle they were hugging me so tightly. LOL!
Volleyball in the pool; it's nice to be the tallest one for once. I have a mean pool volleyball spike.

So, HAPPY 4th of July....a little late. We ventured to Ohio for a week of family mayhem. Seven kids. Lots of fun that was topped off with practically perfect weather. As mentioned in my post while I was away, there was loads of go-cart riding, swimming, and outside time. When the kids weren't on the tire swing they were painting (sorry about the table, Grandma), playing with water balloons, fishing, catching fireflies and doing whatever kept them busy. My nieces and I finished two puzzles; I finished Recovering Charles by Jason Wright and almost finished another book too. There was plenty of relaxing to be had topped off with battling a few ticks (eeeeewwww!) that freaked me out. AND I walked two miles with my sister-in-law every day.



We finished the trip with an adventure to Cedar Point. All of the kids have stepped up their bravery and will ride things that I won't. I can't do spinning stuff but they sure can. Maggie even did the Power Tower (no, thanks) and Sean rode some wicked thing called Skyhawk with his cousin Sarah. They did a few roller coasters too. I was shocked and stunned; I'll probably be the resident roller-coaster 'chicken' soon. Poor Ian is braver than most but not tall enough just yet. In a couple of years he will be unstoppable. I see the Dragster in his future. This video of it 'not making it over'/a roll-back and having to get launched again just makes my skin crawl; 120 mph and 420ft., makes my hands sweat just typing it.

Enjoy the pictures that are long overdue..........

Question of the Day:
Where do Mr. Clean Magic Erasers disappear to as you use them?
Perhaps they go into the Land of Dryer Socks and make them sparkling white.

All about vacation...........
staying up late, sleeping in, reading, working on puzzles with nieces, go-cart rides, kids in freezing pool, daily walks, blackberry picking, homemade blackberry desserts, fireflies, LOTS of pictures.
Happy 4th of July!

I'm here, but I'm snarky, snippy and pissy so I figured it best that I avoid blogging. We are back from a nice weekend camping. Dance recitals are officially done. Footloose finishes this weekend for Maggie. We leave for vacation with family next week. So, for today, I am cleaning this pit and hauling more stuff down to the neighborhood association dumpster that we have for a short bit. Already tossed - some old patio chairs, the old Weber grill(rest in peace), one shower door (the other shattered in my hands, niiiiiiccccce), an old play kitchen, the Little Tykes table, and the old ironing board.

I do have a plan for dinner so I'll call it a successful day and move along.

Let me preface this post in my best Arnold Sch. voice from Kindergarten Cop, I'M NOT PREGNANT. BUT you would think I am with the major nesting going on these last couple of weeks.

It all started a couple of weeks ago when I decided to conquer the boys closet and that began the Great Clothes Shuffle 2009.


I moved on to the kitchen and family room area last week. Tossing junk piles o' nothingness, cleaning windows inside & out, dusting light fixtures, clearing the countertops (haven't seen that granite in a while). It sorta feels like I've lost ten pounds, don't I wish!

So, this weekend I jumped into Amanda's room. The clothes shuffle was the trigger b/c she had stuff to hang but no hangers available. More tossing of clothes involved along with emptying major toys like the Dora Kitchen and the makeup thing. There is a God! I can be rid of these chunky eye sores. We gutted everything down to the bedside drawer......dress-up clothes, books, doll stuff, moved furniture, vacuumed corner dust bunnies.

I started a list of stuff that needs to be done in hopes that when Collin gets a free minute (ha!ha!) he can just do things like repaint her door. Got another list going of things to make life better like a shoe cubby for her closet and a new lampshade.

As of now I feel like I've lost 20 pounds with all the donation stuff and trash going out the door. Why are those pounds still on my behind?

So I realize that it seems I've disappeared, I haven't. I have loads of blog posts swirling in my brain and no time to just get to it. We've had school projects to finish, our school's closing party, Field Day, Music Man rehearsals, Ian's bittersweet last day of preschool, and many, many hours of volunteering to help pack the school library (we are closing and moving locations). Enjoy these assorted photos that I've promised for months.

Sean as Thomas Jefferson for Famous Americans

Mr. BBQ tailgating at our Angels team night



Maggie turned 11


Ian and Amanda chillin' during movie night in the living room and is joined by our insanely goofy dog Fritz. This is how he lays ALL the time; funniest dog ever.
And last, but not least, my beloved Mother's Day gift. I am in love with this appliance. My kids love it too b/c I am always making something with it. I couldn't have been happier.

Learning to appreciate the little things like perfectly mixed icing from scratch and lots of homemade banana bread with added flax meal (shhhhh, don't tell my kids).