Hector Hanging Out

Here he is....doing his usual cute things....yesterday.

Love, Us.

Summer Reads

I am excited to be starting a Well Read Mom group here at JBLM!

The book for June just arrived.

I am excited to be driving past Fort Snelling next week a couple times, 

as the book is set there!

And speaking of summer reading, the kids have been wonderful companions this week.

We spent 4-6 hours on two days out and about book-hunting with reading program "funds". 

They sure are good sports and immediately make themselves comfortable 

with a book or two while I hunt.

Love, Us.

A Watermelon Slush Afternoon

With the combination of a heat wave and less-than-desirable watermelon, 

it was a perfect time for watermelon slush!

Yum!

Love, Us.

A Walk to the Beach on a Hot Day

Washington is having record-breaking heat this week.

With school 100% done and kids nagging for the beach, I gave in.

But, I added a stipulation: I had to be able to get some exercise in also.

So, we walked!

Well, I walked (carrying EV and pulling Hector in his carseat in the wagon)

and the kiddos biked.

It was just what I needed, and it was a PERFECT day for 

hanging out at the beach and NEW SPLASH PAD!

Love, Us.

Minimizing Cup Usage and a Red Hot Fireball

If you weren't aware, we don't use a dishwasher at our place.

I don't know if we have a specific reason why, or many, but we are hand-washers.

Because of this, I have come to realize just how many cups and glasses

a family of 8 can go through in a 24 hour period.

I wasn't too excited about that number.

So, I decided to do something about it.

I invented something...and it works!

Every kid (even Hector when he is bigger) has a designated color.

When they use a cup for breakfast, they put it on their color when they are done.

They use the same cup over and over throughout the day.

And, at the end of the day, I wash 7 cups for the whole family. 

It. Is. Awesome.

And, for your viewing pleasure, here is EV having her first 

red hot fireball candy!

Love, Us.

Getting Rid of the Excess

I was all set to bring the many bags of excess directly to the thrift shop.

But, the kids insisted that we at least attempt to turn a bit of profit first.

So...we had a very impromptu garage sale over the weekend.

Yeah...we had WAY too many toys!

It wasn't very successful due to our location and poor weather.

However, we tried, and the kids made enough money to get a small gift 

for each of their godparents, which they will deliver during our upcoming trip!

Hector even joined us for parts of the sale, either staying warm in front of the heater...

or snuggling in a cozy hug.

Love, Us.

A Whole New Upstairs!

Last weekend was the community garage sale weekend here.

Maybe it was that. Maybe it was the end of the school year.

Either way, I got a "get rid of the excess" bug in me this week.

And that is what we did!

Behold our new and minimized toy room!

The boy's room even got a fresh new look, 

moving the bunk bed to the side for a more spacious feel.

Hector's things were also moved to my room.

Since he is now sleeping through the night pretty regularly,

there is no need to have a changing area and nursing station in the toy room.

Love, Us.

Knocked out...again.

She was happily bird-watching with me on my walk.

Then I noticed that she had stopped pointing out the "birdies".

The rhythmic bouncing had sent her to dreamland once again.

Love, Us.

What This Week Looks Like

Testing...

and an in-home summer reading challenge/contest!

Love, Us.

A Quiet Moment

Just daddy and the little guy.

Love, Us.

End of the Year School Pics

Bumpa requested that our kids join their cousins on the fridge with "School Pics".

I obliged.

Here they are - taken at the end of their school years.

T: 5th

Voted Best Little Mother

D: 3rd

Voted Cutest School Pic Ever

P: K

Voted Best Black Eye

R: 1st Year of Pre-K

Voted Best Ginger Powers

E: Troublemaker

Love, Us.

Lego "Plant Powers"

Patch and Rome were very creative lately with their Legos.

They both created a minifigure with "Plant Powers".

First, Patch's guy:

His guy was fragile, but impressive.

And here is Romeo's:

Who needs a head when you can wear a bush instead?!

Love, Us.

Johnny Greenback

Meet our little friend, Johnny Greenback!

We found him in our back yard last week before we finally mowed the grass.

He is a Pacific Freefrog, and he is cute!

We let him go home after bothering him for a bit, 

but we hope to see him or his family again soon.

Love, Us.

Boo-Doop, Boo-Doop! (Or Whatever that Jaws Theme Song Is)

Ahhh!

We won a drawing at the housing office and now 

are the proud owners of a mammoth lobster!

Woot!

It is going to be a fun summer!

Love, Us.