I Spy With My Little Eye...

...a BEE!!!!


My parent have gorgeous flowers lining their fence that are in full bloom right now. We took the kids out to take pictures, only to be disturbed by some bees. (the nerve!) Haydn is PETRIFIED of bees, so this was quite the distraction! It also provided a perfect photo opportunity for me! (:

Football Season!

We love the Parkway Panthers! Black & Gold!! John took the boys to the Varsity Football Game last night. They had a blast (but don't ask about the score. ahem.)

Maybe some day I'll be putting those silly things under my eyes to cheer these boys on!

Check out That Hair!

Wow!!! Gwyneth is the Bed Head queen! Her brothers heard her in her room one morning and decided to go play. She was jumping up and down in the crib, and they were jumping outside. Oh my. She doesn't stand a chance.

Tonight, we were outside playing. She ran *right* up to a tree and "bonked" her head on it. (If you've seen Hutch fake run into things, you'll know what I'm talking about...) She is a maniac, I tell you! A maniac.

Hutch

All About Haydn

Have I mentioned before that Haydn's First Grade Teacher is great?! Well. She is! She sent home a paper bag for Haydn with directions to put five items in the bag that tell about him. He *finally* and painfully narrowed it down to the five items above! Why? I will bore you with the details!

1. Picture of Babe: He loves his horse and riding her. He also likes his dad a lot!

2. Paperweight: (remember this?) Haydn likes art a lot, and he also likes to make things. (He double-wrapped this in packing material. He said, "you know, you spend twenty-five bucks on a paperweight, you just don't want it to break.") I hear ya.

3. Hot Wheel: He likes to collect hot wheels. He also likes cars in real life and likes to go to car shows with his family. And he wants a green challenger when he grows up.

4. Crystal: He likes to collect rocks, and likes nature and science. His Dad got this in Arkansas, which he also likes to go on trips with his family.

5. 'Rad' The Webkinz: He loves Webkinz, and has about 13 between he and his brother.

He was very excited to take this stuff in this morning and share it with his class!

Zany Action on a Crazy Contraption!

...that's just what the box said! We found a vintage Mouse Trap Game at Goodwill! I knew that the kids would just love it. I was right! Even John and I play with it. We were both under-privileged children (; who didn't have this game growing up. We'll just say we're making up for lost time.


Gwyneth even got in some playing. A very short amount of "playing" until her brothers told her that she couldn't disassemble it. (That's why she is throwing a fit!)

A lot of fun for only $2.99!

Kitchen Floor

We replaced our kitchen flooring on Saturday. It needed it! I'm going for a retro cottage-y look and I fell in love with the school tiles that look old! I finally have my cupboard and wall paint picked out! Now it's just doing it!

First Day, First Grade!

Haydn had a wonderful time at school on his first day of First Grade! This morning, we headed out to the front yard to take the first day of school pictures! He got some Chuck Taylors this year, and insisted that those were be the shoes he wore on the first day. When I had him try them on at the store, and he said, "Now THESE are my style!" Oh, yes, Haydn. They are!


Taking him to school went more smoothly than I expected! He saw one of his friends and wanted to just walk in with him, but I insisted on taking him in the first day. (I had to give his teacher something. yeah. That's it.) Maybe this year he will walk in all by himself?!

Wow. First Grade. I'm getting old.

Saddling up Babe!

Haydn is "breaking" Babe. The first time we put her saddle on, John and I about *died* laughing because she seriously looked like a rodeo horse (rodeo miniature horse?) for about 10 seconds. We were pretty scared about the outcome of someone actually sitting in the saddle! Haydn bravely tried it, and they all did a great job! No falling!

Preparing the Child

Haydn starts school tomorrow morning. First grade! I thought this year would be easier to let him go. So far, it's not. I get so emotional when I think of my kids growing up. I can remember the day each was born like yesterday, and I know how quickly they've gotten this far! I start thinking, "Wow. They will be out of the house before I know it." -and then I have to stop. And just live in the moment, not yesterday or tomorrow. Enjoy what God has given me *right now*. When I let my little ones go into the big scary world, I have to remember to rely on God to protect them and to guide them, now and as they grow.

~"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6"

*I love you, little man! I am so proud of you!*

an Irish Blessing

Thank You Notes

Gwyneth's 18 Month Pictures & More

I just wanted to share the kids' pictures that I had taken yesterday. You can go here to look at them. (They are mostly Gwyneth's 18 month pictures, but I had a few with all of them).

Salsa!

Ha! I couldn't resist!

I made and canned 10 quarts and 9 pints of salsa. Whew! More tomatoes than I could take in one day! Sometimes when I can, in the midst of it all, I think, "Is this worth it?!!!" The answer is obviously yes, or I wouldn't do it year after year! I got my answer (yes!) this time after we sat down to a big bowl of the mild salsa with homemade chips to go with it. Yummmmy! Everyone loves it!

Here are my recipes, if you're interested. *I know some of you are (:*

Mild Salsa: I used this recipe this year, and it will be our mild from now on. I doubled the recipe and put tomato juice instead of sauce (about 2/3 of what it calls for), and 1/4 of the paste it calls for (only because that is what I had). I'll probably use sauce next time so it would be a little bit thicker!

Hot Salsa: (big chunks of everything-but we like chunky salsa)

7qt peeled, cored, chopped and drained tomatoes

4c seeded, chopped peppers (this varies from year to year-usually not REALLY HOT)

5c chopped onion

1/2 c finely chopped seeded peppers (here's where you put the REALLY HOT ones!)

1-1/2 to 2 Tbsp. oregano

1 Tbsp. cilantro (we skipped this year because I ran out-we might like it better without)

1-1/2 c apple cider vinegar OR 2 c bottled lemon juice (we like vinegar)

6 cloves garlic, finely chopped

2 Tbsp. salt

1 Tbsp. black pepper

1 Tbsp ground cumin

Combine all ingredients except cumin, oregano, and cilantro in a large pot and bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat and simmer 10 min. Add spices and simmer for another 20 minutes (we usually do about 30 or so), stirring occasionally. Ladle hot salsa into pint jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Adjust lids and process in a boiling water canner: 15 minutes.

I go here to get information on canning. Happy salsa-ing!

Shameless Photography

We went to pick up our miniature horse saddle, and I noticed that there was a really rusty camper in the guy's back yard. I tried to supress my urge to take pictures of it, but I couldn't! I finally had to go ask the dude if he minded if I took pictures of it. He sort of gave me a weird look, but said sure! I just couldn't help myself!

Countdown!

We are officially counting down the days until school. We made "First Day of School" Chains. (in black and gold, of course!!) Each night before bed, the boys tear off one chain. When they are all gone, time for school!!!

Surprise, Sheryl!

John's family had a surprise birthday party for his aunt Sheryl at the Willshire Park. She was truly surprised! I love it when that happens!

We haven't seen all of them in so long that my kids thought they had "new" cousins! (It's been probably 2-1/2 years).

We were shocked by the similarities in John's kids and his cousin Kevin's kids. Haydn & Dillon (10 mos apart) and Gwyneth & Ella (5 mos apart) have very similar qualities! Genetics, baby!!

We had a great time catching up and having a few laughs!

Chef Haydn

I had some strawberries in the refrigerator, and Haydn asked if he could make "a recipe" for us. (Haydn has done this for a couple of years now). He totally comes up with the idea, all of the measurements, and baking temperature. I usually help him figure out the time. They are surprisingly good! He is allowed to, but the deal is that he has to clean up after himself. Haydn made some "hidden treasure" for us this time. I can actually say it was delicious this time!

Hidden Talent

This guy's got potential, I tell ya'! As promised, I am blogging about Jim's shirt! Tiffany divulged the secret that he made this shirt himself. (not the shirt, but the stuff on it). He sort of nonchalantly said, "yeah", and left it at that. Then, my aunt Lisa recognized the technique, and said that she saw on a Rachael Ray segment how to make it! Yep. Guilty as charged. Jim saw how to make it on Rachael Ray and actually did it. I won't give *all* of Jim's secrets away, but it involved a handmade stencil (freezer paper), an iron, bleach, and vinegar! Who knew?

Oh, Jim. Such a funny guy!

(The picture was blurry because I had to chase him around to get a picture of it. I seriously was hiding behind things to get a sneak attack!)

Bathing Beauty

Gwyneth loves to swim!

Camdyn is Two!

Camdyn had his Second Birthday party at Butch & Bobbie's pool. I can't believe that he is two already! We had a great time spending the evening with our family!



*Did you notice Jim's shirt? I will post about that soon!*

It's a Bird! It's a Plane! No, It's...

..John's new toy!

He bought a little remote control helicopter. I mean, really little.

Thursday night, my mom and dad were over for supper (and to watch Hutch and Gwyneth while we went to Back-to-School night with Haydn). We went out in the yard to try it out for the first time. It intrigued everyone, and also made us all smile! It's a really neat little thing!

Intrigued

Smiling

It kept our whole family's attention for a long time!

Nature never goes out of Style..

Haydn and I found a bunch of cicadas on a tree, so he was sporting a few of them. So silly!

We saw one that had just crawled out. I got a little too close, but I think it's pretty cool!

I LOVE this time of year!

Gwyneth ~18 Months~

I cannot believe my baby is a year and a half old! Gwyneth is such a joy in our lives. She is Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice. We are so glad to be blessed with her in our family!

Fun @ The Barn

Purple Pictures

Birthday Siblings

We had Tyler and Alyssa over so we could give them their presents. I decided to make them a cake and go all out (: They had a great time, and blew out their candles before I could get a picture of the process! Happy Birthday, Tyler and Alyssa! I can't believe you are 11 and 9 already!

We Must Be Busy....

...when the Corn is Ripe!



I shucked, cooked, cut, bagged and froze six dozen sweet corn! *all during Gwyneth's nap!* Whew!

Isaiah 40:8

Little Boy Drawings

The boys sat on the front porch forever and drew their dream cars. Names such as Big Pop, and Dragster, Fire, Magic School Bus, Meanie, Classy, and Flashier.