potluck

This afternoon Noelle asked if she could make deviled eggs for dinner. I told her that deviled eggs didn't really constitute dinner. She then asked if she could make them as part of dinner. She also thought it would be fun if everyone made something for dinner as well. 4 hours and about a thousand dirty dishes later, we enjoyed a delicious dinner with a contribution from everyone.

~ Deviled Eggs by Noelle ~

~ Garden Salad (with lettuce from our actual garden) by Nya ~

~ Potato Skins by Emma ~ 

~ Spaghetti Squash by Bergen ~

~ Lemon Cake (using a recipe from Tate's Bake Shop cookbook) by Tate, of course ~

How can I, I of all people, be raising such incredible chefs? 

As much as I enjoyed the time I was able to spend with my children this afternoon, 

I can honestly say that I wanted out of that kitchen as much as one could want. 

But the memories will be sweet, I know, and so I stay and teach and cook, 

even though I am bursting inside to escape.

 Excuse me will you? I have a date with the dishwasher!

vitamin D

Darren booked our tickets last night, and in 8 months, if all goes according to plan, we will be in Hawaii.

My first thought, "Who will care for the children!?" My next, "I need a decent swim suit". 

I have had the same suit for 9 years now. It is not the age that is the issue, but the fact that it is a maternity suit. I do have another, one I bought from Superstore a couple of years ago. I love it, but it is a one piece. Having worn only tankinis for longer than I can remember, I was quickly reminded as to why I abandoned the poor one piece the instant I found out about the tankini. Pretty? Yes! Practical in a pinch or on a surf board? Not at all! And it is a halter style strap. I can't actually wear it for very long without getting a headache. I don't have much to support but it bothers my neck nonetheless.

So I have been on the lookout ever since for one that I can wear for longer periods of time. I knew it needed to be in two pieces, not halter style, and cover as much of me as possible. I, for one, like to make sure that everything that should be inside the swim suit remains inside the swim suit. I have heard such great things about Hapari Swimwear, and I have been wanting to order one in particular for quite a few months now. With our tickets booked, I thought I had better order it before it sells out and I am left to the searching once more.

I do hope it fits and keeps all my parts where nature {originally} intended them to be.

when the sun sets late

As summer approaches and it begins to stay lighter, later, we are left with 3 hours of daylight after bedtime. What to do with all those hours? Sometimes we stay up and spend that time enjoying the great outdoors. Other days I need bedtime to get here as fast as it can. It is then that we read, everyone in their respective beds. 

This is the stack of books Emma came home from the library with.

We either need better blinds to block out that sunlight or bigger muscles to carry those 

ever increasing stacks of books if we are to get through these summer months!

Did I ever tell you how much I love my ginger-snap? Her personality matches her hair in all the best ways. 

She is one of the most unique people I have ever met. She teaches me daily not to take life so seriously. 

She does her own thing and doesn't care or even notice that she may be the only one dancing to the music in her head!

This is Nya re-telling me a story about balloons, just as the Librarian did today during story time.

It is a personal favorite of mine when she pretends to be all grown up and speaks to me as if I am the

 child and everything I do is the most fantastic achievement. 

I quite welcome hearing things like, "Yes, that's right!", "Good job!", and, "You did it!" 

If my 3 year old thinks I can do it, who am I to argue?