HAPPY Friday!
This is a silent video. 
 The facial expressions and body language say it all. 

Hope this video brings a smile to your face!

Happy Weekend!

Summer's Ending

We've enjoyed our summer full of fun activities. 

The ZOO....WAGON RIDES...FISHING...BLOWING BUBBLES...SWIMMING...PINATAS...SPLASH PARKS...PLAYDATES...CATCHING BUGS...SPARKLERS...BONFIRES...WRITING BOOKS...ART PROJECTS...VISITING GRANDPARENTS...and TONS MORE.

One of my friends had a list of "100 Things to Do This Summer" posted on her refrigerator.  Every time I would go to her house, I would try to make a mental note of what it said.  I'm all about relaxing and enjoying every moment of summer, but the side of me that makes check lists wanted to feel like we "accomplished" some thing this summer.  When my friend posted the list on Facebook, I scooped it up and printed it off right away.  I'm kind of crazy about check lists, especially fun ones.  It's been on our refrigerator ever since, and we've been checking away.  We still have our fair share of lazy days with way too much TV, and pajamas way past lunch time.  

One of their favorite activities has been playing with Water Balloons.

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In our area, some kids are already in school, which means summer is coming to an end.  Our family is officially two weeks away from having a Kindergartner.  Emma will be considered a full-time student.  It's a foreign concept, that I would like to keep that way for a little while longer.  It comes with mixed emotions.

Strawberry Picking

Once upon a time we went to a strawberry patch.  I say once upon a time because it was at the beginning of summer, and we are now getting to the end.  Our friends always go with their girls.  They make the yummiest treats.  We decided this year we would go.  We'd never been before.  I never went growing up.  Always thought it would be fun, so we took the challenge and went on an unknown adventure.  I say unknown because I had no idea if the girls would like it, throw tantrums all the way there, or just sit back and enjoy the ride.  I had anxiety for no reason; which happens fairly often.  

We packed up the car, got the girls ready, headed out with camera in hand, ready to make some memories.  

Ben and Emma did most of the picking, I took pictures, and Norah did A LOT of eating!  Silly mommy put a white-ish shirt on her.  The front was red by the time we left.  She kept giving me this look as if to say "Mommy, if you tell me I can't eat these berries, I will make it so every one knows how upset I am".  I didn't want to experience that moment in public.  Her basket was always empty.  Ben and Emma's were always full.   

(Strawberry coma kicking in) 

Look who wrote a book.

A short story about owls.

The BIG Performance

Our oldest was in a ballet performance a month ago. (Yep, I'm behind on blogging.)  


She did AWESOME!
She waited patiently backstage with friends.  That is, if your definition of "patiently waiting" is running around like a wild child down ramps, almost knocking people down.  It helped with the butterflies for sure.  She told me once or twice about the flutters in her stomach.  Then continued coloring or hiding or exploring more secret places.  Quite the adventurous spirit she has at times.  

 Family and friends came out to watch the show.

(Side Note: I put makeup on her.  She hated every minute.  She told me it made her look too pretty.  Daddy would love to hear that she never wants to wear makeup again.)  

  Miss Margaret (sweetest 60+ year old) is her ballet teacher. 

The patience this woman has for 10+ girls every Monday is amazing!

Heart of gold.

Plus, she still puts on a leotard and does all the moves with the girls.

"A merry heart has a continual feast"

Proverbs 15:15

Definition of merry from Dictionary.com

1.

full of cheerfulness or gaiety; joyous in disposition or spirit

2.

laughingly happy; mirthful; festively joyous; hilarious:

Yep, that pretty much defines what it looks like being the mom of these two girls.

Most days it is complete merriment!

I HAVE AN ENEMY

I have an enemy, like most people.

Well, I have more than one, if I'm honest.

Which, why wouldn't I be honest.

Like most enemies, they are unaware of my feelings.

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(Do you like my makeshift bee hive?)

Wasps. Bees. Hornets. Any stinging bug.

I don't care how irrational it might come across.

I get anxious every Spring thinking about them flying around my head.

There's no tragic story of being attacked.

My husband even reminded me last night, that the last time I got stung was 20 years ago. 

I like to say I have a healthy fear of them.  

My husband would just laugh at that statement.

I think the reason I haven't been stung since that one incident is because I'm VERY aware of my surroundings.

I see them fly by and I duck for cover.

I look like a maniac.  Some times I even flail and scream.

Not graceful.

Then I watch them like a hawk to see where they are making a new "home". 

I don't allow it.

I get the Raid and spray like crazy.

I've googled some other remedies.

I have kids.

Raid is poisonous.

I want to stinging bugs gone, not my kids.

I can't avoid going outside.

I don't want to shelter my children from the outside world of insects.

Emma is now even freaked out by the sight of anything small and flying through the air.

I realize I have to calm down since she's apparently watching me.

I have to take control.

Well, as much as I can.

That's where the makeshift bee hive comes in handy.

Not really.

They are still around.  Taunting me.

We are going to try peppermint spray.

It repels them.  

Well, I'll believe that when I don't see them anymore.