Jumping Beans

The boy took to the patio again today to master his latest challenge.



This one didn't turn out so well. Hmmmm, what's wrong with this picture?




But did that stop him? NO!





I'm telling ya, this kid is determined to do red hot peppers before the week is through.

But, not to be outdone, Middle Sis, had to show him how its done...



Check it out! This girl's got HOPS!






And she has cute feet too.



I'm slightly obsessed with my kids feet. Not sure why, but I just want to squeeze 'em when I see 'em.

Here are a couple of projects I think are so, so cute, I may even try to make them myself. Maybe.

This cool smock
Directions for similar cool smock here.

And this fun sampler.

This made me laugh out loud, for real. If you're squeamish about chicken hiney, you may want to pass on this one. Read the first few comments too, which is between the blogger and her sister. Tell me if you do not ROTFLOL!

And today, I woke up to the strangest sound. I heard the voice of game show host Richard Dawson, saying his familiar "Survey SAYS?...CLANG!" It did put a smile on my face, which is always nice first thing in the morning, but I was a little puzzled. And I wander out to find that my oldest has found the Game Show Channel, and she loves it! So, we had fun discussing the lovely style of the 70's, and why on earth the ladies wore so much make up and had their hair "that way". We don't do Hannah Montana or any of the other silly 'tween shows, so as far as TV goes, its pretty slim pickin's for the big girl. I think having a 70's game show fan will be pretty fun!

Oh, and by the way! TGIF!

Is anything better than new shoes?

Ok, so let's just put it out there right away that I'm jealous of my 2 year old's new shoes...



Not that anyone would notice, but please ignore the different colored socks babygirl is sporting in this pic. We have a mysterious phenomenon at our house where it is actually impossible to find 2 matching baby socks at the same time. Not sure what's going on there. Anyhoo, are these not the cutest shoes you've ever seen? I love the Keen's that I have, but mine are green, not this perfect color of pink. I would so wear these!

I don't have any other photos to share today. I've been in a bit of a slump lately I guess. We've been running back and forth to horse camp for the past week and half, and although the girls are having a total blast, I am completely off kilter with my schedule! I feel totally behind, and well..slumpy. I've let the kids watch too many videos, waiting to go to horse camp, and then waiting to leave to go pick up. It always seems like an easy thing to do, but before long, I'm paying for it, with grumpy kids, which makes for grumpy me, especially when I get behind on my regular housework stuff. Plus the weather has been chilly and drizzly, so we've been holed up inside which never helps. SO, I've resolved that next week, once we get back to normal, and I get all caught up on laundry and whatever else needs to be done, will be a little to no TV week, spent mostly outdoors, if the weather cooperates. Maybe we'll do another letterbox hunt, or another beach trip, or maybe just get all artsy and crafty at home. We really need to get out of this little rut we're in. I can't believe we only have about 4 weeks left of summer! Its going so fast. I have to admit I am feeling the first inklings of being ready for school and everything else to start again. Soon, we'll be shopping for school supplies and clothes, and the joys (not) of soccer season will be upon us! There's something so comforting about all that goes along with the coming of Fall. On the other hand, its felt so Fall-like these past few days, I actually saw smoke coming out of people's chimney's on the way home yesterday! I mean, I'm STARTING to feel ready, but I sure hope its not here already!

Let's see...other things happening that hopefully I'll have pictures of soon...my boy is determined to learn how to jump rope. He jumps himself silly, until he is completely sweaty and red in the face, but he's so happy! I'm not sure my photos would do it justice anyway. Its very cute.

Oh. Another thing I hate to even mention its so sad...Mr. Nibbles, our brand new bunny...is....MISSING!!! We discovered the terrible happening this evening when the girls went up to visit him and feed him. :( We are hoping and literally praying for his safe return in the morning. We've actually had bunnies go missing and be found before so its not out of the question, but still, we're prepared for the worst. Such is life in the woods, but I have 2 very sad girls tonight. So, say a little prayer for Mr. Nibbles tonight if you see this, and I'll keep you posted.

More soon!

My Boy is 5, and other cool stuff

5 years sure goes by fast. I've just been going over the old baby pictures, and OH! Be still my heart. I am unbelievably blessed! My kids are gorgeous! If I do say so myself. :) I was looking for a few pics of my boy as he's grown over the past few years...



Here's a classic...



I think this was the first time he was aware of getting dressed up for Easter. Somehow, I don't think he was happy with the outfit.

On his 3rd birthday...





Here's his first fish, caught in a tank at the sportsman show, age 3 and a half...




Here's us messing around with Photo Booth...



Is this kid gorgeous or what?




But you ain't seen nothing yet....

Here he is, newly 5....do you want a piece of this?


Yes, folks, introducing Electric Boy (he made this name up entirely himself), fearlessly defending the world against all kinds of evils, including wild chocolate labs, unsuspecting cats and a few surprised chickens! He is seriously deep into a superhero phase. Oh this boy! He is really something else. His imagination is incredible! He spends nearly all of his playtime in costume (I think he spent his entire 3rd year in a Woody costume), loves to play pretend most of all, loves blues guitar music, wrestling with Dad, and/or helping Dad build stuff around the house. He likes to talk tough, but inside he is so sensitive. He absolutely adores his baby sister. He wonders about God, and asks good questions. He likes to pray out loud. The other night, the night of his birthday, this was his bedtime prayer:

"Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for my life. Thank you for making me 5. Thank you for all of the people. Thank you Jesus that there's a Jesus. Amen"

He said this in the sweetest, smallest, sincere voice, I got all teary-eyed. How deep is it that he thanked Jesus for creating himself?! Try to get your head around that one for awhile!

Whew. I love that kid to pieces. Happy Birthday, Bud.

SO, other happenings around here. Look what I brought home from the farmers market last week.



I meant to pick up milk, bread, maybe some cheese. But we saw this bunny, and I'm sorry, but how could we resist? We had an empty rabbit hutch, and the girls had their own money, and I'm a pushover, so we add Mr. Nibbles to our little farm family. Welcome Mr. Nibbles!

Middle Girl is having a big week this week! Its her week for pony camp, the highlight of the year for our big girls. Biggest girl is having her turn next week. But for now, here is the lucky one to go first...




Just got word that Grandma's taking the kids on Friday night, so that means hubby man and I get to go old school and see the X-Files movie that's opening this weekend! Yep, we're both sci-fi dorks, and the X-files is so old school "us", that we're both embarrassingly excited about our date night.

Ok, and get a load of this...



As I was wearing a sweatshirt and jeans on this the 23rd of July, I noticed this at the top of our cherry tree. I'm usually kind of excited to see the colors start to turn. And yet, today, in my sweatshirt and jeans, chilly, on this the 23rd of July, excited was not how I felt. Grrrrr....

But, I sure am thankful for everything else!

Just Beachy

Ah yes, summer is in full swing around here, yet somewhere in the back of my mind, I know I must savor every moment of it that I can, for summer can be a fleeting thing here in the Northwest. But for now, we are enjoying all the summer moments we can, including this our first trip to the beach! Ok, its actually not the first trip to the beach, as you can plainly see from my last camping post. But this is our first SWIMMING trip to the beach, and ok, its not actually the beach, its at a lake, not too far from here. But still! Its summer at its best, and we plan to do it several times before its all over.

Here are a few highlights of the day...(the biggest girl, conspicuously absent from the pictures, was very busy swimming, too busy for pictures!)




















More soon!

Camping Out

Well, we're back from our wonderful weekend of camping! We went to the Olympic National Forest, and it was sooo beautiful and wonderful, peaceful and refreshing. The kids did great, the weather was perfect, 75 during the day, 50 at night. We found a great little campground, near the Elwha river, which was full, but luckily full of quiet-loving families. It was a good first-time experience, since there was still a fairly nice bathroom available, but the national park was so beautiful, we still felt like we were "away from it all". I can't believe its so close to us, and I've never been there! We go to Colorado once every couple of years for similar scenery and experiences, and this is just around the corner. We took the ferry over, and then just a couple hours drive and we were there. Snow capped mountains, rivers and even the ocean all within a mile or two of the campground. The kids were so happy and content, and everyone's asking when we get to go again!

Here's our little home away from home...



After setting up camp, we cooked up some hot dogs, and of course, S'Mores!!






We gathered around the campfire 'til the sun went down (1o:00 or so around these parts), and called it a night. Then we got up bright and early, had a yummy campfire breakfast, and then went hiking on this great little trail around a lake.








Spent some time beach combing...












Then we headed back to the campsite to relax...









We hung out, playing in the woods around the campsite, had another good night's sleep, and woke up early this morning, made campfire pancakes and ate them in the chilly morning air, then packed up and came home to recover! I am so, so happy that it all went well. I really want our family to get more outdoorsy, enjoying this beautiful part of the world we live in.

Here's a couple more parting shots that pretty much sum up the weekend...




Good times!

Summer Fun

Sorry its been so long since I posted! We had a great 4th of July! We went to a big BBQ at our good friends house, lots of kids, lots of food, and a great view of our town's fireworks display, right from their backyard. The kids ranging in age from toddlers to young teenagers played together, swimming, capture the flag, you name it, until the sun went down, and the fireworks started. It was the first time our kids have ever seen fireworks, since we've always had a baby who wouldn't appreciate the late hour or the noise. The looks on their faces was a look of total awe and joy. It was just a perfect summer moment, good friends gathered around the campfire, roasting marshmallows as the sun went down, then all of us gathered together, looking West as the fireworks began.

We also went to the zoo this weekend, which we haven't been to in years! It was a great day weather wise, temperature just right, and the kids had fun seeing all the animals. We've spent lots of time in our giant "baby pool", and lots of time at the park. This weekend, we're going camping for the first time as family! Hopefully, everyone will take to the great outdoors and we'll have a great time! I'll have pictures and a full report coming up next week!

Meanwhile, enjoy these...

Growing in my wildflower garden...


Trying new things...



Enjoying Summer Moments...