Our staycation!

Our charge, the house, Moses the puppy (and Charli). We get the privilege of watching over the property every few months. It is such a treat and really is relaxing and restful to be so close to Justin's work. Plus there is a fantastic playroom and pool. Thanks Dicken's for trusting us these last 6 years and allowing us to be at your home!

Love this girl!

If the sprinklers come on...go on and play in them!

"I LOVE FRUIT"

Oh yeah, we look good in our 30's :)

Our little man

Just my friend and I, eating a lollipop one last time. Sad, but exciting Laney moved to SC!

I can climb stairs!

I can open cupboards!

I can climb in and out of everything!

I love my dada!

swimming swimming-Nina the fish is a great floaty-thanks Catie Beth!

Awwww...Love these girls! Can they look any cuter or funnier?

Happy 4th again!

Peeking over the counter-what a big boy!

What's outside? Waiting for Daddy.

Learning to make her "to do" lists

What?? I love these toys!

Putting baby Magnolia to bed. shh shhh shhh

Learning to play baseball. Look out, the bat hits the ball at any point.

One of our charges, Charli

Having fun playing with the puppies.

It is always so beautiful at the property~

Journaling-my random lunch

Today I had the opportunity to feed my kids lunch. I know this is a blessing, not every mom is so lucky. But also lunch was random-the mixture of cuisines left me full, but my taste buds were confused. I am sure most of you moms can relate that we just don't get lunches like we used to.

Today I had:
*2 slices of peaces-the rest I gave to Owen
*banana licks-I licked the banana off my fingers after breaking it up for Owen
*1 cherry-the rest I pitted for Katie
*the crust off of Owen's butter/jam bread
*1/2 of Katie's pbj because I made her a sandwich that was much to large
*A few bites (making sure they were cool enough for the kids) of the leftover noodles with butter that I gave Owen and Katie
*a piece of bread with jam and butter, because I gave the pbj to Katie
*5 bites of more, left over noodles, topped with homemade italian salsa (love the garlic flavors mixed with jam-ha)
*water
*one slice of cheddar
*a few leftover bites of Katie's goat cheddar because she can't have much other dairy
*and I might just have to have a square of dark chocolate after the kids go down for naps!

A banana Messie-worth the crumbly "mess" when eating

Banana Messies!

• 1 cup whole wheat flour (I used spelt flour-you can get this at Whole Foods if you want to)
  
• 1/2 cup oat bran (I used oat flour-rolled oats ground up in my food processor!)
  
• 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon allspice
• 1 eggs
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup heaping sugar (I used honey granules from Bread Beckers)
  
• 1/4 cup butter
  
• 1/2 cup mashed ripe bananas
• 1/4 cup and 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts-optional
• 
  
• Directions:
  In a large bowl, combine the first eight ingredients. In another bowl, beat the eggs, juice, sugars and oil. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in bananas and nuts. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 400 degrees F for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Serve warm. Makes about 12. freeze well.
  
• Seriously DELICIOUS.
• *adapted from allrecipes.com-banana bran muffins
  

It's turning curly

The longer Owen's hair grows, the more curly it becomes. It is SO precious to see his little curls. He's going for the disheveled distinguished look !

Gallop like a pony

Katie learned a new trick!

katie learned to gallop like a pony.

Katie's Artwork

Katie and I have been working on coloring and creating art work. She found our bath crayons and while I was making dinner colored ALL over the bathtub. She drew bugs, turtles, princess and letters. She wanted Daddy to see it when he got home, she was SO proud. I am thankful that she is learning to be creative and expressive on her own! What a treat to see what her imagination is like. :)

And a side note, bath crayons are a great addition to bath time. Make sure you clean off the bath within a day or two, or there is some extra scrubbing involved, but it does come off pretty easily!

Plus, it is fun to write surprise messages on the walls for family to find. :)

Sunscreen vs Vitamin D and all the other stuff about sun exposure

I wish I could recount all that I read about sunscreen/Vitamin D/Skin Cancer/Chemicals/SPF's and natural products...but alas I cannot!

But if you are interested in the debate about weather or not to wear sunscreen/sunblock, how much Vitamin D you need, what to avoid in ingredients, what are some good sun clothing to buy, and on and on...check out this blog.

Kitchen Stewardship has two posts that I read one titled, Natural Sunscreen reviews and then Sun, Sunscreen, Skin Cancer and Safety: How Much do You Need?

I really think she does a great job at detangling complicated and sometimes controversial topics.

And if anyone cares, I am going to try out this recommended product from Amazon for us!
-Sol Kid Care by Caribbean Solutions

Being silly!

Loving this stage with Katie! As you can tell...whew...she is FULL of life.

90 and 9

I am taking over.

Dear Grandpa, I am digging this tricycle that you got for Katie. It rocks! I am starting to claim all of Katie's toys.

Wordless Wednesday.

(this was our week back in May. It still leaves me speechless. It was a hard two weeks. And yes, we used it all.)

Okay guys....here's the play

Coach called this play guys...get ready for a long pass, slant route...

Ready, Down, Set

HIKE!

Hummm.....I really like this leaf.