Verbally Challenged

Because nothing would be more exciting than spending a weekend with the K fam, no?

Kidding. I said that I’d share pics so here goes!

Every time we’re at the beach it’s high noon and really challenging to shoot so I’ve been saying that I want to go around sunset sometime. Soooooo we arrived on Friday, late afternoon, killed some time and walked down to the beach area but it was only 6:30 – not quite sunset – and still a bit of a challenge with the sun. I made the best of it and love that I can see everyone together.

Addy played in the sand a little while posing like a little lady…heh heh:

While Liam busted out some of his best soccer moves with his favorite colored ball:

And when soccer got old he wrote in the sand…what that he’s writing? Why it’s “solar power to the people”…apparently the video he watched on the drive up stuck with him and the song was catchy:

Then Addy licked the sand off of her fingers like frosting, started chewing and crunching the sand grossing mommy out so we walked home and went to bed.

The end of Friday.

Saturday the “walk team” went out in the morning while I napped Finner. After he woke up, we got our best babysitter to watch the baby:

while we (ok Nate) got a fire ready to roast marshmallows. Only the really cool bedtime conscious parents roast marshmallows in the afternoon.

But daddy took a little too long to get the fire going:
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but finally got something going which was just what we needed to get roasting.

Addy found them to be quite yummy although she was still thinking about it (the tongue helps with the thinking):

While Liam practically inhaled his (and didn’t notice that we found a brand that didn’t contain blue #1). And can anyone tell me WHY most marshmallow brands contain blue 1 in the ingredients anyway?

I’m guessing in this photo Addy was saying “is urs dood wee-um?”

That’s “is yours good Liam” for those who don’t speak 2 year old.

Apparently marshmallow roasting is tiring so a box (aka the fire starter) acts as the perfect place to rest:

And then once the kids were full of sugar and crazy energy we went off of the beach where addy found the perfect puddle to sit in and scoop sand from one bucket to the other:

while Liam played the part of a beached whale.

A cold beached whale trying to warm up on the sand.

And then back to the cottage for a rest…but the littlest had other plans so mom took advantage and pulled out the camera:

And then off to the park to finish off the day. A few rides on the little dipper:

A quick ride on the plane with “Miss don’t mess with me I’ll take you out right now”:

And another ride here because who can pass up seeing the infamous gum wall just one last time.

There were more rides but I just can’t show it all people.

Bath. Bed. Bye bye Saturday.

On Sunday we came home and mom didn’t take any photos because she was exhausted from Saturday.

The End.

We’re back from yet another weekend away at the cottage (photos coming soon) and one of the reasons that I haven’t been posting so much. With the weekends away, my boy home from school, and creating in my free time I don’t get a chance to post…or I kind of forget (bad me). And when it’s quiet and I have time to think about writing a post for a moment, I spend time staring at the wall (quite literally) because it’s never quiet in this house and I’m in shock. Not. Kidding.

Now on the subject of creating, I spent a night last week make this:

I’m hoping to make another one this week…or start on something cute for Finner man..and create a layout.

More later!

And Father’s Day too of all days!

Well it started out as a lovely day…we all slept in (7:30…I made a yummy baked apple pancake…gave dad his gifts…called Roto Rooter…

And that’s where the horrible, no good, very bad part comes in.

To make a long story short, we have a collapsed line to our septic tank and unless we want to live with raw sewage and embrace the toilets not flushing properly, gurgling and glugging when showers run and look away from the overflowing clean out line in our yard…we’re FINE!

So instead, let’s go back to last weekend, shall we? When we were playing at the beach, enjoying rides, flushing toilets, showering…you know….good stuff!

My sister came up with her kids for the day so they all could play together and wear the adults out (not kidding)!

Apparently the first thing you do once you hit thesand is dig a hole and fill it with water:

Unless you don’t buy into that philosophy in which case you just glare at the bucket boys as they pass:

And we’re dumping:

And adding sand because it is a big sandy puddle after all:

And then you all get in…unless you still aren’t quite buying it since the temperature is really only 76 degrees (cooler with the wind blowing) and you still need your shirt on over your bathing suit – in which case you take a moment to glare at the crazy boys sitting in the cold sandy puddle:

But feel much better with normal clothes on while riding a horse and even pose for a quick shot:

And a shot just for mom – four grandkids all in one place. Now granted they’re not all looking at the camera and we had to strap them onto the turtle ride and spin them around 27 times to get them dizzy so they couldn’t run. But she has a photo now!

And that about sums up last Sunday that should have been this Sunday, Father’s Day Sunday. We’re good at pretending in this household.

Did anyone make anything fun for Father’s Day? If so I’d love to see it! I’ll admit that my main gift is store bought but I can’t share that since a certain dad reads this blog and it would ruin the surprise. But I did make one thing that would be a fun gift if your guy has a good sense of humor – a paper wallet. You can see it here if you scroll down to the second post along with some fun card ideas (that I didn’t make)!

This wallet would be perfect for my guy since for the past two years he has been carrying around a bright orange duct tape wallet that I got him for a stocking stuffer two Christmas’ ago!

A photo post coming soon!

By me, and not by me.

Lately I’ve been doing all kinds of things. Depending on my mood I’ve been scrapping, sewing, altering, card making…you name it! And I’m LOVING the variety.

You can find one of my most recent layouts on the Pencil Lines blog. They were so kind to ask me to guest design for them and I was more than happy to participate. I provided a sketch for their team to use, a very basic sketch (I am NO Becky Fleck), and used some Basic Grey goodness to create my page. So Fun!!! And I love what their team did with the sketch, each making it their own!

And then check out this little monkey:

That most adorable little skirt? I made it! I’ve been sewing a bit more lately and finally playing with the fabrics I’ve been collecting. She is a little twirling princess in that thing…and will be for at least another year or two as it’s a bit big on her! Ha!

And finally, check out the Sassafras Lass blog to see something that I didn’t make. They put up their newest paper line “Me Likey” today and it is SUPER SWEET!!! The colors are bold, the designs are whimsical and fun…I can’t wait to use it!

And then if you continue to check out the Sassafras Lass blog you will see something that I made for Father’s Day. I LOVE how it came out and it’s quite different. That’s all that I can say.

because that’s what kids do!

Let’s talk tv. That big box that I’m WAY more addicted than I should be. The one that sucks my time away, prevents me from being productive (yes, it’s the tv’s fault and not mine) and brainwashes my children. I decided about a week ago to use that thing called…what was it…the power button and keep the thing off the majority of the day. Basically, I decided to wean myself and my children off of the dang thing especially with my boy being home from school all summer. I’m tired off seeing his glazed over expression while he watches it (even though they’re good programs). And I love that my gal has bought into the whole thing yet…but who knows when that could change. And me? Well, I’m guilty of using it for background when really, it’s not necessary. And you know what? I like the peace and quiet. I love listening to my kids PLAY (what a concept).

Growing up my aunt never has a television and I loved the idea. I told my mom that would be me and my kids would never watch it and we’d be one big perfect happy family. She laughed at me. I’ve always had one. But a part of me really admires the families who choose not to have one. And while I know that isn’t the best decision for me, I’m doing my best to keep it to a minimum. And right now, my kids are getting 20 minutes a day. Love that!

I’ll admit, somedays (ok lots of days) I think, self, what were you thinking! Did you want to be miserable and go crazy every day for the next three months? The tv occupies their minds, keeps them “busy,” makes the house quiet! But so does playing – and I love that!

This is Addy playing mommy with her dolly. Apparently rocking her to sleep and keeping her warm:

And a very scary vampire:

But am I the only one saying “go play” at least 12,000 times a day?

Sweet, squishy, yummy little piggy toes?

Good enough to eat?

They’re funny little buggers no?

***Hoping to get back into the blog routine here shortly. Summer break has kept me busy and finding a new balance!

When you’re two and your brother is four years older than you, it’s not often that you come out on top. You’re actually on the bad end of the deal most of the time.

Here’s what I mean.

Liam will ask Addy to trade games, she’ll delightfully accept the offer only to find that the game she was given no longer works and it needs batteries.

Liam will ask Addy to play a chase game to see who can get the ball first and usually it’s him leaving the little miss sad and confused.

Liam will intentionally ask for something that Addy can’t have…like scissors…so that he can “cut out his letters.” He’ll then proceed to explain ten times over again how she’s too little to play with scissors but he can because he’s six.

I could go on, and on and on. It happens to all siblings and I was the youngest so I definitely experienced it!

But lately Addy has found a way to nudge right back using her words in just the right way.

For example on the way home from school in the car:
A: I had a great time at the playground
L: Mommy did she go to the playground today?
M: Yes we went to the playground
L: ohhhhhhhhh, I wish that I could go to the playground!

At the dinner table:
A: I played in Finn’s room today!
(not something that the kids are allowed to do on their own)
L: Mommy did Addy play in Finn’s room?
M: Yes
L: ohhhhhhhh, I wish that I could play in Finn’s room!

At random:
A: I got gummies today!
(a rare treat in our family)
L: Mommy did Addy get gummies today?
M: Yes, she got a few for using the potty
(Liam used to get the same reward but now complains)
L: ohhhhhhh, I wish that I could get gummies too!

Who would of thought that this sweet little gal:

would figure things out.

So I’d like to think that things are evening out between the two of them. A little nudge in both ways can’t hurt, you think?

Teacher gifts, it’s that time of the year again. Time to say thanks to the teachers for dealing so wonderfully with my little dude who has a short attention span, it VERY busy, spirited, talks A LOT and sings just about every waking minute. I know he can be a challenge sometimes at home and can only assume the same for school but his teachers this year – awesome. And I’m sad that after three years with his Kindy teacher, he’s moving up next year.

As a thank you, I made these. But I should mention that the idea is 100% NOT MINE! I saw the recycled produce container filled with chocolate on the front of a magazine – I’m thinking Paper Crafts – I stored that in the ol’ memory bank. So I borrowed that idea, filled strawberry containers with chocolate and decorated them with some papers.

I made little gift card holders with some other papers and machine stitching. There is also a little photo of the dude inside.

Chocolate + gift card = happy teacher…I hope! And it’s all very practical which is key in my world!

I’d love to see/hear about other teacher gifts if anyone is willing to share!