Saturday, July 31, 2010

Park Hopping

I got a great tip from Family Fun magazine recently and when we, surprisingly enough, didn't have any plans for The Reader's birthday I decided to implement Project Parkpalooza. The plan is simple, pack sunscreen, towels, lunch and snacks (or make a plan on where to buy them), load up your children and find as many parks as you can! We started our day off at Krispy Kreme, because nothing says Happy Birthday like a ball of fried dough. The Reader chose a cream filled donut with chocolate icing. The Entertainer and The Thinker chose glazed devil's food. That one with the powdered sugar is mine and had lemon and vanilla cream filling. Mmmmm.
They are always enamoured with watching the donuts go through the conveyor.

Our first park, small and typical so we didn't stay here very long.


Our second park. Just to the right was a sand box. At this point the boys are wondering why their loony mom made them wear their swimsuits.



A stop at a gourmet grocery store for lunch, because nothing says Happy Birthday better than a lunchables for lunch {choke, cough, gasp}. But hey, I did say they could pick out anything. I chose a nice turkey and cheese on a croissant and tried not to think about all the butter that made that flaky pastry possible. I also chose a sparkling French lemonade of which I am officially in love with now. And yes, I did eat that entire platter of watermelon all by myself, why do you ask?

And no trip to this particular gourmet grocery store is complete without a stop at their bakery. Their specialty is Killer Brownies but I didn't point that out to the boys and let them each pick a treat. Mommy's treat(s) is underneath. A Killer Brownie bite which is about 1/16 of a Killer Brownie drenched in chocolate and also an Oreo Ball which was just the weirdest and yet most delightful thing ever, a truffle like with a moist oreo cookie middle.

This was, by far, the best park we went to all day. It had very creative and original climbing apparatuses and also a tiny sprinkler park (we were disappointed with the size of their sprinkler park, we have two others that we would prefer over this one but the climbing part was definitely a bonus).

As was this fantastic sand box which had streams of water piped in for added fun. About this time they were sun drenched and sand covered so we headed home. I had two other parks on my list but we'll have to try those another day!







Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Buzz Lightyear

The Entertainer's Fourth Birthday (I'm a wee bit late in posting pictures, I know you'll forgive me).





Happy Birthday Thinker!


Thinker, you are nine! I can hardly believe it! You are a joy and a delight, we are so proud of who you are. I love to listen to you pray and hear your heart just poured out for Jesus. I love the friend and brother that you are. You are super smart! Every day we thank God that He is allowing us to watch you grow and our prayers for you this year include that you would continue to live to serve and honor Him! We love you!

Monday, July 26, 2010

Super Mario Brothers

Last year, after tiring of mind-bending birthday cake requests, I put the ix-nay on birthday quests-reay. And I had really great ideas in mind for both The Thinker and The Reader that didn't involve commercial characters. But when an online friend showed how she made cake picks for cupcakes for her son's Super Mario Brothers I knew my boys would love it. I ordered plates, napkins, cups, and stickers online.
Then, like my friend, I found clip art online and cut out a teeny tiny Mario

and Luigi, covered them in shipping tape and attached them to toothpicks. The stickers were left on their backing paper and a toothpick inserted between the two.



I didn't capture a picture of the goodies, they were a hit though. Here we are singing to The Thinker. Not sure what is going through The Reader's mind!


And then we lit The Reader's candles and sang to him. Though their birthdays are only five days apart this is the first time we've combined their parties. This morning The Reader said "I wish every day was yesterday so we have Super Mario Brothers!" So pleased that they were happy with it!




Patriotic Birthday Party

As soon as I opened Wendi's swap box I knew just when I would use all the fantabulous patriotic picnic goodies she sent us. My dad's birthday is July 2 and since we were out of town on the 4th I set it all aside for his party. The Entertainer asked me for two weeks "Today Grandpa party?"

It all looked smashing among the 20 ears of corn and two watermelons! Later 18 chicken breasts were added to the table as well. We had two surprise visitors - my aunt and uncle came from Indiana to help celebrate.

As always, my mom was sorely missed and I'm so grateful to my aunt for taking a little of the sting out of the day. Love you Aunt Pat!

Thanks, again, Wendi for the lovely swap!

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Naan Bread Pizza

I tried this Naan bread, which is an Indian flatbread, a year or so ago. It is magnificent toasted or grilled with butter.
But make a pizza out of it and your life will be transformed. I tried it with the wheat variety this time and it was equally as delightful. My toppings of choice? Organic pizza sauce, roasted red peppers (my newest infatuation), sauteed mushrooms with garlic, lowfat mozz, and a sprinkle of oregano and basil. Mmmmmm.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Creek Stomping




Because there is nothing more fun than stomping in a creek!

Monday, July 19, 2010

Connecticut

We went to Connecticut, home of my husband's extended family, for a week-long workcation. But we still squeezed in some time for fun, like going to the beach and visiting Aunt B's pool. We celebrated all three boys' birthdays while we were there too. Best vacation we've ever had there!

Happy Birthday Entertainer!

You have brought laughter and joy into our lives unspeakable. In the past year you have grown by leaps and bounds! Our prayer for you through the next year and beyond is that you would continue to turn your heart towards Jesus and you would be a mighty warrior in God's army. We cannot wait to see what wonderful things He has in store for you and are so blessed to call you our son. You are our joy and our delight! Happy 4th birthday!

Picture: A collage of your silly and entertaining faces, the middle picture taken July 18, 2010

Saturday, July 3, 2010

First World Problems

UPDATE: A couple of you asked what the blog author's top three priorities were, they included a good sized kitchen, three bedrooms on one floor, and a Master bath. It wasn't her priorities that floored me and no one commenter in particular, it was just a thought I had as I looked through the comments. I'll be writing more on this topic later.

There is a blogger that I peek in on from time to time who is following Dave Ramsey's financial advice and has saved up enough to pay cash for a house. 100%. Now I will put it out there that I am dripping with envy that they have managed to do this. I don't deny that.

However, when she recently posted their top three things they were looking for in a house, the post elicited 300 comments. I realize you have to live in a house (technically you don't) and I realize that is a huge chunk of change and there are niceties that come along with houses. But I was just floored by some of the "must haves" of the comments.

Then I was reminded of Nicole Wick's recent post on First World Problems. And boy, do I ever have First World Problems. When I have to mop my nice vinyl floor again because one of my utterly healthy boys spilled something out of my abundantly full refrigerator. When I have to lug out my *other* vacuum cleaner. When I have to wash sheets for *four* beds. And what would my top three priorities in a house be?

I want to say my top three priorities in a house would be
1. running water
2. electricity
3. safe neighborhood

Because really, that's more than we need. But I probably would have a lot more than three house priorities (and those probably wouldn't be it) because I have a ton of First World Problems. We all have First World Problems. If you are reading this, you have a First World Problem.

Friday, July 2, 2010

Happy Birthday Dad!

Dad, Uncle Johnny, Aunt Pat

Happy Birthday Daddy!


Thursday, July 1, 2010

July

One week of vacation
One week of Vacation Bible School


One week of Outdoor Survival day camp


Four birthdays



Five doctors appointments



Ahhhh, the lazy days of summer.