Pablo, Max, and Maxie

Jake had 3 tiny frogs he found in the creek behind our subdivision. He was so excited about them. Amazingly, he didn't kill them by carrying them around squeezed into the palm of his hand. He got an empty ice cream bucket to keep them in. I was content with this arrangement when the bucket was outside by the door, but today he announced that they needed to live in his room.

Aunt Laura suggested making a frog house outside for them, which we did. We burried a small bucket halfway to make a shelter for them, and made them a pool out of a small dish with rocks in it. Sadly, the frogs did not stay around to live in their new home. Maybe we will attract some other frogs to live in our Frog Palace.

Garden Bounty

Our garden is small...it is crammed into a small flowerbed in the backyard. We have 4 tomato plants, 2 yellow squash plants, and 1 zucchini plant. Here are of few of the veggies we have gotten in the last few days.

These are our pumpkin plants that Jake and I started a couple of weeks ago. Now I need to thin them out. This is way too many for one washtub. I don't want to plant them in the dirt, because apparently we have squash vine bores in our soil. Last year, our pumpkins died before ever producing anything.

We also have 2 hanging pots with tomatoes growing in them. This is just an experiment. It is hard to keep them watered as they dry out really quickly.

The tomatoes on this plant don't seem to get very big. I don't think my pots have enough room for the roots.

It's 8:30 pm, do you know where your kids are?

I do.

Mine are begging for money for the ice cream truck (or van in our case).

The ice cream man has found a honey hole in our neighborhood, and every night like clockwork he drives down our street.

Happy Campers

This week, both kids went to camp at Spring Creek Athletics. Josie does cheer and tumbling several times a week here, and Jake has really wanted to get to go too. They had a parent show yesterday to conclude the week.

Each day was a different spirit day, and Wednesday was Crazy Spirit Day.

I heard Josie tell one of her coaches that this was the "best week ever!"

Crafty Projects

This week, the kids went to day camp and I had a little time to myself. The list of things I should have done was long, but instead I made things for Josie's room. We painted it a few weeks ago, but the walls are still blank.

I have had a box of ceiling tiles in my garage for several years. We went to Canton a few years ago and saw the cutest bulletin boards made out of ceiling tiles. Finally, I am using the tiles. I lightly painted them the same color as her walls, but it looks a little like I sponge painted them since I didn't try to completely cover all the surface. Then I took scrapbook paper and decoupaged them. I borrowed a cricut and cut the letters for the words. I would love to have my own. I am going to drill holes in the top corners and hang the tiles up with ribbon.

A Trip to the Bowling Alley

Ever since we got a Wii, Jake has wanted to go bowling. I think we all forgot how difficult "real" bowling is...even with bumpers to prevent gutter balls.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to the best Daddy in the whole wide world!

Love, Josie, Jake and Jen

A Conversation

Me: "Who was eating on the couch and left crumbs?"

Jake: "Not me! Mama, it starts with a J and then a Jo."

The Endless Summer (week 2)

It is hot here! It already feels like August, so I am worried what August will be like. We've been spending our days doing lots of fun (and some not-so-fun) stuff.

Slip'n'sliding with neighborhood friends,

trying to keep the soap from the slip'n'slide out of our eyes,

painting Josie's room,

trying not to paint ourselves,

finally finishing the bed we bought Josie when she was a baby...

It is only the start of week 3. Who knows what we'll do this week!

The "Dog" Days of Summer

Just a Swingin'

Daddy's surprise is a hit!

Shhh....It's a Surprise!

While the kids were at Camp Granny, Daddy built a surprise for them. With some help from Nick, Amy, and Matt, it turned out great!

Top 10 Things to Do When Your Kids Are at Granny's House

1. Anything you want!
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Camp Granny

This week my kids are happy campers. They are at Camp Granny.

It's a really great summer camp. They serve great food and have very comfy beds. Swimming and fishing are daily activities. Kids gets lots of physical activity, but they also get to rest and relax.

Croquet is a popular activity--pajamas optional.

They have a great lifeguard (you can only see her hands, because she threatened me if I took her picture).

Other campers (aka cousins) also enjoy the amenities.

Safety is the #1 priority.

Sometimes Daddy serves as a camp counselor. Baiting hooks is his specialty.

Popsicles are always available!