It's a Beach Party!!

We have a few extra kids over today and the weather was lovely - so we applied our sunblock, grabbed some cookies and towels and went to the beach.

We live in such a wonderful area!!!

The kids found treasures:

Pee-eew this one is not coming home!!!:

Baby played in the sand (until she got a mouthful that is :0)!!)I enjoyed the view:The girls went off to the ferry dock to find us the clearest water:
And yes - even I got my feet wet in the very cold water of the Puget Sound:
A fun time was had by all!!

The reason we have a few extra kiddies is that my daughter is having a sleepover for her 12th birthday. So three extra tween girls have invaded the house. Oh my!!! The squealing and giggling!!!!

Having raised three boys ahead of her - my husband is in awe of the different kinds of noises girls make. In fact all of the older males have gone into hiding: the 15, 17, 19 and 43 year olds can't be found. The 9 year old and 4 year old males are enjoying themselves by making faces and gross bodily noises in order to increase the squeal factor.

I may be deaf by the time they all return to their rightful owners but my girlie will be contented having giggled her way through the weekend.

Baking Class

Just as I believe there are lots of lessons to be learned in the garden I feel the same about the kitchen. So I started a "Baking Class" with my kids. It's a hit!!! They love it and so do I - although with all the taste testing my diet has been derailed :0)!!

Today was muffins:

Learning to read recipes

Jacob and Abbie shared a mixing bowl and the two bigger kids each got to do their own batch.

Learning to follow directions:

Careful concentration

Oven safety
Taste testing mmm good!!!

And of course every good cook cleans up when they are done (unless you are the Mom of eight - then you make your kids do it :0)!!!)

We all had lots of fun - everyone was cheerful even about the cleaning up. I don't think people will eat much dinner because everyone had to taste each others creations :0). I highly recommend getting in the kitchen with the kids - the mess is so worth it!!!

Baby's New Entertainment Center!!

What do you do with a fussy baby during dinner making hour? Why, open the dishwasher, of course!!!

I'm just like my big brother on the drums!!

Louder now!!

Streeeeetch

Mommy's helper - unloading this thing

OO! Who's that cute baby in the mirror?
Look at me, Daddy!!Awww, all the spoons are gone!!!
Why buy toys when the best entertainment is behind the dishwasher door? (I only hope she enjoys unloading the dishwasher as much a few years from now!!!)

Summer Scenery

Some Summer pictures Grandma's and Papa's need to see (and anyone else who might want to peep!!!)

Such chubby, kissable feet:

Tide pools - a place of never ending fascination!!! Such a great Daddy!!!

Where did my little girl go? :

My big boy:

Look what I found:

Don't you love those dirty, little boy hands - doing what little boys are supposed to do?!!!

And these sweet, dirty little girl hands?!!

Picking his pitch:

I love this picture!!!!
Sidelined - but still cheering them on!!!
I love summer - filled with fun and memory making moments!

Getting my Monday Brain in Order

FOR TODAY July 6, 2009...

Outside my window...Dark clouds and a stiff wind, cooling down after a very hot weekend - feels good to us in the Pacific Northwest who get hot when it's over 75* :0)

I am thinking...my brains are a bit scrambled this morning - that's why I'm doing this :0)

I am thankful...that my husband does not need surgery on his hand!! It's still very sore and swollen - he's having a hard time not using his hand (I think the doctor should have casted his hand - he was in a huge hurry when he saw Wayne)

From the learning rooms...reading

From the kitchen...making a batch of refried beans - also lots of salad - my lettuce is producing like crazy in my garden

I'm wearing...a ruffled skirt, tee shirt, flip flops

I am creating...crocheting bright, clean wash cloths for the year - easy, non-thinking handwork while I'm watching kiddies play in the pool

I am going...to the church softball game tonight - the kids love to cheer on their brother and daddy - although Daddy will be not be swinging a bat tonight - he'll be first base coach.

I am reading...a book by Eugina Price - one of my favorite authors - she writes Christian history novels about real people and places - her books are very accurate and very interesting. The one I am reading right now is about St. Simon's Island

I am hoping...The swelling goes down in Wayne's hand soon. The doctor was so grumpy and in such a rush when he saw Wayne last week - he just sent Wayne on his way with only a band aid and instructions to not use his hand! How does a father of 8 who works two jobs not use his right hand? The nurses he works with at the hospital gave him a splint (they were really surprised at the "treatment plan")

I am hearing...Esther's music box, the wind in the trees and kids playing.

Around the house...tidy up, laundry and if it doesn't rain - watering

One of my favorite things...the smell of rain!!!!

A few plans for the rest of the week: A trip to the park, get ready for daughter's birthday

A picture I am sharing... Hot, tired and ready for a nap (and so stinkin' cute - I could kiss her all day!!!)

My brains feel more organized already - time to get to work!!!!

America the Great!!!

Oh! Thus be it ever,
when free men shall stand,
Between their loved homes and
the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may
the heaven-rescued land,
Praise the power that hath made
and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must,
When our cause it is just,
And then be our motto: "In God is our Trust!"
And the Star-Spangled Banner
In triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the
home of the brave.

Francis Scott Key
The Star Spangled Banner

Happy Birthday America!!!

Inside Vs. Outside

Who cares that the dishes aren't done, the beds aren't made and the laundry is stacking up -

Outside the garden is growing:

The kids are playing:

I'm drinking iced coffee and crocheting a little summer into the new wash cloths I'm making for the fall.

This is summer - and the outdoors wins!!!