Happy Birthday Jacob!

First we celebrated with family.

I was fortunate to get 1 picture of Jacob.

He wasn't in the mood.

Then we were off to a friend camping party

at the "G-Camp Ground".

Tina ~ the lovely campsite hostess.

Scott ~ camp site host.

After a healthy dinner including Hot Dogs

(but they were from Trader Joes)

we had a "Make Your Own Trail Mix".

Make it now but save it for later

. . . like a midnight snack.

These sweet love birds made an appearance.

Next, lets decorate some containers for bug collecting.

The Camp ~ Host's Sleepy Dogs

Let's have cake!

I was trying to get Jacob to notice his brand new bike

by leaning on it to take his picture.

He didn't even notice his bike but Ben sure did!

Mr. Gary ~ the Camp Director

!

One by one they changed into their jammers inside the tent.

The S-M-O-R-E-S were a HIT!

GOODNIGHT HAPPY CAMPERS!

GOOD MORNING!

I just love the sleepy faces. Aren't they cute!

We finished up w/ waffles & fruit.

Then Mrs. Tina made yummy smoothies for everyone.

Now it's time for us to all catch up on SLEEP!

On My Mind

1. glow sticks #1, 2. moving boxes, 3. Hot Dogs Roasting on an Open Fire, 4. School Bus Top, 5. Legos!, 6. Balloons at Central Park, 7. Smores!, 8. Anything Seems Possible When You Open a New Box of Crayons -- Aug. 23, 2009 [Explore]

Oh Come & Listen!

I will tell you everything God has done for me.

Psalm 66:16

Thanks

Thanks
~ to our pastor's wife ~ I have been reintroduced to the couch to 5k running plan. Despite last nights attempt (so glad i didn't see anyone i knew at the Y) I will still be speaking to her! Thanks Jody!

~ to a new friend (who just so happens to need to sell their house here in the Gayton area . . . hmm) ~ I have been reminded of the importance of milling our own grains. Anyone want to join me?! Thanks Keila!

~ to JM~ the boys had a fantastic day at Kings Dominion yesterday. While I got TONS done, I'm a little jealous that I missed out because there was no whining the entire day. I have no idea what his secret was! Could them having nothing with High Fructose Corn Syrup in what they ate have anything to do with it?! (btw-JM packed their lunches) Thanks JM!

On My Mind

*home visits for my new class of 4 year old friends
*school choosing for our boys
*my girlfriend ~ it's been 1 year
*our roanoke house . . . hmmm
*house/family settling here
*an 8 year old camp out party
*IKEA
*a new jodi picoult book ~ suggestions?
*lovely impromptu date night ~ JM's favorite BWW, my favorite Sweet Frog
*a super long day w/ cranky, argumentative boys
*i LOVE them!
*setting up my new preschool class room
*lining up all the doctor, dentist, hair cut, etc appointments
*pregnant friends in roanoke
*YMCA ~ so excited to get back into shape
*girlie get away in NOVEMBER
*way TOO much dt. coke
*lot's of lists lately ~ back to school, birthday, house wants, class prep.
*desire to create
*really want a beach day or two before school starts
*is our little man really starting kindergarten?
*do we really have an almost 8 year old?
*i really should go to bed and think about these things tomorrow

Our Brilliant Pet

While "s-t-u-p-i-d" is a bad word in our house, JM occassionally refers to our sweet Roxy that way. I wonder if he was watching the Today Show today?! I wasn't but I did read about it and will indeed remind him that Roxy is part Border Collie & Black Lab. (in case you don't want to visit the link, both of those breeds are listed as among the smartest dogs. Border Collie being the smartest) I think JM needs to come up with a new adjective for our 5th member of the family. JM by the way sure did seem to enjoy our reunion with Roxy this weekend ~ He loves her way more than he wants to admit. I love her way more than I thought I could love a dog.

Interesting Doggy Data:

He found the top dogs, in order of their doggy IQ are:
Border collies
Poodles
German shepherds
Golden retrievers
Dobermans
Shetland sheepdogs
Labrador retrievers

Back to School Shopping

While we still are not sure as to where the boys

will go to school in a few weeks,

I am doing my best at shopping for bargains

for the supplies that I think they will need

no matter which school we decide.

JM has gotten tickled with me for

going into Staples just to buy a couple of 1cent packages of pencils

and the next week returning to buy 1 cent paper packs.

But don't you think that if I watch our "pennies" here

then that means more pennies to spend here?!

Especially since I drive right past it.

So now that I have the basics:

pencils, crayons, paper, scissors, & composition notebooks

in our stash (Papaw & Memaw's garage),

I am browsing to find ecofriendly lunchboxes.

I have found one that I love

but unfortunately I'm having trouble convincing

our "mature" soon to be 2nd grader.

If any of you mama's (or daddy's) have

cool, eco-friendly lunch box suggestions,

we'd love to hear them!

*upon finishing this entry,

I clicked over onto non toxic kids button in the margin

to find they too had written about the Kids Konserve

and they included a discount! ~ hmmm*

Maybe I can used those saved pennies

for some new lunch bags instead of craft supplies?!

We still sport our wonderful klean kanteens

and highly reccomend them.

If any of you remember our purchase

(we were worried that we were spending too much).

We would buy them again if we needed to,

but ours are in great shape.

On a totally seperate note,

doesn't this look fun.

Happy School Supply Shopping!

Got the Munchies?!

This Mama can help you solve the Munchie Madness

. . . especially on a Monday

We were invited to a friend's house for dinner.

To keep with our Make it with Mom Monday we still made something.

Both are pretty common recipes

but in case you haven't made them

here are our recipes for two of our favorite treats.

How about some Toffee Yummy?!

All you need is:

Keebler Clubhouse Crackers

1 cup brown sugar

1 stick butter

1 bag of chocolate chips

Line a cookie sheet with crackers.

Melt butter in pan & add brown sugar.

Stir until slightly carmelized.

Pour over crackers.

Bake at 350 for 5 minutes.

Take out of oven & pour chocolate chips on top.

Spread them around as they melt.

Stick in the fridge to set.

(or freezer if you just can't wait)

Break into pieces and enjoy.

We also made Taco Layer Spread

Ben spread the cream cheese all over the bottom of a pie dish.

then he poured rinsed Black Beans

followed by a layer of guacomole

next a jar of salsa

and finally sprinkled shredded cheese over the top.

Bake until the cheese is melted & bubbly.

Serve with your favorite chip.

Rustburg Recap

This past weekend we went to my cousin's wedding.

She was our junior bridesmaid 11 years ago.

I can't believe it was her turn.

At the risk of sounding cheezy . . .

I remember holding her in the hospital when shortly after she was born.

Time sure flies!

Here we are with the best Papa in the world.

He is such a gentle, wonderful man.

Isn't he so cute?!