A Walk Around the Lake

We went to our favorite lake the other day. It was much easier to hike the trail this year with the kids being a year older. Jordan and Katie immediately paired up--it's so cute how he wants to hold her hand and take care of her.

Zoey and Jake--not so much. But Jake needs to learn to be a gentleman and take care of his sister. No matter that she outweighs him and could take him down in a second. I told him to hold her hand--which he was fairly happy to do once I told him it was his job to take care of her. Despite Zoey being very independent, she was surprisingly into being 'taken care of.' Even by Jake.

I should have put my camera on a different setting because all of my photos of them holding hands came out blurry. urgh. I'm happy to say that although Jake did not exhibit the tenderness that Jordan does, he did do a pretty good job of being Zoey's buddy.

Once we get to the end of trail, they get to throw rocks in the water. They love this. I have to remind them not to throw rocks if someone is in front of them. They are usually pretty careful, but Jake had a little mishap, as evidenced by these photos.

"Wahhhhh....Mommmmm....Dakie hit my head!"

"I sowwy, Doey. I didn't mean to!"

"Wah! I not stop crying. I want you get it twouble."

"You girls are always so dramatic. Hmph."

"Are you okay, Doey?"

"Hmmm...it still huwts, Dakie."

Checking to see if Mom is still noticing.....

"Doey, you not forgiving me. I said sowwy."

"Ok...I'm coming out there to check you head."

"How 'bout I kiss it all better?"

"I don't think so. I not done being mad at you, Dakie."

"Aw, come on...I you best buddy."

She eventually got over it and they were back to being best buddies on the way back to the car.

George the Frog

The other night, Jordan happened to be the grand prize winner of the family frog. That's right...Mommy found the frog and this time Jordan decided it was his turn to adopt it.

He really only got it because his sisters were preoccupied with something else.

Suffice it to say, there was no way this frog was going to get named, "Sparkles" or play in a Polly pocket playhouse.

Oh no.

This frog was going to get a manly name. Like George, for instance.

And he was going to do manly things.

The first thing Jordan did was build an airplane out of Legos. He did this while holding the frog in one hand. I was holding my breath, hoping he wouldn't accidentally squish it.

It soon became apparent that it would be too difficult to simultaneously hold the frog while flying a plane, so it was on to some cool race cars.

"Oh yeah...I'm driving. They don't call me 'toad-ly stud muffin for nothin."

And a cool VW bug (I could put a really stupid pun here about frogs and bugs, but I will refrain)

And then for some manly fire fighting...

He took the frog to bed--yes, I let him. I know that it was a foolish decision on my part but Jordan was soooooo sweet and begged me to let him have the frog in his room. I agreed without realizing that he was going to tuck it into bed with him. Oh yes...he put the frog--safely ensconced in it's McDonald paper cup--right between his mattress and his headboard. I tried to talk him out of it. The thing wasn't jumping anymore, so I figured it was not long for this earth.

Now those of you who are judging me and shaking your heads, could you REALLY resist this face? Could you crush this? Yeah...me either.

Heading to bed with George

Sadly, little George just didn't have the stamina to hang out with a five year old and decided to give up the ghost. This brought on some tears and a dignified burial this morning. But at least little froggie had a full life. How many frogs get to fly airplanes, drive super cool race cars, be firemen, and sleep with a very cute little boy?

Not too many, thank goodness.

And all mother's everywhere breathe a big sigh of relief.

"He was a good frog. Good-bye little friend."

Bathroom Humor

Today I took the kids to the library and we had to visit the restroom. The youngest ones crowded into the handicap stall and were taking turns using the potty.

When it was Jake's turn, Zoey and Kate, peered in fascination as Jake stood up to go. At home, he sits like they do due to mom's wrath at his poor aim, so they just recently became aware of his amazing ability to stand up to go.

I choose to help him aim because...well...I don't care to clean up a public restroom.

I learned that the hard way.

One time, many years ago, I lost my grip while helping one of my other boys. Let me just say that a loose fire hose has nothin' on a little boy who has to go really bad.

Anyhoo...

As I was leaning over Jake trying to help him, SaraGrace started peppering him with questions.

"Jake...are you gonna go by yourself or is someone gonna help you?"

No answer....he's concentrating.

"Jake...are you gonna do dat yourself? I don't think you can do dat. Who is going to point da arrow?"

Oh My Word...

I started laughing so hard! Point the arrow? Now that is one description I've never heard before.

Little Monroe has a family!

Breaking news....the little boy in Ukraine who was facing life in an institution for the insane, has a family committed to adopting him!! Thank you for your prayers. He is now on the Reece's Rainbox "I have a family" page. Click here if you would like to visit the site.

Want an iPad?!

Then head over to my friend, Lori's blog, to see if you can win one! She and her family are adopting an older boy from China and are fundraising to help with adoption expenses. This is their third adoption in about as many years and funds are needed.

Even if you don't win the iPad, you will at the very least, be helping a young boy get a family. A win-win for you, don'tcha think?

Too Tired to Blog

So sorry for my absence. Three words... Vacation Bible School. It's killing me. Ha.

I am so tired tonight that I can't even think straight. But the kids are having fun and that's what matters, right? Only two more days....

I was with my group when I looked up and saw the pre-school group--led by Jillian--walking by. She is the leader of five kids, three of whom are her siblings. I thought it was so cute how they are all hanging on to a little rope as they go from activity to activity.

Yum...snack time!

1st Graders lead the music

Water day! Let's get W.E.T.

Girlfriends rock!

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In other news...

The other night, Jeff was reading a devotional to the kids after dinner. Normally, they all struggle to sit still and listen for 3 minutes, but this particular evening they were especially restless. Finally, outright giggles and laughter erupted. I started to scold them when someone alerted me to the fact that SaraGrace had her arm up in the air. (For some context, I sit next to Jeff and his back is to a wall. I don't see the wall unless I turn my head sideways.)

I said something to the effect of..."What's the big deal about her having her arm up in the air? And SaraGrace, please put your arm down. Why is it up in the air anyway?"

More smothered giggles and finally she said softly,

"I'm making animals."

I turned and saw this:

Who could possibly see that and not laugh? Needless to say...I joined the crowd.

Urgent Plea for a Sweet Little Boy

Please click here to read my friend, Adeye's, post about a little boy who is in desperate need of a family. His adoption fees have been paid. He just needs a family to come forward for him. Please spread the word!!

Sunday Snapshot - Birds of a Feather

I love bird watching. I have dreams of having beautiful, colorful birds come to feeders in my back yard while I sip coffee and watch them.

So far it hasn't happened.

But it could. Don't laugh.

I guess it has something to do with the fact that every time I slip out onto the deck with a cup of coffee, little feet and loud voices find me within 3.5 seconds and scare the birds away.

In spite of that, I have been able to watch the birds from the kitchen window and try to shoot pictures through it's somewhat spotty glass.

I have been watching a cool looking wood pecker couple this week who loves the peanut butter flavored block of gooey stuff I put out for them. The other birds seem to like it, too. However, the wood pecker family seems to know that the peanut butter stuff is theirs. Which it is. I have other stuff for the rest of the birds.

Every time another bird comes near, the wood peckers give it the stink eye. And then the bird actually leaves! It is cracking me up! The rest of the birds can't seem to withstand the pressure of the stare downs.

"Ahhh...the whole place to myself. As it SHOULD be."

"Excuse me, I don't believe you were invited."

"That's right. Fly away. And don't come back."

"Oh, I'm comin' back. And I'll be bringing some friends."

"You birds need to look my way and notice that I am giving you the stink eye. That's right...I'm glaring. Now beat it!"

"Oh yeah...you're feelin' it now. My eyes are boring holes into the back of your head."

The stare down begins in earnest.

"That's right...hang your head in shame."

"Alright, we're leaving. But we're going to drop some Doo-Doo on the top of the feeders to register our displeasure."

"Finally! They're gone! All is right with my world."

"And people say we turkey's are dumb. We've been eating under the feeder the entire morning with no one bothering us at all."

Froggie Twins

Some of our kids love frogs--or I suppose to be correct, they are most likely toads. But whatever...

We call them frogs.

SaraGrace started this froggie craze last summer when she caught some and played with them for hours.

This year, Chloe has overcome her fear of touching the rumored wart-inducing reptiles. (They are reptiles, right? and yes, I know they don't give you warts.)

"We found two froggies!!"

Meet Froggie #1. I felt no need to take a photo of Froggie #2, since he is an identical twin.

The twins have 'fun' playing in the playground area of their little house.

Then it was time for dinner.

"After dinner, it was time for a little tv in the comfy armchair."

"Little froggie, would you like to sleep in the crib tonight?"

"Your twin is going to sleep over here."

Or maybe not. "Get down you naughty froggie!"

"Awww....Good night, little froggies. Sleep tight!"

Disclaimer: I would like to say that no reptiles were harmed in the filming of this post, but sadly, one did die from um...over-handling by a small child.

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And just a little footnote to yesterday's post. We normally go to McDon*ald's for ice cream because it's so much cheaper, but let's face it...you just don't get the fun-summer-ice-cream-joint feeling there. Sigh... We will keep looking for a cool place to go.

And the copious amount of silly bandz my kids have are due in part to a friend of mine who had a genius idea. Go check it out! Hint: it involves getting your kids to do chores!! Kim...you rocked my summer!!

Sunday Night Ice Cream Treat

In the summer, we often go get ice cream on Sunday nights instead of eating dinner.

Don't judge.

In Michigan, we had a favorite ice cream place that was only open in the summer and had wonderful treats in a dizzying array of choices.

Here? Not so much.

We have been looking since we moved here last summer and still haven't found a good spot with decent prices.

Tonight we tried a new place--hopeful and expectant.

Sadly, we won't be going back. The smallest ice cream cone was $3~! Seriously. How ridiculous is that? Despite the painful bill, we tried to enjoy our treat.

Molly gets her treat

Jillian is loving her choice of Moose Tracks

Dad puts his much lighter wallet back in his pocket

Yum!

Jordan is very serious about his

Jake...not so much!

Zoey is all smiles

Always ready with a pose

Dirty little boy hands and ice cream cones are a sweet part of summer

Still serious. Eating ever so s-l-o-w-l-y

What is wrong with this picture?

If you didn't see what was wrong with the previous photo, here is one zoomed in a little closer... Jeff and I got grossed out by the cat that kept walking across the counter. You know...the counter where our ice cream treats had been sitting only moments before. Ewwww!! Where is the Mass. health department?

Sugar cones always leak! What's up with that?

"Jordan! You have to hurry up! We are all done and want to go home!"

"I'm even putting my hands on my hips to emphasize the urgency with which I deliver my message."

"Finally!! Let's GO already."