Daisy won a prize...

The kids signed up for the Summer reading program at the library again this year and spent a month reading and collecting little prizes and coupons along the way. After the Program ended- they had a drawing for larger prizes. I recieved a call yesterday that Daisy was one of the winners! We raced to the library after making jam to pick up her treat and it was a pink sprinkler that sprayed water and balls everywhere! Pretty cool! She was thrilled!
they are outside right now playing in the water.

Making Jam...

Tuesday night we went out to the orchard to help pick apricots for church. The kids picked up the ones off the ground and we made jam yesterday! I had never made apricot before, so Angie came over and showed me how- THANK YOU ANGIE! She adds pineapple to hers, so I thought we'd try it out! She helped me with the first batch and after she left I continued for awhile longer and made 35 jars! I can't wait to try it!

Gracie, Grace...

Grace took this picture of herself the other day- she looked so grown up!

Sweet little Willow...

Oh, this little girl melts my heart! She just turned 22 months and is SO much fun these days! She is working on a new phrase right now which I so badly want to believe: "Hot Mama" and it's the cutest thing in the world!
No, it isn't intended for me, she just says both words all the time so I thought it would be cute to have her combine them!
She is doing wonderful on the potty and going by herslf all the time! She's pretty much naked all the time with panties and diapers coming off a 100 times a day- but hey, that's potty training for you!
Willow is still an amazing sleeper getting about 12 hours every night, she loves to help unload the dishwasher & if you give her a rag and bottle of cleaner- she will go to town! She's adorable. She loves her Papa, gives the best hugs in the world, loves to pretend she's a puppy, doesn't like going to nursery so much, loves bath time and enjoys jumping on the trampoline. She's also obsessed with sugar, will sit and watch cartoons for awhile now and enjouys coloring on the walls, the couch and her body.
She's the sweetest thing ever too, and we can't believe she will be 2 yrs in a few months!

My little man...

After watching Julie & Julia today, I wanted to try a new reciepe- so Tristin and I hopped in the kitchen and made homemade Macaroni & cheese! It was really different than my normal one- so I had to give it a try.(I found it on Fabulesslyfrugal.com. Tristin, who LOVES to cook (who would have thought, huh? With a Mom like me!)wanted to make mashed potatos, so he did, using 1 lonely potato.
I can't believe how grown up he looks too. What a lovely, sad day when you realize your little man isn't so little any more...

At the park...

Here's a few with the kids and I! I'm never in pictures (not that want to see myself, but I do want evidence that I was around!)

We took the kids to the park Sunday afternoon (in 100 degrees!) to feed the ducks. While we were there the kids were catching little fish & water skeeters and Trav caught a crawdad! The kids were totally amazed by it so they had to play with it, while I was grossed out completely by the pond water splashing around and the kids touching the nasty creature- but they had fun and promptly bathed when we got home!

Feeding the Ducks...

The kids all passed their swim lessons and will advance next year! great job kiddos! The last day was "fun day" so they were able to go down the slide and I laughed so hard when both Daisy & Grace came out all wild and crazy!

Swim Lessons are Complete!

Last Friday was the kids last day of swim lessons and they had a great time! It was fun watching them learn and develop and enjoy the water even more. Willow had a blast too sitting on the edge of the pool for 2 weeks with her little toes in the water. Thanks again Mom for making this happen!