Birthday Party!!

I pride myself on simplicity as a mother.  I think I do a decent job keeping things low key here.  Including birthday parties.  The boys don't get to have friends until they're four...and even then the party is at home.  The invitations are evites, handwritten notes, or printed on my printer at home.  There are no matching labels for the food, party favors, etc.  Just old fashioned backyard parties.

Well ever since Daniel was born in the summer, I (yes you read that correctly, I...not he) have been dreaming of a large water slide party.  At six, we decided he was old enough.  I placed the order.  When told the delivery charge was $50, I politely declined and said my husband will pick it up.

Pick it up he did.  It took he and soon-to-be-named Saint PopPop a couple of hours to get it out of the trailer and eventually set up.  At a quarter til ten (when the party started), we plugged the ol' sucker in.  And then immediately lost power to the whole house!  Without going into all the details, I will briefly say the power was eventually restored, but Chris had to go get another blower.

So the party starts and I'm thankful that water guns are the party favor.  The kids entertained themselves...

until Chris returned and the sliding started.

The party was fun, and Daniel loved the slide.  Even Campbell was able to get in on the fun!

Happy Birthday with the sun cake he requested!

After the last guest left (two hours after the stated end time!), Chris and I got on with the boys.  I have to admit it was fun!

To make it worthwhile, we invited all the church families with young children over for a cookout after church.  A little more sliding...

and hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill.  Fresh watermelon for dessert!

and then Chris and PopPop packed the slide up.  A good time...a great party...but maybe not so simple.

The Best Day

The boys and I started early this morning.  I needed to go to Fairhope to be fitted for my bridesmaid's dress for Elizabeth's wedding.  A bit terrified about taking four boys into a swanky dress shop, I knew earlier was better.

The fitting was quick and painless.  At least for the most part.  John did knock over one of the store's chairs, but neither he nor the chair seemed to be harmed.  From there, we walked several blocks to visit with Big Mama.  The aids were cleaning her room, so the boys and I visited with her in the hall.  It was a short visit, but good to see her nonetheless.

Finally, to the playground!  A chance for boys to be boys!  We played...

and then a picnic.

It was hot and the boys had be so good, so I thought a trip to Mr. Gene's Beans was in order.  Ice cream for all.

I was ready to head home at this point, but Philip insisted that we go to Page and Palette.  In we walk.  Five of us...plus a large cooler on my shoulder...a football in my arms.  We are not their average customer.  They should have run from us...prayed our visit would be short...but instead an owner met me at the door.  He escorted us to the children section.  Spoke to all of my boys.  Asked what they like to read.  We were looking for some of the Hardy boys series, but they were out.  He offered suggestions...all of which Philip had read.  Then he made a nonfiction suggestion..."an interactive history adventure"...Philip was sold.

Both boys got a book from this series and have loved it.  It is something we would have never found in the library or a normal bookstore or amazon.com.  Thank goodness for old-fashioned bookstores!

As we walked back to the car, Philip grabbed my hand and said, "Mom, this has been the best day."

Some More Summer Pictures

Blackberry picking down by the creek...

 A visit from our Mississippi cousins...

A trip to the Exploreum...

Flag football games...

A dance party...

An early Father's Day present...

Three weeks has gone by so fast.  The fun continues!

Garden Love

Okay, I've said it a hundred times here, but I am loving our garden.  It is wild and unruly, but it has out done my hopes this season.

We have had tons of cherry tomatoes, tomatoes, and squash.  A few strawberries, green bell peppers, and cucumbers.  Lots of herbs early on, but now they have been overgrown by tomatoes and squash.

The boys enjoy going out each day to water and/or harvest.  William is especially taken with it.  We spend lots of time out there together!

So what to do with all this produce.  Cook!  I am happy to say that most has been used promptly without waste.

One of my favorites is a tomato tart...using basil and homegrown tomatoes.  Always best with a homemade pie crust!

Sometimes the boys and I disagree on which recipe to use.  For example, we have had two cucumbers harvested.  I used the first for a tomato and cucumber salad that my Mom used to fix.  Very simple...just marinate the diced tomato and cucumber in a little apple cider vinegar and olive oil.  Salt and pepper and eat up!  I could eat it everyday.  Philip is begging for pickles!

We have eaten TONS of squash...grilled, roasted, steamed, squash pancakes, squash casserole...you name it and we've probably tried it.  But if you have suggestions...

So much fun.  I'm already reading up on what to plant this fall!

Summer's First Days in Pictures

Flag football practice!

Trips to the park!

Lots of reading for these two!

A trip to the fountains after forgetting the pool is closed on Tuesdays!

Housework left undone!

Friday night Bay Bears game!

Lots of pool time...including a first jump off the diving board for this guy!

Baseball camp for these two!

Good times!  We couldn't be happier!