An Apple for the Teacher...

Vanessa found these on easy and I was determined we would make them instead of buying them, crocheting is harder than it looks especially teaching yourself.  But again youtube you have my gratitude.  Good luck this year Miss Termaat!

So Happy…So Sad

I can't decide if I am happy or sad about today.  I love being able to get up in the morning look at my amazing gaggle of girls and say what can we do today.  On the other hand a little less bickering and a little more housework is the order of business for the next few weeks.  So i guess we say goodbye, although reluctantly, to summer vacation and hello to responsibility and homework.  After all if it was always summer vacation what could we possibly have to look forward to in June!  

This year I have a saucy seventh grader...

 a talkative

 and tickled pink third grader

and a fabulous and fun freshman

Soak City

For the last couple of years we have been going to the Water Park the day before school starts.  It is a perfect way to end the Summer on a high note, and since the majority of schools start before us it is the perfect time to go.  Except…is that rain?  Oh yea, we somehow go a cloudy day with sprinkles.  But that really didn't seem to stop the kids and I got to learn how Kristin really feels about being in the dark on a water slide.  Let me tell you I can't even describe it.  It is just something that needs to be experienced!  I got to laze in the lazy river and ride some slide with friends.  

Rain schmain, we had a great time.

Who's in the Band?

I think when getting ready for the bbq that the band assumed us yahoos would actually let them sing!  Au contraire mon frére!  But a fun time seems to be had by all!  The Brouwers, and their crew, have a beautiful house and put on an amazing BBQ everyone had a wonderful time.  The band sounded great when we weren't ruining the songs with our terrible voices, but I think they had fun too.  As always, some more than others.  I think I was a some rather than an other.

Lemonade Anyone?

Sadie found some neighbors that let her bring her wagon up to their house and pick all the lemons she wants.  Then she comes home and juices them.  Sadie has an issue with loosing her shoes.  What do these two events have in common.  It is a thousand degrees and sadie is wearing knee high pirate boots and pulling a loaded wagon up the street.  I tried to convince her that those might not be the proper footwear for the job, but mom's never know what they are talking about.  I wish I could show you the look on her face, or the color red it is right now, but she refuses to let me take the picture.  In fact i'm pretty sure if she was allowed to punch me in the face she would do it right now!

When life gives you lemons…wear flip flops.

Mission Beach, Amazing!

Where else can you ride a roller coaster, ride the waves, eat a giant snow cone, do battle with hungry seagulls, watch for weirdo's, have people ask to take their picture with you, try on bizarre glasses, be the weirdo people are watching, sunbathe, escape the rain and cream an old man with your bumper car.  Mission Beach Boardwalk, Beach and Belmont Park.  I will definitely be 

returning to the scene of these crimes!

Beach Bonfire

 I have never done the beach at night with a fire before!  When I heard some of my friends were going out to Oceanside for a bonfire and beach day I jumped on the idea.  We got there around 2 (I had to get something done around the house at some point!) the we headed out for an early "happy hour" lunch with all the kids.  Erica, was there and Missy and Carrie.  We had a really nice time.  I hadn't gotten to see this group at all since school was let out for the Summer.  The campfire was nice and it is something I definitely want to do again sometime.

Legoland

Headed out to Legoland to take advantage of a few free tickets before they expire.  It was lovely in Carlsbad today, but these girls really wore me out.  I need a nap…

Sombrero Night

Ahhh sombrero night I will never forget you!  Who starts out at a sushi bar and ends up wearing seriously oversized sombreros, and drinking oversized Coronaritas?  We do.  I know grow up already... Never!  Who know they even made hats this large?

Beating the Heat

I am pretty sure it is about a million degrees outside, but I wouldn't know because I looked for the coolest place I could find!  Ice skating.  I can't think of a better place to be, of course I pretended to go for the kids, but really...

Night Beach

We went to the beach later this afternoon and Jeremy came along!  The kids were so excited to spend some time with him at the beach.  Because of his pesky job he rarely gets to come with us.  We met the Brouwers and the Browns (sans Troy, pesky job again) and checked out some tide pools, then the kids got their fill of the beach.  Next we headed over to Pizza Port, delicious, and decided we had so much fun why not go back to the beach!  So we went back to the beach and watched the sunset.

Melrose Ranch Camping

This afternoon we went out shooting with the kids then headed to the pool to beat the heat.  The guys sure put on a show from the diving board.  I keep waiting for one of those old men to pull something!

Melrose Ranch

We went out to Melrose ranch for camping and really weren't sure what to expect, but it is absolutely gorgeous here.  The little kids are all over this tree and they have full hook-ups.  What more can you wish for.  We have a nice shady spot to circle up the chairs and visit while we avoid the heat.  What an amazing place.  The kids had snow cones, rode bikes then had a huge water fight.  The little kids were trying to make a zip line out of a rope and a pogo stick.  Once they finished it they made Jaxon test it out.  Chickens!  Great day.  Looking forward to the rest of the weekend.