It's Cold??

After a record breaking heat this summer...yesterday we opened the windows and the kids declared they were cold outside. All I can say about that is hallellujah.

Little Rock, AR won the Weather Channel's vote as having the nation's second worst summer. It was not simply because they suffered through their hottest summer on record, topping the brutal summers of 1954 and 1980. The clincher for the Arkansas capital was the number of triple-digit days, and the record stretch of consecutive 90-degree days

Consider the sizzling stats:

•21 days with triple-digit heat
•8 of those were consecutive triple-digit days (July 29 - August 5)
•Hottest day in almost 10 years (107 on Aug. 3)
•Record 60 straight days of 90-degree heat (June 30 - August 28)
•Total of 110 days of 90-degree heat (that's almost 1/3 of a year!)

Trifecta

We had a perfect trifecta for birthdays this year. Each child celebrated with presents and a small birthday treat with candles and a song on their actual birthday.

Then we had a big party in the middle. The kids chose the Skatium as the location for the grand event. We invited about 20 friend to an Anything on Wheels Party. Everyone brought their wheels. We had tricycles, bicycles, big wheels, scooters, skates and more.

The kids played on their wheels, hit the pinata and then we finished with cake. It was a great time for everyone, and easy for me!

Limbo on wheels.

Candy scramble

SEVEN

S mart...sometimes too much for his own good!
E ntergetic, wears us out sometimes.
V aliant meaning brave, courageous, worthy or excellent.
E ager to do things and learn new things.

N eedy, I am glad that my baby still needs me.

reasons why I love this kid! Happy Birthday Brian.

A brownie and a little ice cream.

A hot wheels race track with a booster.

The attack pterodactyl

A camouflage remote control jeep.

Primary Program

Yesterday was the annual Primary Sacrament Program at church. My kids said their lines, and sang. What more could I ask for. I got a little teary eyed. It was really a good program this year.

After Sacrament I received several compliments about the beautiful little girl with the blue bow in the front row singing her heart out. I am so proud.

Here are some cute pictures dressed up in their church outfits. Emily just got this new dress, and Brian picked out several new shirts and ties a couple of months ago.

2 on 9/12/10

You know what they say about the twos? I think we have our first one. Danielle is fiercely independent, and strong-willed. I keep reminding myself that this is a good quality to have. But for every time we want to thump her, there a three other things she does that we just want to laugh, or hug, or smile at her so it all works out.

Her personality is this big...see


For her birthday she got this doll that she loves, with a stroller. She also got a tricycle, but is not quite big enough to ride it yet.

She can buckle the stroller, but not unbuckle.

All About

EMILY ROSE

Emily is 4 years old, her favorite color is pink. Her favorite animal is a unicorn and her favorite food is spaghetti. The beach is her favorite place. When she grows up she wants to be a ballerina. Her favorite thing to do is go to the pool, and if she had one wish she would want to be a princess.

In Mrs. Kriz's class each year the students complete their first homework assignment. A poster about them. It is really fun to fill out. We used mostly pictures and it looks very nice.

I even went back and found Brian's all about me poster so we could compare. Such fun memories.

All About Brian

Brian is 4 years old, his favorite color is blue. His favorite animal is a bunny rabbit, and his favorite food is a chocolate shake. Colorado is his favorite place to visit, and when he grows up he wants to be an astronaut. His favorite thing to do is swing on his rocketship. My personal favorite: If he had one wish it would be; "I can't tell you because if I tell you then it won't come true."

PANKO

YUM! I have finally discovered the secret to fried foods like you get in a restaurant. PANKO a Japanese breading is the trick. I have tried all kinds of different coatings to get that same taste and texture, but nothing to this point has come close. We have made fried chicken, mozzarella sticks, mushrooms and zucchini using this stuff and they have all been wonderful. Add a little ranch dressing to dip in and you have found heaven. Of course this recipe is totally healthy like many of The Pioneer Woman's other recipes.

Aliens have abducted my children

Today we were working in and around the house. Eddie was in the garage, and I hadn't seen the big kids in a few minutes, which usually means trouble. Soon after that they both came running into the garage asking us to come check out what they had done. Oh no!! Eddie and I walked around the side of the house and they had weeded the entire flower bed, and they did a good job. I helped them finish and bag up the weeds. They did this project without being asked, although they did have some motivation. We have been paying them for chores for their Disney World spending fund. Money that I would be giving them anyway, but it works out well for everyone when they are helping around the house and then they can pick out some souvenirs.