4th of July...

I realize this post is a month or so late, but I was looking through pictures and realized I had some pretty neat ones from the 4th of July. This is Gage with his first-ever sparkler. He loved it...until he decided to grab the hot end of it. That pretty much ruined the night.

I love fireworks! I always have. As a kid, my brother and I always did "sparklers" and Bottle Rockets. Those were our favorite! They were cheap and they didn't make a huge mess. Looking back, my Mom was pretty smart for not telling us there were other things available at the firework stand 😉

When it was finally time for fireworks to start, we went to Aunt Tam & Uncle Jay's to join in on their fun. We had SO much fun and I'm so glad they invited us! The fireworks were awesome and we didn't have to fight any crazy crowds or traffic to watch them!

Sorry for being so late on this post. I'll try to do better next time 😉

Recipe help...

Well, we've reached the end of another week. And honestly, it was another pretty low key weekend. We don't have these often and I think I could get used to it. The heat is unbearable and it just isn't worth getting out for much. The kids have enjoyed playing around the house and not having to get ready to go anywhere. It's nice for a change!

Several times over the weekend, I have thought seriously about cooking something new for lunch or dinner. Honestly, I don't cook much. I'm trying to work on it, but it seems that once we are all at home, it is too late to cook. I work late a couple nights a week and Michael usually works late the others. The late nights make it tough to eat as a family, but that is something I feel is important.

Back to cooking. I feel like when I do cook, it is always the same things. Gage LOVES Chicken Spaghetti! He isn't a great eater, so I cook that for him a lot. Emerson will pretty much eat anything you put in front of her. She's not picky at all! I just get sick of eating the same things. So...what are some easy family recipes that your kiddos like to eat?

I hope your weekend was as relaxing as ours and I hope there are more to come!! I thought I'd share this picture of "Miss Priss" before I get off here. She's such a mess!

Talk to you soon!

Monday Funday!!

Today, I spent the day with this little turkey. We spend every Monday and Friday together, but today was a little different. I had to take Em to the doctor this morning, so Gage went to work with his Daddy for an hour or so. When I was finished with the doctor, I picked him up and was very adamant that we eat lunch with Daddy.

After lunch, I learned that Gage earned $5 for working with his Daddy. For me, this meant nothing except a trip to Wal-Mart. UGH! I despise that place. I'm not sure how, but that $5 paycheck trip ended up costing me an extra $35. We HAD to get a movie and a new baby doll for Sissy. Normally I would have said no, but I have to be honest. I was SO proud of him for thinking of his sister! I know, I'm a sucker!

After the Wal-Mart trip, we went to have yogurt at the Lemon Tree. How could I have said no to that? Sucker again, right? I just couldn't say no to this sweet face!

We had such a good day together and I'm so BLESSED to have the extra time to spend with my little man!

On another note, I saw on Jennifer's blog today that she asked her kids how she could be a better Mom. I thought their answers were so funny, so I decided to ask Gage. I was a little afraid of what he would say, but I asked anyway. This is what he said...
#1 Get a new job, because he gets tired of the "bow store". HA!
#2 Get a new house. Not sure how that would help, unless he's trying to imply that this one is a lost cause ;)
#3 Be a little nicer. Apparently I'm nice "sometimes, but not all of the time". He told me, "there are way too many rules around here. I just want to act like a bull". Ha!  Excuse me son, but I couldn't tell my rules were affecting that!

So glad I did this! I needed that laugh today!

Weekend fun...

Between the chaos of every day life, my store and Michael's work, it seems like the weekends are already all planned out before the even get here. I have never been a home body, but I would be lying if I said I didn't want more of it lately. This weekend was the first weekend in a while that we have had NOTHING to do. I had all my shipping done by Friday afternoon. Michael didn't have to work, and we had no ballgames, rodeos or parties to go to! It was nice...REALLY NICE!!

Friday night, my kids stayed the night at MeMe's. They think that is just part of their weekly routine. Stay at home with Mom on Monday, school Tuesday-Thursday, stay home again on Friday and go to MeMe's on Friday night. That's their idea of a good weekend. Who wouldn't?

Typically when they come home from MeMe's, they have something extra in tow. Usually a HUGE toy that we have to find a place for. I know, I know, this is what MeMe's are for, right? This weekend was no different. The came home with an 8' Slip N' Slide and more energy than I knew what to do with. SO...we played outside! Gage loved it!!

I'm not sure how little kids do what they do, to their bodies. If I ran as fast as I could and jumped down on my belly, I would be crippled for life. No possible way I would make it through the fall without breaking something. I just don't understand it. He probably did this 100 times and never complained of anything hurting. Must be nice!

Emerson, on the other hand, was not as impressed. If you know my Em, you know that she is a bit of a Miss Priss. Ok, maybe a LOT of a Miss Priss. She sat at the end of the slide and watched most of the time. She doesn't like her face to get wet and she certainly doesn't want water splashed all over her. She is definitely my child ;)

She's such a sweet girl!

I hope your weekend was as full of fun as ours was! I look forward to many more free weekends in the future. Hopefully sooner than later!