Summer time

Is it just me or was summer a time to relax, sleep late, spend time with your family and just take a break from the fast paced school year? I can't believe how I have to schedule our summer now that the boys have started public school. There is so much being thrown at us for them 'to do' and 'keep busy.' Funny, but when we home schooled it seemed we never had to search for something to do or send the kids off to occupy them. Now don't get me wrong, I can certainly see the advantages to some of the activities and I can see the benefits they will get from them. But, a little stubborn part of me wonders why we can't just let our kids be kids and have fun finding things at home to fill their time. Maybe I'm behind the times and a bit old fashioned in that respect. I will be spending part of my day tomorrow planning out the boys' schedules~~camp at Rock River Christian Camp (3 separate sessions--one for each boy this year--3 trips down to Polo, Il and 3 trips back), summer school (fun classes!), Camp Invention, classes at Blackhawk Tech, Caden's guitar lessons, Ty wants art lessons and Austin wants to look into Space Camp (in Alabama!!) WHEW, wondering when I can schedule time to run through the sprinkler, eat Popsicles, play with friends and take a family trip. Oh well, guess we can't do everything ;o)

My 'New' Gardening idea..........

I love the idea of having a garden. And I do love the benefits of having a garden. But, quite honestly, I don't really like having to go out in the hot, hot sun with the man eating swarms of mosquitoes in our yard to tend our garden. So, this year I'm going to try the new to me idea of hanging plants. I got lots of ideas at http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/urban/vegetables-grown-upside-down.htm on what you can grow hanging and what you can't . I'm hoping this will work for us!! I'll keep you updated on what happens and how it goes!

Another GREAT giveaway.......

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Love it!

MMMM, MMMMM Good!

I went shopping with my Mom today. At Sam's Club (I'm a bit of a Sam's Club addict) we found the biggest, reddest, yummiest strawberries. So, after our supper of turkey filet mignon and Caesar salad, we had chocolate dipped strawberries. MMMMMMMMM, they tasted like summer!

Just a Casual Wednesday

Completely unlike my testosterone laden family (I am the only female!!) we spent the day shopping!! YAY! We drove an hour and a half to Pleasant Prairie, WI and descended upon the Prime Outlet Mall!! OMGosh!! What a wonderful place! LOL We got tons of new clothes for the boys and for Brian (who BTW desperately needs new clothes after his BIG weight loss--woohoo, go Brian!) I even got the chance to buy a Coach purse for a GREAT deal!! It was a $200 purse for only $54. And since Brian is a store manager at Goodwill, even he knew what a great price that was!! So, he didn't even argue when I pulled him into the jam packed store and demanded he surrender his debit card. I must admit I've never cared about brand names and having 'things'. But there's something about a Coach and a Coach store. That feeling of camaraderie with the other women in the store as you push them out of the way to get the one you've eagle eyed. The look of all the just really pretty, girly purses. The way the saleslady lovingly wraps your purse in the logo laden C tissue paper and slips it into that white and red handled bag. Ahhhh, I can see why this could become an obsession for me! I've vowed that I will have more! We must all have goals in life.......................

My new Coach

(which BTW, is still in the paper in the bag)

This is it~my whole world........

Yep, that's them. My kids~~crazy, wild and lovable. Funny how when you become a mom you realize nothing else in the world really matters except for the souls that God has entrusted you with.

Easter Memory

I remember going to my Grandma's around Easter time and always finding the most wonderful things. She had out her sugar eggs that she carefully packed away every year. They looked similiar to those in the above picture, but for some reason I remember her's being much more detailed and whimsical. I would put my eye up to the whole and see a whole Easter world inside. I felt as if I could climb inside!! I found these at: www.blumchen.com/ny_times_panorama_sugar_egg.html

Grandma always had the chocolate eggs wrapped in metallic papers. Why did the always seem more vibrant at her house? They were always the solid chocolate kind. Long before they started putting other things inside of them--caramel, peanut butter, etc. To this day, the solid milk chocolate kind are my favorite!

Spring Fabric

I love this fabric I found at
http://www.hancocks-paducah.com/Item--i-BR-SHADOW-BRANCH-SPG

it's so simply beautiful!! I wonder what I can do with it?

Any great ideas?