Another Hike...

Sure, they're all smiles in this picture but this was only about a 1/4 of the way in to the 8 mile hike. There were tears and tantrums along most of the trail after this point. Audrey kept complaining that the place 'really needed an elevator' and at one point I tried to encourage her along by pointing out that there was a clearing ahead where there was probably going to be a great view. Her reply was, ' Of what?, the skeletons of the people who hiked the trail before us?!' She can be funny when she is tired and crabby.
The 'pee tree.' No further explanation needed.

Daddy's little hikers.

We hiked 8 miles to 'The Springs' that would be more appropriately named, 'The Puddles.'

These camelbacks were some of the best money ever spent.

Rodeo Break

In our state, the kiddos get a 4 day weekend when the rodeo is on. We have lived here for 5 years now and even though it isn't our 'thang', we decided that we needed to add the rodeo to our BTDT list. We started out bright and early on the parade route and then made our way over to the rodeo arena. It was one of those freaky, early in the year 90+ degree weather days so we had a hard time staying in our seats in the beating down sun. Thankfully, there were some diversions to be had behind the scenes.

The kids enjoyed feeding some cows.

And practicing their roping skills.

None of the children asked to do it again next year, so I think we're safe there. Yee Haw to that!

Getting Along

One of the nice things about having 4 kids is that if two of them are starting to get tired of one another, there are other options for both of them. Usually, play time in the house consists of different combinations of pairs and singletons as interests divide them along age and gender lines. It warmed my heart today to find all four of them including one another and playing a game together of their own free will and volition. Just love the whole lot of them!

35 Months LID

and I'd give my left b**b for a rumor right about now...

Buddies

Xander just loves his two preschool buddies, Evan and Bennett. The three moms take turns driving carpool and having an afterschool playgroup on one of the preschool days each week. Here's what I found on the couch during playgroup at our house when I realized that I needed to investigate the quiet. Such cuties-I'm guessing that they won't sit this close over a video game as teenagers...

A boy in love...

The kids were outside with sidewalk chalk today and this was Noah's creation. 'N.B.' is Noah. 'T.S.' is Taylor Swift. They are holding hands. He's 7-good grief! This must be cosmic payback for my early 80's Michael Jackson obsession.

Pizza Night

It's become a weekly tradition at our house and the kids have become involved in the prep. They love to get messy, choose their own toppings and help put it together. After some trial and error, the homemade crust tastes about as good as the delivered kind (and I've been sneaking in whole wheat!) The trick is dusting the pan with cornmeal before rolling out the dough.

The recipe I use can be found at my favorite site. Give it a try!