This is What They Will Remember...

Simple things make it {special}-

My father-in-law had surgery this week so my husband flew to N.C. to be with him. While he was gone...I was keeping 3 acTivE kids busy. At night, they asked if they could have a sleepover. Which was fine for me b/c I am a scaredy cat so I didn't mind at all sleeping in the family room together.

Just pull out a few sleeping bags and pillows...put on some {classic} cartoons and it's almost better than {Disney}-well, not really but for this night it was!

It was 12:45am and I pulled out a little cookie dough in the frig. This is what happens when you have NO snacky food! My son's food {radar} was on high alert so we had some together in the kitchen~ We both felt so {sneaky}!

{Little "Missy" always seems to get the couch!}

Of all the things we do...this is what they will remember...I am sure of it!

Finding That "RIGHT" wreath

This Spring I had a beautiful wreath on the door. However, a mamma bird decided to make it her own personal "nursery" with babies and all. We could not even open the front door. So after all the bird hatched and left, we had to toss that wreath out.

So I have been on the search for another one. I love "rEaL" flowers on the door but when you water them...your door gets ruined{or at least mine does}. There is this sweet little ole shop out a bit with a lady who makes the most AmAziNg wreaths.

I picked up one..it is SO heavy but looks really nice on my door and porch. It's a bit different from what I had but a perfect fit to welcome in the 4th Of July~

p.s. No "Stir and Season" today....I haven't been "stirring" or "seasoning" lately!

My "Second" Home

Did you know I have a second home? I do! Sometimes it's Clean and Sometimes It's Not! It has a tv...comfy seats...we eat meals there...I find dirty {changed} socks there...we read there..we sleep in there...sometimes we drink our morning coffee in there. Sometimes I just "sit" in there for hours.

Lately, I spend more time at my second home than anywhere else.

You may have a second home, too! It's my VAN!! I remember hearing of families who eat dinner in their car going from one sport camp to another game.

{Thinking that will never be us} Well, not only is it US but I should invest in putting a "full size" kitchen and maybe salad bar in the back!

Now I am in {CONSTANT} battle with myself about cleaning the VAN b/c I know the next day after cleaning it...it will be full of little {kiddie} crumbs...soccer balls...McDonald's happy meal toys and drinks...BBQ sauce containers and wet wipes.

We are always off doing something and sometime during the day there is someone in the car eating "dripping" ice cream. There are always {extra} folks in our car who leave something behind...so instead of going {Crazy}...my car is on hold for {summer} fun!

What about you? Does your car look like it has stopped at every ice cream shoppe and park in town???

{Please tell me it does..make me feel better!}

One Big Sleepover

Last week, my {old} playgroup came "down" for a trip and visit to our home.

We played...we ate ice cream...we swam...we rode roller coasters...we laughed...we teased!!! I hated to say {goodbye} and so did my kids.

This is the first time I realized or I came to the {realization} that I am not part of them like I was. They share {daily} life together...I think my kids and I both felt it.

It was a bit hard b/c if we could blow up 500 balloons and tie them on the roof and float it 4 hours away just like in the movie "UP" we would!

Here are a few picture from me- {My one girlfriend took 1,000 pictures of the trip...Yes, 1,000}!

Mom's {Summer} School

Have you seen that commercial with the kid who gets out of the pool and taps his ears {like getting water out of his ears}instead all these numbers and equations come out. It is suppose to be how kids loose so much {school} during the summer.

This summer, in midst of swimming, roller coasters and ice cream ....my kids have to do {summer} work each morning. They have to do math, reading, writing "responses" to what they read, do timed tests and anything else I can think of. Even my 4 year old has her own book.

Sometimes....there are "wimpers" or "whines" but overall it has gone well and they are moving along!

Even a little {candy} can make the task bearable!!!!!!!!!!!!

A day With Dad on a bOaT...

This Father's Day, Mr. Sandy Toes wanted to do the same thing we did last year which was rent a boat for the afternoon. So we were off on the {seas} well, NOT really it's more of a long, winding lake where you need to be careful not to get stuck in seaweed if you get too close. However, it's fun and the kids love to drive the boat {with a bit of help}.

After we got off the boat...the marina has a cute little water spout park. It was a REALLY hot day so it was not too busy.
So the girls danced in the water!

We finished the day off with some sprinkle ice cream!

How was your Father's Day??

They ARE COMING!!!!!!!!!!!!

In Less Than 5 to 6 hours...my house will be full of Laughter...

It will be LOUD!

It will be CRAZY!!!

It will be packed with kids and sleeping bags!

There will be many "hellos" and " how are you?" but we always START where we LEFT off!!!

My {old} playgroup is coming...4 moms!!!!

8 kids!!!!!!!!!

Yes! We have 12 guest coming to stay at my home....I couldn't be more thrilled!

{Pictures From Last Year}

p.s. Dear Mr. Sandy Toes,

You know when you tell me that you really NEED to work late some time soon to get everything done. This MAY be the week to do it!

Love....Mrs. Sandy Toes

Where are my shoes???

I have read...watched...cut out... even "googled" ideas for how to organize shoes. I have "racked" them...

I have "hung" them"...

I have "left" them....

(maybe even got "rid" of them)

With 10 feet to "shoe"...we have a lot of shoes.

But, with the shoes comes the ONgoInG "saga" of little ones wearing their Sunday "best" to bike ride then use the front toe as a break to stop.

I had to come up with a plan!

So I have now done the "bucket" idea. I have been doing it for months so I can say for this family it works...it keeps this mama "smiling".

Each person has TWO buckets....One that says "Play Shoes-Gym Shoes" the other bucket says "Church Shoes-School shoes". The children just put their shoes in the correct bucket at the end of the day. If they are out side playing, they cannot get shoes out of the "church bucket".

I took cheap plastic buckets...sprayed one "front" with chalkboard paint. Wrote the "labels"...stuck them on a metal shelf out in the garage. I also have one bucket that says "Time to Grow" which are shoes from my 2nd child that will go down to my 3rd child.

It's not "beautiful" but it REALLY has worked! "Working" is good here!

Jon and Kate Plus Eight

I am not a big TV watcher..I have a few things I watch but I can even go weeks without watching them. Through the years I have loved watching "Jon and Kate plus 8". I watched them when the show was a documentary.

It has broken my heart to hear of their "present" situation. I don't believe it all but it's obvious there is tension and trouble. I don't judge them...I totally understand how much work is involved in keeping a "marriage".

As I watched the season premier...I wanted to yell out loud at the t.v.! I don't understand why they are continuing the show....they have made lots of money {i am happy for them}. But, now they need to concentrate on them and turn off the camera. What will the money do when they both are alone???!!!

This loyal watcher is "done" watching. It's sad to me and my heart goes out to their children but watching them is just too too much!

{What do you all think?}

p.s.

Dear Kate,

I love the show serving dinner on "paper plates". The next day...I did the same! Thank you for setting me free and showing me kids can still learn table manners sitting in front of a paper plate!

I miss seeing just the {normal} life!

"Stir and Season" Saturday

Summer means {EasY} dinners here! Wonderful recipe from my mom today! Just serve with a veggie and fresh, hot bread!

Easy Peasy Chicken with {mayo}

1/2 cup mayo (maybe a little more)

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

4 tsp. Italian seasoned dry bread crumbs

Combine all, spread over chicken on top; Bake at 425 for 20-25 minutes!

Enjoy!

{even a side of buttered noodles is perfect for the kiddies}

p.s. I am trying not to have as much junk food around the house this summer...more FRUIT! But, I now have nothing to snack on and I miss our "busy, full of kids" house this week. I almost stuck a spoon into a hot fudge jar!

Desperate???Maybe...

A week That FLEW by...

After taking bike rides on a path in a cute town...stopping for warm chocolate chips cookies~

Going to movies-wearing 3 D glasses~

Running and climbing at the park~

Going to a big indoor blowup park~

Out to eat for pizza and trips to get ice cream~

Playing Wii and Xbox{maybe a little too much at night}

Swimming...swimming...swimming...and a little more swimming~ with a popsicle in between!

Our dear friends are leaving today after a week of fun and "friendship"!

I miss them already!