At the Beach

Finally, a beach day. 

Well, actually, a late afternoon at the beach but we'll take it!

The weather has been unseasonably cool this summer, so the water has been chilly and uninviting. Even today, the coldness swept your breath away and sent brave swimmers scurrying back up the beach for dry towels and warm sand. Olivia and Quinton threw themselves in with delight but came shivering right back out.

Xavier watched and dug and ate sand.

Gracie also took a cautious approach. Collette, on the other hand, jumped in with enthusiasm and did her best to take Daddy down with her. Really, this is no surprise if you know Collette and Grace.

In the end, we walked and dug, built and explored. 

It was a lovely evening and the beach was so empty that we enjoyed it's beauty in quiet tranquility.

Little Quote

Grace shared this secret with Daddy at bedtime:

"I love you even more than Mommy.

Actually... I love Mommy more

But you are loveable."

7 Quick Takes Friday (vol.10)

1. First off,

Hi Shalla!!!

2. Play dough

My little ones love play dough but they are always leaving it uncovered which results in hard chunky dough. This is not so much fun. 

Much to my children's delight, I suggested that we cook up some new play dough. They were thrilled. When I suggested that we make two batches, they thought I had lost my mommy mind. I think I should surprise them with unexpected generosity more often. 

3. Little Quotes

Quinton on why living in the middle of a mountain range is better than town:

"Because you have more room to be."

4. Storm

We had a summertime storm complete with lightning, thunder, and rain!

(For those of you who live in places with real weather, please just skip this.)

My children were terrified of the thunder and lightning. That may have had something to do with the fact that I told them we would die in the swimming pool if it were struck by lightning. Note to self: Don't say that again while in the pool with small ones. 

I did make them come and watch the rain on the back porch. 

Can you tell that Gracie thought this was a little dangerous and inappropriate?

This is after the storm. So beautiful! 

I wish we had regular summer thunder storms but I suppose that would increase the bug population and I am adamantly opposed to that!

5. Musings

Olivia and Quinton are both off to camp this week. I miss them intensely!

 But I did have a revelation:

4 under 7 is more difficult than 6 under 11

Then, today, my mom picked up the two girls for a sleep over. 

New revelation:

2 under 2 is more difficult than 4 under 7

6. Smoothies

We started making smoothies a regular part of our days after a particularly nasty flu season last winter. (Remember the Christmas photo?) 

It is amazing how many fruits and vegetables I can cram into a cold blended drink.

Xavier loves to drink his smoothies.

To mix it up a little, I poured the smoothie mix into Popsicle forms and froze. Smoothie pops! Perfect for hot summer days and cranky children who have decided to boycott all blended drinks.

7. Summer Fun

While I was making the bed this morning, these crazy monkeys were running and launching themselves onto my freshly smoothed sheets.

 Are you wondering about the blue dot on the wall? That is where the beekeepers drilled. 

Oh, you were wondering about the bassinet in the bathroom. What, don't you have sleeping arrangements for babies permanently set up in your master bath?

Hosted by Jen @ Conversion Diary

Bees III

Sigh.
When these guys show up and start scratching their heads, you know it's time for the next installment in the bee saga. If I were a creative soul, I would come up some wonderful name but Bees III will have to suffice.

Just in case you are wondering, here are parts I and II.

We had to call in the Bee Busters due to a significant number of bees still clustering on the exterior wall. This time two men were sent to battle. Thank goodness one was bald because when he opened up the ceiling, honey rained down upon him.

Promises of honeycomb and destruction held the children captive.

You can see the lines marking where the comb hung. Most of it had collapsed in the heat. Hence, the honey rain. Oh, and the sticky stuff dripping down the exterior walls? That is honey too. We have apparently found the promised land.

Dead bees everywhere!

The apprentice cracked open one comb for the children to inspect. We couldn't keep any as it had all been sprayed with poison.

Lesson learned: Call when the first bee has taken up residence. Do not ponder. Do not forget. Do not walk around the other way. Do not wait!

Fourth of July Fun

Our Fourth of July fun began with the First Annual Ranch Boat Race. 

Quinton spent many days happily building his ship, The Bloody Hawk. (A very boyish name, don't you think?) I had not seen it until Sunday at the launch but I have to say, I was very impressed by the intricate rigging and sails! I did not expect such details. Tyler, the tallest boy in the middle, is the master ship builder of most of the entries. Kudos!!

Stephen sounded the start with a loud blast from our potato gun. 

Yes, we live in the country now but can I tell you how much fun it is to launch a potato across the pond with an impressive boom? Way better than shouting, "GO!" Of course, he did have to do a few test launches to be sure that it worked properly and all. ;-)

Quinton's ship was off!

He placed second overall with an impressive show in the long distance race.

Unfortunately, I missed most of the race due to this little man needing some love.

It is getting more and more difficult to take a photo of all of them at once!

Happy Independence Day 2010

Sparklers after dark. A new experience for my family.

Sweetness

7 Quick Takes Friday-ish (vol.9)

1. The Beach 

I took all the babes to the beach. My plan had been to take lots of sweet, sandy beach pictures. I managed to take one:

And then I spent the rest of my time chasing little ones around while trying to be sure that the big ones hadn't drowned while I was chasing the little ones around. You can see how that might make photography a little difficult. 

At least Collette captured the day for me. And she did a much better job than I ever could have!

2. Little Quotes:

Collette: "Mom, what do you do if you run out of gas on the freeway? Do you have to find your way over to the elbow?"

3. Bees Part II

A Quick Recap

Bees: 3 (stings)

Beekeepers: 0

We have thousands of bees living in the walls of our home. Thousands. When using the bathroom upstairs, you can hear the humming through the walls. It's a little disconcerting.

Thursday, the bee exterminator arrived.

We stayed inside to watch the progress on the safe side of the window!

Bees. And more bees. 

The exterminator called them, "Angry, (expletive) bees!" 

Yup, better to be inside.

In one week we'll know if there will be a Bees Part III. 

Let's hope not because that involves ripping into the side of my house. 

4. Nicknames

Xavier has been officially given a nick name by the two year old.

Bay-vier

Yes, that is a unique combination of baby and Xavier. It is surprisingly catchy.

5. Del Mar fair

Highlights include riding on the monster truck, watching the squealing piggies race, eating chocolate covered bacon, and laughing in pure joy on the rides. Thank you Grandpa!!

6. Day after the Fair

Highlights include naps, cranky children, and more naps. 

Truly, it was worth it! What fun!

7. Remember

When he was little and still because this boy is going to give me gray hair! He is ready for any adventure as evidenced by his enthusiasm at the fair. St. Michael, please keep my Dominic safe.

Home Sweet Home

For Grandma, as promised.

If you just happened to be wandering around the Cleveland National Forest and accidentally found yourself in an equestrian neighborhood and took a meandering stroll down my street, this is what you would see:

My new little old house. 

The vintage photo effect adds to the feel, don't you think?

The area up in front is home to the play structures. 

Dilapidated swing sets and rusty chairs look so much more appealing in vintage.

Below is the sleeping platform. 

Quick story: Stephen and the big kids made it through 1/2 a night this past week. A full moon, crowing roosters, and an obnoxious smoke detector ended the night at 3am. Everyone slept much better in their own quiet and darkened rooms with the smoke detector yanked out of the ceiling.

Now, while you are enjoying the views one of these little Buffs may come peck at your toes looking for treats. If you happen to have a cluster of grapes handy for snacking, she will be your friend forever.

Of course, you will then be expected to hand out treats to all her friends too.

Bucket. Because it makes me smile.

Grace has conquered her mortal fear of tree swings and now flies free.

The back of the house looks immensely tall and it is. 

Three stories will do that.

Finally, our vegetable gardens are settled out back. 

You may stop in for fresh strawberries and beets to replenish your snack supplies since the chickens ate all your grapes.

Please come visit soon.