Doggie Days!!

This is what happens when children assist with the laundry.
Suddenly, DadE's socks become doggie tails...here they are "wagging"...cuz they're happy!
Here they are watching 101 Dalmations...cuz MomE couldn't take the hysterics anymore. These days they "play off of each other" into a state of giggling ridiculous hysteria...that this MomE can only take for so long. If you have more endurance...good for you! Give yourself a cookie.

Chigger Bites or Chicken Pox?

Due to the lovely stream behind our easement out back...we have lots of happy breeding ground for Indiana's favorite pest...chiggers. They're awful biting nasties.

Yes, the kids are dancing about in soapy water...cuz it smothers chiggers. We have found it effective to soap down the yard occasionally. And that usually takes care of our problems...but this year has been so bad... that DadE went and bought real chemical killer. We have to stay off the lawn for a day. Bummer.
We know we've been exposed to chicken pox recently...and the more and more bites that kept appearing on the kids...the more nervous I became. I even called the Pediatrician...because Lubby was running a low grade fever and Emmer was whiny and tired...
I feel relieved...after talking to a friend...hearing the Dr's description...giving out some Benedryl...and Googling bug bite pictures. FYI---if you do that...make sure you have a strong stomach. We're talking medical journal pictures...ewww!
In case you're interested...chigger bites come up to a point, almost like a zit...and chicken pox are like wet blisters that scab over and then shrink.
As for Lubby's fever...well, Lubby's finally getting his molars...I think. He got a late start...no teeth before 13 months...so it's about time! Poor bud!!

Chinese Presents from DadE...

Here are the Sweet Boobahs...in their outfits that DadE bought them in China. Darren says I looked very lovely in my outfit too...but we sort of forgot to take a picture of me. Woops...bummer! HA!

Imagination Runs Wild!

I've been reading a lot about unplugging...in magazines and on the internet. I've found this site pretty neat...cuz she gives you ideas of what to do instead...

...I don't plan to unplug completely...and I'm coming to grips with the fact that the house WILL be messier...and LOUDER...

...the fruit of their imaginations is worth it!!
I'm not sure what these linking plastic blocks are called...but...
...they are now "shavers" like DadE's! Hehehehe!
Pink ballerina tights can become rabbit ears in moments flat! Check out the "castle" from Goodwill for $4. Yeah! I've seen these for $20...yikes!!
Crazy...somewhat wild...but I luv em...most of the time!! HA!!

Memory Monday: Ephesians 4:32...

...with Jeremiah 31:3 thrown in for good measure!!

One More Sleep & Books Save the Day!!

I've been so spoiled during this most recent overseas trip of Loverbrain's... My Mom came and spoiled the kids and hung out with me and was a totally wonderful distraction. She brought me the BIG turquoise jar below too!

So, I only had a few more days to go it alone until he'd be home. BUT...it's been HOT...so hot that Lubby has trouble breathing outside. So, MomE has been scrambling to be patient and find fun things to do.

Today, my Aunt Cindy...sent their birthday presents.
She's an elementary teacher...and for years (since Emma was born) has picked the most wonderful books out! The last two years she got magnet books like these ...and they have made car trips and big church time run smoothly and quietly.
This year she recognized that Emma is a real pre-reader...so sent her books with great illustrations and CD readers. They make a chime to tell you when to turn the page. Emma is so proud...and feels soooo grown-up reading to her brother.
Caleb got pop up books. He's soooo thrilled but may still need some adult supervision...so he doesn't rip or ruin them. The Very Funny Frog...is soooo cute. It's tongue comes out to get a fat fly...and Caleb laughs and laughs!!

So, thank you Aunt Cindy...and thanks to God for sending something unexpected in the mail to help me through another HOT day. Just one more sleep for the kids til DadE's home. Of course, MomE is waiting up to hug him FIRST late tonight!!

Psalm 103:8, "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love."

If You Read a Girl Ballerina Stories...

If you read a girl ballerina stories....
...she'll dress like a ballerina all day long...
...she'll twirl and she'll pose...
...she'll read and re-read the books...and inspect the pictures...
...she'll be sooo happy...and dump out all her dresses in search of new tutus to wear...
and chances are if she spends all day being a ballerina...
...she'll need a ballerina night-time story to go with it!!

(This style is sort of like..."If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" by Laura Numeroff..considering she's written "If You Give a Moose a Muffin" and "If You Give a Pig a Pancake"...I figured she wouldn't mind if I did my own shortened version... "If You Read A Girl Ballerina Stories.")

Homemade Potsickles!

We made a yummy treat at our house...
...and for a change it was NOT loaded with artificial sugars and colors!
I cut up some very ripe bananas and stuffed the cup pretty full (~1/2 banana or more per cup)...and filled the rest with orange juice. It took a full day to freeze HARD.
They were super yummy...as I'm sure you can tell from the pictures.

I've tried and tried to re-post the video I wanted to use for Memory Monday. Blogger is being a real pain about uploading video. It takes a bazillion years...which I don't always have to devote to loading them. Persnickety things.

Happy Birthday Sweet Caleb!

Time Flies...

Here is my Sweet Boobah Boy almost a year ago. Wow, he was such a baby....sigh! He will be THREE on Sunday! WOW! To complete my subject pun...we are going to the Dayton Air force Museum tomorrow with Grandma and Grandpa. Time Flies...*sigh*...I'm sure he will enjoy it immensely. I will take lots of pictures!!!

Fun with Friends...

We got together with some friends yesterday...Emma-bean loved their bigger pool! Floaties, a noodle and a confident friend really helped.
Lubby did get in...but it was up to his shoulders...and a chilly day...and he didn't stay in long enough for me to get a picture for proof. He's all wet though!!
Did you know you could ride a noodle like a horse!?
We jotted over to an orchard/petting zoo...and this Tom turkey was sure struttin' his stuff!
He was big, and ugly/beautiful...and slightly scary!
There were also goats and kids! The goat kind of KID!
Awww!!!
This Peacock was sure fancy...with his demure lady behind him!
Lubby enjoyed the play tractor. It had a real steering wheel, two gear shifts, moving peddles and old dashboard movable pieces. Fun stuff!
You can crank the front to get it "started"...the down side were the wasps...and after a mean stinging raid we decided to head home for lunch. Don't worry...everyone's okay now! Phew!!