Summer

We have been drinking in summer in such big gulps, that there hasn't been much time for blogging. So here is a snapshot of some of our recent summer fun...............

lots of swimming

painting pretty fingernails

cousins from Minnesota

grandmas, grandpas, and aunts

love having family to visit

s'mores and more s'mores

lots and lots of swim team

lots and lots of cousins and uncles and aunts

and hamburgers and hamburgers

and googles and googles of goggles

new baby cousins

waterpark adventures

and more and more cousins

and of course, more and more swimming

A little thought from Picasso

Girl Before a Mirror, Pablo Picasso 1932

"I am always doing

things I can't do, 

that's how I get to do them."

Pablo Picasso

Through a friend's blog, I found this great quote from Picasso today.  She came across it at The Lettered Cottage.  Now that I have given due credit, I love this quote.  I love Picasso too, and now for a great quote, not just his art.

This speaks to my very heart center.  I love trying new things, not because I am good at them, but because I want to learn how to be good at them.  That's life.  Every day becoming a little better by doing a little more, or at least trying.  There's no reason to be scared of trying new things we can't do, that's how we get to do them!

Do you ever get a little piece of truth and it resonates for you?  This is one for me today.

Power of Moms

I have an essay published on The Power of Moms today. If you are passionate about motherhood, you can be an author there too. Check it out. It is worth the stop.

Summer Strawberries

We really had this for dinner. There just never is room for dessert, so we just skipped the main dish part. The kids thought it was great, and mom and dad had had a long day tiling the bathroom. So we did. We just had strawberry shortcake for dinner. I will say that the strawberries didn't have any sugar added : )

Company

Having company is GOOD for my house. I guess I just work best under a deadline. The bathrooms are currently spic and span. The bedrooms are cleaned for the moment. The laundry and dishes are done, windows wiped, mirrors polished, floors mopped. Now, if we don't move or BREATHE, then it will stay clean!

I also want to introduce you to my good friend, the pumice stone. He has earned a permanent spot in my cleaning cupboard. His current best use for me is cleaning that ring in the toilet. With just a little elbow grease, it is GONE----back to shiny white porcelain with no hard water ring. I had forgotten how good Mr. Pumice worked. But as I cleaned bathrooms yesterday, it was amazing. A cheap little stone cleans it perfectly--no expensive chemicals needed!

Fun to be 3

This pretty girl

is already 3, and how fun it is....

fun for your Grandma to call YOU on the phone,

fun to blow out birthday candles,

fun to have a FANCY dress up party with your friends,

and we thought we would be able to get them all together for a picture!

and fun to have some princesses to play with instead of just brothers :)

Tooth Fairy

We are a little toothless around here, and that tooth fairy did NOT even show up last night. We figured that a LOT of kids must have lost teeth yesterday, so we are sure HE will come tonight. (Andrew is sure the tooth fairy is a HE because of that recent movie!!!!)

Power of Moms

I am thrilled to say that I have a little article published on the Power of Moms website today. What a chance for me to be part of such an amazing website. Browse around while you are there. There is a lot to be read and enjoyed! Many motivational articles by lots of moms, some MOM organization help, retreats and more!

4th of July Sunday Snapshot

Happy Independence Day! We love America!

and we sure are glad we had some red outfits and ties leftover from Christmas to dress for the occasion :>