Mmmm punch!

Mmmm punch. I love punch. So cool, refreshing, and delightful. If you are parched on a hot day, or are looking for a special cool treat, try these...the kids will dig the layers!
In three shallow bowls you just mix 1/3c frozen concentrated juice with 1c of water. I used cranberry juice, limeade, and orange juice. Then let freeze for at least 4 hours. Then with a fork you break up the frozen juice to make an icee mixture, see pic 1. Then layer the icee juice in a glass and pour a little 7up over it, see pic 2. Insert straw and put your feet up. Enjoy.

Happy Birthday to you

Thursday was Payson's third birthday. We celebrated with cake, that Aspen and I made. Thank you Miss Aspen! And we went to the splash park. Payson had a busy day after that with doctor appointments so we didn't get to do much more partying. But oh well, he enjoyed his cake! And Ethan enjoyed being our photographer! Kind of a silly pic of me singing but Payson is giving me a cute smile so what the heck.

Sweet Stickers

All you need is:
art work that has been previously made, or color something up just for this project. We colored pictures with crayon, then water painted over the crayon drawing,
scissors,
jello,
and a paint brush
Cut out pictures. Lay out a piece of wax paper, or newspaper to cover work area. Parent: Mix 1tbls of any flavor jello, with 2 tbls of boiling water. Stir until jello is dissolved. After it has cooled use a paint brush to brush on the jello mixture to the back of the drawing. Let dry. After it is dry you just lick the back of the picture and stick on whatever you want. Yummo!
Another idea is to use big hole punches to cut out decorative paper and decorate a card or gift wrap. Or use artwork to decorate a card. The possibilities are endless!

Bowling

Monday was all about bowling and banana splits!
Monday's don't get any better then this!
Bowl two free games every day this summer at AMF, just pay shoe rental. More info here.

Happy Happy Day

Sleeping in
French toast
Barbecue
Brownie Sundaes
Hugs and kisses
Late night movie in bed

I am so grateful for all the men in my life, but especially for my husband. Thanks for being you!

CAMP CAMP CAMP

Daryl and Shawn made this swing. So clever!

Daryl and my Mom brought activities for the kids. The activities included a water balloon toss, and this tic tac toe game that Daryl and Ethan put together out of PVC pipes. After the game they took it apart and made a fort, and a soccer goal, then the kids all made swords. It was very entertaining.

Every summer we go camping at the beach, with my Mom, and step Dad, and my two sisters and fam. We always have such a great time, and we look forward to it every year!

San Clemente Camping

Daryl built the best fires every night. I love me a camp fire, with everyone sitting around, its the best!
Smores! All sticky and delicious!

The kids practicing their Karate kid moves!
The gang right before everyone had to head out. We had such a great time camping this year. The weather was nice, no one was injured, the kids all had a blast together, food was yummo, we got a few good card games in. All in all it was a great vacation, just the right amount of relaxing and fun activity.
After a week of relaxing and soaking up some sun I was ready to come home. I was looking forward to coming home and unpacking and getting back to the routine. Man am I am routine person, I couldnt wait to clean the house, and pull things back together, hows that for wierdo? On the way home I had to stop at Cabazon, whats a trip to CA with out stoping there? We listened to Peter and the Star Catchers, read by Jim Dale, our fav, such a fun book! Thanks Mom and Daryl for making it such a great week! We love you!

BEACH time

Xander man was in the water the whole time, he has no fear. He loved the waves. Hayden liked the water too, but he would stand just behind him a bit, not as crazy or fearless as his cuz.
Ethan Thomas cuddling with Radley. Radley was so great. He must be a true camper!
Whats a day at the beach with out a big juicy watermelon? So delish!


Sand Angel? Ethan loved playing in the sand. The boys must have taken home half the beach in their trunks!

A picasso party

Thursday's we have a little special party where we have a treat and do a special craft. For our Picasso party we had chicken fries with three kinds of dip arranged on a plate that looks like a painters palette. The kids painted their own master piece to hang. And we made these cool lollipops. You just crush up hard candies (we used jolly ranchers) and arrange on a cookie sheet lined with foil and cook at 350 for about 5 minutes, or until the candies melt. Then while candies are still piping hot you insert a lollipop stick twisting it in the candy so the top is fully covered. Did that make sense? Then let cool. They turned out really neat, dontcha think?

Pizza

Monday's we spend a little time in the kitchen cooking something up. Last week we made Popsicles, which were fabulous. They tasted just like an orange Julius. You just mix up 1c vanilla yogurt with 2c of a good orange juice, and freeze in a Popsicles tray. So yummy. This week the kids made personal pizzas on english muffins. They were a hit!

Swimming Lessons

We have had a great time at swimming lessons this week. The kids are all doing awesome. Aspen was even promoted on the second lesson! Go Aspen! After swim lessons we play at the water park until lunch time! Well some of us do. Sierra likes lounging and having snacks, Ethan likes to play at the near by park...but everyone is happy so that is all that matters!