crying not allowed

Do you ever have one of those days where you just need a good cry, but you're not allowed to have one?  Like, for example, when you're frustrated about several things and you just need an hour or so to vent and think things through and just EXPEND those tears that are threatening to spill over, but you can't, because your child needs you and has no patience for Mommy tears?

Today is one of those days.

Everything is fine, we are fine, nothing tragic has happened, I am just frustrated on multiple fronts and need a cathartic weep-fest.

Actually, that confession alone made me feel better.  Maybe I won't need that weep-fest after all.

ribbit

This is what I sound like today.  My voice, when it is there at all, is in the basement.  Anyone need a bass singer for their quartet?  I'm your girl.

summer bucket list

Inspired by this post, our family has been keeping a "bucket list" for the summer - things that we want to do before school starts again.  We've made good headway, but there are still several items to check off.  Here's our list for 2010:

mini golf
build a pole bean maze or tunnel
make our own stepping stones for son's flower bed
swim lessons
launch model rockets
paint son's room
summer Bible school
pick strawberries
paint the swingset
home depot kids workshops
water balloon fight
kindergarden contest
take Mom Mom and Grandpa to Ringing Rocks
lots of craft projects
summer reading program at the library
read a chapter book
bike ride
picnic at the park
beach
lancaster county, pa - ride the train and go through the amazing maize maze
build/install a patio in our back yard
crayola factory
build a pvc water park
tie-dye


I doubt we'll get it all done, but we're having a lot of fun trying!

if i had a million dollars...

...I would hire the guy who created these flower beds to do the same for our yard.  I am madly in love with his style and plant combinations.  If only I were so talented!

I think I will take my camera back to his gardens when I don't have a 6-year-old in tow and take more pictures - I could spend hours there.

tie dye (sort of)

One of the items on our summer "bucket list" was tie-dyeing.  We had guests staying with us last weekend, and, with a total of 6 kids in the house, we needed a large project that everyone could participate in - so the tie-dying kit came out.

I was a little concerned about the mess of traditional tie-dying, especially with 4 extra kids (baby was sleeping), so we modified it a little.

I dumped each of the three colors into old spray bottles and hung the shirts out on a low clothesline.  We laid several ground rules (SPRAY ONLY THE SHIRTS.  NOTHING ELSE.  Don't work on the back of your shirt until everyone is ready, so that everyone is spraying in the same direction, etc.), and then handed out the spray bottles and let them have at it.  

Hubby donated some of his old shirts for smocks.  We should have had everyone wearing gloves, but I just didn't have enough.  We all had slightly dyed fingers by the end of the project, but I was pleasantly surprised by how little mess there was.

The kids had a great time, and the shirts turned out great!

kindergardens - week 14 {mr. sunflower}

Hello, Mr. Sunflower!

Are you as tall as me?
 
You are this tall.

I am this tall.

I think I am taller!

Head on over to The Inadvertent Farmer for more kindergarden fun!

nine years ago...

...I married this guy.

He had to ask me twice. 

The first time I said "not yet."
The second time I said "yes."

I'm so glad I did.

 I have a wonderful life.  And a wonderful husband to share it with.  Happy Anniversary, dear Hubby!

(pictures taken by Chas Whaland - he was fabulous!)