clowning around

It's 9:30 p.m. , the twins haven't had a nap today, Kenny's out of town...and Katie has a surprise for me....but wait! Today was the LAST DAY OF SCHOOL....we will survive!!!!!

Summer is Here!

I had to make the effort to blog these pictures. The dialog goes like this,

Chelsea:"MMM, watermelon, can I have some?"

Me: "Sure, Chelsea, dig in."

Chelsea: "Did I dig in?"

surprise...there's a new entry!

CLAIRE'S FIRST HORSE SHOW

We went this morning to Claire's first horse show, expecting to bring nothing home but experience...we came home with this....

claire was in 7 entries and placed in six of them! She received 2 4th places, 3 third places and a 1st place ribbon! I felt this was worth making a "blogger comeback" for.....

It was a special blessing for me as I never see Claire ride...I am priveliged to have my mom close by to do lots of "drop offs" and "pick-ups", hence I never see the in-between. I had no idea she could actually ride......

Another Great Halloween Party By Sandy

Kelly, with Amanda and Zachary....

Sari, Katie and their scarecrow...

the slime....

Katie's legs.....

Chase as Frankenstein, finding a bone....
My brother and Kyle....

scarecrow making.....

We had a great evening!

Kyle's Finishing Touch With The Swim Team

Lake Placid High School made it to regionals! Kyle has had a great experience with this team and is looking forward to next year's season. The practices were daily and long, Kyle's weight trimmed down with all the vigorous exercise. Since swimming has ended he has put back on 7 pounds! At regionals the team has a tradition for initiating the freshmen...Kyle asked for a note from his parents as a way out; I said, "No Way" and Kenny gave him a note that read, "Make sure you get every bit of it off". When we got a call from a parent at the meet asking if it was o.k. to put sunscreen all over his head we knew he had been initiated!

Never too old for a "spot" of tea

Katie: "Mom, I'm going to Rachel and Sara's to invite them over for a tea party."

Mom: "No, not now....."

Katie: "Then when?"

Mom: "Ummmm, you need to make an invitation first and bring that over." (this keeps me from saying,"I don't know" or, "never", and buys me a few days.



Katie went upstairs, came downstairs, got on her bike and left. That evening I get a call from Adriana that Katie has invited her girls over for a party on Wed. and they would love to be there. I'm ready to say my instinctive, "No", as we have small groups in our home Wed. evening and that is my "keep the house clean day", but I can't do it. Half an hour before the party is scheduled to start I'm feeling mommy guilt for not having any pretty little tea cookies, cakes, or anything. I tell myself, "tea alone is good enough." I then pick the kids up from school and drop my neighbor's son off at his house. His mom, Denise, says, "Wait Liz, I made something for your family..." Then hands me a plate of beautiful miniature cupcakes each with a glob of whipped cream and sprinkles on top. What a small blessing with a huge message.... I'm sorry I forgot the napkins, Sara.

the dangers of not putting stuff away...

Dina and I started a "Mommy and Me" time at our church twice a month. We had lots of fun brainstorming ideas together....and had our first session last week using shaving cream, pictures of the fun time to follow; but I didn't put the shaving cream away when I got home.......voila!