Out takes

Taking pictures of the kids is always work. There are usually some threats and some bribes, and lots of cajoling. But the one picture that is nice is worth the 335 others. AHowever, the "outtakes" show lots of personality, so I usually keep them too.

Surviving Summer

Summer is upon us with a vengeance: Hundred degree temps and rising humidity have us in the water everyday. We have spent time at the pool, in the sprinklers, and at the splash park. Then we eat watermelon and make slushie runs to Sonic during happy hour. It's a great summer so far.

I guess they didn't think I was serious

...when I said, "The next person that eats out of the kitchen will be scrubbing floors."

I came home to three girls eating in Aspen's room.

Hopefully the lesson will stick this time.

S.P.I.

We are on the beach again this week. We have been coming to South Padre Island for 10 years.
Our friends from home were here too. They have four boys, so Toby and Isaac had someone to hang with too.

Skimboarding, boogie boarding, catching sea critters, and feeding the seagulls.

And that was just day 1! There's more fun to come.

Mustang Island

Last weekend we went to Mustang Island with some friends. It was a lot of fun. I only had Isaac and Hazel with me. (Nate and the other two were in Kansas for Youth Conference). But Isaac and Hazel had plenty of kids to hang out with.

I made matching skirts for all nine of the girls that came. It was fun to design different skirt styles for each girl. I still had more ideas, but ran out of fabric, girls, and time.

Hazel learned to boogie board.

Everyone got buried in the sand, caught shrimp and crabs, jumped in the waves and had a great time.

School's Out For the Summer

These pics are from the last couple days of school. Hazel was sad to leave her wonderful teacher, Mrs. Higgins. (I've been called Mrs. Higgins by Hazel lately. Must mean she really loved her teacher.)

Hazel had some fabulous friends. Mrs. Higgins was quite successful at indoctrinating future Longhorns. Every kid, in every picture I took, was giving the horns for the camera.

And since the last day of school was Hazel's birthday, she brought cupcakes for her class to hand out at lunch. (I was running behind so I ended up buying cupcakes at the store and sticking a Blopop in each one. The lolipops were technically against school rules, but hey, it was the last day of school, and an early out day at that.)

I'm going to be truthful here: I am so glad that school is over. No more early bedtimes, early up times and lots more relaxing with my family. Life is good.

Hazel's Birthday

We celebrated Hazel's birthday for more than a week. This year her birthday fell on the last day of school. Since that day was super busy we had her party the weekend before. We invited all her friends over for a water fight in the backyard.

We had a slip 'n slide, a couple little pools full of water bombs, some squirt bottles (better than guns cause they hold more and are easier for little kids. Toby, Isaac, and Dallin let the kids throw sponges at them. The kids thought that was awesome.

Then we tried to play egg toss with water balloons ( didn't work too well) so they just threw them around. And we played this game above. Try to fill up the bottle that the kids were holding in front of their faces. They took turns holding the bottle.

Eventually all the kids ended up in the sand box. It is fun having a mini beach in the back yard. Sand and water are a perfect summer activity.

Hazel wanted a cupcake cake (cupcakes frosted together as a whole). Because I ran out of time, I just bought one at the store. There was 3 inches of frosting on that thing. And it was the greasiest frosting. Not good at all. But the kids ate it. And Hazel liked it, so it was a hit.

Then, on Hazel's birthday, we were at award ceremonies, and pool parties, and a friend's court of honor. Nate came late on the day of her birthday, so we did presents and dinner the next day. Hazel chose Tokyo Steakhouse for lunch. She was upset that the chef prepared vegetables as part of her meal. She kept telling me that she didn't order those, just steak and white rice. It was a fun lunch though.

We love Hazel. She is so much fun. I just can't believe that my baby is 6!