Believe the Unbelievable

We woke this morning to cooler weather and exhaustion. Cooler as in it got down to 65 last night and exhaustion as in we had a very busy weekend.

 We celebrated Zebulun turning three years old. It was a family party, as all of our parties are, but they are also the funnest and the most low key.

 Indiana decided that these dirt/worm cups would be the perfect dessert instead of a traditional cake. I let her make them and Zeb loved them!

 Un-wrapping gifts is a new experience for Zeb since he is so young. Let me say that it took a LONG time to get the gifts opened:-)

 As with all the birthdays around here, there were several gifts made up by siblings. How sweet that the girls wrap up their own toys to give another sibling. Here Indiana gave Zeb a stuffed frog and her favorite sleeping t-shirt as well as a light saber.

 We splurged and got Zeb a jeep to drive around the yard. After only a few crashes he got the idea of how to steer and go forward and reverse.

He had lots of help out there while learning.

When we were completing all of the millions of requirements for adoption through DFCS, we had to put those safety latches on all of the cabinets. See how well they work? Fletcher has discovered the kitchen cabinets and also how to open them, despite the efforts to stop him. Way to go DFCS with your regulations to keep kids safe!!!! :-)

 You can't tell by this picture but Fletcher has been a pill these last 2 days. P.I.L.L!
I blame some top teeth coming in, but who really knows? I know that his bath was one of the very few times today that he did not fuss, so baths were extra long tonight. Of course we have been swimming so much that I sort of figured an after dinner swim was equal to a bath. Right? Well, they got REAL baths tonight:-) This baby has learned to stand up and turn the water on, the cold water. It makes him very happy.

Something that makes me happy, besides 20 minutes of NO crying baby, is a new dress. This one from ModCloth I really love. Comfy? Yes. Vintage? No, but it's made to make one think it is vintage. Check them out if you are in a Leave it to Beaver fashion mood, you won't be disappointed. **High heels are not required!**

Is it just me or does everyone get a crinkly forehead at this age? Yes, I am raising my eyebrows, but sheesh..... I must find better pictures to snap during bathtime.

MUCH CUTER! :-)

It's so easy sometimes to forget how much fun it is to dream or to imagine what's out there in the big world. Sure it's stressful at times and there are days when I have to almost crawl to bed from exhaustion. Then there are days like today when a little one brings in this yellow feather that they found on a  walk outside. I know that it is from most likely a yellow finch. I even explain that it's from such a bird, BUT the little girls have a different theory. They believe it came from a parrot. They have a theory about the parrot that lives in the woods here in Georgia, and so a parrot feather it will be. I am a little envious, secretly. There are days I would love to concoct my own story about something magical and mysterious. Maybe  the dogs are REALLY barking at a unicorn that lives across the creek. She's an old, wise unicorn and knows the secrets of our forest. She's also friends with the yellow and green parrot who watches over the buried treasures of the forest. Ahh.....sometimes we should still believe the unbelievable.

Here's hoping your week is FULL of unbelievable stories:-)

Hillbilly Country Club

Welcome to the grand opening of the Hillbilly Country Club where the new swimming hole is the featured amenity for the remainder of this very hot, southern summer!

 The water is crystal clear and warmed up by the sun! There are beach balls to play with! There would be balls like the one pictured, however the bulldogs found it fun for playing!

 There is lots of room to play with friends and family!

 There is also a pituresque view of the flowers blooming in the expertly groomed gardens nearby!

 The pool is also strategically placed within full view of the outdoor movie screen! A new deck will be built just in time for next season as well! Please also take notice of the environmentally friendly towel dryer, aka the deck rail. We don't miss ANY details, do we?

Your children will love you forever for allowing all day play in the cool water while the unfortunate government school counterparts are working away all day at a desk.

 "Thanks mom and dad, you're the BEST!"

 "I am so lucky to have such great parents!"

 "I think I might chill here all day until a movie starts!"

We even have helpful, seasoned swimmers to assist your 3 year old with his swimming technique!

 Do you need a comfy chair to relax in? Well, we have that too!

 Sit down and relax!

If you get sleepy, we have a nice soft bed inside waiting for you!

 The pool is opened all day and into the night! Dad's have been known to take a dip after rigorous weight lifting sessions. Head on out here to the 30 acre farm and see what fun we have and please...enjoy these last few weeks of summer!

******WARNING: Membership into the Hillbilly Country Club will most likely result in loss of productivity and chores. You will most likely swim all day with breaks for meal preparations only. We are NOT responsible for such laziness, but rest assured that your children will love you for it!*******

******Warning #2. We are not responsible for what wild antics the full moon will cause this weekend either, but we hope it's great fun!*******

It's Still Summer, Ya'll!

It's still 100 degrees and it's still not too late for a pool. Well, that's what we are doing today. Devin worked lots of extra shifts and decided to wait on his garage foundation and get a family gift instead.

 Zelda dug a cool nest from the top soil that was dug up and piled up in the back yard.

This little boy will be 3 tomorrow but his party will be next weekend. We are all excited to have a pool party for him!

The heat had everyone a wee bit cranky this week so we took the opportunity to drop everything at 8:30 in the morning and head out with a packed lunch.

 Sometimes a change of view is a good thing!

 The kids can play and do stuff different from what we have at home.

 This guy is happy to be just about anywhere and loved watching the kids play.

 Have I ever mentioned that it's a good idea to wear this kid out?

It was pretty hot out , even that early, but we managed to sit at a table in the shade. Water and a cold sandwich helped and we were home by 11am. It wore the boys out and they took naps when we got home.
It fixed the cranky attitudes for sure!

Okay, it actually took a bunch a couple of these to totally cheer my attitude up. What ever works, right?

It All Comes Back Around

I am without my 2 teenagers for a whole  week! I remember the days way back when I would keep 5 children in tow everywhere I went such as the grocery store, the bank, etc. Those days are almost a foggy memory since my 2 girls became my best babysitters. Oh well, if I did it once I can do it again, even with my boy.

 *Zeb loves to hold every animal on this property*

 *Watching his daddy cut a dead tree down was super-duper-cool. The kid LOVES power tools*

 The first 5 children , who were all girls, were always pretty easy to take places.I could pack a bag with books and snacks and they would politely read and snack and act civilized in places as mundane as the dentist office. In fact, I remember one time, before I had boys, sitting in the waiting room of a dentist office and across from me were two ladies (they were friends) with their children. They had 3 little boys between them and I remember 2 of the boys would squirm and throw fits and jump around and yell...basically act out. Yeah, I pretty much thought those two women couldn't control those boys very well. Ha-ha. It all comes back around, I tell you.

*Zeb can make a "gun" from anything. He was very proud of this big one to shoot birds.*

Yep, you know what I am about to say, right? This boy of mine doesn't sit still and loves to throw things. He acts BEST when I take him out by himself. If he is with any of the other little ones, he acts like a beast. I apologize now for all of you women whom I unfairly judged. I am being paid back:-)
Although we did venture out Saturday as a family and eat at the Cracker Barrel for an early dinner, and the boy was angelic well behaved, along with all of the remaining siblings. Progress is being made!

*********

We kicked off the weekend with a family movie night and watched Rango. It was cuter than I thought it would be. It was an extra special night because a friend from waaaay  back in high school came up from Atlanta to visit! She even brought her new little baby.

 *Rose LOVES babies and especially loved this little sweetie*

We were so glad too have them here for a visit. She brought her son too, but he was off playing with my two kids the entire time...I think I saw them once:-)

*****

Do you know what else comes back around? Styles and trends. We decided to craft a little this weekend to can you say "Hello 80's?"

I  ventured out with my 5 little ones to buy some barrettes and ribbon and buttons.

 You remember these, right?

 I always wanted some of these, back in the day. My mom wouldn't buy them and there was no internet to look up a tutorial at the time. In fact, I am not sure there was even a "super store" back then to buy the supplies. Well, I can now make my own! I am sure they will not look as cute on me as they do my children. That's OK.

It's a fun craft and your children can give it a whirl. I want to make some with holiday themed colors. You can look at the tutorial on Wee Folk Art.

*****
It was a hot and sticky and humid weekend. I am sure the week will be the same. I have a few friends who started school today.....YIKES! I am not starting until after Labor day. What's the rush? It's still summer, even with hot, humid weather! There are watermelons to be eaten and sprinklers to be run through. There are still tons of lightening bugs to catch! I dread the passing of summer into fall. Of course, I might REALLY be dreading the fact that I must get my school books and house in order too:-) You know the saying that the days are long but the years are short? Those are my feelings. Some days seem to drag out and by bedtime I am exhausted, but it is amazing how quickly the seasons and years pass by.  Here's wishing for a long, long summer with lots more watermelon in it!

Have a peaceful week!