My 20 min. workout takes me all day

I know someday he'll be so mad at me for this...but I just couldnt' help myself. I bathe Griffy twice a day now...he's a constant mess. He doesn't like the high chair so he ends up eating on my lap which makes me a mess. He throws food everywhere. My cabinets, floors, clothes...everything is covered in yogurt, applesauce, mashed avacado...I just have to laugh.

We've been making a lot of ice cream. This week it was peppermint...

with fresh mint from our garden. It was ok. Not great. We also made peanut butter cup...

...which was really good!

Will took this  picture...

  I've been doing the Jillian Micheals 30 day shred. I'm on day 12. It's a 20 minute workout video. It takes me about 2 hours to get through it.... He can't stand to be away from me for 20 minutes. How lucky am I?

Calenders, Cookbooks, and What I do in the Car

 Time to order my new calender. Most people get a new calender at the start of the New Year..but as Mom's our New Year starts when the school year starts...don't you think? I LOVE my momAgenda . I've been using one for a few years and it's perfect for moms. I love that there is a space at the bottom of each day for what's for dinner. And each year they come out with a new great color or pattern. I think I want orange this year... and I love that the calender year is August to August...perfect for moms. 

Do you know Susan Branch?  I have  a few of her cookbooks.... they're all illustrated by her.  I adore her Christmas book....and  her Summer book is always out on my desk this time of year. I bought this one in 1995...and I have been making her potato salad and brushetta since then...

So..I paint my nails...in the car. Always. It's weird, I know. I'm not a big mani/pedi type girl. I'd rather spend the money on books or something cute from Anthropologie. But, when I do want my nails done it's usually when we're going out somewhere. Like last night we went to a family BBQ on the Cape and I did my toes on the way down....and yes I see the toe hair that went unshaven...I know you're all saying.."eewww gross" but don't act like you don't have it...you know you do. Let's just not talk about that anymore.

Hannah came home from the Vineyard tonight. She's been gone since Wednesday. Will slept in her bed every night...with his hat on. We all missed her!

I love when it's humid and Griffy's hair gets all curly!

Reflections at the Sink

Can you see a reflection of yourself in your kitchen sink window? Maybe you don't have a window at your sink...if not, put a pretty mirror up. I saw that in a magazine once and thought it pretty cool. It might make doing the dishes more fun... During the day when I'm at my sink I see the kids outside...watch the birds...our resident wild rabbit eating my basil...stare at the deck that desperately needs to be torn down. At night when it's dark..I look up and see myself. Usually looking pretty tired. Tired..and happy.

Thinkin at the sink

I wish this picture came out better! This kid loves being in the tub..the sink..just not in the ocean! He must be like his mom...a major wimp in cold water.

So we are still knee deep in baseball here. Stephen's team is going to Cooperstown NY to play which is exciting. Driving there...not so much. Anyway, I love watching his games. 15 year olds can really play. At a recent game Steve and I were sitting next to the Grandfather of one of our players. He said something that has stuck with me for a few days...something that is true not only in baseball but in life. He said it's not the kid who is making the great plays and hits that needs the love...it's the kid who is struggling out there. How true. We're all clapping and high fiving and giving the game ball to the star players...what about the kid who might be in a funk? That's the kid that needs the extra lovin' and confidence boostin' right now...don't you think?

Portraits, Porches and Pretty shoes

Loving Deep Space Sparkle ...found them through a couple of blogs that I now can't remember. The kids did the self portrait and we love them. Just went to Target for frames...Will didn't want his picture taken with his...

..but his came out awesome!

So...give me your advice. We're almost done with the porch. I call it a porch...even though it's in the back of the house...it's more like a 3 season room but who wants to say that? When we bought the house the sellers left the wicker furniture. It was a sage green and we've spray painted it black...the walls were painted salmon and the floor is a salmon colored tile...not my thing. Steve put up a high beadboard..painted that white and the walls Nantucket grey..which came out a bit too blue for me but Steve will lose it if I ask him to re-paint so I'm dealing. I ordered this rug and now I need to re-slipcover the cushions on the wicker. Should I go white or off white?

Speaking of Target...I've been staying away which has been good on the wallet...but when I went in today for frames I found all the back to school stuff. Now, I love back to school shopping..but c'mon..we have weeks left of summer..I'm not one of the mom's who shops early for Christmas or back to school...which usually means by the time we do get around to shopping...there is nothing left. Why do we have to rush everything? When I was in Micheal's craft store yesterday there was fall/Halloween decorations. Anyway...if I were going back to school I'd love to go in these...love me some Anthropologie.

One Hour a day

I needed some time off from the kids today. I have zero guilt for feeling that way too. So...after dealing with quite a bit of bickering I sent them all to their rooms for ONE HOUR. As you can see I've got a little over a  half hour left. I told them to clean their rooms from top to bottom and if they finished before the hour was up then they could read...but unless someone was bleeding...they were to not come down stairs until the bell rings. Can you hear the quiet? SHHH. Of course Griffin is making his cute baby noises but other than that....it's just the tapping of the computer keys and the humming of the dishwasher.

I think I'll do this every day from 4-5.

What we're doing..stupid tv...and speaking my mind.

Will took this picture of Hannah on the beach yesterday. Not bad Will!

And here is some of what we've been doing....painting birdhouses...

making ice cream. I bought an ice cream maker and I love it. So far we've made vanilla...peach...coffee oreo and black raspberry. It's so easy...and so good!

And finding more heart rocks on the beach....

Ok...so I am going to admit something. I watch the Bachelorette. I got sucked in and now I'm addicted. I don't watch tv...but I do watch this. Am I the only one? I like her...I think she's pretty normal. I hope she picks the guy from the Cape.

And here is one more thing I am going to share. If anyone knows me in real life they know I'm pretty outspoken. Sometimes that's not a good thing...but it's who I am. So, the other day the 3 boys and I were at BJ's...it's like Costco...only not as good but Costco closed down here and I'm left with BJ's....anyway...what I like about BJ's is that there is not only handicapped parking but parking for MOTHERS WITH INFANTS. So I park there. Well.. the other day I was leaving my parking space and I saw a woman pull in to my space as I left. In my rear view mirror I watched her get out...by herself...so what do I do? I back up...drive towards her...roll down my window...and say to her..."Where's your infant?" She looks at me and keeps walking...I say again..."Where's your infant?...These spots are meant for mothers with babies and I think it's not right that you are taking it" And I left.

That's what's been going on here.

Mini-golf...not our thing

 Dear Kids...I get that you're getting on each others' nerves. Believe it or not..you get on mine sometimes too. Honestly, you've all been getting along pretty well...except for the mini-golf day. Remember that day? Friday? That was fun huh? I guess mini-golf is just  not our thing. Man did we run home and cross that one off our list...glad it's done.

After mini-golf we went to a different beach. It kind of feels like cheating on your own beach.

Nothing like getting the family to the beach to re-group and laugh about the mini-golf fiasco. You have to be able to laugh at yourself right?

Bonfires and Floating Clambakes

Summer is rolling along here. I don't want to say we're in a routine...because I'm not about routines in the summer...but we have a pretty good rythmn going. The kids aren't allowed any "screen" time during the day...and I think it's fair that I follow that same rule. I have to say... it's been nice to not be on the computer as much.

Our town kicks off the 4th with a giant bonfire on the beach. There is a band and oysters and you can see the fireworks from neighboring towns.

We spent a lot of time at the beach but took time out to watch the parade...I think my favorite float was this clambake. When the guy lifted the clam...candy came flying out!

My computer skills are really showing here  huh? I wonder why I can only post a few pictures in x-large? If you know...please clue me in!

It's Good To Be 12

Hannah turned 12 yesterday! Twelve years ago she was born in Germany...in a German hospital. I shared a room with about 12 other mothers/babies. I checked myself out early. Seven days later we drove to Munich to get her a passport and three days later I was on a plane alone with two little kids...headed to the Cape to live with my mom for the summer while Steve attended Instructor Pilot training. I was alone A LOT during those early years...but this isn't about me...it's about Hannah.

We had a great day celebrating Hannah yesterday! I made the Rainbow Cake finally! Easy and so much fun to eat!! Hannah had her mani/pedi and then we went to the beach. Out to dinner with  family and then back home for cake with friends. 

 Today, Steve is taking all the kids to an amusement park. The baby and I are staying home...don't feel bad for me...really. Griffy and I will try and deal with the house being quiet. Happy Birthday Hannah! It's good to be 12...We Love You!