Friday

It's been quiet around here these past few days. Well, as quiet as it gets with two girls in the house! It is nice to have a break in the schedule. We eat when we're hungry (sandwiches and such), stay up late and sleep in late (as late as you can with a 22 month old). We expect the boys back tomorrow afternoon or evening. I talked to Paul this afternoon, and they hadn't seen a deer yet, but he said the foliage was well worth the trip. I'm a bit jealous! However, not too jealous as to want to primitive camp to see it! I'll wait a few more weeks and the trees around here will be colorful.

I took the girls to the big antique mall about 20 minutes away. I hadn't been there in years and they had no memory of ever going. It's so fun to go and just look at everything. Ellie told me on the way home she could have spent hours in there. I wasn't sure how long we'd stay with Benjamin not having napped and us not bringing the stroller. But, thank God, they had carts, so that helped. Although by the time we left, he was YELLING as we walked around. He wasn't mad or grumpy, just wanted everyone to hear him I guess.

It's funny to see some of the things that we had while I was growing up, now in an antiques mall. I showed the girls some lunchboxes that were like the ones I used when I was in school. They were amazed! They had a whole display of salt and pepper shakers that put my collection to shame. I never realized there were so many. We've already made plans to go back, this time without Ben!

Found on the Camera

Ready for bed, all clean from their bath. Ok, look at this face and tell me this doesn't scream ONERY!! My computer was in the chair. Unbeknownst to me, he climbed up in the chair, got my computer, opened it up and started typing. He gave me this look when I walked in the room and caught him.

He was enjoying himself. I took a few pictures and then took care of him. :)

Our newest pianist. She's taken 3 lessons and her teacher is amazed at her progress.

Goodnight all.

The Blue Umbrella

A few weeks ago, I was sent a copy of this book to review. I barely got a chance to look at it before my 10 year old daughter snatched it out of my hands, anxious to get started reading it. So she started reading it, and didn't stop until she was finished! She loved the entire book and was thrilled to be able to read it. And, when she got done, my 13 year old daughter picked up the book and didn't put it down until she was finished. It was that good.

The Blue Umbrella was written by Mike Mason. It is a fantasy book, written for teenagers, about the life of a young boy, Zac and his enounters with many different people. Life is not at all easy for Zac, who loses both his parents at a young age and is sent to live with his aunts. While at his aunts, he meets several people, one of which owns a blue umbrella.

My daughters loved this book. My 10 year old told me she liked it so much because it was always interesting- there was never a dull moment. It captured your attention on the first page and didn't let go until the last.

The Blue Umbrella is published by David C. Cook. If you would like to read an excerpt of the book, go to http://mikemasonbooks.com/ . You will also be able to read about the sequels to The Blue Umbrella that Mr. Mason has in mind.

This is a Mama Buzz review. The product was provided by Mike Mason for this review.

Monday

I've been a bit under the weather today. I woke up with an excruciating headache and stomach ache. Half of our church was out yesterday with a stomach bug, so I assumed that's what I had and headed back to bed. After a nap and an Excedrin, the headache was all but gone and my stomach felt much better. I think after a good nights sleep I will feel much better in the morning. At least that's what I'm telling myself.

I made chicken quesadillas tonight for supper. I don't think I've ever made these before and they were a hit! We all loved them, except Sam and Ben who preferred eating the chicken by itself. I have found myself quite frequently looking for new recipes on the Internet and enjoying the search. It makes me wonder what I did before the Internet- actually look in a cookbook??

I took the kids to see the movie G-Force at the dollar movies last night. I'm glad we waited to see it at the dollar movies, because, in my opinion, that's about all it was worth! Don't get me wrong, the kids loved it (especially Sam and Ben), but it was about the silliest movie I've ever seen.

Paul, Paul Jr and Zack are all headed to the mountains for a long weekend of hunting, along with 2 other boys. Anna and Ellie opted not to go. They are just not into primitive camping and I don't blame them one bit. Although Paul tells me this campsite is not primitive because it has working toilets. No showers. For 2 1/2 days. I think that's primitive!

Cooking Tip # 324

Just because something looks like powdered sugar, does not mean it is powdered sugar. Flour, for example, looks like powdered sugar but certainly does not sweeten like powdered sugar. Flour thickens, and if you are making whipped cream for a pumpkin pie that was made for Sunday lunch, it will not taste good. It will, in fact, taste and look terrible.

Just saying.

Finger Paints and Bathtime

Just a few of the things that went on around here this week....

The Pumpkin Patch

We visited the pumpkin patch today at a local farm. It was the first time we've been and we were pleasantly surprised. Ben loved the "pumpkys" as he called them.

Looking at the animals.

They all loved the kittens.

Pumpkins everywhere.

Checking everything out.

Heading into the corn maze.

Now you see em, now you don't!

A sea of zinnias.

Beautiful

Ben in the actual pumpkin patch. I don't think I've ever seen a real pumpkin patch before.

He loved it.

Sam enjoyed the tricycles also.

Samuel

Benjamin (lest you think I'm playing favorites, none of the other kids would pose for me)

Ben discovering he liked the trikes also.

The Fair

We had the opportunity to go to the state fair on Friday. We really didn't have alot of time, but this was the only day we were going to be able to go before it closed. The night before we went, one of our friends offered us free passes! That saved us $40! We really enjoyed the fair, knowing that we didn't have to pay for it. Look how big my children are getting. Anna is past her dad's shoulders. When did that happen?

Can't you just smell the friend foods?

Paul eating his favorite thing- a turkey leg. He talked all the way there about getting a turkey leg. As you can see, it was a big hit. Notice the little hand in the corner waiting for a piece?

The cows. I enjoyed looking at the cows, but, I am not a fan of barns. The smell is overwhelming.

Ben and Ellie petting a gigantic rabbit.

Ben enjoying the freedom of NOT being in the stroller.

Mmmmm! Onion rings. One of my favorite.

They looked wonderful. However, they were just okay.

Anna was determined to climb this wall and grab the $100 at the top. She almost made it. The nice man let her try twice, and both times she came within 4 feet of the money.

Ben and Sam playing with Thomas the train.

Anna and Ellie pointing to one of my pictures I entered. The judges were very kind in their comments. Although I didn't win, it was satisfying to see my pictures up there with everyone else's.

Another pic. One of my favorites.

The one with the road is mine.

Ellie and Sam painted Christmas ornaments.

Anna may be getting big, but she is not too big to hold her dad's hand. Sweet.

Honey.

Paul told me I could take his picture. So I did.

Ben's reaction to the honey straw.

Ben, Anna and a baby chick.

Ellie held that chick for a long time.

Sam and the chick. Sam was holding the chick and it pecked at him and he threw it down! It scared him bad!

Not sure what Ben is pointing at.

Sam was rather proud of the fact that he held another chick after throwing the other down.

Piggies.

Ben almost falling asleep on Paul's shoulders.

Side view.

His eyes are getting droopy.

Wide awake. He got his second wind in time to have some cheesecake on a stick!

We had a great day.