Weekend

It wasn't an easy week. Our fridge died for the third time. I did my best to not bludgeon the repair guy. I was also trying (sometimes in vain) to get the house in order for my sister's visit. She arrived yesterday from Kansas.

Jamie is a trooper with the kids. They climb all over her. Yesterday she and Sarah made a "memory box" with a kit from Lowe's. Jamie is good about playing with marbles and erasers and Barbies. She reads the Barbie-themed books to Sarah which I love so well (just kidding).

Erik got a new bike yesterday. He'd been pining for a "full suspension" mountain bike. He divides riding time between road and trail riding. Perhaps there's a road bike in my future so I can join him on rides.

This morning we attended the annual "Greenwood Freedom Festival" parade. It's so very small town and campy. We never miss it.

Small Thing of the Day

Strawberry Soy Smoothie

We love this smoothie recipe from Everyday Food. It's easy to use with other fruit combinations, too. The kids love it frozen into popsicles.

Strawberry Soy Smoothie

In a blender, combine 1 ripe banana, thickly sliced, 2 cups strawberries, hulled, 1 cup soy milk, and 1 to 2 tablespoons honey. Puree until smooth. Generously serves 2.

New Bag

This bag is going to a mama who needs our prayers.

Wild Turkey

It's not what you think––I'm not hitting the hard stuff after long days with the kids. This morning we saw a wild turkey on our run. In our neighbor's front yard. ???!!!

Peaches and Lots of Cream

We tried these yummy peach cobblers yesterday. The peaches were ever so sweet and syrup-y. Here's the recipe. It was very quick and easy. The leftovers are proving just as tasty today.

Kids at Play, Mom at Work

This is my 100th post and I'd hoped to write something pithy and enlightening. But in the last day I've been busy with kids and clients. Right now I'm so exhausted, the space under my desk looks like a good spot to nap. My inclination as a mom sometimes is to think, "what did I get accomplished today?" Did I actually "do" anything? I have to remind myself. Here's a wrap for the last day:

• swim lessons holding hollering 3-year-old (the water is freezing right now!)
• run 4 miles, pushing Matt's jogger, chasing Sarah on bike
• baby pool drag-out and take down (and kid mud cleanup/mosquito bite triage)
• read with both kids
• proposal for new client website (is this the easiest thing on the list?!)
• Sarah summer math worksheets
• watch Magic School Bus - Human Body video with kids
• get purple irises from friend (thanks, Jen!)
• visit Clementine's (get fabric for new bag, adore Cami's new Butler solids)
• visit toy store (get birthday present)
• sew on custom order bag (pics to come)
• visit Jo-Ann fabrics (buttons and thread are 50% off through tomorrow)
• help Sarah with piano practice
• meals, diapers, laundry, half-hearted attempt at house cleaning

I need to put together a grocery list and hit Target but ordering pizza is sounding very good...

This idyllic moment lasted about ten minutes. Then Matt started screaming because Sarah wasn't sharing the water. And, I found Sarah painting all of her exposed skin with blackish-purple paint.