Why I Work ... One of the reasons anyways...

Is anyone else in Texas happy that we're not trying to break the record from last year of 71 days of 100+ temperatures?  It's only been 100+ for about 5 days, making it feel like a 'nice' summer.  It's pretty bad when you think that 97 is cool...  Anyways, here's what's been happenin' in our neck o'suburbia.

Unless you've been living in a cave for the past year, you know about pinterest.  To be honest, I used to make fun of Auntie when she discovered it before it was cool.  She's just way ahead of me.  When she finally convinced me to join a little over a year ago, I repeatedly asked for her forgiveness.  Because now, I always am saying "Guess what I saw on Pinterest!"

Well, that was a long lead in for these next few pictures. 

I usually become very 'homemakey' during the summer, and that usually includes organizing, cleaning, new recipes, and whatnot.  So in true form, we had a new recipe (discovered on pinterest!) and surprisingly, my normally picky family liked it.  In fact, Bebe (the super duper picky one - she doesn't like butter.  Paula Dean would disown her) has repeatedly been asking for it.  I made Sweet and Sour Pork (adapted it from a chicken recipe) and it was g.o.n.e!

 Mamu approves

2 Thumbs Up from Bebe

Not much left...

Last week, Bebe had Music and Arts Camp at our church, which left me and Mamu alone for part of 3 days last week.  He really enjoyed that.  We played Sorry, Go Fish, and he & Ooh Ooh helped me sweep the kitchen. 

Jason's involved in show right now, and since Bessie is a large hauling machine, I discovered a portable gym in the back one day last week.  I joked that we could have a 'flash gym scene'.  Yes, that is a basketball rack in the back of my van.

One of my friends turned 40 last week and we went to his surprise party in Plano.  Someone fell asleep on the way there...

 Mamu begged me to make pancakes on Sunday morning.  So I did.  And quickly discovered I had bought Lite Syrup.  Umm, yeah, no. 

Notice that Monkey Pup and Ooh Ooh are my helpers as well.

Bebe and I finished a project that had been Pinterest inspired, but I radically changed it.  We were lucky to find this framed picture at Hobby Lobby for 1/2 off!  Then I had Jason screw cup hooks into the bottom of the frame and now all but Bebe's first pair of ballet shoes hang there.  (Her first shoes are in a shadow box.)

We busted out the art supplies because it rained!  Yes, it rained!  Nothing huge, but enough to keep us from playing in the backyard.  I think Bebe's words were "Uh, Mom?  We can't go outside.  It's, um, raining?  In summer?"  So we painted. 

Best way to keep his 'art' contained and on the paper.  I also put the pools of paint on the inside as well, so he could just dip and paint.  It was very tidy.  I feel smart.

Bebe made a house for her dolls.

We also did marble painting!

 While we were out shopping this past week, we discovered we finally can get a Grandpa for our dollhouse!  We've been waiting 7 years for him.  We have had a Grandma doll since Bebe got the dollhouse, but she's been very lonely.  Apparently, Grandpa had one heck of a long golf game.  We were so shocked when we found him, that I texted MG a picture right away.  She is so glad that we now have a Grandpa doll.  (Side note, we found it funny that the old Grandma doll came with a cat and a cat carrier.  Now she comes with baking supplies.)

Took ya long enough Fisher Price.

 While we were at Target, we discovered this ...

 and at Hobby Lobby, this... (with matching bloomers).  When I texted this picture to Aunt Didi, she replied with "There aren't words..."  Aw, man!  Now I can't bling it out for KK!  ;)

Mamu marched in his last preschool 4th of July parade around the parking lot.  He looks like he's on a prison walk or something.  He's never been a fan.  One more, dude, the Halloween one will be your last.  Sniff.

Bebe was in charge of my phone camera and snuck this shot of me.

 We decorated our scooters for our town's Children's Parade. 

Duncan's first parade!

Another reason I work... I would be baking all the time and eating the results, which would then result in a TLC special called "The 5 million pound ex-Kinder teacher" and involve a fork lift in some fashion.  I made this simple chocolate cake from one of my recipe books and 'cloud frosting' from (you guessed it!) Pinterest.  Oh.My.Stars.  The frosting is just like marshmallow fluff. 

I decided to inject some of the frosting inside... like a Hostess cupcake... A forklift I tell you. Possibly a backhoe.

 I also organized the pantry.  I'm waiting on Walmart to get more baskets in that I need.  I got 2 (not knowing how many I would need) and went back today to get 3 more.  There was a stack of at least ten there 2 days ago.  Now?  None.  Blargh.  Oh well, it's not like I don't go there a lot.  We'll just keep checking.

Our town has an Independence Festival and they have a free kids' area - complete with bounce houses and carnival rides.  We did those and then came back to our blanket for some glo-stick fun and a great game of Go Fish before the fireworks started.

 Bebe had my phone again this morning, putting something on the Target list, and she snuck this shot of me driving.  Apparently I was turning.

 She also snuck a shot of her brother. :)

She helped me cut out fabric for their car seat pillows I'm making.  Another pinterest idea at work!  We'll see how they work on our little road trip.

Guess who get's the sock monkey fabric? :)

Well, that pretty much wraps things up around here.  On a sad note, Jason's grandmother passed away this week, so he's doing a quick trip to Omaha this weekend.  Thanks to his friend that works for an airline, he's in first class.  She was a very kind and sweet lady. 
We hope you have a great week!