We just got back from spending the week at the beach. Lincoln and I met up with Keith's family in Gulfport, Mississippi. We had a great time!

Keith's parents with the grandkids












Keith's brother's family











The "reward" for cooperating during the photo shoot. : )




















I love this picture. It truely captures Lincoln. The boy is always on the GO!

Water gun fights

Catching bubbles

Burried treasure

Summertime Traditions

We went to pick blueberries the other night. The next morning, we had to make something with blueberries.

When Lincoln cooks with me, I'm the measurer, and he's the pourer.







He even cracked the eggs!















Our fresh picked blueberries.





YUM!

This is the project that I have been working on. (Click on the picture to get a better view.) I really wanted to have the ABC's up in the playroom, but I did not want some tacky alphabet poster hanging on the wall. I remembered seeing some really cute vintage-looking alphabet cards at a baby boutique before Lincoln was born. Of course I couldn't find them now that I want them. I did find them on the internet, but they were more than I wanted to spend, so I finally came to my senses and let them go. After a little searching, I found these alphabet cards at Stein Mart- of all places. (They are intended to be used as a matching game, so we have another set that I can use with Lincoln.) I painted the frames of two bulletin boards that we already had black. (My attempt at being green. : ) I think it turned out pretty cute, and I love the fact that the project cost less than $12!

Born to Ride

Here's a few pictures of Lincoln with his new bike that he got for his birthday.

Making a House a Home

My goal for this summer is to work on making our house a home. This may mean nothing to some of you. Others of you know exactly what I'm talking about. A home is a place where you are surrounded by things that you love and cherish. When we first moved in, my dad helped me hang things in the living room, kitchen, and in Lincoln's room. That's pretty much the extent of my decorating. While I love to decorate, I didn't want to invest time and money into things that may or may not work in another house. This is a legitimate concern since we are renters.

While I know it's not the money wise decision, after lots and lots of thought (this issue comes up everytime I have to sign my lease), I've come to the conclusion that I have no desire to buy a house. For some crazy reason, buying a house symbolizes me giving up on ever meeting someone. Maybe that sounds crazy. I guess you could say that it's a "heart issue." My head knows that houses can always be sold. . . even if it is a huge pain. My heart just isn't ready to make that step.

Soooo, since we will be here another year, I've decided to work on making this "our house."

The first change took place on the patio. Lincoln loves to eat outside. While this table is just his size, it's not exactly comfortable for me. We traded this for. . .

THIS! We have eaten many a meal outside on our new table. The best part is that my kitchen floors have a few less crumbs. : )



This week I started working on the playroom. It's not all fun and games because I've decided to work on organizing along the way. We moved into the house during the school year, so I just stashed stuff wherever it would fit. So far I've organized the closet that now houses all the school stuff that I don't have room to store in my new classroom. I'm also working on a really cute craft project. I'll have to post a picture when it's complete.

We got to go on a tour of the fire station on Monday.





Here is Lincoln sitting inside a truck. He's got a "pained" expression on his face because they were honking the horn or something else that was pretty loud. He isn't so sure he wants to actually be in the truck.




This is our group of little firefighters. My child is the one who is crying, by the way. So much for that photo opportunity. : )

Summer is here again. . . I officially finished yesterday. (Actually, I found out yesterday that I'm not totally finished. I've got to set up some interviews for an aide next year. Anyone want to be a prek aide next year???? You work really hard and get paid poorly. )

I got the cutest gift from one of my children. I'm totally stealing the idea for Lincoln's teachers next year.





It was wrapped in sulifane and tied with a bow.






















These are sugar cookies.



































I think the little girl's mom said these were called brownie bites. They are delicious! I'm going to have to find a recipe. They are more of a cake consistency than a brownie, and they have chocolate chips. If anyone has a recipe, I would love to have it! They are coated with white chocolate and crystalized sugar.






These are pretzels.

BREAKTIME!

Wrecking ball time. We attached string to a ball and hung it on the overhang between the house and the garage.

(Proof that I actually attended the party.)

Digging and playing with cars

Pinata time! I saw this idea in Family Fun magazine. (which is my absolute favorite magazine) Lincoln really wanted a pinata, but I wasn't really sure I wanted to hand three little boys a bat. It took some time to make, but it turned out great!

The party was lots of fun! I can't wait to plan the next one! Now I've got some really cute signs and a pinata up for the highest bidder. : )