Working Hard in the Summer Time

Skye sometimes trades her chore of washing dishes for mowing the lawn (Paul does 4 days of dishes for every mow). Paul does get help from Kapooka with the dishes. She likes to stand on her slide and blow the soap bubbles. She also helps unload the silverware from the dishwasher. Of course, she will unload whether it is clean or dirty!

Skye is working hard at her summer camp. This week has been especially challenging. Paul just got hired for a temporary warehouse job. It pays well, and still gives him 2 days off a week.

Jon is working hard at his chores and "homeschool" activities. He is also taking swimming lessons.

I am a mom...I think that defines hard work. We are still having a lot of fun together though.

Championship Pictures

I am so proud of Wildcat. He got several pulls, a point after, and a touchdown on Championship Day. Most of all he kept a great attitude and encouraged his teammates. He is so proud of his trophy. He shows it to anyone who comes to our house. Today a friend came over, and Wildcat waited outside in the rain to show the trophy first thing. I love that kid!

Summer Fun

Today was a free chicken sandwich at Arby's, so we went there for lunch. Next it was off to Chuck E. Cheese. We all had a good time. Paul and I had a basketball contest. Wildcat and I had several ski ball contests and played air hockey. Wildcat also played several other games. Kapooka loved riding the rides that would move. She especially like the one that took pictures.

We then went to the library. We all go points for summer reading. Wildcat turned in some points for prizes, and I got some more books.

Paul got a job that will actually give him Mondays and Tuesdays off. We are starting to comtemplate what we would like to do with all of our free time.

I still can't figure out how to get the championship pictures off of my camera, but I will try to get to that soon!

Monday Thoughts

Kapooka has a black eye from a fall over the weekend. She looks like she was in a bruising fight. Also, she tried a bite of a gherkin pickle today. Her mouth puckered. She shivered. She smiled and asked for more! She was pretty cute.

Wildcat went for his consult with an orthodontist today. Next week he gets an expander and braces on his front 4 teeth. This will last about a year. He will then need full braces again when all of his permanent teeth come in.

Kapooka First

For the last 5 minutes Kapooka has been taking her shirt off and then putting it back on all by herself. Of course when it is half on and on your head like a hat is the funniest thing in the world to a 15 month old.

We also had a successful trip to the library today. We also went to Target and finished Father's Day shopping. Wildcat got a new bike helmet and swim goggles, so he is officially ready for summer now.

As I type, Kapooka is sitting down and trying to figure out how to get her shorts off. Since she is sitting on them, that doesn't work very well. I wonder how long this will entertain her?

For obvious reasons, there are no pictures of my disrobing girl.

Zoo Field Trip

Last Thursday, Wildcat's class went to the zoo. For the first time ever, I was able to chaperone. Look how tall Wildcat is in comparison (the other's are 3 of the shortest in the class, but still!).

We had a good time. It was sunny, but not too warm. Everybody got to see something they liked, but also had to miss out on something they wanted to see. They were well behaved enough that they earned their bribe---I mean treat.

Kapooka went too because my parents met her there, and they watched her while I watched the school kids. The kids in Jon's class were wild about her. They would come and pat her on the head, and she would pat their backs. Her reactions to the dolphins, the seals, and the giraffes were the best. It was neat to see her enjoying God's creation!

Recipe

You know when you cook for a pitch-in and everyone says how good it is, but you can tell they are just being polite. That used to happen to me a lot. However, this has become one of those dishes where you can tell that people really like it (they ask for the recipe). It is so fast and easy. We make it at home in a skillet, but last time we made it in the crockpot and rice in the rice cooker.

What you need:

1 1/2 lbs frozen prepared meatballs
1/2 pkg. Frozen Tri-color peppers and onions
1 pkg (16 oz)Frozen Stir Fry vegetables (broccoli, carrots, whatever is in the mix)
1/2 cup apricot jam
1/2 cup KRAFT CATALINA Dressing
4 Tbsp. soy sauce

Make it:
COMBINE all ingredients in large skillet; cover.
COOK on medium-high heat 10 min. or until meatballs and vegetables are heated through, stirring occasionally.
SERVE over hot cooked rice or pasta, if desired.

I did find that in a skillet the meatballs if frozen take a lot longer than the veggies. It was closer to 20 minutes to get the meatballs heated. You can also add 1tsp of ground ginger and 1tsp of garlic powder if you want to fancy it up even more.