the fruits (and veggies) of summer

Everyday, Rowan 6 Comments »

Do you know the Zucchini dance? It’s kinda like the macarena.

zucchinidance

Look high, look low. You don’t have to look too far Those bushes are loaded with squash.

highlow

It’s a good thing we’ve got friends to take some of it off our hands, otherwise Binnie would be buried!

zucchinifort

We are still having issues with the neighborhood squirrel. He’s taken all but one of our big watermelons. Sometimes nature stinks!

frackinghammy

Oh well. We’ve had plenty of the store-bought variety on hand. Here Rowan demonstrates proper watermelon-feasting technique. One must be competely naked before trying this. In your backyard in front of several neighbors is preferred.

wallermellon

The Sweet 100 tomato bush is living up to it’s name. We get about 100 of these babies a week!

tomatos

All in a days work. The peppers, cucumbers and strawberries seem to be getting a second wind. Hopefully they will hurry up and get with the program.

onions

Something else that has cropped up in high numbers is Rowan’s teeth. They are all coming in at once, which makes for many quiet nights of peaceful rest.

toofers

The ice cream treats disappear as fast as lightning, thanks to little vampire trolls like this one.

vampire

Brownies. Spaghetti. Bread. Lasagna. Couscous. You can add zucchini to just about anything, and it makes the meal much more filling. 

shredder

But there’s only so much squash you can take all at once. Best to freeze some and save it for February.

zucchinisaver

Fresh herbs & veggies make the best summer dinners!  

dinner

We love summer rain showers. Perfect weather for a stroll around the ‘hood.

summerrain

RoMama is almost ready to walk! We gave away the walker a long time ago, but Brinley’s stroller has worked as a fine replacement. She’s already taking steps without it, so it won’t be long!

romama

Upon closer examination, it appears Rowan is the proud mother of twins. The stroller had to be as heavy as she is to keep her from tipping it. What’s Rowan’s weight up to Doctor? About two cantaloupes!

closerlook

gone in sixty dust mites

Brinley, Drew 4 Comments »

Welcome to the Bissell Vacuum National Speedway! You’ve made it just in time for today’s most exciting race in the 12-Amp category. In the left lane is Brinley at the handle of a Powerforce Bagless. And in the right lane is Drew who will be pushing the much heavier Liftoff Revolution. Does that thing got a hemi?!

Racers, start your vacuums! Look at those game faces!

gameface

Drew & Brinley both complete their burnouts and pull up to the deep stage line. Prepare for blast off!

andtheyreoff

And they’re off! Drew takes an early lead. Be careful Drew, what that girl doesn’t have in torque she makes up for in top speed! She knows how to sneak up from behind!

drewracesahead

And here she comes! Pops a wheelie and cuts in front of Drew. But is the carpet clean? Drew is calling foul, claiming Brinley’s vaccuum light works and his doesn’t. And is that nitrous that I smell?

brinleys-technique

golden days of summer

Everyday 5 Comments »

School is back in full swing. The nights are getting cooler. But summer still has another 5 weeks to go! We are determined to make it last as long as possible.

Last weekend we made it to the last outdoor movie night. The kids had plenty to do between eating, jumping around in bounce castles, not to mention face paint… (thanks for the pictures, Staci!)

facepaint

For the record, that is a butterfly on Binnie’s face, and don’t tell her otherwise. Yep, that’s me in the background mopping the lemonade off my pants, courtesy of Kung-Fu-Rowan.

movie

Today was girl’s day out at the beach. Ro-dog took charge and schooled her posse in the ways of proper sand recreation. First you smear it on your legs like this…

rowansposse

And then attempt to bury yourself like this! Keep digging Ro, we are going to need that skill come planting season next spring!

dig

Brinley got busy building yet another mansion of mud. Did you really expect something different?

sand

What’s better than building with your best friend?

bff

I brought Rowan a sippy cup full of fresh water, but apparently this was more convenient…

sip

Ewww…what’s that fishy aftertaste?

fishy