InstaFriday #10

Other week of summer has past. Its been a hectic one for us.

If by hectic you mean lazing around not doing much of anything.

It's been utterly fantastic.

Kids finished up swim lessons.

Collin is the one in the flag shorts. :)

I finished "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo". Really enjoyed it, but needing to move on to something a little lighter before I start the next in the series. Edenbrooke has been highly recommended and has great reviews so I'm starting it today. Anyone read it?

You can connect with me on Goodreads here.

We've been enjoying all the yummy summer produce.

Peaches and cream is my most favorite breakfast.

"Mom, why is there a pineapple stuck on my smoothie glass?"

Apparently my creative touches are lost on my daughter. 

Speaking of Lydia, she is really into asking inane questions lately. Often ad nauseam.

Yesterday we were in the car and she was asking Shane who and what celebrate birthdays.

"Do bugs have birthdays?"

"No"

"Do fish have birthdays?"

"No"

"Do rabbits have birthdays" 

"No"

"Do chairs have birthdays?"

"Yes Lydia. Chairs have birthdays. And they sit around playing musical humans."

I shot soda out of my nose I laughed so hard. Shane is awesome. Have I mentioned that?

Here he is being heaps of awesome with the kids. 

He is dressed like this as he was heading into the crawl space to find a possible leak.

He had to go really far into the house. He got lost for a bit and we had to stomp around to lead him to the right spot. I would have freaked out if it was me.

Collin's outfit will be explained below.

Oh dear. I knew it was too quiet. Lydia and her friend like to turn Collin into "little colleen". 

He is really good at playing the part. Says "Darling" a lot.

They wanted a tea party. Heaven help me.

Quite a classy affair with muffins baked in ketchup cups stolen from Burger King.

I'm was very impressed with the 9 year olds down the street who decided that instead of a lemonade stand, they would sell balloon animals. I may have been a little enthusiastic. I bought every kind they knew how to make. Collin was pleased.

Our Independence day was so much fun.

We relaxed in the backyard and then headed over to our friends home for dinner.

Collin nursed that bottle of Sprite for most of the night.

My kids are great to indulge my photography requests.

Lydia has been wearing this 4th of July dress since she was two.

See? So sweet.

Counting this as my flashback friday pic :)

What do you get when you combine white cake, strawberry sauce, berries, whipped cream and pudding dyed blue? The ugliest trifle ever. But still tasty!

If there ever is a time to wear a straw cowboy hat, it's Independence day.

Lydia and I met some friends for firework watching.

Shane and Collin wussed out and went to bed.

Too bad cause it was epic.

I LOVE the 4th of July!!!!

Remember this little July treat I made a while ago?

I was so happy when reader, Janet Wilkins, sent me this photo and note:

Dear Natalie,

You did know that you start family traditions, right? Last year I made your 4th of July Key Lime Pie on a whim. (I think I just happened to have all the ingredients on hand.) I’m not always as festive as I wish I was, so it was a fun and yummy treat .Fast forward to this year when my 10 year old daughter Samantha starts asking and asking me to make it again. So yesterday, even though I knew my mom had probably made all the desserts our little family bbq would need, Samantha and I went to the store and then came home and worked on our patriotic goody together. It was enjoyable bonding time and great memory making for us both. Thank you so much for sharing!

*****

Thank you Janet! Made my day! 

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