In the Kitchen

This menu was inspired by the heat wave and not wanting to turn the oven on higher than 350.  It was a week of fun meals as we like to call them.   Plus I have a funny cooking story at the end.

We enjoyed BBQ pulled pork, corn, biscuit, and coleslaw

July Recap

 I didn't manage to take many pictures throughout July.  July was a crazy weather month for us.  We had a lot of rain and thunderstorms along with some high heat.  We learned to swim early in the day to miss the 4pm storms.

We wanted to watch the fireworks from the pool, but all we could do was hear them.  So the kids ran to the front and watched from the road.

Lately May and June edition

 We're just going to jump in and start documenting our summer, which officially began on May 7th.  I've actually had the pictures in this post sitting here waiting for me to add context.  If you'd ask my kids what I do, they'd say I'm busy.  Boy, am I!  It has been one busy summer and although we've already started our new school year, my busyness is not over.  I don't see an end.  But, I'm learning to slow down on the projects and shift my focus.

We decided to test the kids with standardized testing at the end of last school year.  With us switching things up I wanted to see if we were still on track or if we needed to shift things around.  

April through pictures

 We started April with a birthday run around Washington D.C.  As you may have seen from the previous post.

Xander's 14

Just like that, we've had another birthday in our house.  This time my little guy...but not so little anymore!  On his birthday we took a tour around D.C.  It wouldn't have been his first pick on his birthday (not a history buff), but we made sure to go to a museum in which he would love.  Which he did!  We went to the Museum of Illusions for him.  We walked over 7 miles that day going from site to site.  It was a tiring day, but so much fun.

Xander,

It’s hard to believe how fast time has flown. Watching you grow from a little boy into the young man (with a mustache) you are now fills my heart with so many emotions. 

Every step, every milestone, has been a reminder of how much you’ve changed, and yet, you’ll always be my child.

I’m so proud of the person you’re becoming

your kindness

and your strength.

I can’t wait to see where this journey of life takes you.

No matter how old you get, you’ll always be my baby. 

Watching you grow is both a joy and a bittersweet reminder that time is moving too fast.  I hope you have an amazing 14th year, where you'll find joy in more than just the Xbox, ha!

Love, Mom

Instead of cake, he wanted a DQ Blizzard.  

We've never been down to D.C. during cherry blossom time, but somehow we walked right through them.  It was a nice surprise.  

It was a cloudy and cold day.  It took quite awhile to warm back up.  It was nice to get back on the bus to some heat, ha!

Sterling's 13

Sterling is my wild outspoken child.  Oh my.  She's so fun and inquisitive.  I'm not quite sure how time has gone so fast but I'm loving the older she gets.  She's my mini me.  Always on my hip.  Always willing to learn something new.  She's wise beyond her years.  Watching her grow over the years has been joyful.  From being that little girl that's full of curiosity and wonder, to now, a teenager.  I'm proud of the amazing person she's becoming.

Our Fifth Disney Cruise

 We are back from our spring break vacation and some of us had a wonderful time.  This cruise was for the kids' birthday.  My parents also went on the same cruise and it's always a great time being with them.  Four of us had a great time and stayed healthy, however, Sterling and Nick went down fast!  It was wild and I felt so bad for Sterling.  It was a good thing our itinerary changed because of weather.

My favorite view on the cruise app!

Lately

I'm writing this post walking on the treadmill.  I finally bought a treadmill desk attachment.  There's so much work that I do on my computer that I have a hard time dedicating time to walking.  So, no excuses now, I've got a solution.  I'll be able to plan our school week out, menu plan, put together my grocery list, and so much more.

We've been spending our Sundays at basketball.  Yesterday was the last day and we didn't go, ha.  It's been rainy and neither of them felt like playing, so we skipped.  There are only two teams in the league this time and they don't get a break.  We might try a different location next season.