Do You Feel Lucky?

I think this boy deserves a
{green clover}
or maybe an
{orange star}
for pouring his own bowl o' the Charms.
They're magically delicious
you know.

Bubble Bubble, Toot Toot, Chicken, Airplane, Soldier

Getting prepped & ready for swim lessons with Miss Celeste.
Tony is a fifth generation student of Miss Celeste, who also taught Jon, McKay, Courtney & Valerie to swim when they were his age...
We love Miss Celeste.
ok.
I love Miss Celeste.
the kids LEARN to love
Miss Celeste...
after they realize that she is the key to freedom from water wings.
she is firm.
"No crying Jon (McKay) (Courtney) (Valerie) (Tony)"
She Is Good.
And one by one, each of my children have learned to swim.
Thanks Celeste.

Freedom!

Call Me Suzie... Homemaker, part II

What's a mother to do when she:
a) has just arrived home from vacation
b) looks into the pantry, only to find it mostly empty
c) is informed that her son's church class is in charge of treats for the Bishop's fireside (tonight)?

Christmas in July, baby!
or April
I always knew that green plastic Christmas tree plate would come in handy one day...

A Simple "Thank You" Would Have Sufficed

So as any good (bad) wife would do,
I was helping Mike blow/suck all of the leaves & flowers
out of the rocks & pool area.

(ok... confession)
I have become obsessed with Mike's latest birthday gift.
The Toro Ultra Blower/Vac...It's truly a thing o' beauty...
(thanks Robin for coming to our aid with yours & introducing me to a whole new world of enjoyment)
And just as we had blown up all of the flowers,
before the sucking phase,
Mr. Funny Guy pushed me into the pool.
Fully clothed.
Fully shoed.
Sunglasses on.
Covered in oleander flowers,
which then stuck to my skin & clothing...
delightful.

This has become a yearly tradition...
much to the glee of our children.

I don't even want to know
how he will up the ante
next year.

(gotta keep those ratings up after all)

I'm Back... no, really.

For those of you who thought I may still be at Camp Lo Mia snuggled up in my sleeping bag & riding the zip line...
I am back.
Really.
I am.
I missed my family.
SOOOOooo so much.
However, I didn't miss THIS.
which has become all too frequent.
THIS is what I've been doing all week.

which led to THIS.

Yikes.
However, you'll be happy to know that I have conquered Mt. Saint Old Navy and can now turn my attention to more, uh...
enjoyable activities.