Warm Fuzzies

My sister, Ashlee, came to my town to visit me for the day.  When she comes we like to run errands together and shop.  Our favorite thing is getting a good bargain whether it be a regular store or a thrift store.  We always love to go thrifting! This day Ashlee found a craft kit that she thought my kids would like to do.  It seemed simple enough so I agreed and I purchased it for a quarter.  When we got home the kids (Zaynzley and McCoy) were very excited to do it. They began on it right away.

McCoy helping Zaynzley with her tiger 

Before long McCoy's turtle was completed as so was Zany's tiger

After our thrift stores visit, Ashlee and I went to a store I love to go to  but I sadly never have a reason to go there--Tractor Supply Store.  I once bought my much longed for wood stove there. Luckily, Ashlee had to buy some dog food so I got to go with her.   What did we discover while we where browsing? A picture of Ashlee, herself, for all to see

Ashlee points out her own photo!

I was with an nearly, famous person shopping in my favorite store--it kinda gives you the warm fuzzies!

Religious Artist Graffitis

What can an artist do when he can't find his preferred medium. He can get creative and find an usual canvas-his little brother's belly.  Quinton loves to tease and quickly struck with a marker to Archer's wee belly.  Now Archer is walking art, at least until it fades away!

Graffitied Archer

No Use Crying Over Spilled Salsa

We tend to eat a bit later around here due to the various sports practices.  I really like to eat as a family so I will move dinner times to accommodate schedules to try to have everyone present.  Sometimes we might eat at 4:00 p.m. or 7:30 p.m., right now it is 7:30 p.m.  After the three boys get home from football practice, we eat dinner, dishing up as they walk in the door.

This night we were have carnitas, refried beans and red rice (Spanish Rice).  Eddy began making what we call, red rice, when Quinton was three or so.  Everyone loves Eddy's red rice especially Declan and Zany!  The one person who refuses to eat this famous rice is McCoy.

We are big salsa fans at this house and we had several salsas to chose from to put on the tacos.  McCoy selected the full jar of Pace salsa and quickly turned it upside down.  We all sat in shock as nearly the entire bottle dumped onto McCoy's plate and the tablecloth.  Everyone began talking at once asking McCoy what was he thinking? McCoy said, "I was trying to get it out slowly."  Why turn it completely upside down then we all wondered.  Eddy to the rescue; he grabbed the dough scrapper to squeegee the salsa off the tablecloth.  McCoy was very upset about it all but he learned another life lesson and now we have a new mantra:

Poor McCoy

Eddy displays the table salsa!

Trying to cheer him up only brings smiles to Zany and Archer.  Once we had cleaned off the table and removed the excess salsa from his tacos, McCoy was able to settle down and eat.  

Mantra #2 No Use Crying Over Spilled Salsa!

Religous Artist

Attending church for three hours every Sunday is our usual tradition.  Three hours can sometimes seem a bit long on some days but there are ways to help the time move along.  Church is a good time for personal reflection and thinking of ways to improve for those who are older but the younger crowd likes have toys or snacks.  Zaynzley's likes to move time along with coloring or drawing.  When I was a younger mom I would pack a bag for church with toys, books, snacks, and drinks.  Now that I'm a more experienced mom I don't pack anything.  If a kid wants something at church they had better pack it themselves.  Zany is really good at packing her own stuff sometimes too good as she will bring a lot of stuff.  This Sunday she brought her new write-eraser board. 

Much time was spent on this drawing. 

Zaynzley and new board

 But was Zany the artist? No she was not.

"Knights Fight Against the Dragon Named Temptation" by Quinton Carlton

I think he may have a future in illustrating or at least staying awake through church!

A Visit to Great-Grandma's

We live in the same town as my Grandma Parke, my kids' great-grandma.  We love to go visit her.  She is such a positive, kind person and she has always loved children.  When I was a kid I loved to go to Grandma's house and play with her wonderful toys.  She has always had a great selection of toys.  When Zany goes to Grandma's, Zaynzley gets out various toys and then cleans them up and gets out another toy (somehow that isn't how she plays with toys at home though!).  Some of the toys are the very same ones I played with when I was a kid. 

Grandma Parke is a wonderful piano teacher and over the course of her lifetime she has taught hundreds of kids.  She is such a patient teacher yet pushes them to practice and improve their piano playing.  She has taught all my kids piano.  Zaynzley just started taking lessons from Grandma and Zany is really enjoying it.

Grandma and Zaynzley 

Zany plays with blocks

It always a delight to go visit Grandma!

2018 Children's Primary Program

Once a year the kids in our church do a special Sunday program where they sing and take turns saying lines in the program during sacrament meeting.  It is my most, favorite Sunday ever.  They sing with all their little hearts and it is so touching.  This was McCoy's last program as he turns 12 next month.  Since he was the oldest in the program he had lots of speaking parts.  McCoy, Archer and Zaynzley all did such a great job singing with children's choir.  Their grandparents (Pa and Nona) and Aunt Ashlee came into to see the Primary program.  My favorite song they sang was "I Will Be What I Believe." 

Back row: Eddy, Rhiannon, Quinton, Ashlee, Pa

Middle row: Zaynzley, McCoy, Nona, Declan

Front: Archer 

Ashlee was wearing the cutest Disney outfit.  It is pretty subtle print of Stitch from the Disney movie: Lilo and Stitch.  Ashlee just saw that movie for the first time this year and let's just say I had to go get tissues for her. She felt quite tender towards Stitch and her cardigan also has him embroidered on it. 

Cute Ashlee!

Now I have to wait a whole year for another Primary Program, hopefully that will give Ashlee time to come up new Disney outfit.

My Golf Pros

Originally our 1960's era neighborhood was planned around a golf course as it was to only be for those 55+.  Some things changed and those under 55 were allowed to live here too.  The golf course was still a major part of the neighborhood though.  We live just a block or so over from the golf course. There is even a secret walkway that is between two houses just down our street that puts you right on the golf course itself.  The two neighbors gave up a little bit of land to make the walkway.  I have always liked that walkway but now that my kids golf it is especially appreciated.  

Our golf course has a program that lets kids under 18 years old take 6 golf lessons and pass a golf test and then they get to golf for free.  This is the second year my kids have done this but it was Archer's first year.  Archer was so excited to finally be able to golf!  The kids took the classes and all passed the test.  They were dedicated to golfing because those lessons despite being in the morning were in the height of summer so we are talking 105+ temperatures! They would come home soaked in sweat.  Now as the weather begins to head to the cooler fall temperatures it is perfect golfing weather.

Eddy took three boys, Declan, McCoy and Archer out golfing on Saturday.  Quinton wasn't able to go but he loves to golf too.  In order to have a golf cart you have to adult so Eddy drove them around while they golfed.

McCoy lines up a shot while Archer watches

Now it's Archer's turn 

Archer checks they lay of the grass

Declan putts

Cool McCoy

McCoy tries out the driver's seat

Getting four kids outfitted with all the necessary golf stuff was much cheaper with thrift stores, yard sales, and Wal-Mart clearance.  We have so many extra golf clubs at this point we could outfit four more kids with clubs albeit junky ones.  Of course they are always looking for upgrades to their equipment! 

After the boys had finished golfing, Zaynzley wanted to go for ride in the golf cart with dad.  She was so excited as it was her first time to ride in a golf cart.  

Eddy and Zany with Mt. Graham in the background

Zany by the large duck pond on the course 

Before long, I bet Zany will become a golf pro just like her brothers!

Labor Day: apple picking

Years ago when Zany was just a baby, we went up the mountain.  Around here everyone knows that when you say "the mountain" it means Mt. Graham a sky island with an elevation of 10,000+ feet.  Our town sits at the foot of this large mountain.  Although there are mountains in every direction you look, around here Mt. Graham is the most famous and it's where everyone goes for camping or to cabins.  There also is an orchard on Mt. Graham that was planted by some pioneers and it continues to produce lots of fruit.  Labor Day morning we decided to go up the mountain and pick apples.  Last time we went it was terrible.  The kids (all of them!) had a constant whine going about the following: the bees, the grass, the weeds, the heat, not enough water, the hike.  We went on the last day the orchard was open last year and it was hard to find apples to pick.  Lesson learned.  

This year we went early in the apple season and we went first thing in the morning.  It was a total delight! We even found my much longed for Arkansas Black apple! Arkansas Black apples are firm, crunchy and tart--my favorite combination in an apple.  Everyone had a great time and I think a new Labor Day tradition has been started. 

  

McCoy considers what apple to pick while Zany and Archer display there chosen apple

Before we knew it we had nearly filled two buckets of yummy apples, luckily we brought a strong guy to carry them because the hike back to the cars is all uphill.

Quinton

 It is nearly impossible to get Quinton to smile for the camera he prefers the serious, model look.  Eddy thought he could get him to smile though.

Quinton tries to ignore Eddy but . . .

Eddy got him to smile

Just one more apple for the bucket! says Archer

Not to be outdone, Declan shows off his muscles

From left to right: Declan, McCoy, Archer, Quinton and Zany

Teamwork: Archer and Quinton

But to get the really high ones Archer stands on Eddy

Cutest apple picker ever: Zaynzley!

 Quinton decides he is inspired by the mountain views and wants to recite a poem by Robert Frost.

After Apple Picking by Robert Frost

My long two-pointed ladder's sticking through a tree 

Toward heaven still, 

And there's a barrel that I didn't fill 

Beside it, and there may be two or three 

Apples I didn't pick upon some bough. 

But I am done with apple-picking now. 

We too are done with apple picking and now proudly own about 50lbs of apples. Yikes we really had fun picking apples! No one wanted to put any back so we bought them all.  Making applesauce may be in our future.

500th Post

Hard to believe this is the 500th post! Just a quick pic after church.  Quinton had a meeting and sadly wasn't available for a photo.  The other kids were happy to do a quick photo but I am sure that will wear off soon! It's such a lovely feeling finishing church and knowing you have a tasty meal in the slow cooker ready to be dished up.  I wish I was on top of it every Sunday because it sure makes for a relaxed evening knowing people can be easily feed which is 75% of my job as a mom--feeding people.  It can be exhausting having to be involved in everyone's meals and snacks.   I heard some advice given to a young mom that carried her through raising all her kids, "Love the season you're in."  This season is hungry kids ALL the time but I know this phase is fleeting. I won't always have 24 muffins disappear overnight. 

  

My little muffin eaters!

Mustaches

Now that Quinton is a Senior in High School, he has been experimenting with growing facial hair.  Mutton Chops, goatee, patchy beard have all been tried.  As soon as I get use to one type of facial hair or another on Quinton he changes it and I have to get use to a new one.  One day we were sitting at a local Hawaiian eatery when Quinton made a shocking discovery! He could touch his mustache with his tongue!! Quinton was so pleased and I captured the moment as a photo.  You can usually tell the upperclassmen at the high school based on the amount of facial hair they sport or shave.

Quinton's discovery!

 Declan being a Freshman found a quicker way to reach full mustache-hood. Buy one! Actually he earned it for reading and got it from the library!

What a lovely full mustache Declan sports!

Now even a 6th grader can grow a full mustache!

Zany, Declan (middle) and McCoy

Vintage Quilt Rescues

 I have loved quilts for a long time and have been collecting them for a couple decades.  Both of my grandmas were excellent quilters!  They both gave me lovely quilts for my wedding.  I am especially fond of quilts from the 1930s to 1950s.  I haven't quilted much myself but have plans of doing so someday and so I have been collecting a fabric stash in preparation for that.  I love fabrics too!

I like to find quilts at thrift stores and yard sales. Antique stores always have nice quilts but they are WAY out of my price range. I really admire quilts that are hand quilted! I'm always tickled when I find one that has been hand quilted.  I always think who would ever get rid of this quilt?!!

Recently, I have had some luck finding quilts at thrift stores.  At the time I wasn't even looking for quilts and even debated whether or not to buy them thinking about where would I put them and so on.  But the hand quilting wooed me and I bought them.

This quilt (above), I found at a Goodwill Thrift store it was totally filthy and had a nasty large stain (that I lightened considerably) but it was only $6.00 dollars so I thought I would do my best to clean it.  This quilt was very sturdy and had no tears so I began by putting it in the bathtub and rinsing it with the strongest setting in my removable shower head.  I blasted it then put some shampoo on it for good measure.  Then I soaked the quilt in the bathtub in biz.  I changed the water twice.  Then I washed it twice in the washing machine. It was like a whole different quilt by the time I was done with it.  

Large quilt held by Declan and Quinton

This quilt (below) was mint and is huge king or queen size. I found it at the same Goodwill as the one above and it was $20.00.  It had never been washed and probably was a wedding quilt for some couple.  It is embroidered and quite lovely.  I was worried about the red bleeding and so I washed it with 4 color catching sheets.

McCoy holding red and blue quilt

 This quilt has amazing hand quilting and seemed little used if at all.  It is hard to see from the pictures but it is also embroidered in pale blue.  It too is a large quilt.  This quilt was $10.00.  Such a bargain!

McCoy and Zany hold this quilt

It is so fun to find a bargain at the thrift but when it is a quilt it is thrilling.  I sometimes feel that I am a quilt rescuer. Abandoned and unloved quilts are taken in and clean and sometimes simple repairs are made.  Now if I can just get Quinton to build the quilt cupboard of my dreams I can have somewhere to display more of my treasured quilts. 

Archer the Legomeister

Archer has long played with Legos as all his older brothers have been into Legos at one time or another.  We have quite a lot of Legos that have been amassed over the many Christmases and birthdays.   Archer recently discovered the joy of building a new lego set following the instructions.  Archer received a junior build lego set for his birthday in July and throughly enjoyed building his set.  Yesterday, Archer discovered a unbuilt lego set in the playroom and happily began building it.  It took him about 24 minutes to build it he says.  Archer is also a member of our local library's LEGO club.  So he meets once a week with them and enjoys a L=lego day, E=enigma day, G=game day, and O=outside day.  Archer's favorite day is Lego day, because you can create anything you want.  One time Archer built a bank in Lego club.  

Archer working on his excavator 

Archer puts on the tires

Finished!

Now he only has to wait to Christmas to get a new set of Legos! 

Meanwhile he can continue to build creations of his own.

Mantra #1

Every mom needs a few mantras (Alexa defines a mantra as oft repeated phrases) that she trouts out when the occasion warrants it. My own mom has lots of mantras she likes to tell my sister and dad, mainly about being happy (Choose to be happy) and contented with your lot in life (Happiness is wanting what you have, not wanting what you don't have).  My mantras tend toward the I told you so vein or life advice as I like to call it.

Quinton has grown his hair out long enough that it is a problem for football.  He needs to tame that mop and so he wears a headband to hold his hair out of his eyes.   Well he misplaced his headband and couldn't find it anywhere. He would storm about looking for it shouting accusations at everyone, "How we shouldn't touch his stuff!" and "Why do you have to move my stuff around!" Of course it was everyone's fault but his own that he didn't have his headband.

Quinton's mop of hair

Mantra #1: Clean until you find it!

Whenever someone loses something I love to share Mantra #1! If you clean you will find it, is a universal truth or should be.  Quinton refused to follow my mantra #1. Two days went by with his mop of hair in his eyes at football practice.  Today as I was cleaning what should I find? His missing headband.  I put his headband on a statue, took a picture and texted him.

"I cleaned"

Camp Raymond: boyscout camp

Every few years my boys' boyscout troop goes for a week to a boyscout summer camp. This summer was Declan's turn to go to Camp Raymond.  Eddy was asked to accompany the troop so that made it possible for McCoy to go as well as McCoy would be to young to go otherwise.  They set out at 2am early Monday morning so they could arrive to Camp Raymond by the 8am flag ceremony.  Eddy felt like the drive was pure torture! They also had to re-route due to a fatality on the highway that shut down the road for several hours. 

McCoy far left, Declan in middle on the way to Camp Raymond

Whole Troop 

(Eddy far right, McCoy center, Declan just left of McCoy)

While at Camp Raymond the boys were able to work on merit badges and were fed very well in a cafeteria.  Eddy was able enjoy many naps and some leisure time.  Eddy is an adventurous soul and took the opportunity to rappel down a cliff.  

Declan's favorite thing at Camp Raymond was the Climbing Merit Badge which included rappelling.  According to Declan the tater tots were epic! During Declan's down time he enjoyed playing liar's dice with his fellow scouts.  

Eddy rappels

McCoy thought scout camp was pretty fun and he thought the food was pretty good.  His favorite merit badge he did was Leatherwork.  He did get homesick as he had never been away from home for a whole week before.  McCoy also liked the trading post where he got a cool knife and a baja hoodie.

Declan, Eddy and McCoy in the cafeteria

I received only a couple of photos of their adventures the one above was one of my favorites! Without a mom to nag them to take photos there isn't too much photographic evidence of their scout camp week but I'm sure they have lots of good memories of it.