Glow Sticks ~ Swimming at Dark!

Glow Stick Use # 376 ~ Night Swim

It is very hard to see kids at night in a pool, even if 4 adults are watching, overhead lights are on and flashlights are being used!  Well, our cousins came to town late and were hoping to swim so Mommy grabbed glow sticks and everyone jumped in!  

It is amazing how bright the glow sticks are under the water! 

It is worth the $1 investment for some safe fun!

Here are our lifeguards!

 Gearing up for some crazy fun!

A fun, last late night summer swim of the season.

We will never do another night swim without Glow sticks!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Big World, Lil Man

Homage to the Bug Whisperers

Before having children I heard that boys catch frogs, play in the mud, put every bug into captivity and live for the great outdoors.  No one let me in on the secret that girls do that to....just usually with a bit more style!  If I let them play outside in their dress up clothes, ballet outfits or fancy dresses, they would.  I have lost count of the frogs and "crawlie" things that have come inside just to be turned around to go right back outside!  Lil' Bro definitely loves these things as well but for the past 8 years I have loved the screams and squeals when they are chasing and catching their newest little friend! The latest guy to become acquainted with our crew is a pretty fun one!  So fun that I heard, "Mommy, Mommy get your camera!  You won't believe this!!!!!"

Here's Lookin' at you Kid!

Last Cookout before School!

Family Night ~ Are we allowed to eat pancakes at 10:30 p.m?

Sometimes family night just happens....spur of the moment.  It is one of those things that I can plan for hours or it will just happen last second when my hubby says, "Are you up for....." all I have to do is say sure and we are on our way to making memories!

Saturday, we had a full day of fun at a huge family Fourth of July party.  We got home at 8:00 p.m. and jumped in the pool because it was so incredibly hot.  I got out about 9:30 p.m. with Lil Bro and said we were headed inside to shower and jammie up everyone.  My husband proceeds to whisper, "Are you up for pancakes?"  I replied "Sure, we don't have to leave for church until 10 a.m. so that sounds great." thinking he is referring to the morning.  He then says, "How about now?"

(Here is a look into my Mommy brain... We just had a HUGE day, no naps, lots of swimming, it's already 1 1/2 hours past bedtime, church is in the morning, we still have to do showers/jammmies/bedtime routine, Bible stories, I have to gather up Church clothes, etc. I stopped and thought, will this really hurt if they stay up any later?  Will this be a wonderful memory maker? Can I gather up clothes after pancakes or in the morning? )

"Sure, Pancakes sound Fabulous! Great idea honey!"  I took Lil Bro inside and he sat at the tall counter and helped me make Blueberry pancakes while hearing splashing and giggles outside in the pool! He dumped and stored and Wah-la, Flapjacks were flying off the griddle!

 Pancakes really do taste better at 10:30 p.m.!

Our Favorite Pancake Recipe:
Alton Brown's Instant Pancake Mix
found HERE

Ingredients

• 6 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda (check expiration date first)
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons sugar

Directions

Combine all of the ingredients in a lidded container. Shake to mix.

Use the mix within 3 months.

"INSTANT" PANCAKES:

• 2 eggs, separated
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 4 tablespoons melted butter
• 2 cups "Instant" Pancake Mix, recipe above
• 1 stick butter, for greasing the pan
• 2 cups fresh fruit such as blueberries, if desired

Heat an electric griddle or frying pan to 350 degrees F. Heat oven to 200 degrees F.

Whisk together the egg whites and the buttermilk in a small bowl. In another bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the melted butter.

Combine the buttermilk mixture with the egg yolk mixture in a large mixing bowl and whisk together until thoroughly combined. Pour the liquid ingredients on top of the pancake mix. Using a whisk, mix the batter just enough to bring it together. Don't try to work all the lumps out.

Check to see that the griddle is hot by placing a few drops of water onto to the griddle. The griddle is ready if the water dances across the surface.

Lightly butter the griddle. Wipe off thoroughly with a paper towel. (No butter should be visible.)

Gently ladle the pancake batter onto the griddle and sprinkle on fruit if desired. When bubbles begin to set around the edges of the pancake and the griddle-side of the cake is golden, gently flip the pancakes. Continue to cook 2 to 3 minutes or until the pancake is set.

Serve immediately or remove to a towel-lined baking sheet and cover with a towel. Hold in a warm place for 20 to 30 minutes.

Yield: 12 pancakes

**I double the batch and sprinkle frozen blueberries on the batter in the skillet!  YUMMY!  So good!

Summer Greetings

Hope you are having a Super great Summer!

Love, 

Big Sis, Middle Sis, Lil Si and Lil Bro

Camping and A New Baby

Hi Everyone,

It is me, Middle Sis!  Sorry I haven't written in a long time.  We have been super busy and also gone a lot!  This week we went camping in Grandma and Grandpa's camper!   It took us a long time to get there but we had our markers, clipboards, and Pillow Pets to keep us company on our trip!

Here is Lil Bro being funny with his sunglasses!

 We camped by Uncle Dave and Aunt Melissa's house.  We did that so we could meet our new little cousin and still let them have some peace and quiet!  He is so cute!

 He love playing with our cousin Zoe! 

We ate Mickey Mouse shaped Krispie Treats in the back yard on a 102 degree day.  

Yep, it really was that hot! 

 Here is Lil Sis and Lil Bro checking out Baby Zachary. 

 Grandma got to hold him too!  We all wish that we lived closer.

 We spent lots of time swimming at the campground!  

Zoe's other cousin Baby Noah came to swim too!

He's pretty cute too!

 Big Sis and I got to hold the baby a lot! I kept wanting and wanting to hold him!

 I could hold him forever!

 Zoe was giving Mommy's cousin Will a puppet show with Ariel.  

She is pretty good at puppet shows!

 Lil Sis loved holding "IT".  Mommy kept telling her it 

was baby Zachary but she kept calling him "IT"!

 We did LOTS of princess makeovers. ...and we even cleaned up our messes!

 We played family match game.  The only problem was that this was made when Grandma and Grandpa only had 2 Grandkids and now they have 9!  Grandma needs to add more cards!

 Here is our last meal in the camper!  It was a hot week but it was super fun!  

Welcome to the world Baby Zachary!  It was so nice to meet you!  

Love, Middle Sis

Driveway Fun~Chalk Art!

What do you do on a 60 degree day in February?  Well, here is what we did!

I hope you had a "SUNSHINY" day!

Game of the Week - Backyard Twister

Backyard Twister

Directions:

1. Find a large bowl or circular object.  Trace many circles in a row on a large piece of cardboard.

2. Use spraypaint to paint the circles on the grass.

3. Use a spinner or write the colors and hands/feet on pieces of paper and draw them from a hat.

4. Have fun!

Mommy joined in on the fun!

We played hopscotch too!