here are a few more from Saturday 

Grandma and Auntie Verna came over today for lunch and crafts.  We made pot holders.  Except I think we can’t use them as pot holders.  That’s okay, Megan has come up with 101 uses for them.

After lunch we made cupcakes from a pan that shapes them to look like ice cream cones.  Nothing I bake ever turns out like the picture.  But they were yummy just the same.

Casey’s cake has a lot of candles on it! 

He’s going to need a lot of help blowing all of those out!

Mmmm…Snickers

Chi Chi and Corey

Sister-in-laws

Meg

boys

We love Grantie!

What is so interesting?

A blue tailed Skink (looked it up)

silly girls

picking raspberries

Julie’s familyAfter we got home, we went across the street for a bbq at Mike and Stephanie’s.  The boys played our new Hedbanz game (thank you for the tip, Dawn, it’s a hit!).

Alex and Megan

PS….more Riley’s Farm pics to come….

2.  Today Colleen, Stephanie, and I went thrift store shopping in Ventura.  I can not believe the amazing deals I found!  I got clothes for the kids (many new with tags) for as little as 15 cents!!  And I got Bitty Baby a car seat – something Megan has been begging for – for $5!

3.  A new store called Sprouts opened up by us.  I have not braved the crowds yet but Colleen got me cinnamon bears from there!  My favorite candy….

4.  My kids play with friends all the time – here and at other houses.  It’s hard to keep track of everyone!  Today they were all gone to different places and I ran errands in peace and quiet!

5.  My brother turned FORTY on Tuesday!

This always makes me smile.

got a new little canvas of the cousins

my nathan

my jojo

Since the kids did their homework at the library more than four times last month, they got to pick a prize today! 

After homework, they took an art class at the library.

Nathan’s was the first piece of art that the teacher shared with the entire class.  He was so proud.  They drew desert animals and painted them with watercolor.

This was a busy weekend.  Yesterday I had a photo shoot at a home in West LA, something I normally don’t do.  The kids went to the Conns to play with Daniel and Elizabeth while I did that and Rob fished.  Pretty weird to have the kids I used to babysit babysitting my own kids.  None of these guys were supposed to grow up. 

Today I had three sessions and then the family came over for dinner.

Kids’ table

Love this gorgeous weather we’re having after days of horrible heat!

outside riding bikes and roller skating

what’s a little bike riding without scraped knees and elbows?

our neighbors were outside with their new doggies – cute, cute!

riley and carly

6 little kids grabbing at those dogs…..Carly was sure happy when Kari picked her up

2.  Rob and I went to a movie and dinner on Sunday without kids and then went to Back-to-School night together last night while Kari babysat – that’s two dates in one week!

3.  We’ve added lots of chores to the kids’ lives since school and routines have started again.  They make their own lunches every night, bring in the trash cans, and put away their laundry.  And they actually like doing it!

4.  When I was at the AV Fair on Wednesday night, I found those water-absorbing beads that were at the science activity at the mall a couple weeks ago.  We put them in water after school and have been watching them grow. Once they absorb all the water, we’ll put a plant in each one.

5.  We brought Graci home with us from school today.  All four of them put on the play “Alice in Wonderland.”  They rehearsed and found costumes around the house.  Even Rob watched the entire performance.  From left to right – Tweedle Dum, Alice, The Cheshire Cat, and the Director.  No surprises there.