Good times were had by all... (round 2)

*alternately titled, "are you tired of seeing this photo yet?"



If you have visited my site by linking from other blog sites, you have likely seen the above picture- oh, say, maybe 6 times already. But, if you are one of my few little lurkers who found my site on your own- let me fill you in...

On Sunday afternoon, we had the privilege of not only getting to hang out with my super cool, hip, artsy, organic, baby-wearing, eternally pregnant friend Jennifer to celebrate her BIRTHDAY (which happens to have come just a little more than one year after my own... i.e., she's younger!) , but I also got to meet some wonderful, FUN, adorable, funny, friendly and sweet women (Hillary, Rachel, Tiffany, Kristi, and Yvette) whom though I felt like I already "knew" - I had never quite yet 'met' in person. There. That is the longest run-0n sentence I have ever written.

Truly, GREAT times were had by all. My kids had so much fun playing with new friends in their beautiful HUGE backyard- and even in the front (note to self: must buy a big wheel now after I could hardly peel Alex off the one at Jennifer's house). My husband had a really fun time meeting some really cool guys and, finally, meeting my friend Jennifer who I've talked so much about! And as for myself, I had a happy/sad time because I was Soooooooo much enjoying spending time with my new IRL friends, that I was a little sad knowing that after that night I wouldn't see them for a looooooong time again- and wishing, the whole time, we all lived much closer. But God has a funny way of bringing people together- and that night as I was going to sleep and reminiscing about the fun time I had, I was chuckling to myself and thinking what an odd way to meet some really incredible women... over the computer! But, perhaps, it wasn't all so "random" after all. God has ways of bringing people together in unusual ways.

I am so glad to have met each of them in person and I know it will not be the last time.

aha!...

Perhaps, like me, you are familiar with and fond of Real Simple magazine - a periodical chocked full of interesting and useful information. One of my favorite features is their "aha" articles which give creative ideas for alternative uses for everyday items.

And, at 20 months of age, my little adventurous one has thought of quite a few "aha!" uses of her own for a common everyday kitchen item...

Behold!

The fencing mask....

The tennis racket...

(check out that backhand!)

The bee-keepers hat...

And, last but not least -

The butterfly net!

(aka...

...the kitchen strainer

*you're NOT all my favorite...

in our house, we have an adorable little book called "You're All My Favorite"

It's a sweet little illustrated children's book about bears. The Momma bear gently convincing all of her precious Cubs that they are, indeed, all her favorite. Now, normally, I feel just like that Momma bear. And I always love them all the same- but times, like tonight, I do NOT feel that they are all my favorite!

First, let me note that this post will not be included in my Blurb book that I make from my blog at the end of the year. Second, it is likely that I will not feel this way tomorrow.

And I will say this- I had a hard day. I am battling a cold and I'm a little sleep deprived. But today was frustrating. I heard too much complaining. Had to intervene in too many arguments- as in arms swinging, legs kicking arguments. I had to discipline too many times for sassy mouths and disrespect. I have one son who won't eat a bite of what I cook and another son who complains about everything I make. Kids who nag and beg and badger until they get what they want.

All except one....

My little peanut. My happy girl.

She's always smiling.

And she always makes me smile (even when she's doing something she's not supposed to be doing, like banging the floor lamp against the wall)...

She's always happy to see me. She always eats every thing I serve her - even her vegetables - and she never complains about it.

And after a long hard day with the other kids... today she's my favorite.

*alternately titled "I'm mad at the big kids"

or "I hope tomorrow is a better day"

or "I need a good night of sleep"

or "My kids need a good night of sleep"

or "How could she not be my favorite- I mean, look at that smile"

good times were had by all...

Celebrating the 4th of July in typical "American" fashion, we went swimming at Mike's brother's pool, we ate hamburgers and hot dogs (albeit, organic, 100% vegetarian fed, nitrate-free... wink, wink), spent the entire day outside, and finished off over at my Dad's with fireworks and s'mores (the non-organic kind ;)

Heinrich (aka Alex) LOVED going down the slide!

Weeeeeeeeeeeeee.........

Grace had a blast on the slide, as well!

Ariana was quite a handful at the pool (no surprise there)... she had so much fun being IN the pool, that when everyone was done and OUT of the pool, it was all we could do to keep her out, too!

This, perhaps, was Ariana's favorite part- jumping with Daddy!

After many hours at the pool party, we headed over to Dad's and met up with my sister and her kids. As you can see from Grace's face, below, they were delighted at the fireworks display...

... even if it was just a small "ground display" done by their big cousin, Samuel....

Here is a quick moment of smiling, in between constant mosquito slapping...

When it's all said and done, a good time was had by all...