Yet another lake

I'm starting to think that this year the annual pass to the state parks would have been worthwhile - unlike the previous two years when I did actually purchase it! Last week we finally managed to get together with Judy, Justice, and Libby at another one of the lakes near us. We had never been to this one. It was nice, but definitely not my favorite of the three (especially after spotting the giant water snake eating a fish). The kids all had a great time, and it was good to see them.

The Watermelon

We've been watching the 2 watermelons in our garden grow for some time now, waiting for them to be ready to pick. We finally decided that this weekend was the time to pick the big one...it was huge! The kids were so excited to help pick it.


When we finally got it free from the vine (a blade came in handy), the question became how to get it into the house. Many attempts were made...

before it was decided that teamwork was the way to go. The neighbors were outside having a yard sale, and could not believe how big the watermelon was. They were even more impressed that we started it from seeds. I admit, I was pretty impressed with us too!

We could hardly wait for Luis to cut it open.

Only to find that it wasn't ready yet - it was almost completely white inside! It was such a bummer. We still tried it out, and found that it tasted like watermelon, just not as sweet. The kids devoured almost half of it, so it wasn't a total waste!

But now the question remains - how the heck do we know when to pick the next one?!?!

Into the Woods

Last week while the rest of us went grocery shopping, Luis and Taye went for an adventure in the woods behind our house. They found an area which was cleared last summer (though we still have no idea why) and Taye wanted to show me the 'pile of wood in the woods.' So this weekend, we all set out to check it out.

There were loads of tiny, fly into your eyes, annoying bugs up there, so no one wanted to stay long. On the way back, we decided to go log rolling (way more fun than cow tipping) to look for salamanders and other creepy crawlies.


Somehow, the bugs weren't so bad around there, so we ventured deeper along a different path. We reached the clearing again, and had a good time climbing on top of stumps and yelling out, searching for echoes.

From there we spotted this giant rock, which just begged to be climbed. There were too many fallen branches in the way for Mya, Frog, and I to make it, but the boys got over somehow.

And let me know that the rock was <---------this--------> big!

As promised...

Darius created a new helicopter, and I actually got a picture this time!

The Trial Wedding Shrug

I finally got Mya to wear the shrug I knit for her long enough to snap some pictures. When she saw Emma's she decided that she needed one too!

It's a little too tight, and I need to adjust the back a little, but overall I'm happy with it as a first attempt:

Kodak Moment

Tia sent Mya a pretty new dress the other day, just for the heck of it. Because I had mentioned how much she loved the first kimono dress, and she could probably use another one. And plus, she had this beautiful blue fabric she knew I loved, and she's just awesome. So when Mya was wearing the dress the other day, I took some pictures for Tia.



And just happened to snap a picture that is definitely among my favorites ever. It makes me laugh.

As she walked around, she told me, "I'n a superhero too!"

Construx

The flea market has done it again. Last week, when we all went together, Luis spotted a huge bag of Construx (hello, childhood) which he snagged for $2. Darius is a Construx building master. He sits with them for so long, creating elaborate designs, it's really cool to see.

One of the first things he built was a microphone and speaker:


He then made a video camera:

He even built a helicopter for Pin-Pin, his bunny, but his bad mother didn't get a picture of that one. It was very cool, trust me. I've now got my eye on a huge lot of Construx on eBay for Christmas, but shhh, don't tell!

The New Look

The other day, Luis decided it was time for a haircut (yay!) *ahem* Anyway, he set himself up with the clippers and the mirror, and fashioned himself a new look. I believe he really liked the new look, and if anyone can pull it off, you know he can.



But for those of you on the verge of collapse (you know who you are), you can breathe easy again. Five minutes later, he was cut to match his little buddy, and all was right with the world.

Sunday

I decided to take the day off this Sunday, and I don't think I could have picked a better day. It was absolutely gorgeous out all day.

We got up and went to the flea market, which I have not been able to go to all summer. Luis and the kids have gone while I was working, but I've been missing it. We got some good deals, but mostly it was just fun to look around.

We came home for lunch, and then headed right back out. We went to the lake in town with our next door neighbor Tara, her mother, her grandson Kyle, and Joey from across the street. While we were there, we ran into George and Keyeanna too. We spent the afternoon swimming, watching the ducks that roamed the beach, catching a frog, building a sand fort for Mya's animals, shooting squirt guns, and just generally having a blast. We'd never been swimming at this lake before, and I think it was a bigger hit than the other one we usually go to (and closer to home too!)

Puppies

We have extra puppies at our house this week. Mya is excited, but a little confused (see previous post). She sat with her arm around Petunia the other night and proclaimed, "I yike dis Frog."

She likes to hit things with her head...

Beach Day

On Friday, we went to the beach with the Dorsey's and a whole slew of their friends (yes, they actually have a literal slew).

There was lots of fun digging in the sand...

There was wading...



and swimming...



jumping...



and spinning.



There was even a boat.



There were sandcastles...



sand wrestling...



and sand burying:



There was lots and lots of fun.

And there were cookies. A common denominator in every packed dinner, a wide variety. And this girl tested them all.

It was so much fun, we had a hard time leaving. So we stayed until dark, and as we got in the car, Darius told me, "One day we should call the Dorsey's and ask them if they want to go here again." I have a feeling I know that answer.

Beach Quotables:

Mya (standing at the water's edge): "C'mere water! C'mere water! I DAID C'MERE!!"

Darius: "I only want to give Jean all the heart rocks I find, just so she'll know how much I love her."

Taye: "Hey Mama - I'm a stranger to my strangers!"