out on the lawn

I love summer evenings.  The breeze seems to kick up and even the hottest day doesn't seem that bad when the sun dips low in the evening sky-.

Being outdoors and enjoying the yard is best at this time of year.  I recently ran across a website that suggested some fun summertime games and that got me thinking about some favorite summer lawn games that I need to introduce to the kids some evening.

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Ahh, croquet.  Is there anything more classic that this fun game.  I love it because you don't need to be any kind of an expert or athlete to play.  I think kids would like it too because of the large mallets and balls.

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Bocce Ball is a family favorite.  The balls are probably a bit heavy and slightly dangerous for a little one to be hurling across the yard but with some supervision, this is a great family game.

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I ran across a little plastic horseshoe set a few years back a Target.  It was perfect for teaching the game to my little one without the weight of a real set.  

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Frisbee golf is traditionally played on a course but in the yard you could designate a tree or a fence post as the goal and play to your heart's content.  

What are your favorite lawn games?  Here's to enjoying some breezy summer evenings out on the lawn!

magnet games

I woke up to the letter J on my lamp.

She ate with the letter D by her side.

The letter Y greeted me as I opened the door.

The letter T gingerly hung from the floor lamp.

The letter G was perched on the fireplace doors.

And N sat on the scroll of the bench.

As I went to put all these stray letters back in their place, I realized that they were purposefully placed on these metal objects by my little scientist.  They have remained tucked in these little spots for quite some time now.  Occasionally, they are gathered up and moved around but every morning I find some little arrangement of stray letters in these spots.  What wonderful teaching tools little magnets and metal objects make.

simple summer: homemade strawberry jam

For some fun this summer, we decided to try out making some homemade jam.  The berries are consuming so much of the produce section of the supermarket and we are buying them and eating them as fast as we can.  There is nothing like the fresh taste of a ripe berry in the summertime!

I was inspired to make some super-easy jam from this fun spot.  

The recipe is easy-as-pie and didn't take more than 30 minutes to make. 

Ingredients:3 cups prepared fruit (buy about 6 cups fully ripe red raspberries)

5-1/4 cups  sugar, measured into separate bowl

3/4 cup water

1 box  SURE.JELL Fruit Pectin

Directions:

RINSE clean lids and jars with boiling water before use.

CRUSH raspberries thoroughly, one layer at a time. (Press half of pulp through a sieve to remove seeds, if desired.) Measure exactly 3 cups crushed raspberries into large bowl. Stir in sugar. Let stand 10 min., stirring occasionally.

MIX water and pectin in small saucepan. Bring to boil on high heat, stirring constantly. Continue boiling and stirring 1 min. Add to fruit mixture; stir 3 min.or until sugar is almost dissolved and no longer grainy. (A few sugar crystals may remain.)

FILL containers immediately to within 1/2 inch of tops. Wipe off top edges of containers; immediately cover with lids. Let stand at room temperature 24 hours. Jam is now ready to use. Store in refrigerator up to 3 weeks or freeze extra containers up to 1 year. Thaw in refrigerator before using

It is perfect on a piece of toast in the mornings and most definitely is the perfect compliment to peanut butter on a sandwich.

Enjoy some homemade jam this summer season!

practice, practice, practice

You practiced for months each time the birthday song was sung and you succeeded!

  After the birthday song was sung, you successfully blew out your candles.

You looked up at us all, so proud.  We were amazed at the strength of air that came from your little diaphragm.  We never really practiced on real candles, just pretend candles on our fingers.  Way to go, birthday girl!

can it really be?

you can roll your little cars around for hours

you love the challenge of a puzzle now

you are not a bit shy and enjoy greeting people with a southern "Hiiiiii"

your Raffi is most important and you dutifully take care of him

you enjoy taking care of your babies

you, most often, think you are five

nothing holds you back

you still put everything in your mouth and particularly enjoy eating the tips off any kid of coloring device
you love to feed the boys treats
your hair is still wildly curly on some days and on others, it seems a bit more straight
short hair suits your vibrant little personality and wild ways
i pull your hair over to the side with a little barrette or bow, just like I did with your sister
you are daring and extremely independent now
you are affectionate with those you love

happiest birthday wishes to you, sweet girl 

popsicles

Our ice-cream-man seems to have disappeared this summer.  My girl still remembers the sweet treats he brings in his truck and often talks about the next time he will arrive.  The other day, my girl grabbed her "ice-cream money jar" and we walked up to the corner store.  We found the exact popsicle we normally get from the ice-cream truck for a fraction of the price.  This turned into a great learning experience for my girl when she only had to pay 75 cents at the register rather than the $2.00 she normally pays when the ice-cream truck pulls up.  We happily headed home and shared a little sweet treat on a hot summer morning.  She is already planning a return trip with her savings.

all in good time

I fretted that you wouldn't ever take the plunge.  I worried that I pushed too much.  I worried that I had crushed your little swimming spirit.

You trusted a new teacher.  You set aside your fears.  You enjoyed being somewhere familiar.  You didn't want to get out of the pool.  You begged to go back.

You took the plunge toward endless swimming fun and we are so proud.

Momma note: A wise family member always tells me, "she will do all things when SHE is ready."  "Don't push her."  Boy, is this true.

the 4th

Have a most-happy fourth of July!