Hot air on a summer morning

There is a wonderful hot air balloon festival that takes place at the break of dawn each year at the beginning of August.  Many balloons from around our area take flight over the lakes and greet the morning sun.  A few years back, it seemed like we were some of the only spectators that drug their kids out of bed on an early summer morning to see the majesty of balloon flight.  This year, there were do many people. Although, we definitely liked being some of the only spectators a few years back, it is always magical watching a majestic balloon take flight in the orange morning sun.

little pot of summer

When all three were up before the sun today, I resisted the urge to turn the tv on to entertain them for a few minutes while I gathered myself for the day.  Instead, we walked.  We walked all over the neighborhood before all the neighbors were awake.  We saw the morning sun peek over the trees and felt the cool morning breeze.  We took the long way around in search of the last few wildflowers.  They filled their fists with bright summer color.  

We talked and enjoyed the quiet morning time together.  We found a little pot of summertime to adorn our kitchen table and ignite their imaginations too.

Frozen fun

This kid, like most, is all into Frozen fun.  She pretends daily that she is Elsa building her ice castle and singing her troubles away.  All she wished for for her birthday was a homemade Elsa dress from her grandmother.  Thankfully her grandmother was very happy to grant her 5-year-old wish.

When it was time to plan a little birthday celebration for her younger sister, she thought a Frozen theme might be fun.  So, we put our heads together and attempted lots of Frozen fun for her sister and cousins.

Ice crystals were added to our favorite muffins that were renamed Elsa's Ice Cakes.

The kids had fun making Olaf the snowman with marshmallows and pretzels.

 

We froze little toys in water in bundt cake pans.  The toys had to be rescued from the ice with spray bottles of warm water.

Snowballs covered the yard in the form of white practice golf and baseballs.

The table decorations also included a large light blue vase filled with snowballs, a smaller white vase filled with twigs, a few turquoise mason jars with tea lights in the bottom and an old snowflake-like doily that was made by great-grandmother.

At the end of the night we "toasted Oalf the snowman" with s'mores by the fire.

Our menu consisted of:

Sven's Smokehouse Sliders (mini burgers)

Olaf Arms (pretzels)

Anna's Summer Salad (fresh fruit and veggie kabobs)

Melted Snowflakes (water)

Melted Olaf Salad (homemade coleslaw with shredded carrots)

Elsa's Ice Cakes

It was a fun celebration that challenged the minds of my kids to think outside the canned Disney box.  We had fun creating a Frozen party for the little sis.

Momma's Summer Treats

Summertime wreaks havoc on any sort of healthy eating at our house.  Having kids at home snacking and eating out much more than usual seems to completely corrupt any sort of healthy eating I try to commit to.  There are a few little staples that help keep me (and the rest of us) on track, sort of.

1. GoodPop - these awesome popsicles are made from 100% natural ingredients and have very little sugar.  They are only 90 calories each.  I have only tried the Banana Cinnamon variety but find that it is the perfect treat in the middle of the afternoon when I crave sweets and the kids are knee deep in snacks.

2. La Criox Sparkling water - this stuff is wonderful to beat the summertime Coke cravings.  These sparkling waters have a hint of flavor and just the right amount of fizz to satisfy and quench the need for a soda.  They are no calories and contain no artificial sweeteners.

3.  Hummus & Oikos Greek Yogurt Dill Dip - these wonderful dips help ensure I eat some veggies.  The dill dip is made from Greek yogurt and has very few calories.  The hummus is a nice change when the dill dip gets old.  Either way, a plate full of fresh veggies go fast with these dips around!

4. Julio's Mild Salsa - nothing beats Julio's salsa in my opinion.  It is wonderful with chips but for a healthier option, use it on scrambled eggs or on a breakfast taco.  It is perfect with chicken in the crock-pot to make crock-pot chicken tacos.

5. Frozen peas - these delectable little gems are perfect little snacking treats for everyone.  They are sweet icy treat when frozen.  It is a great way to sneak in a few extra greens for the kids.

Do you have any favorite summertime treats?  Please share!

two

It is sometimes hard to believe that just two years ago you were brand new.  We brought you outside in the warm summer sun to photograph our newest addition in the 100-year-old doll bed.  You slept so peacefully as your sisters and I tucked handmade blankets around you and tended to your every need.  After all you were our baby, our real baby.  

Now you are two!

 What a year it has been!  

Your fiery personality has kept us on our toes this past year but boy do we love you!  You are independent, head-strong, work ever-so-hard to keep up with your sisters, extremely loving, cuddly, love books, adore your big sisters and love being outside any chance you can get.  Your favorite activity is swinging outside on the swing as high as we can push you.  You holler, "higher, higher!"  Recently, you began to love swimming and floating with your float on in the pool.  More than all these things, you love to be with your sisters.

This year you were delighted to hear everyone sing "Happy Birthday" to you.  

You practiced blowing out your candles every time we sang the birthday song.  

On your special day, the neighbors left a surprise chalk drawing for your on our driveway along with a birthday balloon.  

You seemed overjoyed to be the center of attention.

  You watched carefully as we hung the birthday pennants around the kitchen.  

You were a little frightened when Daddy showed up at the front door with a big bouquet of balloons. 

You were eager to eat some of your cookie cake too.

Oh how we all enjoyed celebrating you, little red!  Happy Birthday!

jump!

These two stinkers had fun jumping in the crib this afternoon.  I didn't even realize my middle girl could get into the crib with her sister.  When I heard all the muffled giggling along with the bouncing, I knew something was a little fishy.  

what fun it is to be on a team

"Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success." 

-Henry Ford

Whether it be soccer or swimming, ballet or Girl Scouts, learning to work together with others on a team is a vital part of growing up.  When they realize what they can accomplish when they think about the good of the team rather than the good of themselves, their minds are opened up.  They think about the whole rather than a selfish piece.  Even though neither of my team players are all that competitive, having the experience of working on a team this year was wonderful for both of them.