fireworks

Our friend and neighbor Bob celebrated his 70th birthday tonight, surrounded by friends and loved ones.  To cap off the evenings festivities, each of his 25 guests set off a firework in Bob's honor.  At the first pop, the kids were out the front door to check out what was going on, and quickly took a front row seat to enjoy the light show.

 Leah loves the fireworks,but is not a fan of loud noises

 Austin can break out a goofy face for any occasion.

On our way in after the last firework had flamed out, we found quite literally an army of snails, marching their way across our driveway and front porch.  I've never seen so many in one place, all stretching and contracting across the wet pavement.  

A Little Something

I have a wall in my hall (say that 10 times fast) that holds a gallery of family pictures.  

One day last week, I found that one of my artists-in-residence had added a little something to the wall.

Rainy day shortcake

True to it's bi-polar nature, our Oregon weather went from 80 degrees and this on Thursday:

To 60 degrees and this on Friday:

Yes, that is rain pitter pattering into our pool.  Since we wouldn't be basking poolside, I thought it would be a good day to cross something off our Summer List that didn't require sun and did include Dad, since Fridays are his day off and our only chance to really include him in outings.  Austin has been begging for strawberries for days and Jake has been craving taco salad, so what better day to head to the farmers market at EZ Orchards for some fresh produce and strawberry shortcake:

This stuff is A-MA-ZING.  It starts off with this wonderful angel food shortcake, topped with some of the best vanilla ice cream I've ever had, and finished off with fresh Oregon strawberries and whip cream.  Someone was pretty happy.....

One of our other favorite things about EZ Orchards is their in house donuts.  You can actually watch them make them here, and they come in wonderful seasonal flavors like pumpkin, strawberry, blueberry, and apple cider.  We may have come home with a bag.  Or two.  I may or may not have had the last two for breakfast this morning.

I could spend a whole lot of time and a whole lot more money wandering through a farmers market.  There are so many local, hand made things to explore.

We also love the fresh produce, and it's still cheaper than at the supermarket.  My kids love fresh carrots and broccoli, and all three of them devour salad by the plateful, whether its taco, Cesar or just a good green salad with all the fixing's.

All in all, it was a pretty good afternoon.

Summer School

Needless to say, the summer school totes were a big hit...

playground posers

More Photo Play

Pizza, Glow Sticks and a Movie

I've been getting some pointers lately from my photography friends, so last night while waiting for our pizza to be delivered at Abby's I took advantage of a captive audience to peel off some random shots using my indoor setting. 

Some of my subjects are more accommodating than others.....

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After pizza, I had promised the kids a "surprise" party.  While they watched a movie, I secretly got the bathroom all set up for a glow-in-the-dark bath.  I'd seen this on Pinterest a long time ago, and it didn't disappoint.  Probably the cheapest evenings entertainment in a while - $3 for 45 glow sticks, dumped in a tub and voila!
You've never seen my kids get naked so fast.  

 After the tub they dried off the sticks and headed for the living room, where I had surprised them yet again by dragging their mattresses in front of the TV for an impromptu slumber party with Mom.  3 hours of Star Wars Episode III later, everyone but Austin was crashed out.  He was still wielding his fist full of light sabers and jumping around the mattresses.