Mmm...Mmm...Monday

Haven't done it in a while, but here's a fun snack recipe!

2 lbs pretzels


1 bottle Orville Redenbacher butter popcorn oil ( I don't use the whole bottle - I leave a bit in the bottom otherwise it seems too oily - you decide)

1/2 pkg dry ranch dressing

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder or onion salt

2 tsp dill

Mix together and put in a container that you can turn upside down so all the "stuff" mixes well. Best to make ahead (i.e. the night before).

Mini Camp

I am so blessed to have such great friends in my life. Two of my friends and I decided to have mini camps for our girls (all the same age). Each mom took a day and a theme. Ours was "Rainbow Camp" or as Arthur wanted me to call it, "Takin' Back the Rainbow."

First step to mini camp? Supplies

Base Station to set supplies on!

Said Supplies and Post it note lesson plan!

Dye

Things to Dye

Student work station in driveway

Snack (theme related!)

Goody Bags, because they are fun!

Friends!

A little Silliness

Next Step: Students ready for a project

The next few pics are the "befores and afters" of our project.

You see, she wanted to do one item randomly and the other item in stripes. Nice work!

Her aim was a bulls eye on one and random on the other.

She decided to work the color schemes!

Random, bulls eye and stripes for the baby onsie.

Nice bulls eye.

Next on the lesson: Snack time!

Snack time

While the girls were eating snack we read 2 stories. One was of God's promise to Noah after the flood. We called that promise the "Rainbow Promise." We also talked about how and when rainbows occur. I tried to introduce the term refraction to the girls. We created a rainbow inside using a flashlight, glass of water and piece of white paper. We discussed the order of the colors and mentioned Roy G Biv! We also played with color creations using food coloring, detergent and milk. I think they liked this experiment.

By then, the lesson plan said, lunchtime!

The camp was a lot a fun! I would do it again. All of the girls behaved well. I think they really enjoyed it and I think they learned something. Hopefully, each time they wear their shirts they'll remember the day they talked about Rainbows at our mini camp!

I'll be thinking of a theme for next year.

Coin Carnival

Ella and I had a little Mom and Ella date. We chose to go to the Coin Carnival at the park down the road. It was GREAT and it was CHEAP!

While McKenna was practicing back handsprings at a clinic, we....

...enjoyed a beautiful Summer afternoon at the park!

...tossed some rings

...bounced balls into a cup

...tossed toilet paper into a toilet bowl

...picked prizes

...watched a puppet show

...and....got FAIR HAIR!!

The Things They Say

McKenna:
Mom, I know you are supposed to get married and then have a baby. But, can a woman's BODY have a baby before she is married?

Ella:
Mom, what's 5 plus 4?

Me:
(Holding up 4 fingers on one hand and 5 on the other) Well, let's count my fingers. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. 4 fingers plus 5 fingers equals 9 fingers.

Ella:
Yeah, well, I've known that since birth.

Heart of Dixie Pictures, continued!

Nanny and Poppy usually take us to Chuck E Cheese. This year was no different. Ella thoroughly enjoyed the new Kentucky Derby Horse game.

She also whooped Poppy in some air hockey! =) He's a good Poppy.

We also celebrated my grandfather's birthday and had a little get-to-gether in H'ville! Kyle broke out his guitar which made me so happy. I remember family gathering as a child and my Uncle Larry used to play all the time. For some reason he stopped. Kyle seems to have picked up the tradition. I love it.

Nana and Pa have these large rock structures in their back yard. I remember climbing them as a little girl. McKenna took up the hobby this year.

We also went to Cathedral Caverns while in AL. It was wonderfully and miserably hot that day. With the humidity, you were drenched within 30 seconds of walking outdoors. The cave however, was a comfortable 61 degrees. I think McKenna really enjoyed most of it. Ella, not so much. There were parts that she liked.

McKenna has developed a new found interest in rocks, minerals and gemstones. Mostly gemstones. So, when she had the opportunity to go "panning, " she couldn't pass it up.