Easy Living on Hot Summer Days!

Summer means it is too hot to play...

We will just watch Mama on her computer!

(I can't decide if Maxie thinks she is a cat or Oscar thinks he is a puppy!)

Maybe take a nap together....

Maybe share some secrets!

Maybe look at Mama like "I didn't do anything!"

 Maybe take another nap - this blogging is tiring!!

Wake us when it's dinner time!

We could sleep on the floor....

All in all, it's a good day!

Thanks for dropping by to spend some time with us!

I'm linking to:

Deniska's Garden

Remember Deniska planting his snapdragons?  They have not done very well this summer.  Next year, he is going back to petunias.

So, we decided to make a fairy garden out of this wheelbarrow. 

He added...

 a church, 

three nuns, 

three houses...

an American flag...

 a train....

 and, a fire pit!

The fairies should be very happy!

Happy Birthday

Yesterday was Dennis' birthday!  We spent the whole day celebrating.

He was showered with gifts all day.

No birthday is complete without a cake!

(Notice we go for quick decorations around here!)

 

The boys didn't want to burn the house down so they only used 3 candles.  

(Plus we didn't have enough candles for as many years it would take!)

 Smile for the camera!   See that smile - it's the same one the boys use.

Hmm, not sure what type of face Deniska is doing there....

 

Ah, that's a nice smile!

(Looks like I could have cleaned off the table a little better.  Why is it that you never noticed those things until you get ready to post a picture?!)

Happy Birthday Dennis! 

We all hope you have many more because we love you and want you around a long, long time!!

First Day of Summer

 Happy first day of Summer!

I do believe my chair is on its last leg.  

It seems to be leaning to one side.

 It's going to be a fabulous day here today!  

Lots of sunshine and high temps.

I bought that sweet little iron plant stand at the consignment shop for a song!  

See our cats?  They are solar lights and light up at night.

My chaste tree is loaded with blooms which means lots of bumblebees buzzing around!

Doing the happy dance!

Recently I entered two giveaways and won!  Woohoo!!  Lucky me!

This one is from Linda at Life as I Know It!  Look at this sweet design.  Actually, she had three charts up for the giveaway but this is the one that I knew I would want.  It is called School Days by Bright Needle designs. 

You will want to check out Linda's blog.  She is one talented cross-stitcher, knitter, and reader of all books!

Wouldn't this be just perfect in my classroom this fall? 

 (Means I had better get busy since I am a slow cross-stitcher!!)

The other giveaway that I won was from Jackie at  Finding Me - the Journey.  These are labels from Lovable Labels!  I just LOVE these.  The boys are going to camp this summer and these will come in handy.  If you need labels, you need to check this company out and buy what you need.  Be sure to check out Jackie's blog as well.  She has a giveaway going on right now!

Thanks for stopping by to visit!

Happy Father's Day

My husband is a wonderful father. 

The boys love him and have dumped me in favor of him!

(I was a Daddy's girl myself, so I understand...sorta.  I still don't like it!)

Papa can do no wrong!  (according to the boys)

E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G is about PAPA!!!
(are you seeing a pattern here?!!)

But, all in all, it's a good thing!

Happy Father's Day Honey!

  I and my sons, and my brethren will obey the law of our fathers. - 1 Maccabees 2:20

Today was Thrifty Thursday for my friend, Gail, and I.  We are getting together every Thursday during the summer and doing something thrifty.  Last week we went to thrift shops.  This Thursday, we sat at Gail's kitchen table and I sorted a half-gallon bag of buttons that I had bought at the thrift store.  She went through her recipes and sorted them.  Our friend, Elaine, joined us and copied recipes from Gail's recipe box.  We had a wonderful time together!

When I got ready to leave, Gail sent the boys a bag of cucumbers.  The boys love cucumbers as much as candy!!  They were so excited over the cucumbers!  I predict they will be gone in a few days!

Nikolai made this himself.  I am thinking he might have a career in culinary arts.  

Isn't this a pretty arrangement? 

 

Alas, it did not last long as I stole a slice and Deniska stole a slice! 

Thank you Gail for the cucumbers!!

 

A Snake in the Grass? Nope, don't think so!

One day this past week, the boys started into their clubhouse and just happened to look up.  

This is what they saw nestled in the corner on the ledge of the porch!  It has always amazed me how snakes could climb trees, or in this case, a wall.

Sadly, Mr. King Snake had eaten all of the baby birds in the nest at the opposite end of this ledge.  Thee  baby bird had just hatched a few days before. The boys were not happy but it gave me a chance to talk to them about nature and predators/prey.  

Come to think of it, I don't think the boys ever made it in their clubhouse that day or several days!  I assured them that Mr. King Snake would not harm them and not to be alarmed.  Also, I told them to stay away from him - I didn't want him in my house!

Graduation

On May 25th, the boys had their 5th grade graduation program.  It's a big deal at their school complete with caps and gowns, a separate location, and lots of recognition.

D loves bow ties.  Not sure where that comes from but he is passionate about them!  N - not so crazy about ties or bow ties!

 

The boys loved their teachers this year and they were an awesome team!  This is Mrs. Ray, math teacher. The boys both love math and loved her class!

This is Mrs. Lesan, the English Language Arts teacher.  She taught the boys so much about writing and about enjoying reading.   She has a gentle spirit and the boys responded so well to her.

This is Mrs. McClure.  She supervises the boys doing their morning safety patrol.  They open the doors of the cars as the parents drop off the students.  Mrs. McClure has loved my boys since their first day in school.  She has always paid them attention and petted them!  They absolutely LOVE Mrs. McClure!!

This was after graduation back at the school.  See how cute they are!   I know, I know, I'm prejudice. 

 

Now bear with me while I list what they were recognized for at the graduation ceremony:

Deniska:

WES News Team (he operated the camera)

Safety Patrol

Perfect Attendance

Certificate of Special Recognition  (6 years - including kindergarten!)

Honor Roll

President's Award for  Educational Excellence (this came from the White House) 

Reading Achievement Certificate - all A's

Mathematics Achievement Certificate - all A's in math 

Nikolai:

Music Achievement Certificate

Student Council Vice President (that is where his medallion came from)

Service Award - Flag Team

Safety Patrol

Cardinal's Honor Club

Perfect Attendance

High Honor Roll

President's Award for  Educational Excellence (this came from the White House)

Reading Achievement Certificate - all A's 

Science Achievement Certificate - all A's

Social Studies Achievement - all A's

Mathematics Achievement Certificate - all A's in math 

All in all, Dennis and I are very blessed that our boys do well in school.  They both work hard and enjoy their extra activities. They are happy, healthy boys - who could ask for more?