Hello Florida!

Hello Lousiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, just passing through.

Hello 2 AM!  We love to start our 15 hour road trip out with you.

 Hello beach....We made it!  Hello taking in God's beautiful, magnificent sight.

 

Hello condo with a fantastic view and lots of sunlight!

Hello Anglers, Dewey's, Fudpuckers, and Mcquires Irish pub...(Hello favorite: Date night at Mcquire's Irish Pub with the best steak ever and a million dollar atmosphere my boys will love!)

Hello great food!

(Anglers)

Hello sand, sun, shade, and chillaxin'...we welcome you!

Hello waves sneaking up on you.

 

Hello swimming pool and grilling out too.

Hello cousins, three condos down, who come to swim.

 HELLO FLORIDA! 

We miss you...
We will be back again!

Bubbles, Bubbles Everywhere!

Our summer fun is going strong. We are checking things off our list, and big bubbles is on it. My boys and I, along with some friends had a blast making huge, colorful bubbles. Wednesday was the last day party fun with Evan and Landon. I have been doing pre-k with Landon this summer. We've really enjoyed them coming over twice a week. Oh, and I cannot wait to have a bubble day with my pre-schoolers! They are going to love it too.

I was inspired to make these bubble wands, and I had to try it out. The first time it did not work for me. Cameron was the first to get it going!

Watch out, here it comes...I figured it out.



This is so much fun and a must try activity.





Wanna know how? Sure you do!

Homemade Bubble Solution

You will need: distilled water, glycerin, and Non-Ultra/Classic Dawn Original Scent. (I used Joy and it worked fine!)

Step 1: Into your Mixing bucket add 6 cups of Distilled Water.

Step 2: Stirring SLOWLY so as not to make lather, add in 2 cups of Non-Ultra/Classic Dawn Original Scent (or Ultra Dish detergent if necessary).

Step 3: Stir in 5-6 drops of Glycerin (double the amount if using Ultra detergent).

Here is another recipe link with great tips.

Bubble Wand

* 2 dowels (we cut some 48" in half...so 24 " dowels worked for us.)

*1 metal washer

*cotton string ( aka butcher's twine)

*2 eye hooks (make sure the cord/string will fit through)

Tip: The first string we tried were thin. It worked, but I felt like I was fishing with my boys. You know, like getting the fishing line untangled from the tree or from a rock. It tangled up a lot. The next day we tried the thicker string and it worked great...no problems.

How to make the wand:

First, take the dowels and screw one eye hook into each of the wooden dowels.

Second, cut your string. One will be 35 inches long, and the second string will be 70 inches long. We wanted big bubbles, but you wouldn't have to have the string that long. Just double what you cut the top string to be.

Third, put the metal washer on the longest string.

Next, tie both strings through the eye hook. Tie the shortest string on top and the longest underneath.

Finally, dip the string into the solution. Keep the dowels together and bring it out of the solution. Now, slowly open it up and walk backwards.

If at first you don't succeed, try again. It's worth it.

You are set! Go make some BIG bubbles!

Camping Adventure #1

The first week of summer break we decided to go camping at Lake Wedington. We were thrilled that my sister's family decided to join our camping adventure. We are making lots of great memories camping every year. We are also looking forward to our annual camping trip this 4th of July weekend with Michael's family in Oklahoma.

Welcome to Lake Wedington.

10 reasons I like camping:

Our relaxing campsite by the lake.

The kids had a lot of fun riding bikes on the campground. I love that we are away from the electronics and outdoors.

There was a hill and a corner. Being the cautious mom I am, I yell out S-L-O-W down. Well, Cameron decides to obey and slams on his brakes on this corner and wrecks. Thank goodness for all the protection he had on. He actually had elbow and knee pads on at the time too.


Cameron and Sharee decide to hang out in the play tent for a while.

There's always fun with water when we camp. My nephew, Devin was being a little impatient wanting to "get wet". Well, leave it up to Uncle Michael to surprise him.

Time to get really wet!

Swimming makes us hungry. Grilling out is always fun.

Trying to work off their lunch.

My twins trying to do the airplane.

Wooooah here she comes. Watch out boys she'll chew you up! Ha!

My adorable sister just chillaxin...

while Rod man gets the grill going.

Hanging with my sweetheart.

No smores tonight. It's time to make banana boats!

Throw in some dance moves while they are on the grill...

and enjoy! Yummy!

After the kids went to bed we played a card game called Shanghi. We love camping and had a wonderful time! It's a great escape from your daily life. I can't believe as you are reading this we are on our way to another camping adventure. This summer is flying by as we are having fun.

One thing I could do without...my new French manicure bites the dust the first day!

Now it's time for 4th of July toes!

Happy Independence Day! I hope you have a fun and safe holiday.

Watermelon Turtle!

Oh, sweet summer time! Who doesn't love a cold sweet watermelon in the summer? Want to take a ordinary watermelon and turn it into something extraordinary? Meet Mr. Turtle!

This is my first turtle I ever made.

Last week I had the privilege of making a watermelon turtle for my niece's birthday party. She is such a doll, even with blue teeth!

First, I made one for Cameron's 8th birthday, and even re-used the shell at a family reunion several days later. Just wrap and keep in the fridge. Mr. Turtle has been a hit no matter where he goes...

not to mention delicious and refreshing!

What you will need:

• An oblong seedless watermelon
• vegetable peeler or a tool to carve ( I ended up using a flat head screwdriver)
• fruit
• Super Glue
• Whole Peppercorns
• toothpicks
• melon ball scoop
• dry erase marker
• leaves from around your home
• sharp knife
• platter

How to Make the Turtle

Step 1: Gather your supplies.

Step 2: Wash all the fruit, including the watermelon.

Step 3: Cut the watermelon and using a melon ball scoop, scoop out the inside of the watermelon and set aside. I also put an old towel under the watermelon to catch the mess.

If you cannot find an oblong shaped seedless watermelon, pick out the seeds. I had not done that yet at this point. Put some watermelon away, so you will have room for other fruit.

Step 4: Now, that both sides of the watermelon are empty, use your melon ball scoop and scrape out the rest.

Step 5: Draw your body parts on one of the turtle shells and cut out. Lay the pieces aside.

Next, draw the shell. We are not aiming for perfection here...turtle shells are not perfect.

Step 6: Carve out the design you drew and set aside. It should look something like this...

Step 7: Fill the bottom shell with lots of colorful fruit!

Step 8: Grab a platter and some leaves. Place the fruit shell on the platter. Then chill until it is time to serve.

Step 9: Now for the body parts you set aside. Take the head and carve out two small holes for the eyes. Then, super glue two eyes on. (peppercorn)

Step 10: Attach the body parts using toothpicks.

Now enjoy the fruits of your labor! ;0P

I'm linking up with Jen from Tatortots and Jello.