Ordinary Life

I was born with PAREIDOLA ... you may have it too.  Simple test: see the face? 

Still trying to catch up on the 'family photo album' aspect... just a rare shot with all children in the frame... and a bonus snapshot of Clay walking past... I love Riley's resigned expression in these:

...because we ran out of pink 'Squirt Paint'...temporarily:

Some of our favorite small friends watched the baseball games too. We managed to stay entertained during tournament season with the help of a busy bag filled with snacks (especially apples, bananas, & any version of cheese flavored "crunchy"), small toys, books & art supplies filled the bag and the passing hours.   *** Pirates Field*** Rye likes things organized *** Fighting Christians Field *** (Fighting Christians?!) Riley Wren Sunny Rye! Tippy Toe Smiles Having a 'picnic' under the shade tree

With her shades and a snack, Rye is ready to ride out the * next few hours of tournament play: * Not current tournament play- catching up on previous months' photos

There are various ways to make seed bombs. We chose the method that used materials we already had on hand. It was one of the cleaner options as well.  Start by choosing seeds that grow well in your area. A quick glance at 'native' plants may be helpful.  Put scrunch tissue in a large bowl - this scrunchy filler can often be found in the gift wrap section of your local Dollar Tree (and possibly lingering in the bottom of any recently received gift bags) If you have a paper shredder, you could recycle the collected shreds or make your own shreds using colored paper.    (gotta make time for BigSib Photo breaks) Toddler helper optional but highly encouraged.  Pour water into the scrunchy paper. You may wish to add layers of color separately to prevent dyes from blending.  Mush the paper together until it will hold shape, then drain excess water:  Mix in seeds:  Roll paper to form jawbreaker sized bombs (or larger if desired) Paper can also be pre...

She wears it better than I do...  

MUSEUMS & WOMEN and Other Stories  by  JOHN UPDIKE I just love John Updike.  This collection held most of ' The Maples Stories ', one of my personal favorites. I had already read some of the other short stories in this collection. Other stories included were fun, new discoveries, like ' The Deacon '.  The copy I got from the library succeeded in scandalizing my children every time they spied the cover, so Bonus Points for Updike. (See?) Reading Updike on the beach,  Fourth of July.  THE AMATEUR MARRIAGE  by ANNE TYLER I just love Anne Tyler.  This was a re-read. I had read this story many years ago. In the spirit of full disclosure, I wasn't positive about that until I started to read. However... I just love Anne Tyler... so I kept reading...anyway,  a lot of 'old' books are becoming more and more like new books. Though, for me, the first thing I forget is not the author, rather the ending, still I have found forgetting happens... true...

We made a cat!  No, not THAT cat~ another cat.  A paper mache cat.  Look, if you ever want to work on control issues- do paper mache with a toddler. Whether you need to work on not having to be in control or operating from a place of more self control, getting creative with a tot is sure to help...at least confirm the issues are present. What follows is a pictorial journey from two balloons, some newspaper and flour paste to a new paper friend that follows us around everywhere... except the pool... I had to put my foot down on that :) Pasting strips of newspaper around balloons.  DRYING No one has to teach them these things... she just knew how to paint herself... and she enjoyed it. We were killing time with creativity while waiting for the paste to dry...she was SUPPOSED to be painting paper.  A cat begins to take shape...  ...and a mess. It's always a pink cat she wants...  Staying busy with the 'squirt paints' while Mom works on the smaller detail...