Everyday Happenings

** Trying to get these kids to read is HARD.  I know it's called Summer Reading Challenge, but I  didn't know the challenge was for ME!  Billy and Mary Kate will pick up and read on their own.  However, Billy tends to read the same books over and over.  Plus, he likes magazines more than books.  Does that count?  I'm trying not to be a stickler for what he's reading.

Mary Kate has been using her Kindle, so that was money well spent.

Tommy, Ann, and Matt fight me tooth and nail about sitting down to read. Matt will only let me read Berenstein Bear books to him and I find that very frustrating because I think those books have a lot of run-on sentences and it's annoying to read them because my mouth gets dry and then I need a drink of water and then I tend to write run on sentences on my blog and that's not good.

As for me, I have renewed the Poisonwood Bible 2 times so far. It was due back at the library 2 weeks ago.  I will have a bit of a fine to pay, but I WILL finish it, gosh darn it!

** We signed Billy up for his first 3 hours of 35 community service hours needed over the next year and a half before he receives his Confirmation.  Volunteers were needed to either sort uniforms or do field upkeep and maintenance.  He wanted to sort (shocker)....he got the hard labor.  That's tomorrow. Hope it's not too hot for ya Dude.

** Cooking with the kids has become one of my favorite things to do this summer.

Matt's bbq chicken

Mary Kate's mac n cheese and baked beans; served with Ann's meatloaf.

Tommy's pizza

Ann's Sausage Scallopini

Ann's quiche and biscuits

Billy preparing a marinade for salmon on the grill.

Matt shucking corn.

I can't say everything has been a hit, but I love the company in the kitchen.  The idea that each kid takes a turn keeps the others away (does that sound mean?) so it is great one on one time and I think they are learning a lot.

** We did some dog sitting this week for our neighbors. Let me introduce you to Pete.

Isn't he adorable?

 ** Billy, Tommy, and Mary are about 6 lessons in with their new piano teacher.  So far she has gotten the thumbs up from all of them.  She even comes to our house, so I give her a thumbs up too.

**Bill and I have a sitter coming tomorrow night so we can head to our friends John and Mary's for another dinner party.  My mouth is already watering.

Have a great weekend everyone!