Too Cute Not To Toot!

I've noticed that my original idea of "Too Cute Not to Toot" has turned into a place to share some ideas.  You may wonder if I ever go back and look at the ideas I post and, guess what, I do!  I also have learned to print the ideas I love the best and save them in a binder so I can find them easily when I want them but I also will go back through all of the Too Cute Posts to get inspiration.

One of the things my husband and I would like to start doing is planning a little get away with the boys about once every 6 weeks.  Now that we've found Priceline, it's actually doable to play an overnight stay at a hotel with a pool.  So when I saw this post from Cheerios and Lattes for swimming things, I had to share.  Really, what better place to work on teaching your kids to swim then in a small, "shallow" pool without a current or lots of waves.  :-)

How about some cupcakes???  Check out this recipe from Life, Etc.  Don't tell my family but I think I might take these as my dessert to the family reunion . .. I could frost them once I got there :-)

This idea from Blue Skies Ahead is something I think I'll add to my August Summer Fun plan.  The boys are really into things like worms and bugs right now.  (Me . . .ummm not so much HA)

This next idea is actually a whole group of ideas all dealing with activities that help keep the kids cool.  The post is from Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas and includes link-ups.  I plan on printing many of the ideas to use in August but also to have for future years in our summer fun binder.

I'm going to end this week with a book idea from I Heart Crafty Things.  I love finding new books to add to our library and I love the looks of this one - plus she gives a great craft idea too. 

Summer Fun - Week 7

To catch up on the first 6 weeks of summer, click HERE


Holy Hotness Batman, summer can end anytime; I'm ready for fall and even for a blizzard or two.  Sheesh.

So this week started out . . well . . hot.  Another 100 degree down in the record books and I'm really tired of breaking records.  Actually, if I HAD records, I think they would have melted.  As much as I'd like to say that we did great things this week, we didn't . .. we sat in front of fans a lot and watched a lot of cartoons. 

Monday - Our summer fun was a trip to the dentist :-)  Josh had his first dentist appointment and it went well once he got in the chair.  The hygienist was fabulous and he did everything he was asked.  His teeth are fantastic and healthy :-)  PLUS the office had great A/C :-) LOL  After we left there we drove around for a bit and then got McDonalds for lunch as a treat for being so good at the dentist (well, they just knew it was for lunch - I'm trying NOT to teach my kids that they get rewards like that but they will figure it out eventually HA!) In the afternoon, the boys wanted to color - I got out paper and markers for them - they never color on anything except paper . . .until today.  I was sitting just a few feet from them at my desk when I turned and saw Nate coloring all over himself HA!  Josh spent a long time tracing his hand - by the time he was done doing it over and over, his hand was covered in marker.  Don't worry - it was all washable - it came off of them AND their clothes :-)

Tuesday - We melted.  Seriously.  I looked at a few options for the day but they all included loading three toddlers into the truck, loading up the stroller, driving 45 minutes away, unloading same three boys and stroller before even getting somewhere semi-cool where it would take this chicka a good hour to stop sweating.  If I'm going to sweat, I might as well be at home in front of fan.  The heat doesn't seem to impact the littles as much - we just didn't go outside; not even to the kiddie pool.  By the time it is full of "cool" water . . well, the water is hot from the heat!  So, this was what we did to stay cool.  The boys have discovered my water bottle - between the three of us, we drank about 4 of those.  Fans are our best friends :-)

Wednesday - It was horrid hot.  Nothing was done on this day.  Nothing. 

Thursday:  Talk about unexpected fun!!!  Our neighbors had to have two trees cut down - instant entertainment for two little boys.

It was really awesome to watch.  The boys even brought their stepping stools out so they could see better over the fence.  The boys watched this intently for about 30 minutes - it took the tree cutters about 8 hours to get both trees down.   By wait, we had more unexpected fun - it rained.  A fabulous summer rain - no blowing, no storms, just rain.  The boys LOVED playing outside - they were outside for well over an hour.

Friday-Sunday - We went camping!!!  I'm going to write a post later this week sharing all of our fun, food, and family time but I thought I'd leave you with this one photo.

We have a busy week coming up - I'm giving myself a break from planning anything specific because I still need to finish putting everything back together after camping, we are getting a guest cat one day this week, and then we have a mini-family reunion to get ready for at the end of the week.  I do have a special treat already in the freezer to eat this week, I need to clean out the pool so that we can use it this week as well, and if I get to it, I do have one fun craft to do - but again, no pressure. 

Our Weekly Menu

Hello!!!  What a week.  We did nothing. Why?  It was blazing hot.  I think I've said before that my rule used to be if it hit 90 degrees, I didn't cook.  Well, when every day is 90 degrees, that really doesn't work so now my rule is if it hits 95 degrees, I don't cook so on Tuesday, we had pizza.  We are eating very simply right now - lots of crock pot or quick stove top meals, fruit and chips.  I was thinking just the other day that I don't think I've cooked a meal in my oven in . . well. . a long time.  I'm looking forward to the fall/winter when I can cook Lasagna, Chicken and Rice, and my awesome Beef Drip sandwiches.  This coming week will be a another simple week because we have lots going on!

Saturday: Marinaded Steak Kabobs over the campfire, Fried Zucchini and Onions and Macaroni Salad.

Sunday: Tacos or Frito Pies (basically left over taco meat for an easy dinner when we get home)

Monday: Brown Sugar and Balsamic Glazed Pork Loin, mashed potatoes and corn . . probably some rolls or biscuits too

Tuesday: Marinated Pork Chops on the Grill, Corn on the Cob and Sweet potatoes in the crock pot.

Wednesday: It's just the kids and I - we'll have to run some errands before dinner so I am planning on picking something up for us.

Thursday: Dinner on the road as we head to Ohio for a mini-family reunion.

Friday: With the Family :-) 

Not a lot on the plan, as you can see. 

I also need to "apoligize" - I haven't updated my recipe tab in a while.  I'm not sure why I don't do it as soon as the post goes up on the blog but I will update it this coming week.  That way, you can find all of my fabulous recipes easier ;-)

Food Friday - Fresh Blueberry Pie

Fresh Blueberry Pie
adapted from D. Mundy (A friend)

This pie is so refreshing because of the lemon that is used in the cream cheese layer.  I also love it because the recipe is actually for two pies so it is great (and easy) to make for a crowd or to take to a party.  It's also fairly easy to cut in half if you just want one pie :-)

3 cups fresh blueberries
8 oz package Cream Cheese, Softened
6 oz Frozen Lemonade, undiluted
14 oz Sweetened condensed milk
8 oz cool whip
2 graham cracker crusts or 2 baked pie shells

Beat cream cheese until creamy; add lemonade and sweetened condensed milk.  Fold in ¾ of the cool whip and 2/3 of the blueberries.  Spread in pie shells; chill.  Garnish with remaining Cool Whip and blueberries.  For one pie, half the recipe.

What I'm Dreaming of . . . .

Yep, I'm done with summer but it isn't done with us yet!  I told my husband recently that in the first big blizzard we have, I'm standing outside on the deck in my bathing suit so I can soak up the COLD!


On a different note, for all of you Pinterest Users, have you ever been blocked and locked out before?  That is what has happened to me due to suspicious activity on my account.  They tell me that my pins are safe but now I have to wait for them to investigate and then send me an e-mail to reset my password.  I knew I should have been printing some of the stuff I needed this weekend!  Oh well.  I'm still hoping that it will be fixed by tomorrow . . .I miss it :-)

Bringing Back My Books

Earlier this week, I mentioned in a post that I realized that I have stepped away from my old goal of reading certain books within a quarter - these are books that will build me up as a mother, as a wife, and as, well, me.  I shared a link on Tuesday to Joyful Mothering that included her list of books that she wants to read in 2012.  I like her list - it has books that I already on my long list of "want to reads" plus there were quite a few new ones.  Anytime I can find a great source for books, I snatch it up, and that post seems like a great resource.

As was my pattern when I set my reading goals previously, I plan on setting a goal for 3 months worth of reading - basically a quarter. (The first quarter will begin August 1st).  I set the bar high and hope to read 3 books a month for a total of 9 books.  (Like you couldn't figure that out yourself. )

Here's my list for the first quarter.

That's My Son by Rick Johnson (Not Shown)
Wild Things; The Art of Nurturing Boys by Stephen James (Not Shown)
Shepherding a Child's Heart by Ted Tripp

It Starts at Home by Bruner and Stroope
The Virtuous Woman: Shattering the Superwoman Myth by Vicki  Courtney
The Power of  a Positive Mom by Carol Ladd

Conversation Peace by Mary A. Kassian
The List by Marian Jordan
Jesus, The One and Only by Beth More

Also, I wanted to share another link that has a bunch of great parenting books - many of the books on this list will be added to MY reading wish list so I can tackle them in future months. Check out the post at Women Living Well.

Too Cute Not Toot!!

Welcome back!  I'm back with one of my favorite posts this week and am going to start out with a great idea for out doors.  I love things that decorate outside.  This summer we haven't been able to really hang outside a lot due to the heat but I am looking forward to the fall when we can play outside more.  When I saw this cute idea from Sew and Dipity I had to share it and I'm going to add it to my list of things I want to do for next summer. 

I don't know about you, but I love the Olympics.  I'm not sure how excited I can get my kids about the upcoming Olympics but I love all of these ideas for the future - in 2 years, I think I can really get them going!!  I will be printing this idea from Alililyblog and putting into my theme notebook for "school" :-)

Yes, I know it is the middle of summer but this soup recipe from Jam's Corner is too good to pass up.  I plan on printing this now and saving it for the first few cool fall days.  It's a bonus that it is a crock pot recipe :-)

This next idea was posted at Boy Oh Boy Oh Boy and are from Kiwi Crates.  Basically, you sign up and get a crate each month with crafts in it and you can add a sibling plan and get enough for two kids (or order two crates so they each get their own).  The crates are $19.95 a month but you get two crafts in each crate and it includes all of the supplies.  Anytime I've seen these, I've loved them so I'm hoping that sometime over the next year I can join and get these for the boys (using the sibling pack idea).  I think it would be a great addition to our homeschool routine.

Oh Boy Oh Boy Oh Boy also is doing a series on "Books for Boys" so I wanted to share the most recent idea - you can use this link to also find the older posts on this series.

This next idea is not a craft but a list of books.  The list comes from Joyful Mothering.  I've realized recently that I've gotten away from reading any books except "fun" books.  This list has some great books in it - some already on my list and some that are not.  I'm going to be posting soon about my updated book list  . ..

I Heart Crafty Things shares a great indoor game for kids using just a diaper box and some balls. 

This next "idea" is actually something to purchase but I want to save it here so I remember.  It was posted over at Happy Go Lucky - I want to get these for both boys for Christmas :-)