Relaxing Vacation

Declan playing on the tractor.

Learning to jump off a stump.

My kiddos exploring the countryside.

After a fun-filled weekend in VA, we loaded up the car and headed to NE PA. What a gorgeous place to relax! We've played outside, lazed about inside, already completed one puzzle and have plans for more .... nothing. DH has enjoyed a nice kayak adventure and is now off golfing.

Fourth of July Pictures

Mommy and Abi

Abigail waiting for the parade to start.

Declan pointing out the fire trucks.

Daddy and Declan anticipating the parade.

A few pictures of our wonderful Independence Day Celebration!

The Push-Up Challenge: Initial Test & Week One

DH has decided to do this with me. I know I was asking for trouble when I inquired if he was interested, but at least we aren't competing against each other, right?

Initial Test: Do as many good-form push-ups as possible without stopping.
DH - 80
Me - 5 (See, I told you it wasn't a competition!)
So, DH stars on Week 3 and I start on Week 1.


My Week One:
Day One: 2, 3, 2, 2, max (at least 3) with 60 second rest)
Day Two: 3,4, 2, 3, max (at least 4) with 90 second rest
Day Three: 4, 5, 4, 4, max (at least 5), with 120 second rest

His Week One:
Day One: 14, 18, 14, 14, max (at least 20), with 60 second rest

Day Two: 20, 25, 15, 15, max (at least 25) with 90 second rest

Day Three: 22, 30, 20, 20, max (at least 28), with 120 second rest

Learning about Cows

Today when returning from church, we passed several herds of cows. The following converstaion followed:

Mom: What do cows say?
Declan: Moooo
Mom: How do you spell cow?
Declan (and Mom): C - O - W (with appropriate sign language)
Mom: What do we get from cows?
Declan: Cowboys!

California Club Pizza

I made some pizzas this week for dinner with a friend and brought the leftovers to another friend. She loved it and wanted the recipe, so I thought I'd share with all of you. 

Pizza Dough (I use my friend Rachel's recipe, but any will do)

Add cooked, diced chicken. I used a can of Tyson's, but I've also used 2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded. Top with Mexican blend of cheese, about 2 cups. Bake until crust is done and cheese is melted.

While pizza is baking. Chop up 1 avocado, 2 plum tomatoes (or equivalent of grape tomatoes), 1/2 red onion, and two tablespoons of lemon juice and a dash of salt. 

I also use bacon sometimes, cooked and crumbled.

Remove pizza, top with avocado mix, add bacon and serve. 

3D Date Night

Last night, my awesome sister and her boyfriend watched Declan and Abigail so husband and I could go to the movies. My wonderful mother, drove us back and forth so we could fully enjoy the evening. We went to the Alamo Drafthouse and Cinema in Winchester, VA to see Transformers in 3D. The Alamo is one of those wonderful theaters where you can order food, real food! And, it has a very well stocked bar.

We were able to enjoy good food, good beer, and a great movie. We used our LivingSocial deal with Fandango, and got what should have been $25 tickets (for both of us) for only $9! We had a wonderful time and would definitely recommend the Alamo to all!

The first of my July Challenges

My kids love to go to church. Well, Abigail loves going just about anywhere, but I really think she lives being the "big kid" in the nursery. Declan loves Sunday School. Last week he made a necklace out of macaroni and a pendant that reminds him to love and honor his mother and father. And you all know how much they both love Veggie Tales.

So, this month, we've decided we are going to do a little Veggie Tales Devotional with them before bed time. I found a book on Kindness and it has 30 Devos. We'll start with that. Hopefully all four of us learn some valuable lessons.