Photo Essay
LETTUCE PATCH
We officially have a full bed of lettuce, and enjoying many a salad with cranberries, apples, walnuts and raspberry dressing. Simple and super yummy!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8sY5TDDGGQbAPxM69ZgGCausLScrkjTHWIGLPHwbIg4CD2VJBsW2hugpmQq0_LuUslbY0HqygG8IJ9pNbjgnDzRGCHeqj0jOgSKj4iw4DktqK4SxjuZ53rFTnl0OpPF1SPjG3tDwqNQ/s320/lettuce+bed.jpg)
T-BALL WALK
Walking with Kate and Mr. Jeremy up to another T-Ball game. It's been awesome to see this game thru the eyes of children. Seems THEY know it is just a GAME!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjURnjVqIlKC6gOW75TO_KKUmuJfFr3v_Jz8NVXnf1M_jF1ZtsehNODm552Pg-6xleAbySeIQqp42beK3-KpeR6Cjg_Ld0Q779wPnYzQTvyR2YgRoJ0Ju6AuXz4R9wP5TS1mFgBy5CK5Q/s320/tballwalk.jpg)
PLAY DOUGH CREATIONS
Now I'm one who really does try to stay away from labels...they're so confining. But this is what happened when I unloaded the play dough on the table and let the muchkins go to work without direction.
Builder: Roone makes something oh-so high and oh-so proud of it!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQ4_9YSRrUQWSr0I4Oi4bmqNwELzXSwrTGDy7lxRYq7hZj0di42eT8aqDxiPah-xdQFBBSqKnxOuYCI4ucWvNo5iIHaIWcCSRtrLU4-QEg0dtzwPTrtAqhtnN2cLBO5r6E-AGPRrtyhI/s320/playdo1.jpg)
Baker: Ella makes some tarts
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqRbOV6iROVCmLO6npb3VyizJOD0slqvGWsthidoo3RCay6wRyddt6J-eHj3mEhIeceNgub0Bm0SWYn0_qtwP8gjNLuIMXnN7T0_OlGrimeScDUUrdw9RihkIvAxdtxzYixzLwLwBaqA/s320/playdo2.jpg)
BEAUTIFUL HYDRANGEA
This is what greets us at our front stoop - a beautiful blue hydrangea plant given to me as a birthday gift.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCc0dQ5A2tOT2l2T41KkIs4OWmkuvSbviBwcGEgGqjRfiDpsjgJgrcDI0Aiw4bn5Zy5Xi_iJGKsalHwUy2rwLUZ8OWCfgSOyr1jp7SJXZzXsR3a3uBkukXuV8YW58jc2mD2VegHYT9Vg/s320/hydrangea.jpg)
BURR OAKS NATURE CENTER
Our 2 day a week T-Ball commitment has left little time for outdoor nature adventures the past 2 months. It seems I was in withdrawal last Friday and so the kids and I quickly tossed a picnic together and set off down I-70 to one of our favorite places: Burr Oaks Nature Center. We enjoyed the nature center seeing creatures up close (the turtles had Roone in awe) and then went on a little hike that turned into a longer hike at Ella's urging. I only consented after telling the children they would have to walk the entire way (ie, Mama is not picking you up!). Before you think I'm mean I WAS carrying lunch and water. I must have been in a brave, relaxed mood since we took a turn off the main trail to another trail and really had no idea where we were. I had a good idea, though, that if we eventually turned left (don't ask me if that was N, S, E or W - just LEFT!) we'd hit the nature center again. I was close, we finally hit the parking lot. Since I was SO brave and relaxed I'll chuck it up our time in nature doing what it was supposed to do. Oh, and for the record, Ella said didn't have a good time (totally not true!) because we didn't see a wolf or a fox... I'd really like to see her reaction if we did!!!
This turtle gave us quite a show. He tried climbing the wall and then toppled onto his shell and then toppled some more. Usually the creatures in the tanks are sleeping...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpacfAc20SwOQ52BQ4Dq7O5RuqqYJB6IzwcgC1KU2fbdZF34Md5meRPT25nTN74hbY7a4boLnzE9zLhV5OK1IddeG5nogf1_Qu0YtJwKYn3lCsTqh6MKzi7G-5Jab5uU0h6i5z1rDKro/s320/turtle.jpg)
Ella taking a picture of Roone
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPxAy7PL0poNY2ajR57e5XAZiM1gjh5Hzv1unutmmY66B_iAIO_kF2-8Aq7p7UU9w5nw6cu6M24LS32mh7m-CP2jHLlaAkngE5uUFi-Xf-H1nEmoQ-o-86IDEssrVgwbrLjCp94QFHLM/s320/roone.jpg)
Roone taking a picture of Ella
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRlVKojXKP2y5Brs2Hy3pubksu7knNPwKVmynlsGrBHlg8awG9LGIIlcjHqpWO8zBmxeFkBB7hjz8MvZcRyl1iBRlRHy_IxnUq4fdil-EJBs1tvU-IPfn7l1ga4pBsAxUANwfwcrupdk/s320/ella.jpg)
BIG BOY SWIVEL CHAIRS
Recipe for Big Smiles: Big Boy cheeseburgers, ice cream and swivel chairs
If you don't know Big Boy is a little hamburger stop at 40 Highway and Chrysler just off I-70. The big deal to us? It's fast food, but the hamburgers taste like hamburgers.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvIVZCQFl_hsOXWbuIDGt1iHK7B7G9_r6DXMuPY0dVqJID8Vq8MtcHuo0oKLxKqgyc_vtOeBmU4dnX7x__4dEJO1mpBNq08tdMdFypgQBBcD7JkTzz3QFJjJbUi96YzWdM-671xKS0xDI/s320/swivel+chairs.jpg)
CAKE
I almost forgot this one, but had to share since it made such a pretty picture. I made a cake for my birthday...vanilla cake with raspberry buttercream icing (really easy recipe!). There was a lot of lip smackin' going on over here! Yummy!
We officially have a full bed of lettuce, and enjoying many a salad with cranberries, apples, walnuts and raspberry dressing. Simple and super yummy!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8sY5TDDGGQbAPxM69ZgGCausLScrkjTHWIGLPHwbIg4CD2VJBsW2hugpmQq0_LuUslbY0HqygG8IJ9pNbjgnDzRGCHeqj0jOgSKj4iw4DktqK4SxjuZ53rFTnl0OpPF1SPjG3tDwqNQ/s320/lettuce+bed.jpg)
T-BALL WALK
Walking with Kate and Mr. Jeremy up to another T-Ball game. It's been awesome to see this game thru the eyes of children. Seems THEY know it is just a GAME!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjURnjVqIlKC6gOW75TO_KKUmuJfFr3v_Jz8NVXnf1M_jF1ZtsehNODm552Pg-6xleAbySeIQqp42beK3-KpeR6Cjg_Ld0Q779wPnYzQTvyR2YgRoJ0Ju6AuXz4R9wP5TS1mFgBy5CK5Q/s320/tballwalk.jpg)
PLAY DOUGH CREATIONS
Now I'm one who really does try to stay away from labels...they're so confining. But this is what happened when I unloaded the play dough on the table and let the muchkins go to work without direction.
Builder: Roone makes something oh-so high and oh-so proud of it!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQ4_9YSRrUQWSr0I4Oi4bmqNwELzXSwrTGDy7lxRYq7hZj0di42eT8aqDxiPah-xdQFBBSqKnxOuYCI4ucWvNo5iIHaIWcCSRtrLU4-QEg0dtzwPTrtAqhtnN2cLBO5r6E-AGPRrtyhI/s320/playdo1.jpg)
Baker: Ella makes some tarts
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqRbOV6iROVCmLO6npb3VyizJOD0slqvGWsthidoo3RCay6wRyddt6J-eHj3mEhIeceNgub0Bm0SWYn0_qtwP8gjNLuIMXnN7T0_OlGrimeScDUUrdw9RihkIvAxdtxzYixzLwLwBaqA/s320/playdo2.jpg)
BEAUTIFUL HYDRANGEA
This is what greets us at our front stoop - a beautiful blue hydrangea plant given to me as a birthday gift.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCc0dQ5A2tOT2l2T41KkIs4OWmkuvSbviBwcGEgGqjRfiDpsjgJgrcDI0Aiw4bn5Zy5Xi_iJGKsalHwUy2rwLUZ8OWCfgSOyr1jp7SJXZzXsR3a3uBkukXuV8YW58jc2mD2VegHYT9Vg/s320/hydrangea.jpg)
BURR OAKS NATURE CENTER
Our 2 day a week T-Ball commitment has left little time for outdoor nature adventures the past 2 months. It seems I was in withdrawal last Friday and so the kids and I quickly tossed a picnic together and set off down I-70 to one of our favorite places: Burr Oaks Nature Center. We enjoyed the nature center seeing creatures up close (the turtles had Roone in awe) and then went on a little hike that turned into a longer hike at Ella's urging. I only consented after telling the children they would have to walk the entire way (ie, Mama is not picking you up!). Before you think I'm mean I WAS carrying lunch and water. I must have been in a brave, relaxed mood since we took a turn off the main trail to another trail and really had no idea where we were. I had a good idea, though, that if we eventually turned left (don't ask me if that was N, S, E or W - just LEFT!) we'd hit the nature center again. I was close, we finally hit the parking lot. Since I was SO brave and relaxed I'll chuck it up our time in nature doing what it was supposed to do. Oh, and for the record, Ella said didn't have a good time (totally not true!) because we didn't see a wolf or a fox... I'd really like to see her reaction if we did!!!
This turtle gave us quite a show. He tried climbing the wall and then toppled onto his shell and then toppled some more. Usually the creatures in the tanks are sleeping...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpacfAc20SwOQ52BQ4Dq7O5RuqqYJB6IzwcgC1KU2fbdZF34Md5meRPT25nTN74hbY7a4boLnzE9zLhV5OK1IddeG5nogf1_Qu0YtJwKYn3lCsTqh6MKzi7G-5Jab5uU0h6i5z1rDKro/s320/turtle.jpg)
Ella taking a picture of Roone
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPxAy7PL0poNY2ajR57e5XAZiM1gjh5Hzv1unutmmY66B_iAIO_kF2-8Aq7p7UU9w5nw6cu6M24LS32mh7m-CP2jHLlaAkngE5uUFi-Xf-H1nEmoQ-o-86IDEssrVgwbrLjCp94QFHLM/s320/roone.jpg)
Roone taking a picture of Ella
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRlVKojXKP2y5Brs2Hy3pubksu7knNPwKVmynlsGrBHlg8awG9LGIIlcjHqpWO8zBmxeFkBB7hjz8MvZcRyl1iBRlRHy_IxnUq4fdil-EJBs1tvU-IPfn7l1ga4pBsAxUANwfwcrupdk/s320/ella.jpg)
BIG BOY SWIVEL CHAIRS
Recipe for Big Smiles: Big Boy cheeseburgers, ice cream and swivel chairs
If you don't know Big Boy is a little hamburger stop at 40 Highway and Chrysler just off I-70. The big deal to us? It's fast food, but the hamburgers taste like hamburgers.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvIVZCQFl_hsOXWbuIDGt1iHK7B7G9_r6DXMuPY0dVqJID8Vq8MtcHuo0oKLxKqgyc_vtOeBmU4dnX7x__4dEJO1mpBNq08tdMdFypgQBBcD7JkTzz3QFJjJbUi96YzWdM-671xKS0xDI/s320/swivel+chairs.jpg)
CAKE
I almost forgot this one, but had to share since it made such a pretty picture. I made a cake for my birthday...vanilla cake with raspberry buttercream icing (really easy recipe!). There was a lot of lip smackin' going on over here! Yummy!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QtbF1NlkxQD-Urx2NfTQEZDXapD7WZlB4dA2W5uk2ux4MzSLlQ5dKift7v0Ws7-nw3AtdQ9Pupa0rO3Unpydys3CebQkCG9PKi66h7Wykx_mJ4jzOlOLH91iAsOtnJTQJEbPSDNDszw/s320/cake.jpg)
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