Waterslide fun!

I am STILL trying to get caught up on blogging. So, here we go!

We were able to buy a small playset for the backyard this summer.  The kids LOVE climbing on it and the parents love hanging out in the yard, watching them have fun.  Anyway, where I saw a playset, Greg saw more.  He saw a water playland.  A little PVC pipe and the hose and BAM!  Instawaterslide.

Let's Go Fly a Kite

 We are still working on our Summer Bucket List (which I feel will likely become our Autumn Bucket List soon) and one of the most highly anticipated items listed was "Fly a Kite".  Lil G has been asking for weeks to fly a kite.  Well, we finally had a perfect day for it last Saturday- not too windy, nor too hot.  So, we all headed out to the park for some kite-flying fun.

It took Lil G a bit to get the hang of flying the kite.  But, eventually, he got it.  Daddy showed him how to tug on the string to make the kite soar higher and higher.

Smunchie wasn't able to fly the kite but she did enjoy watching her big brother run about and keep it high in the air.  

 He got pretty good at keeping the kite aloft, no matter his position!

 Smunchie, clapping for the kite (and Lil G!)

Circus Camp 2013

 We are very blessed in that, because of where we live, there are opportunities for our kids to experience new activities.  One of those happened last week.  Lil G participated in Circus Camp, through the local college.  He practiced all kinds of circus moves for three days and then, he and his circus friends put on a show for all the parents.  He had a blast learning all of the tricks of the trade and was super excited to show us all what he had learned.

 Here is Lil G posing with his circus camp class, including one of his best little buddies, "J".

 One of the things they learned at camp was to "Smile and Style".

Lil G was pretty good at both of those!

 At the beginning of the performance, the kids all did a parade.  Apparently, Lil G decided to dress as an Astronaut....with a bone necklace.

 One of Lil G's favorite activities- the Pedalo.

After camp, Lil G was one of two kids asked to interview on camera for the local news!!  The director said that she picked him because she "knew he would talk on camera".  The news did not end up using his interview (probably because he was talking about liking basketball, instead of talking about camp) but it was awesome that he got to experience a real live interview.

Summer Vacation

Earlier this summer, we took a family vacation to the Wisconsin Dells.  It was delightful!  We love going there, for the waterparks and the convenience (we always eat in our condo and walk to the parks several times a day).

Lil G had a terrific time, going up and down the slides again and again.  Smunchie was contented to play in the shallows or ride on the lazy river.  She did give her mama and dada some mild heart attacks by standing up in the raft all the time!

 On the way home, we stopped at one of our favorite places- Ella's Deli!  We love the food, the decor and of course, the carousel!  Smunchie enjoyed her first carousel ride and she and Lil G LOVED growling at dada each time they circled around.

Recipe #1: Electic Green Popsicles

I've noticed recently that I have been trying lots of new recipes.  We're trying to eat healthier and as a result, new stuff has been finding it's way to our tables.  Anyway, I thought that I could share some of the recipes with you, much like my friend Tracy does on her awesome blog.  My goal right now is to try 25 new recipes before the end of the year and let you know our takes on them. 


First recipe on the review board: Electric Green Popsicles

Popsicles are fun.  They are fun on a stick, really.  And, most of the time, they are loaded with sugar, corn syrup and a miriad of other nasties.  Even the whole fruit ones typically have added sugar.  So, I wanted to find a tasty treat that would be refreshing, healthy, and most of all, delicious.  What could be healthier than veggie popsicles?

Here's the recipe I used, adapted from the recipe on Eco Child's Play.

Electric Green Popsicles- yield: 8 Popsicles with a bit to spare

Ingredients:

3 ripe bananas

1 medium pineapple (I used one cup of peaches)

2 cups spinach

Water (I used 1 cup of milk)

Blend until smooth and pour into molds. Freeze, then devour.

These were slightly bland for my taste but the manchild loved them.  If I were to do it again, I think that I would use pineapple in them, to give them a little "zing".  The pretty green color is appealing (reminiscent of lime popsicles).  While I am tempted to increase the spinach in them, I don't know that brown popsicles would be eaten with such vigor. Overall though, we'll make these again.  Lil G was pretty excited when I told him that he could have a popsicle for breakfast tomorrow :-)

Sunday Funday

 This was just a typical Sunday, where Lil G decided to ride his bike and car in the alley behind our house.  He is so thrilled with the warmer weather!

"Look mama!  It's my Nemo shirt" (aka- his orange and white shirt).

 "Bye mama!  I going to work!"

Snuggly Smunchie <3

 Lil G still cannot quite reach the pedals on his big wheel. Thus, he cruises down the driveway and pushes it back up, to go again!