Saturdays Everyday

In this bliss-filled stretch of Saturdays everyday, we found ourselves having the most glorious outside day. After an early morning fashion show put on by the kids, we went outside and stayed there until dinnertime. We played soccer, swung on the big swing, had a beach party on the grass, played catch, and the kids washed my car. After lunch we played in the monkey pool, raced dump trucks down the hill, and weeded the garden... well, okay, I weeded the garden. Mitchell managed to pull some out for me, and Lucy and Owen were "helping" in their own way. Somewhere in all the fun we enjoyed some ice cream and Popsicles too.

Can't get any better than that!

Wow. Today could not have been any more wonderful if it tried, and fitting I should think, that today should be so grand.

We had some definite heat here today--84 degrees--which is more than I can say for the entire summer season last year. Needless to say we spent the whole day outside. There was biking, rock collecting, grass mowing, plant watering, sand-castle building, and playing under the sprinkler. We topped it off with corn on the cob at dinner and an ice cream treat before bed.While I will post lots of photos from today, I should also share with you some recent achievements by various Rogers family members:

• Mitchell: Is gearing up for his first season of T-ball. His first game is tomorrow (Monday) night. He class has a field trip later this week too. He can, as of today, blow bubbles with bubble gum. A proud moment for sure!
• Owen: Can spell some 3-letter words. He can also write his first and last name very well, and Mommy. He is bumming that he is not old enough to play T-ball this year. He is, however, rocking out with some mad hula-hooping skills.
• Lucy: Steals Mommy's lawn chair quicker than you can blink. She can also sing a lovely rendition of "Take me out to the ballgame", including the household specific use of Cubbies in the appropriate place. She has wonderful expression as she sings, even as she sings herself to sleep from her crib. She will have a tough week this week, as she will be having her tonsils/adenoids taken out on Tuesday (we stocked up on multiple flavors of ice cream and Popsicles today).
• Daddy: Is back at work on the golf-course. He's frequently seen driving a tractor plowing the field behind our house in assistance for Farmer Ray down the road. He is also back into golf league season.
• Mommy: Going BATTY for many reasons, the agonizing pain in her shoulder being one of them. There are only 6.5 days left with schoolkids before summer break--so students are restless and there is MUCH to accomplish to wrap up the year. Thankfully, there are ONLY 6.5 days left with kids!!!! Did I say 6.5????

Baking Bonanza

Mitchell was down at Papa Denny's this morning. Owen, Lucy, and I began the day today baking. Lucy is now starting to "help" with different cooking projects. On the menu today was zucchini bread (no surprise) and a trial of a zucchini cheddar bread. Two zucchini, some stirring, and a few hours later we had 4 loaves of bread and 12 muffins! The maiden voyage of the zucchini cheddar bread definitely warrants a repeat. Very nice. Here are the bakers in action.

The rest of the pictures are from the last few days out and about in the yard.

Owen and his new "Dudes".

Lucy, modeling her "nee-help" as gifted from Jon and Linda. This is her word for helmet, as every time Owen wants to ride bikes, he needs help with his helmet. She loves wearing it, inside, outside, in the car...
She is carrying her most favorite monkey. Please note her shoes are on opposite feet by choice. She will purposely take them off the right feet and switch them (just this pair). It's usually only for the first 2 minutes she is outside, because then she ditches the shoes and runs away.









Lucy picking flowers and carrying her football. Yes, it's August and it was only 68 degrees with a breeze. We are really still wearing jackets. Maybe that will change here in the next few days... they are actually forecasting high 80s for Sunday.

Hoping for Health... or February... or whichever comes first.

Ok, January has totally kicked my biscuits.... and pretty much the whole family too. Lulu has essentially been sick all month... most recently with a fever this morning. Mitchell had one round of stomach flu, as did Owen. Owen is now recovering from a head cold. Ken has dealt with a few rounds of different germs, and while I outlasted everyone, I have been battling invaders of good health for the last week or so as well. I will be very ready for some health to come smiling in our door.

Despite various illnesses, life still trods on for the Rogers. Owen is still going to Preschool full days several days a week, and still stagnating with potty training. Mitchell, aka toothless wonder, is quite the reader. He brings home a new book from his class every week and proudly reads it to me.

And although it has been absolutely FRIGID this month, we have managed to get the boys out skiing once. Owen is eager for the chairlift, and Mitchell is cruising on his own as we go down the hill. I will post some pictures from one of the very few days we've actually been able to get the kids outside.















And even though Miss Lulu has been sick, she still has the sweetest of personalities. She is saying more every day, but pointing and chirping is still a favorite. She says "all done" and loves to say "oof oof" like the doggie.









On the work front, Ken is keeping busy with the ski patrol out at Caberfae. Most days he manages to stay vertical while on the hill. :)

I am treading water with my work. I got report cards out last week (no small feat)... I also managed to write part of a grant this week to bring an author to our school later this year. Cross your fingers on that for me. I'm sure we'll have more news to come...