it's the end of the summer as I know it

card from here.
I am back to work Monday, tho we are furloughed until Wednesday. So much to do with opening a new school. It never all gets done, but the important things {like putting up Cat in the Hat magnets from Target's $1 bin} get accomplished.

....love lavender. I don't know why I hadn't thought of this before..Paul had dried some lavender and then boiled it in a kettle. The smell was wonderful throughout our abode,,ahhh we can let summertime linger

{the lanterns were only out for Paul's birthday movie night... & again forgot to turn them on}

easy as pie...or cake

Try this real simple & yummy ice cream sandwich cake that looks cool when served. The original recipe can be found here... I just tweaked it a little. It also can feed many people, which is not good when you just make it for a family of 4. =) I used Blue Bunny sandwiches.

Ice Cream Sandwich Layer Cake

Take
1 tub (8 oz.) Cool Whip Whipped Topping, thawed
1 tub Cool Whip chocolate topping, thawed
8 Mint Oreo Cookies, chopped (about 1 cup)
12 vanilla ice cream sandwiches

Stir in chopped Oreos into the chocolate Cool Whip.

Place 4 ice cream sandwiches, side-by-side, on 24-inch-long piece of foil. Top with lots of the the Oreo/Cool whip mixture. Repeat with the sandwiches and Oreo/Cool whip mixture. Top with remaining 4 sandwiches. Press down on the cake just a little bit. Frost top and sides with Cool Whip. Bring up foil sides; double fold top and ends to loosely seal. Crumple an Oreo on top {you will not use all the cool whip, save for garnishing later}

Freeze for 4 hours.

Slice and enjoy!

this is great.. by Edina Tokodi

reminds me I would love another skip day with Paul... just not the so chilly outside part..but everything else

zoo

so like her mommy...

ROAR!!!!!

our second playdate at the zoo was fun with Addi, Ethan, Leah {& their mommies} & the MITs....6 hours flew by quickly. Our lil animals had a good time laughing at the animals, feeding birds, eating icees, riding the train, petting the goats, and being tour guides! To the children's museum next week.

the end

an apple a day...

the southern way

I have been eating such yummy fruit! I cannot recall eating yellow watermelon before this past weekend. Paul & I were doing taste tests with Bryce who declared he only liked red watermelon. I could tell a slight difference. My faves are berries...really I don't like peaches so much. I have been wanting to go blueberry pickin at a local organic farm, but this heat & thunderstorms have other ideas. mmmm

hooray for Harry tomorrow night! Girls' nights are essential, I do believe. can't wait!

90...

here are more pictures from Michigan ...







I just wish these times weren't so far between. But wedding bells are ringing in the future, so we'll have more excuses.
my Grandpa teared up after we sang to him,,,then he gave a speech thanking us all

cheers!

Ashley, my sister-someday soon-in the future-to-be & me

This was the first time some of our family got to see the newest little ones....

Jax found someone he knows.

more cousins...

my Avery playing in the grass

Now my mind is on moving into my new classroom...lots to do. But first up swimming in my parent's pool finally this summer

time flies

when you are making s'mores

...our trip to Michigan went by too fast. We had such a awesome time being in the same place with everyone. Our Grandpa's loved his 90th party...we just partied nonstop all weekend =) The weather was perfect, the stomach bug finally stopped, and we had an uneventful pane ride!

bbfcousins in the making!

isn't that sand crazy!

I was the featured artist on HATCH's online shop.

You can take a peek here. I wish I could go visit the gallery in person and let my kiddos attend the kids art camp. If you live near Lancaster, PA you are in luck! ..Look what they have been doing.

Where is summer going?? Is it really July? Well yes the a/c says! Looking forward to fireworks and concert this weekend. Hope the weather cooperates for everyone's plans!