in full swing - part one

Summer is in full swing here in the cul-de-sac. The kids have only been out of school two weeks and we have packed in so much already. My nine year old keeps saying, "this is the best summer ever". That's music to a mom's ears, makes you feel like just maybe you are doing something right for a change. But of course I know how quickly that can change! 

We always end the school year with an ice cream party, this year it was ice cream & swimming in the neighbors pool. Always a good time! Especially when we had visitors all the way from Utah come and spend the week back in the cul-de-sac! Oh,  how we have missed this sweet family !!

The cul-de-sac goes strawberry picking. 

Turned these babies into freezer jam, first time I've ever attempted that. Surprisingly simple and so very yummy!

Spent a lovely morning at the beautiful Hershey Gardens. 

Roses blooming everywhere, in every color imaginable. 

Summer,  I'm loving you so far. Could you hang around for awhile and please slow down! The days are just flying by!

the back breaking work of spring

Mulching, edging, trimming, weeding ..........does it ever stop? And we haven't even gotten around to the back yard yet! Anyone have a Tylenol? This does count as exercise right?  Yes, I know we have the most incredibly boring landscape in the front yard, way too much green! Future plans are to dig the bed out another five feet or so and connect it to the bed around the light post and add layers of colors. Just as soon as I regain the feeling in my arms and legs again, I'll get started on that!

Hopefully soon to be finished seating wall around the fire pit on a new patio! Can't wait to sit in front of the fire some evening eating s'mores. But for now it's back to weeding and mulching.

 

study session

2:50pm phone call from the teenager on the school bus- "Mom,  Erin is coming home with me we HAVE to study".

This is where they end up, fully clothed, in a boat without the paddles. Trying to keep their notes dry.

Surprisingly, they really were studying!

that darn dog

Strange things have been happening in my bedroom lately (get your mind out of the gutter girls). I am missing one sneaker, a pair of exercise pants and my favorite GAP pullover. These items have mysteriously disappeared in the last week. Is it possible that this 10 lb. pup is collecting things ????

Does he plan on dressing up in my clothes and making a break from the cul-de-sac?
I will get to the bottom of this!

this is not the cul-de-sac

It's North Philadelphia. A mere 90 minutes from my neighborhood but so vastly different! Sights like this really make you  realize how truly lucky you are. I am able to raise my children in a comfortable home, surrounded by the beauty of the countryside, in a good school district.......we are so fortunate! I can't imagine having to look at such neglect on a daily basis, what does it do to your psyche? Row after row of boarded up homes, so depressing.

 

An eye opener for the teenager, that's for sure.

 

 I really do love the city, just not the public urination as witnessed above!

There are such beautiful murals all over the city. These colors are fantastic. 

And in the heart of North Philly is a beautiful college campus. 

And greenery!

Nice to visit, great to be home!

open for business

Air temperature 76, water temperature 66! The boys in the cul-de-sac have officially christened the pool  for the Summer of 2011! Let the fun begin!

The water will have to warm up significantly before I jump in!! It is nice to see the pool uncovered for a change, I will have a much better view from the kitchen window now!

We have a watchdog on duty!

After school swims are the best!

greetings and randomness

Hi there, you hardly ever see pictures of me on this blog do you? I am either behind the camera or I hate the way I look in pictures. Sad but true, it's just easier to take the picture than to be in it. But of course I needed a picture on Mother's Day, just me and my kiddos and now the darn dog too.

I think the dog actually looks more like me than my kids do! We have similar hair color.

Don't they say that people end up looking like their pets?

What do you think? See the resemblance?

 I have a bone to pick with this puppy! He's eating my Berber carpet! Grrrrrrrr, not happy about that! It's not like we don't have a bunch of dog toys all over the floor for him to chew on! 

I believe he is saying "why do you let the kids do this to me?"

Oh look, another picture of me. That's me with a migraine. At least I had company, he never left my side. It's good to have friends!