A Brand New Smile

This morning Pumpkin looked like this


The orthodontist worked his magic with a pliers-like apparatus and the braces were on the tray. It was like magic.

Here is the bright new smile!


He keeps licking his teeth and I keep looking at him wondering how he got so old so fast! He gets his retainers next week. He'll have to wear them at night. This was the worst part of the day. Those impressions are yucky. I was teasing him that is was like Play-Doh when you squirt it to make hair.


We are loving the new look. He is thrilled to have this great smile just in time for school.

Mixing it up for Church

Yesterday the forecast was ugly. We were supposed to heat up to 100 and the heat index was even higher. The Big Guy wanted to go for a bike ride. The only way to do that was to get up and go early in the morning. Peanut spent the night at a friend's house. We knew he'd be tired in the morning. So, we decided to just hang out and go to mass on Sunday night. We have never done that before - recently. I remember growing up there was a Sunday night mass that I ended up going to with my sisters. Most churches have long since done away with Sunday nights.

Anyway, we went to a nearby church. It is not our official parish church. They just started this mass about a year ago. It is labeled as contemporary. WOW! It was wonderful. There was lots of music mixing classic music with newer music. The priest was very energetic. It was a refreshing experience. We ended up knowing quite a few people in the congregation. It seems like the word is out. I could get used to going there. We are going to try it a few more weekends to see how it fits into the routine. It may be the perfect way to start the new week with mass and dinner on Sunday evening.

The recessional hymn was a new age song saying "go make a difference." It was just what I need to hear. I struggle with where/how I make a difference. I think that is one of the biggest challenges as a SAHM. The song brought it back to me that I make a difference every day in many ways, some may be small and some may go unnoticed.

Precious Peaceful Baby

This is what it is ALL about.

May we all share some of this little girl's peace!

My niece and husband are just soaking it all in.

Summer Sewing

Our trip to the fabric store yesterday resulted in the boys picking out fabric to make pajama shorts. They were great helpers today. I can't believe we got them finished! They were too chicken to do the actual sewing on the sewing machine - too afraid they would mess them up. They did not want cut the fabric for the same reason. I am going to have to work on them:)

Here are the boys modeling the bumblebee shorts and the Mickey shorts




Next week we are going to have to work on getting these two a tan!

Mind Wanderings

It has been more than a week since my last post. I've thought about posting some things - just haven't done it. I've enjoyed my Mac time stopping in reading other blogs. These lazy days of summer are free form and are getting away from me!

We had a great weekend in Nashville at a swim meet. It was just Pumpkin and me. It was nice to enjoy time with just him. I loved watching him swim and marveled at his dedication to swim lap after lap. Swimming wraps up on Saturday and we will have a two week break. Peanut is thinking he might want to swim year-round. We'll see how that works out.

While we were away, the Big Guy and Peanut hung out at home. They were savors to the puppy dog who did not have to be kenneled. Buddy followed them around everywhere they went. The best was - The Big Guy did the ironing for this week and he cleaned the house. It was great to come home to sparkling bathroom, folded laundry, and all the rest. I need to go away more often:))

My project list is growing. While in Nashville, we stayed very close to this LYS. One afternoon I stumbled in. I am very intrigued with Flat Feet and have added that to my wish list. It is such a creative concept. I did not leave the store empty handed. I bought two different sock yarns. Yarn is gorgeous. Can you ever have too much? I am still working on the mate for my first pair of socks. I don't think I will be needing the Flat Feet yarn any time soon.

It has been so hot here. I feel like I have let my kids down on the activity front. They get to watch TV, play XBox and just hang out. I do insist on reading each day. The past couple days we have pulled out the board games. We have not even ventured to the pool too much. I just feel like I haven't given it my all. It took me a few days to realize that they are doing what they want. They just don't need all the supervised play that they used to require.

Today I decided to change it up. I needed to go to the fabric store as I do have some sewing on my project list. I baited them by asking if they'd like to make something. So, they are going to make pajama shorts. We'll see how that goes. I think we will start cutting tomorrow. One is using a black and gold striped fleece and the one is using Mickey Mouse flannel. If the shorts do resemble shorts, this will be a little memory from the summer.

Of course, I have been reading my books! We listened to a book on tape to Nashville. It was one Pumpkin picked out and it was a bit boring. I am still enjoying the Evanovich series reading about the adventures of the Stephanie Plum, the bounty hunter.

I hope to post a few more entries in the next couple days. We'll see how that goes. I might not be able to focus on just one thing!!!!

Prayers...Answered

My niece and husband gave birth to a baby girl yesterday afternoon! Mother and baby are doing great:) We are so happy for them. They have been through so much in this past year. It is nice to see smiles with a healthy baby girl in their arms.

I love the saying, "God danced the day you were born." We are thankful God did a little jig yesterday blessing them with a healthy little girl!

Started Something...

This summer I have been over the top in the reading department. Once I get so far into a book, there is no stopping me. I rationalize the need to read throughout the day squeezing in just a few more pages with each free moment. Reading is a good thing, but I have to gain control! The stack of magazines to be read is climbing toward the ceiling. I won't even mention my needlepoint or knitting. They don't get the time of day when there is a book to be read...

Last night I finished the book, One for the Money, by Janet Evanovich.

I grabbed the photo from her website. Let me just tell you how much I enjoyed this book. Her works appear on the NY Times bestseller list. I know lots of folks have read her. If you haven't, give it a shot. My sister's friend, Stacey, told me about this series. I decided to give it a read. This is the first book in a series of fourteen. The main character is Stephanie Plum. It is a mystery with humor and a bit of romance. I can't wait to see what happens to Ms. Plum in the subsequent books. Hence, my dilemma. I have a hundred other things to do. And, I want to go to the library and start reading Two For the Dough. Can I blame Stacey for telling me about this series?? I am challenging myself to give it the weekend. I know my family would appreciate seeing my face and not my face in a book!

I have started something - a book series that is pure entertainment. I just hope I can continue in moderation. This summer is flying by way too fast and I have so many other projects to start!

My Treat

Picture copied from this site http://www.nailpolishdiva.com/NLL60_opi_nail_polish.htm

Peanut was at a friend's house. Pumpkin and I finished all our errands. I realized I had time to squeeze in a treat for me! I headed for the salon and ordered up a pedicure. My toes are very grateful:))

This color makes me smile. It is a bit iridescent, something I don't normally choose. I figured it is summer and to have some fun.
The little girl sitting next me at the dryer got blue fingernails. I was not that brave!

Who said you can't have tulips in the middle of summer?

Summer Vacation to Cincinnati

It has been a long time since we have vacationed in Cincinnati. I was born and raised there living in the same house until I went away to college. My mom still lives in that house. We stayed there. It was great to stay for so many days and get the chance to hang out with family.

We arrived very late Friday night pushing ourselves to get there for the Great Ohio River swim. My son and niece were going to swim the 1/2 mile across the river and back. It would have been their first open water experience. Unfortunately, the swim was cancelled do to high bacteria levels and large amounts of debris in the river. It stormed the few days before and churned up the water. This is as close to the water as they got!

The swim was scheduled to be held in conjunction with the Paddlefest. Wow! There were lots of kayaks on the river. It looked like fun and I filed it away as on option to do in the future.

We all walked across a pedestrian bridge to Newport. It was windy and you could really see the trees aka debris in the river. Pumpkin saw the buoy he would have swam around. His eyes bulged a bit and he commented that it looked farther than he thought.

My sister, Gina, had a 4th of July party on Sunday, 6/29. There were lots of people, kids and food. The party was fun. I enjoyed the chance to meet the people she routinely talks about on the phone. And, I got to hang out with my family.

We convinced my mom to let us pull the paint out. We painted the bathroom she uses on the first floor. It was the least we could do. It did not take too much time to put the two coats on. It is a small bathroom and required some dancing around each other as we painted.

The boys and my brother, Rick, went golfing one afternoon on an executive course. It was raining pretty good as they drove to the course. Miraculously, the skies cleared and they had a wonderful time. Their uncle knows how to make them happy. The first thing I heard when I saw them was that 10 year old Peanut got to drive the golf cart. I wish I had a picture to show. Gotta love it! While they were golfing, my sister-in-law, Joyce, and I got lost in IKEA. There is a new one in West Chester. I had not been in one for a very long time. It was amazing. I bought some lamps, fabric, candlesticks and some yummy cookies. It was so much fun to look at everything and to spend the time with Joyce.

Inspired by the Paddlefest, we rented kayaks and did six miles on the Little Miami River. The weather was perfect. The skies were blue with puffy white clouds. It was warm enough that you did not mind the splashes of the cool river water. We each got our own kayaks. I loved it! I am all for buying our own, adding the rack to the car, and exploring via kayaking. Towards the end, the boys hopped in the water and played around. I did not even think of bringing a change of clothes. They were a bit cold riding home in the car. We all slept great that night!

I only had my cell phone with me. The battery was about out. Unfortunately, I did not get any better pictures:(

We hung out at the Evendale Rec Center one day. I thought I covered my white skin with sunscreen. I obviously missed some spots and am now sporting a not-so-fancy tan line. It looks like it may even peel. We reached a milestone as the boys entertained themselves in the pool. It was nice to just hang out and talk to my sister and niece.

I got to shop at Jungle Jim's. This amazing complex started as just a fruit stand in 1974. It is a highlight for me to go wander the aisles. I always tell my family they can be happy we don't live close as they would be subjected to trying lots of different foods. We bought a few things for the 4th of July family picnic.

Our nephews celebrated their birthdays. The party was supposed to be a swim party. But, the weather did not cooperate. It became a big play date at my sister's house. They played bingo, wordsearch and competed for putting, hitting and throwing the farthest. The boys all seemed to enjoy themselves. I loved helping my sister and getting to know the kids her boys play with.


The weather was not the best on the 4th. Instead of hanging out at the pool, we opted for the movies. We went to see WALL E. It got so much good hype and I had very high expectations. It is a wonderful movie, but was bit slow in parts. There is so much deep meaning. We could watch it again and again to get more out of it. The creativity is wonderful and it does try to entertain all ages. We had quite a group at the movies. That was fun! I don't ever remember going to the movies with that many family members.

To end the visit, we celebrated the 4th with a BarBQ at my sister, Rita's. I made the Chopped Layered Salad from the cookbook Simply Salads by Jennifer Chandler. My mom's trifle bowl was just big enough. The recipe makes lots. I can't wait to make it again here at home. It would be great to make and eat off of all week long!


We brought Buddy with us. He is a wonderful traveler. Growing up, we had a little poodle mutt named Cinder. She lived for 17 years. My parents never got another dog. I just could not believe how much companionship Buddy brought my mother. She has lived alone in the house since my dad passed away twelve years ago. She talked to the dog constantly. I was worried because he is a big dog and she is a petite older lady. It was as if Buddy knew. He was great with her. I told her she should get a dog, but she is afraid of tripping over a small dog and feels she can't exercise a big dog. I did five minutes of research on the computer and found out there are companion dogs for the elderly. I need to explore that more. I just think a dog may bring more happiness into her life.

We had a wonderful visit. The only regret I have is not calling some old friends. Each time I head that way, I have good intentions. But, then I don't follow through. I did think about lots of them. Please forgive me-again-for not calling. One day I just may surprise you when you pick up the phone!

Here's to a great trip to Cincinnati!