The beach!!

Nate gets his cast off on Friday, so we spent the day at the beach today. I'm just not worried about sand ruining a cast 2 days before it comes off.

There's just something about the beach. The kids go far out into the pounding surf and I can't hear them whining. They drag buckets and shovels down the beach and I can't hear them fighting. They eat every scrap of food we take, and I can't hear them complaining that there are "no good snacks in the house". Anyone sensing a theme here?

It's nearly free, I can sit still and talk to adults or read for most of the day, AND as a total added bonus, (but maybe the best perk of all), they go to bed very nearly willingly because they are so exhausted from boogie boarding all day.

The downside? The never ending piles of sand all over the car and house. Hmm. . . I still think it's an excellent trade!

A boy and his sisters

Four down, one to go!

Mystery Solved

In our house, when something goes missing and doesn't turn up in the usual spots, the kids say it's in the "Lost and Gone Forever Hole".

Of course, we've always wondered where such a place exists, and today I found it. Should you lose something at my house, the "Lost and Gone Forever Hole" is in Ellie's bedroom. I knew I had hit paydirt when I found a brush, a book that had gone missing in the middle of me reading it, channel lock pliers, and all of the socks we thought had been eaten by the dryer.

Let me know if I can look for any of your stuff while I'm under her bed later today.

See me turning green

. . .with envy.

Laura is off for China on Sunday.
Lore is leaving for Europe this week.

What am I doing? Oh yeah, staying home.

Tyler's New Suit

Tyler is getting baptized on Saturday.

Size 8 body with size 6 legs makes suit shopping a little tricky!

He's just so cute!

Rebi uses her head

Not literally- no need to worry. There are no new injuries. . .

Rebi being 12, there is a lot of opportunity for her to babysit. She has several people who always call her first, and of course Dave is thrilled with the built in helper. However, I insist that we pay her. Sometimes, she chooses to not take the cash and go out to eat with one of us instead, or buy clothes, etc. So, we don't always hand her cash. In fact, if truth be told, Dave never actually pays her, nor does he keep a log. When I hire her, I keep track of what she is owed, or give her the $ when I get back. (It sounds more complicated than it is!)

Last night, Dave asked her to babysit while he took me on a date to the grocery store (try not to be jealous of my glamorous life!). Rebi asked him how long we would be gone. He told her and she requested the money up front. Yes, our business-savy girl is no longer babysitting "on credit" for her dad. She demanded payment up front! I can't stop laughing over it.

Hopefully he has enough cash for a real date soon. Considering the going rate around here, he may have to start saving his pennies!