Al Fresco

We did something tonight that we haven't done in a long time.

It was a little bit risky.  It was something we used to do all the time.  It didn't involve much clothing.

We even let the kids join us.

We finally got to eat our dinner outside on the deck!

No long sleeves, not coats, not hats, mittens or snow pants.  Boots were still involved, but boots are a staple of our clothing at the farm.  

It was amazing!

It was one of those glorious days where the temperature was perfect, the sunshine was so very welcome, and being outside was truly a joy.  The kids played outside all day, which made me VERY happy because I had forgotten how clean my house can stay when NO ONE IS INSIDE ALL DAY!  Woo-hoo!  I did a few chores with limited interruption, was able to start a few projects as well as enjoy a little time outside.  Hooray!

I could really get used to this.

The only drawback of the day?  An annoying woodpecker pecking the side of our house waking us up early!   As Maggie said, "Yeah, that woodpecker kept me up ALL morning!"  He sure did make sleeping difficult, and I am afraid he may have done some damage to our  lovely exterior.  Obviously, he couldn't damage the look of the house, but I do think he managed to put a good hole in the insulbrick.    Of course, it had to be on the side of the house where reaching the 2nd floor  is all but impossible without some sort of bucket truck.  I have a feeling he'll be visiting us again tomorrow morning and then my day will include a trip to Agway to see if I can buy one of those silly plastic owls to hang out of Maggie's window in the hopes of scaring the woodpecker away.  The frustrating part is that it's not like we aren't surrounded with 20 acres of woods, some of which we specifically avoided timbering so that we could provide an ecosystem for the variety of animals already in residence on our property.  We have on tree in particular that we've seen many redheaded woodpeckers utilize but not this guy.  

It looks like tomorrow will shape up to be very similar to today.  I can't wait.  I'm hoping Erik will have time to finish this big hole he started to dig in the back yard.  Details regarding the hole to come soon!

Random Summer Moments

Maggie got her ears pierced!  She was so very brave.  She sat on my lap and I hugged her tight as the ladies pierced both ears at once.  Her beautiful pink flower earrings are a source of great pride now!

She couldn't resist showing off her red tongue from the TWO lollipops she was given for being such a brave girl.
Photos of the kids playing at my Papa's pool earlier in the month.


Poor Maggie was trying hard to keep up with the boys.  They had ganged up against her but she held her own.  



Ooops- they finally got rid of her.  Look how she's getting ready to cry and tattle on them.


This smile is one of, "Ha ha - my momma says you have to let me play too!"  
My dad got the kids this blow up slip n slide and they really enjoyed it.  Chris & Walker were a little too brave with their "sliding" but they had a super-terrific time.  All of the kids tried it out and had so much fun.  Walker could be heard saying many times, "This is the best present Pop ever got me!"





Erik lets will take a turn.  He didn't stay as steady.

Going . . .
Going . . .

Gone! 
Still sliding . . .
SPLASH!
Chris gets a turn too!  Chris started the daredevil antics of jumping up HIGH before sliding down.  He taught Walker to get a little too high, but they had a blast and it was a lot of fun to watch them.





Livvy Lou!  This is my niece, Olivia.  She is so funny.  She is about two and a half years old and cracks me up.  My favorite thing to have her do is to get her to say "grandfather".  A few weeks ago, we were playing and she was pretending to talk on the phone.  I said, "Liv,  who are you talking to? "  She says, "My Dam-fodder."  I started to laugh thinking that maybe my sister and brother in law were having some tiffs lately and Liv over heard Katie referring to my brother in law as "your damn father."  But, I got reprimanded by my sister for having my mind in the gutter when she looked at me and stressed, "Olivia is talking to her GRANDFATHER!"   I still like to play house and I tell Olivia to answer the phone:  

Me:  "Liv!  Pretend the phone is ringing and it's your grandfather."  

Olivia:  "O-tay"

Me:  "ring ring"

Olivia:  "Heddo"

Me:  "Liv?  Who is on the phone?"

Olivia:  "My dam-fodder."

Me:  snicker, snicker, snort, snort as I laugh childishly.

As the days FINALLY have gotten hot, summer is winding down and I looked back over the photos and realized we did a lot - even though it didn't seem like it.