Summer Sports

This summer I have been running my girls to swim lessons and soccer camp almost every day. I feel like I have entered into a new chapter of my life, SOCCER MOM!! Both girls are having a lot of fun and I think it is great that they are getting a taste of some different sports to try. However, I have mixed emotions about starting kids in organized sports at such a young age (will they get tired of the sport by the time they enter middle school, what about accidents like a torn ACL, and other concerns). For now we are just having fun and I'm thrilled the girls are learning how to swim.

Notice that my oldest daughter still wears pink - even when playing soccer!

A or B ?

I have mentioned before that I really like purses! So, for the last couple of years I have been making my own purses, either sewing or felting them. Last week I purchased some fabric and used some "scraps" that I had in my sewing room, to create two purses. I used the same fabrics, but I switched them up a little. So, now I need your help to let me know which one you like the best.

On another note, I have to share some of the funny things my girls have said and done recently.

Monday i was running errands with my girls and I had to use the bathroom at a couple of different stops (yes, I went before I left). Anyway my oldest daughter says, "Mom, I think you should only drink TWO cups a coffee in the morning!"

When talking with our next door neighbor, my youngest daughter says, "Mr. Mark, why do you have your shirt off?" (He was doing yard work and it was warm). He explained that he was working on his base tan before he went away on vacation. The next thing I knew Olivia started hiking up her shirt and she said, "I'm taking off my shirt too!" I had to put a stop to that one.

Last night I noticed some "dirt" on Olivia's blanket, I asked what it was. She said, "It's just probably some boogers!"

Salsa Garden

Last week I mentioned about some domestic activity that is happening at our home. I have been inspired with all this jam sitting around to do some more canning this summer. The hard part is that living in suburbia, we don't have a garden. So, here is my pseudo-garden - three tomato plants and three different pepper plants. I'm excited to make salsa,using the recipe that I use to make with my girlfriends.

Here is the recipe for great salsa:
1 quart peeled & chopped tomatoes
1 medium chopped onion
1 medium chopped green pepper
4 hot chopped jalapeno peppers (according to your taste)
1 or 2 minced garlic cloves
1/2 cup white vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1/8 teaspoon each of oregano, cajon, pepper, cumin and cilantro

Cook until think 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Can for 30 minutes.

Just a little warning ,this process takes an entire evening. So, grab a couple of friends and a couple bags of tortilla chips!

17 Pounds

No, that isn't the amount of weight I lost last week, but the amount of strawberries that my girls and I picked. I have been feeling rather domestic, so I made five batches of strawberry jam (along with the help of my girls). Wait until you see what next weeks domestic inspiration creates! Stay tuned!!

Summer Break

Summer break is officially here! Which means I am back to my full time job of being a wife and a Mom. My first year back to teaching, after eight years, brought both tears and satisfaction. I felt like I had my rookie year all over again and this time I had a husband and girls that I also needed to balance, along with my teaching schedule. I realize that I am blessed to have this part-time teaching position that seems to work around my schedule with young children.

My husband and I did have a mini get-away last weekend, an overnight in Detroit, minus the girls. We spent some quality time shopping and going to a Tigers game. Note we were able to go up to the counter and purchase tickets 1/2 an hour before the game, since they aren't playing that great this year.

So, now we are into the swing of things and I have my summer-to-do list all ready to go.I am wired to get things done and it is frustrating / stressful for me when things are hanging over me. So, I am one who likes to cross things off the list and feel that sense of accomplishment. Hopefully the more I get accomplished this summer, the easier fall will be when school starts again. I'm also trying to balance out the list with some fun things!

This far I have accomplished these things on my list:
1. Organized the girls clothes.
2. Switched health care providers.
3. Updated Insurance policy.
4. Organized M.Bedroom closet
5. Delivered clothes / household items to be donated.

Still to do list:
1. Finish sewing project for a client.
2. Organize photos.
3. Figure out preschool / daycare for my youngest daughter.
4. Exercise (okay - lose weight)!
5. Organize my sewing room.
6. Paint picture frame.
7. Paint girls play cradle.
8. Read.
9. Work on a meal plan project.
10. Knit & Sew!
11. Scrapbook!

June 10, 1988

Yes - I wrote the correct date! 20 years ago today I graduated from high school. I can't believe it has been 20 years, in fact, it just hit me earlier today. For some reason, I thought it had been 19 years. Must be a sign of old age! The amazing thing is that my parents, my sister and myself all graduated from high school on June 10 (just different years). How cool is that?! Go Central Columbia Class of '88!!

The Graduate

Schools out for summer! I will be posting my summer to do list next week! Here is my oldest at her kindergarten graduation! The last song the class sang was "Kin-der-gar-ten" and it summed up the year with a bang, "time to go to 1st grade!"