Laminate STILL doesn't paint

This just had to be done.

No, thats not poop, its a leaf.

Look at the dimples!!!

Is this weird to anyone else?

Our crazy neighbors brought a baggie full of these beauties over (plastic doll heads),

and Lucy said "oh, I can paint them".

Funnest park EVER!

Cabin Johns park in Md. was over the top!

They had about 8 separate play areas, with varying skill levels and activities.

We went with friends on Monday, and it was my favorite day this year!

This little house was like a maze.

Check out these slides!

I even flew down them!

It was in a really dense section of Md (not like it isn't everywhere) but it was great to have shade all day!

And the best part, THE TRAIN!

This train ride was over 15 min. long, and was only 1.75!!

It went through the "deep dark woods", under bridges, past the park where he'd toot his whistle, and the kids come running to wave.

I think the kids liked it, but I had a BLAST!

Wow! Look at those faces! You'll have to take my word for it, it was a great journey.

The kids favorite part.

"Porky the littler eater", or as Andrea says, the Liberator (with his accent, that was the best we could make out!)

You put trash in his pie hole, and he gobbles it up.

We went nearly though a package of wipes filling this pig up!

This park was SO fun, and the kids and I have already decided to take dada back.

Before I begin, when we moved into our house, the landlord said

"don't paint anything. Its all original."

and

my husbands out of town.

So heres the before.

I wish you could see the size of the TV thats blocking your view on the left!

Its over 5 ft. tall!!

Anddddddd

Tada! So, I know I know.

The painted mantle. It was the same color as the walls, that oak panneling,

and I felt like if I was making an improvement on the home, it was ok.

(well see what crazy Robert thinks)

As for the TV, its history.

I found myself, nearly every night, just watching the boob tube.

I had a few things I wanted to get done, but night after night,

I'd find myself at 10 pm, having spent another evening doing NOTH-ING.

So, thank you Craigslist.

And I painted our laminate desk.

A. laminate doesn't paint

-even if you put polyurethane on it

B. Jeff said "babe, you've got to stop spending money on our house.

You're already into next months budget.

so, to explain the orange color

C. since I was not spending any money on home things, I had two choice of paint downstairs.

Pink or yellow. When you mix them, you get this.

Really, I needed a project for the afternoon, and since the desk already has a few rubs where the paint was scraped off, I'm sure the orange color won't last for long.

( I just hope it makes it in time for jeff to come home tonight. )

3's company

Sit down, and make yourself comfortable! This post is a doozy.

The kiddies and I headed to Oxon Hill Farm, where we fed chickens,

cleaned out the rocks from our shoes (LUCY!!! About a BILLION TIMES), Fed the gees,

went to the bathroom (LUCY!!! About a BILLION TIMES), Fed the ducks, pigs,

combed the cows and strolled with the horses.

They were all so scared to stand on this hay.

I'm a bit afraid I've raised 3 city slickers.

I think had it been an option, my children would rather have eaten the corn, then tossed it.

Next time we'll know.

Alexandria.

The weather has just been SPLENDID, so we headed to Old Town Alexandria,

with the BG's (Baltz Girls)

This first picture begins the whirlwind romance or courtship of Henry for Brooklyn's love.

The story follows...

Trying to tempt her with forbidden foods

And end with Henry giving up. Throwing his worries at the wind.

We strolled around King street, per usual, and made our traditional stop at Candys Candies.

Delightful I tell you.

Seeing this picture makes me so sad to know time is going on,

and my babies are getting older and bigger. Oh how I'll miss these days.

Friday night, where the party began!!!

Nestled under the Key bridge, on the edge of Georgetown, resting on the Potomac,

you'll find this beauty. Jack's Boathouse.

Jeff has some people from work, the fellows,

just visiting from out of town. This weekends activity was kayaking on the Potomac. (Last week was the bike ride, see previous posts)

I could not believe this place! The location, colors, weather, decor...just perfect!

Not surprising was the fact that Henry made friends quickly.

This was helpful for the reason being that both Jeff and I went out on the water.

If you'll indulge me, one more story, as told by Hank.

It all began when the huckleberries fell from the trees, and needed some cleaning up.

Henry waisted no time, but was mindful of others, and warned them to stay back, while the cleaning got done.

While Scott made sure under the tables were spick and span, Hank valiantly scraped and scrubbed where people may step.

Being certain no spot was left un cleansed.

Not long after they began, a common consensus was reached, that they had once again made that deck shine. All in a days work my good boys! Well done!

(Let me tell you Scott was NOT pleased with his extra helping hand. Let me remind you Scott you were once a young pup yourself!)

And the credit goes to these sweeties. They are SO so so good wherever we go, and were delighted to hang around the food table, people watching and snacking!

Jeff and a few of the fellows. Since his office has maximum security (sounds like a prison, I guess for him it is) there is no chance of me squeezing in a peek of him there, so this is as close as I'll get, and its a treat!

Love love love the multi colored andorak chairs

that put a punch of color into this beautiful scene.

Such a slice of heaven!

Looks like I even made some time for some pre-kayaking stretches.

Always thinking ahead.

And I'm off.

I cannot tell you the joy that was had during my time on the water!

I'm not sure that anything else could have made me happier.

Once I got away from the dock, I made my way to an island.

While getting there, it was So peaceful, quiet, still,

almost as if I'd put the world on the slow motion.

Several times I just had to stop stroking, and ask myself if it was a dream.

It really was unreal,

and I've not experienced anything like it since having kids. (I guess its the feeling of release, or freedom, or maybe it just took me back to Australia, which is where I last Kayaked,

before I had kids)

Not sure what it was, but I only wish Jeff was there to share it with.

He did get a turn, but we weren't together.

It has been on my top 10 things to do in DC, Kayak on the Potomac,

and it did NOT disappoint!

And as if that were not enough, I got back to our table, and voila. This beauty appeared!

It was such a magical night.

Thanks Jacks. You've got a costumer for life.

7 minutes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVxsjRRpWxg

7 min. of your life that will be so well spent!

Enjoy!

18.2 miles and record heat

Well, here you have it. With record breaking heat, we've got kids dressing for snow.

I'll clap to that.

My dreams come true.

The Sanders were in town,

which allowed Jeff and I to ride from Alexandria to Mt. Vernon, 18.2 miles.

I hate to say it again, but the weather, trail and company were just perfect.

A big thank you to the Sanders. It was such a joyous break from my darling children.

Joking with Jeff I said this picture looks like a dare with some friends.

I just imagined "Jackie, I'll pay you to go sit by that guy with the helmet and glasses"

Babe, I'd sit by you any day!!

Now Charlie, I'm not entirely to blame.

Dear aunt Audrey brought dress ups, but just for girls.

I must say you make the cutest princess I've ever seen.

Charlie said the cutes thing the other day.

While driving, we had the windows down.

Charlie says, with his mouth open toward the window, "hey mama, I'm eating the wind"

Seriously cannot get enough of this squishy kid.

This is my favorite picture of the year!

I feel like it shows off each one of their personalities so well.

Lucy, her attention/obsession with detail, cleanliness and exactness.

Henry, his wild, free spirited, energetic, chaotic craziness.

And Charlie, his time consuming leisure, laziness, precision and concern.

Lucy has been taking dance from our community center.

I always said I WOULD have a soccer player, but looks like Lucy has something else in mind.

She has LOVED dance, and I can't wait to get her in more classes.

Lucys big day.

Her dance recital. She was so excited to sit up there, by her self,

and she did fantastic!

Luce in action. 5 from the left.

She did really good, and since she loves to sing, was even singing as she danced.

Way to go our darling Luce.

Some of my favorite things she's been saying

during prayers, she'll say she's grateful that we have good food not junk food,

that we're thankful we have enough money.

Words she says her own way

eachgether - each other

blooderfulys- butterflies

sunscream- sunscrean

Heres the before...

And after!

Makes me so sad to see this darling boy grow up.

We've decided he's much more of a Hank then Henry, so move over buddy,

there is a new boy in town!

Henrys been doing great with signing.

He loves to do "more", "airplane" (which he LOVES to spot), "milk" and "stinky"

Love you hunkie Hank!