The Love Seat

Hey Annell does this bring back memories?  Oh yes, the love seat.  I must say my Mom and Dad knew how to "help" us get a long.  The idea is genius really.  Although I didn't think so at the time, just like my boys don't think it's so great now.  When we were kids and we would have those days that we just couldn't stop fighting with each other, Mom and Dad would stick us in "the chair" together ,make us hold hands and have us watch "Where there's a Will, there's an A"  If you've never heard of these movies, the Bailey children will all tell you they are the most boring video's ever recorded in human history.  However, I don't dare have the Armstrong boys watch them, for fear that Race will actually LIKE them.  And I just can't bring myself to relive the torture!

So now Race and Witt have experienced "the love seat"...and they got so mad at me when I had the nerve to take a picture of it too!  And yes, it really works for them, by the time they're done, they're tickling each other and making each other laugh.  Thanks Mom and Dad, you really did know so much even though at the time I didn't think so.

Thinking back now, I don't think Tyrrell and Annell EVER sat in the chair together.  It was either Annell and I, or Tyrrell and I.  Yes I know I can hear you know Mom, "Poor Teddy, she was the poorest one."    It's kind of funny the things you take with you from your childhood and use in your own home.  I love you Mom and Dad!

I didn't shoot the window Mom!

Sometimes being sick just isn't any fun.  Well...really when is it any fun?  The boys were sick last week and Race's turned into walking pneumonia.  He's such a trooper.  Anyway, on this particular day, they were not allowed to go outside because they were both running fevers.  So, apparently Witt's interpretation of the rule is that the back porch is considered part of "inside".  So he convinced Race (who is a stickler usually at following the rules)  that sitting out on the back porch and shooting dog food at the neighbor's house with their crossbows was still following Mom's rule.  He even tried to get me to see the logic behind it.  I think they were just sick of being sick.  Here's some pictures before I made them get back inside because "the back porch is not considered "inside" Witten and we don't shoot the neighbor's house Witten".  And his answer was..."I didn't shoot the window Mom so it's fine."

Smiling Soccer Kid

Race had his first soccer game of the season on Saturday.  It was so fun because he played Jadon's team (his little friend who he's been playing with since they were crawling). 

Race loves soccer.  He is so happy to be out on the field; he just runs around with a smile on his face.  My happy kid, he runs pretty fast too! 

He took a face dive into the grass 2 minutes into the game and came up with a bloody mouth!  He had knocked a tooth loose (thank goodness it was a baby tooth).  I was so proud of him because he handled it so well (and I did too); he kept playing.

  What I love so much about him is his loving spirit; even out on the soccer field.  He's so kind to others and concerned when others get hurt.  He's just having fun being a part of something and loving life!  Go Sharks!

Ol' Pioneer

There's nothing like opening up a jar of peaches in January and tasting the hard work of September.  Gotta love it.  Thanks Becky for being my canning mentor for the last 3 years! 

And yes, here's the famous home-made laundry detergent I'm so in love with.  My wonderful sister introduced me to it.  You save a TON of money  for soap that works great.  It costs you about $10 a year, depending on the size of your family.  No lie; check it out!  You can also make it in powder form with basically the same ingredients;  whatever your preference is.   You'll never go back once you try it! 

And here's my other favorite!  My solar oven John bought me for my birthday last year.  We've enjoyed a summer of banana and zucchini bread without heating up the house or using any propane!  I've also done soup, baked potatoes, and chicken. 

Happy Birthday Lane!

I can't believe my baby's 1!  I think this year was the fastest year yet.  What a sweet little boy he is;  he's such a blessing to our family.  We love you little man.

Lane loved helping to make his cake.  He's never gotten to lick the spoon before...and boy did he love it!

He thought everybody was being silly standing around singing to a cake on fire.  Crazy family. 

And yes...he loved his cake.

He had a perfect little day.