MJ's Birthday

I cannot believe my baby has turned 8! She is growing too fast. We had a pretty quiet birthday since the party was earlier in the week. Hopefully she still had a good birthday though. She seemed too. 

 

She wanted a simple chocolate cake with Almond Joy frosting. 

 The next week she went to basketball camp. She was super excited when she brought home the flier and so RB and I didn't hesitate to sign her up. We did have tears the first day when I dropped her off at the High School. She was REALLY nervous and shy. Luckily she had a classmate show up and together they went to shoot some baskets. By the end of the third day she didn't want to leave! She had so much fun and her skills really improved. She got this shirt, a mini basketball, and a drawstring bag. She loves them!

Happy Birthday MJ! We love you!

Mini Fireworks Show

RB is working at a Fireworks stand this summer to bring in a little extra money. Because of this, he is aware of what all the fireworks do and which ones would look cool together. So that is what he did. When we got home from my parents home we had a mini fireworks show. It was really fun. We are going to do it again on the 23rd and invite tons of people. I can't wait. Here are some pictures of our mini show.

Buddy got scared after the first one and went inside to watch. 

He came out for a little bit and then went back inside. 

Thanks RB for the good show!

Birthday Party

We have never really had a birthday party for the girls. We have had family and close friends over as an excuse to BBQ and smoke, but never an actual birthday party. So this year we went all out. Okay not really. We made invitations and delivered them a week before. Then the day before we made lip gloss as a party favor. The girls loved doing it. 

Step 1: Get Vaseline out of jar.

Step 2: Heat it in the microwave so it is soft but not a liquid.

Step 3: Stir in Kool-Aid packet for the flavoring.

Step 4: Put mixture in small containers to give away.

The next day we had the party. It was a water party. We turned on the one corner sprinkler system, we had a slip-n-slide, and then we borrowed a pool. They had a good time playing in the water.

Next, we did the water sling-shot. This went better than I thought. So I was happy. 

After, we did the pinata. Only five kids got to do it because one kid really whacked it and then the kids were too excited about the candy. 

Next came the presents and then lastly we decorated cupcakes. We bought Pink Lemonade frosting that was absolutely DELICIOUS! It was the one almost everybody wanted. Only three wanted Almond Joy frosting. 

Lil's crazy cupcake.

Once most of the kids left Buddy woke up and went and played. He was shy but had fun.

One of the gift the girls got were these grow things. They are supposed to grow 600% bigger. Well I'm not sure that happened but the girls like watching them. Once out of the water they shrink again and then you can do it over and over again. This is right after they were put into the water.

 After a few days. Definitely bigger but I don't know about 600% bigger.

Overall, the party was a success and went super fast. The oldest kid there was 10 and she said it was a fun party. That made me happy. 

Happy 6th birthday Lil and 8th birthday MJ! We love you tons!

Gardening

My sister convinced me that I needed to blog my garden. You may remember my previous post about digging up the grass for the garden last year (click here). This year we filled it full. Here is what we have planted in each picture starting at the bottom of the yard and moving up towards the house. 

Pumpkins in the corner, then watermelons and cantaloupe.

 

Them comes the pickling cucumbers, and peppers. 

Next, the tomatoes. Don't mind the weed infested grass. 

Then the green beans. 

This is a watermato. Our last watermelon has plenty of room to grow and it grew right into my cherry tomato plant that I got for Mothers Day. Hence, watermato. 

Lastly, our home teacher gave us a zucchini plant, and then chives from my mother-in-law. 

Now for the front garden. We are beginner gardeners and are learning some good things. Like when do cut our spinach and lettuce. Our onions didn't make it, and our strawberries did nothing this year. We have to ton of radishes, beets, and carrots too.

Gardening is fun and I can't wait to start eating more of it. Yummy!

Sisters & Scooters

I stole these pictures and the movie from my sister (thanks!). The first one is my sisters and I on the side by side going on a spin with my dad. Very good picture of us, I think.

Next, we decided that since Buddy was trying to steal our neighbors scooter it was time to get our own for him. Every time the girls would go outside to play he would follow and immediately go to the neighbors backyard to get their scooter. He LOVES  HIS scooter. He is just REALLY SLOW still. That's fine if the kids are just riding in front of the house. However, we went for a walk the other day and it took us twice as long to make it around the block. He is stinking cute on it though so I guess I will just be patient until he gets faster. :)