My Happy Camper

One of my favorite things about parenting is being able to give my kids opportunities and experiences that I either wanted to have or think they will enjoy. Mason is getting all kinds of that love this summer. He's been to lacrosse camp in GA, a mission trip to Myrtle Beach, and Camp Lurecrest. I was most excited for him to go to Camp Lurecrest. It sounds so fun. I want to go to family camp there. From the talent show to the camp wide noodle war to the zip line to the night swims, he had a great time. I know he had a good time at them all because he's willing and excited to do all of them again next year. I guess I better start an Entertain Mason All Summer Camp Fund. Happy to do it.

Grilled Cheese Italiano

Source: marthastewart.com via Tara on Pinterest

Followed recipe all the way...for a change. Used a jarred, high quality marinara. Hearty app.

Frozen Mimosas

Source: pbpickles.com via Tara on Pinterest

Truth: I did not make my own sorbet, but I did use an all natural/all fruit variety. Two flavors: blood orange and raspberry. So, one not really a frozen mimosa, but still delightfully delicious.

Power Balls

Source: gimmesomeoven.com via Tara on Pinterest

Made these sans coconut. Replace that measurement with half oatmeal, half flax seed. This was in addition to the what the recipe called for. Super delicious. Felt guility eating them for breakfast. Didn't stop me though. Fed them to girls for dessert. No complaints. I decided to call them Power Balls. :)

Kitchen sink cocktail

1 cup Malibu 16 oz frozen fruit, mixed-strawberries, peaches, pineapple, mango 1 cup ice 1/2 cup Cake vodka

Trifecta Pie

Yum! This one is a keeper. I know because my mom said so.


Peanut-Butter-Banana Icebox Pie

The North Country

Well, we're back. The whole fam went to Carthage, NY for a few days. Here's the skinny.

Kairos

• roasting marshmallows and making smores (despite HC almost catching Cousin Veronica's face on fire)
• reading in the sun without having to jump in and rinse off every few minuts (low 80's)
• catching up with the cousins, in-laws, sister-in-laws, and more
• listening to HC comment on all the people she observed at the airport (the girl with pink hair was a HIT)
• sunsets while in air after storms-GORGEOUS (a red sky I've nver seen before)
• salt potatoes (if I can sell these bad boys in the South, I'll be rich like woah)
• pineapple upside down cake cocktails with sisters-in-law
• amazing views for a few windy, sunny, and warm runs (green cornfields, pastures, dirt road)
• the horse "biting" Charley's hand while she fed him apples
• HC gettng her picture made with the silo with her name on it
• dancing at wedding (even with no AC, still a cool time)
• Mason being a true delight 97% of the time (was great with girls)
• eating Grandma Kay's chicken recipe with the Hadley crew

Chronos

• TSA confiscating Mason's two LAX sticks and throwing those bad boys right in the trash
• being last people on the plane (paging the Ashcraft family) and getting The Look from all other passengers
• containing CB on plane (her yelling AVERY to John and AL from the front of the plane to the back was annoying but cute)
• passing a kidney stone (I think) felt like labor pains/contractions, running some tests to see what's up
• two hour delay on way home (although we made the best of it the Game Room at the 'Cuse airport)
• wrestling kids to sleep at night and nap while outside of their routine
• convincing TSA to let me on the plane once I realized my license was not in my wallet (oops)
• a few meltdowns on plane (HC didn't like her seat, CB wanted more M&Ms, Mama wanted peace/sleep)
• seeing a fox on while running (seriously, I'm scared of most things furry)

Quotes

HC

• on flying: "This is exciting. I'm so exciting."
• on "Rumor Has It": "What does rumor have? Is rumor a boy or a girl?
• on camping after two days: "I'm done with this camping. I'm ready to go home."

CB

• to Poppa: "I love you."
• on sunsets: "ooowww"