before we felt like human toast, we ate some

The temperatures climbed back into the 90s this week.  Before this happened (Thursday afternoon) I decided to make some bread.  The house smelled SO good... the pan of rolls were gone just after dinner time, and the two loaves of cinnamon bread were wrapped up for breakfast.  One of my very favorite smells is bread baking.  The bread doesn't last too long around here--as soon as the weather gets cool enough to turn the oven on again, I'll put my apron back on!

the OTHER ice cream

We tend to be Kimball's ice cream snobs.  In an attempt to do our part to support the local guys, we bought our ice cream from the OTHER favorite ice cream spot in town.  The different menu was stimulating...

but me?  I still choose Kimball's.

Yesterday was hair day.

It was a community event.

Our favorite hair dresser came over, we sat by the pool and everyone got their summer hair on.

I even got a little baby fix.

at the summit

Recently, Mesquite joined some adults and youth for a climb up Mount Watatic.  It's one of our favorite places to hike.

Kickin' it up just a wee notch

In a moment of weakness a month or so ago, I signed up for the adult summer soccer league in town.

I thought about how the "easy going, just for fun" games from last year's season turned out to be slightly more intense.  We were the fun team, though, and despite the angst and injuries, I remembered enjoying the eight weeks of blood, sweat and tears.  Which is why, when Mr. Dub decided not to re-enlist, I recruited Enrique!

 We had our first game last Friday night.

 We started off with a plan,

 and played our best.

 Despite our amazing orange shirts and clever footwork,

 We lost.

We also almost lost two players; one with a direct ball to the eye (gave new meaning to the phrase "keep your eye on the ball")

and one with a torqued knee.

 I maintain that my first priority for getting out there is to have fun, and maybe enjoy some physical activity while we're at it.

Having my son right in there with me?

PRICELESS.

(thanks, Rooney, for being the team's official photographer)

Take me out to the ballgame

Because it's SUMMER! we took a trip to the ball park.

It was super hero night at the Worcester Tornadoes last Saturday.  Our very own Mr. Morning sang the National Anthem with his first grade class to open the game.  They were fantastic.

 Seven of us went to the game.  There was much to keep us entertained, starting with rolling the rain tarps off the field before the game began.

 The Superheroes were downright friendly.

 There were cowbells for everyone, and complimentary sharpies for autographs.

 Who knew that Mom would have her catching hands on when they were slinging (fancy "PROPANE") free t-shirts into the crowd?  It was the prize souvenir of the night.

Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks...

I don't care if I never get back!

lettuce share some salad

Our row of lettuce is thriving.

The only wild animals eating these mammoth heads live INSIDE the house.

On the first day of summer

There was a lot to take in.

Like, possibly, two unrestrained older sisters... who were WAY excited about SUMMER being RIGHT.ON.OUR.DOORSTEP!

and then we floated around in the pool for the entire afternoon.

and stayed there longer than the sun, because it was THAT hot.

Let's do it again tomorrow!

Hey--it's SUMMER.

breaking into SUMMER

 literally.

Mr. Dub happened to be off gallivanting in Alabama when we hosted Leeli's fifth grade class for an end-of-the-year party.

The lock was on the pool gate, and the extra key mysteriously disappeared.  With it, the key to the shed locks, where the volleyball equipment is stored.  Thank goodness for a really good friend and a pair of bolt cutters...

There was volleyball AND swimming (and chaos) for everyone.

let the SUMMER ruckus begin!

at LAST

they're off to their LAST day of school!

teacher gifts

This year we kept them pretty simple.

Homemade thank you notes,

and packages of EXTRA gum with notes attached.

there is beauty ALL around

 At camp we like to remind ourselves that

Smoke follows beauty.

 This trip certain members of our crew excelled at making sure ALL the little campers had a chance to feel EXTRA beautiful.

getting there (more Camp Joseph)

Arriving at Camp was a HUGE ordeal.

We were loaded to the gills, plus the stuffed roof pack.

With seven large bodies and all our gear, we scraped bottom a few times, which made Mr. Dub slow down and get a tiny bit nervous.  We had to stop three times on the already long drive to Vermont, because there was a disconcerting rubbing noise that we thought might be the tires... After the third stop, I stuck my head out the sun roof and found the culprit; turns out it was that chubby roof pack flapping her straps.  Show off.  

 There was much unpacking to be done.

At Camp Joe, this involves loading up handcarts and trekking your stuff to your campsite.

Actually, when you haven't been to visit Camp Joe in many months, the trekking has an appeal.  Even though hills are involved.

 The cart also comes in handy for gimpy kids.

 Once the work is done, the FUN begins!

 Which includes much eating and relaxing.

 Come and Get it!

(there will be more...)