These Summer Days

Whatever happened to lazy summer days?

Darryl is up and gone amidst the breakfast mayhem. Noah screams in panic (lest he be forgotten) for a good-bye hug and kiss (really, it flatters his dad). Evie screams in her high chair demanding release, and as he heads out the door I plead, "Can you take me with you?" Only half-joking.

But, we are having busy and productive days amidst the chaos of three kids clamoring about. I do wonder where my energy has gone off to in this so-called "energized trimester".

Mornings are filled with Bible, Math, and Reading lessons. And of course Evie assists in every way possible. Standing on chairs, waving markers about, and having a grand time seems to be her teaching style.

We used to have more kids joining in on the fun, the neighbors, but they've left for a few months so now we have quiet...well, maybe it's just quieter (it's all relative you know).

We said a fond farewell to these friends over a treat at the new mall in the city.


I do believe we may have asked a man, who has never used a camera in his life, to take this picture. So now our family is feeling very small without this extension of our life here.

But not too small. No, Darryl made sure of that. Sam, the strange-looking rat...I mean cat, has joined the family. How he survives, I'll never know. It's not due to my intervention, that's certain. I avoid cats at all costs (cruel I know). Evie uses him as a pillow and really has no clue how to treat an animal. Noah and Sophie, in their desperation to show love and affection to the creature, nearly separate him limb from limb.

Hmm....Darryl keeps reassuring me that pets are good for kids. The question is, are kids good for pets?

As I pondered this (and other deep themes) at the end of the day, Soph and I whipped up some Cowboy Hats which, I must admit, have pert-neer knocked our socks off. We made them for some friends--I reckon I'd better deliver these treats right soon before they disappear.

Cowboy Hats

1 1/2 cups peanut butter
1/4 cup margarine (softened)
2 cups icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups milk choc chips

½ cup of butter

1. Mix first 4 ingredients together. Chill in fridge for 1/2 hour. Then roll into balls, put in fridge until ready to use.
2. Melt chocolate chips in saucepan with a ½ cup of butter. Roll peanut butter balls in melted chocolate. Place on cookie sheet. Freeze.