Dead Broke Farms

We decided to break the pool party tradition this year and celebrated Cameron's birthday at Dead Broke Farms.

Warm-up included getting tossed off the merry-go-round at least once for every kid. The irony is that we signed a waiver to ride the horses & couldn't even wear our own helmets. But the kids all got tossed off the merry-go-round, some with minor injuries. And yet, they all got back on again and again!

We asked how the farm got the name Dead Broke Farms. Apparently the horses are so easy to ride, they are considered 'dead broke'.
I have to thank Julie for all the pictures. Since I was coordinating the party, I didn't get many pictures. This one of Anna Kate and Olivia was one of my favorites.

After each kid got saddled up, we were off for a 30 min guided ride through the the woods of North Raleigh.

First, all the horses got watered. It was hot!

It was a beautiful walk and a welcome change from yet another pool party.

Of all the kids, I think Leigh was most excited about horse-back riding. Buttercup was her favorite horse. She's decided this is the sport for her!

Lucy still remembers the name of her horse - Brandy!

This is the third car-themed birthday cake. The boy loves his wheels.

We had to fake blow out candles b/c it was too windy. But the birthday boy didn't mind.

Happy FIFTH birthday CamO!

Extreme Michigan

Our babies

For the first time ever, we had professional photos taken. I think there's some good stuff here!

Our local photographer was Heba Salama, the season 6 at-home winner of The Biggest Loser. Check out her website http://www.hebasalama.com/. She was fantastic to work with! The best part is that we discovered a great new location for photos- UNC Coker Arboretum.

Happy Birthday, Cameron!

FIVE already!

Clearly, Lucy is not very happy about this either.

 After 5 years, wheels are still pretty cool. Anything Cars 2 related is stellar!

The buddy system

It's been a while since these two have seen each other, and they haven't missed a beat. They still remembered their dance routine and songs from last summer's HSM camp. And they still love putting on a show!

Ellie's little brother, CJ spent the day with us as well. The boys were obsessed with Angry Birds and the plasma car. When one was riding, the other was playing Angry Birds. Then they'd switch.

We miss these guys!

For those Republicans that don't believe in global warming...

Right now, at 9:45p it's 90 degrees outside.

But just a few weeks ago, we got this surprise hail storm.

To each their own

Lucy Lu has been a hoot lately. She's the easiest of the 3 kids. Yet she's the most stubborn. And determined. Every few months I convince myself that she needs speech therapy. And that I'm neglecting my third, adopted child way more than the other two. Then she wakes up one morning and doesn't stop talking and I'm all OMG there's so much talking!

For example, here's our daily conversation with Lucy in response to "What would you like to eat?"
Lu: I want something I like.
Me: (The guessing game is afoot!) Bananas?
Lu: No.
Me: Yogurt?
Lu: No.
Me: Cheese?
Lu: Yesssssss Mommy! (Good grief, already!)

One of my favortie things about this age is the fandangled pronunciations. Like:
Chicken Boom Boom = Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Shampoop = Shampoo

Check out this video. It appears that Lucy knows her letters, despite our neglect b/c I seriously did not teach her this. And I'm pretty sure no one else did either.

I am reminded that Cameron didn't come out doing a double back flip and stick his dismount. In fact, he didn't walk until he was 13 months old (or was it 14?) Back then I thought I'd burn this major milestone in my memory. And now, I realize all that matters is that he did walk. (And that he'll be wearing a helmet 24/7 in case he decides its time to BASE jump.) So grow at your own pace, Lucy Goosey!

Happy 4th of July!

Despite some intermittant thunder and lightening, we managed to pull off another 4th of July pool party.

Where there's popscicles, there's happy kids!

 Flags are always a big hit too.

We had a lovely celebration with our neighbors- lots to eat and sparklers by the hundreds.

How I know I’ve over planted

1. My garden is referred to as The Jungle
2. I have to throw water over the 6-foot tomato plants to get to the other tomato plants.
3. I have to crawl over canteloupe vines and reach under the trellis to pick tomatoes. Then I employ little feet and agile bodies to pick the remaining unreachable fruit.
4. I find ginormous cucumbers along the outside of the garden that I had no idea were even there.

5. There’s an unknown fruit/vegetable combo growing and I’m excited to see what becomes of them.

 J is showing the tasty peas. And the canteloupe on steroids.

The items below were all picked this morning. What a harvest!

Next year, we’ll expand the garden again. And I swear I won't overplant.

This post brought to you by JBird

Since Jackie will be emailing/twittering/blogging soon enough, I might as well embrace the opportunity for her to write out a message. So here it is, in her own words!

Mommy loves her friends. And I love them too. So I hope you like my poem:
Mommy and her friends go out to dinner.
They could spin in the spinner.
To have a lovely dinner.
Her friends and her are out together.

Carolina Beach, June 2011

A morning walk along the beach with your most favorite people is a pretty sweet way to start the day.

 We took a ferry boat from Fort Fisher to Southport, NC. Deane knew a little shave ice stand that was perfect for a hot day in the sun.

 The ferry reminded me a lot of the Drummond Island ferry I used to take as a kid with my family. It was a car and passenger ferry. But it was soooo much hotter than the DI ferry. And I would doubt they have an ice breaker on the front.

 It was a 30 min trip and the kids passed the time in the cabin playing cards and people-watching. Unfortunately, we missed the dolphins right outside the boat.

 We spent every day at the beach until we were all waterlogged. It was a bit smokey and there were occassional thunderstorms, but we managed to get in plenty of water time.