How to Wash a Dog in the Summer

My husband is a genius sometimes.  He can solve difficult problems.  Like the dreaded chore of washing a dog.  He found a way to make it easier. 

 First find a kiddie pool and then some kids to make the process manageable.

 Next add shampoo and a toddler.  The toddler helps the shampoo bubble.

 Remove toddler and clothes for less absorption and increased cuteness.

 Pour buckets over dog.  And self if you're a naked toddler.

 Give the dog a hearty behind-the-ear scratch for being such a good dog.

Allow dog and kid helpers to run around in the sun to get dry.  Task complete! 

VBS

This past summer I enrolled the kids in a couple Vacation Bible Schools.  Both had a show at the end but I only remembered my camera for one.  This one was a beach blast theme.  There's Galina making a fashion statement.  All the other kids wore theirs as they were made.  But creative, theatrical Galina marches to a different drummer.

 There's my sunshiny boy with a huge smile.

 This VBS had a party afterwards.  They served cookies and watermelon. Brielle just loves watermelon.  All my kids do, actually.

 But there's something so fun about watching a 20 month old eat it.  Maybe it's that smile they have the whole time.

I can't get enough of it. 

Treyton's 6

This summer Treyton turned 6

I'm a little behind as his b-day is in June but thought I'd share his day anyway.

Everyone loves birthdays at our house.

Treyton is really into dragons and lizards right now.

Thanks to the movie How To Train Your Dragon. 

We've watched it at least 50 times.

What boy doesn't love a Nerf gun?

Treyton really wants to learn how to play the guitar.  But I was told to start him off on piano at his age rather than guitar.  Well, we tried that but he wasn't much interested.  So perhaps we'll wait and start him on guitar when he's older

He also wants to play the drums but I wasn't ready for that yet.

Galina is ready for the big stage in so many ways.

Since we were at the zoo in the morning and pretty tired out, we decided to make homemade pizzas for dinner.

So after naps, showers, and baths we got to work.

I'm currently searching for the best pizza crust recipe.  I haven't found it yet but promise to share when I do.

We all had fun piling on the toppings.

Even sweet little Brielle.

She's got the cooking gene, I just know it!

A strawberry cake was requested and what mommy could refuse to make one for her firstborn?

Six years before this day was probably the greatest day of my life.  When God made me a mom.

 I get to look at that excited face everyday.

 Excuse me while I go kiss him to pieces.

Love you, Mister-Mister!