Dog Days of Summer Camp

This week, Ellie attended a Dog Days of Summer day camp sponsored by the Brookhaven Animal Rescue League.  Throughout the week, the campers learned funny dog songs, made some cool crafts, listened to visits from special dog trainers and vets, and practiced useful dog training skills.  Although it was quite hot, they had a blast!  The League volunteers brought special dogs for the children to play with througout the week.

Ellie & her buddy for the week, Lowery

On the last day of camp, family members were encouraged to come meet the League dogs and see the campers show off their new training skills.  Ellie did so well with Lowery.  Here's Papa & Ellie enjoying a few sweet moments with the friendly pup.

Dog Days of Summer Parade
The campers, counselors, dogs & families!

Ellie & Lowery in the parade

Ellie's camp group

Abby & Granna checking out the big firetruck

After the parade, the children made a beeline to the spraypark for some cooling off!

Ellie & her precious friend, Quinn

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Saying goodbye to Lowery.  He's going to make a fine dog for one lucky family!

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Dog tired!  Ha ha.

Fried okra!!

Abby TOTALLY loves fried okra. It's her most favorite food. Ever. Which is so funny because I had never made it at home. But every time we ask her what she wants to eat, her response is an enthusiastic: "OKRA! Okra, peeze!" She will NOT leave the Piggly Wiggly unless we check the deli for freshly fried okra.

Abby & Granna purchased some fresh okra at the farmer's market which made it officially time for me to learn how to fry stuff! Ready to pop in the oil!
Mmmmm!! Okra!

Here's proof I actually fried it myself.

First piece goes to Abby!

Here Kitty Kitty

Abby Antics!

waking up from a nap. . .
feeding babydolls. . .

wearing loads of accessories at all times. . .

getting the kinks out with a little baby yoga. . .

blowing bubbles through a strainer

sunday splashin' and smilin'

She went from 3 to 4 just to get to 2

I started off with 3 wheels. . .

then I went to 4

I started off with 3 wheels

Then I went to 4 just to get to 2

To go from three to four to two. . .

So I'm taking off

I'm taking off

I'm taking off my training wheels And I won't be scared a bit when I take that ride

No, I won't be scared a bit with Dad by my side

He'll catch my fall

Catch my fall

When you're a dad, sometimes that's the deal

So I'm taking off

I'm taking off

I'm taking off my training wheels

Even though I took 'em off might put 'em back on

Even though I took 'em off might put 'em back on

And I might go rollin' rollin' rollin' rollin' rollin'

Through the lawn

Cause it's softer, softer, softer, softer, softer

On the lawn

So I'm taking off

I'm taking off

I'm taking off my training wheels

Even if I fall down on the hard cement

Even if I fall down and my bike gets bent

Though it wouldn't be right

It wouldn't be right

Sometimes that's just how it feels

So I'm taking off

I'm taking off

I'm taking off my training wheels

So I'm taking off

I'm taking off

I'm taking off my training wheels!!!!

Criss-cross Applesauce

learning to cross stitch. . .

Summer sister silliness. . .

Playing d.j. for our afternoon dance party. . . the baby can work the ipod better than the parents. . .
always accessorized even in a nightgown. . .

modeling Mommy's shoes. . .

brown eyed gaze. . .

cutest little smile. . .

playing dress up with big sister. . .

pretending the heat-of-summer thunderstorm is really a snow storm and bundling up in warm winter clothes. . .

Grasshoppers & baby birds

Saturday, while helping Tim in the yard, Ellie discovered this HUGE grasshopper on our day lily plant. Eek!! She was fascinated by him and asked me to take a photo so we could read about grasshoppers on the internet later that night. Fun little impromptu biology lesson!

Later that day, while watching a pretty bird hop around in the freshly cut grass, we discovered she has a nest of babies in the tree outside my bedroom window. She would go back and forth to the nest with a beak full of food. We can barely see their little eager beaks peeking up over the sides of the nest. Every morning we hear them chirping through the window and catch glimpses of their fuzzy heads. No photos yet. . . we don't want to disturb the teeny babies!

wakey wakey sleepy baby

Happy 4th of July!

Happy Fourth of July!! We celebrated with family and friends at a pool party at Tim's brother's friends house in Prattville.

Before we headed to Prattville, Ellie & I made a few 4th of July crafts to help with our celebrating!

We made matching headbands for Ellie & Emily. . .
. . .pipe cleaner sparklers for table decorations & the children too little to wave the real thing . . .

. . . and toppers for tasty cupcakes!

Decorating cupcakes with Nana

Cupcakes are cool!

Ellie & Emily with their patriotic swimsuits!

Abby at attention!

(oops! Abby again!)

Little stars!

Abby loved riding this motorcycle with Mommy!

Mmmm!!! Ribs!!

Ever-dainty Ellie, even gnawing on a rib bone.

Tim is smiling because he knows it's almost dark which means fireworks time. And that was my cue to put the camera down and cling to my children as I'm afraid of all things that involve fire, loud noises, darkness & a bunch of dads armed with big giant fireworks, roman candles & bottle rockets, re-living their childhood. The kids, on the other hand, LOVED the amateur fireworks show!