A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING

Here's a big blogging burp, a post where touches of stuff from the last week comes up all at once. Ready?

Marshmallow Gun War Quotes - Here are some things seen on my screen concerning last weekend's Second Edition of the MGW.

Tiffany (the night before) - At this very moment, right here on our family room floor, with great precision and determination, using muscle and grit, sweat drops accumulating on the brow, weapons of marshmallow destruction are being assembled, cleaned, polished, and made ready for action. Our cold, steel beauties ( ok~our white, pvc cuties) are deadly in the hands of our 'marsh'mans. We will bring ammo and lots of hot air.

Tiffany (the morning of) - We have succeeded! After much target practice last night; yes, in the house, after dark,I am still finding LEAD in the dark corners; we feel prepared. There will be hot L.E.A.D (little, eatable, ammo devices) flying all over your yard today!!!!

Adam (after returning home) - BBQ and marshmallow gun war. yeah, its as awesome as it sounds....

Rachel (after returning home) - Haha, there is something about the sound a marshmallow makes when it comes in contact with someone’s head, that is so satisfying!

Decorating - We're not in a season of life that allows us to decorate our house however we want, which is fine. The benefit to that is that I get pretty excited when one little decorating issue gets improved upon. Simple pleasures. In this particular case it was Naomi's bed. She moved into this bed almost four months ago, but the top bunk had no bedding and she was sleeping on the boys' old, ratty sheets. It worked, as her needs were met. However, we used some birthday money she got and some summer school income to get her new bedding. She actually snuggled one of the packages of sheets all through the store and was so excited to show them off to the guys when we got home. That's as close to being "decorated" as her room is going to get, but at least it's clearly a girl's room now!

Before - ratty sheets and her favorite bear blanket on the bottom and storage on the top.

After - pink comforters, pillows, and sheets covered with flowers and butterflies.

Gnat Trap - My friend Kristal recently posted directions on her blog for trapping gnats or fruit flies. We tried it this week and it's amazingly simple and effective! Here is the link to her post.

Happy Fam - We've had a really great few days here. Some productive and relaxing time at home, a morning at the park with the Everhart's, a family trip to the zoo (we hate going in the summer because it's so crowded, but that's when Tim gets to come ... and it was worth the crowds to go as a whole family), and lots of goofing off.

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Vision - I had my first eye exam. Can I just tell you how bizarre it is to have your eyes dilated? I had walked to the appointment and had to wear these stunning, disposable sunglasses on the walk home because I was so sensitive to light. It was even an overcast day, but my eyes just couldn't take it. I guess I needed a good dose of humility, which I got as I traipsed down Cedar Hills Blvd's four lanes of traffic, past two high school boys who laughed as they past, and past a landscaping crew who tried to discreetly gawk. It was actually pretty comical. Can't blame them for laughing or staring. I mean, look. Aren't the glasses pretty flattering? I pulled my hair back so you could see how they stay up without anything attached to the ear. So pretty.

Once our boys got done chuckling at my new shades, they got a kick out of the fact that I couldn't read anything. My vision was so blurry!! Silas read my mail and checked my e-mail for me, then I sprawled on my bed in a dark room until things started to come into focus. What a trippy experience!!

Leaves - I've spied several trees with leaves that are turning red. I love fall and it's right around the corner!!!

Homeschooling - I got notice that our intent to homeschool was received by the school district. Of course, we've been homeschooling for a while now, but we've never had to report because Oregon's age for compulsory attendance is seven. Silas turned seven this summer, so we turned in our paperwork. I guess that makes us official homeschoolers.