"Can I do a science experiment, Mommy?"  I hear this question every day.  In the past, I did my best to persuade a different activity - knowing that I would have to read all the directions, do some of the measuring and experimenting, and all the clean-up.  However, times have changed - as well as Bennett's reading and measuring ability.  So - while the kids experimented with some kind of Oobleck Ooze,  I did some experimenting of my own - using Papa's rhubarb and fresh strawberries to make a fruit crisp.

 















Both were successful - and there was no cross contamination (hopefully).

This evening, Harper Nicole lost her sh%# due to a sliver in her heel. It was pretty good sized, and it "huuurrrrrttttt!!!". I knew what needed to be done, andy knew what needed to be done, and as I walked toward Harper with a tweezer in hand - she knew what needed to be done. It was at this moment that she lost her mind.

As andy tried to console the patient, I am pretty sure I said -  in a complete monotone voice - "just hold her down, please". And that's when the girl took the deepest breath possible and let out a I'm-in-a-horror-movie-and-will-be-next-to-die scream. I would have laughed at the dramatics, if I wasn't so stunned by the decibel level.

Alas, I had to continue the procedure and as she got ready for another breath and andy looked at me like "hurry up!!!" As Harper was nearing the end of her third scream, I almost had andy shut the windows - certain the police would be arriving soon.

The entire process took about 3 minutes, and no blood was shed. Even though a bandage was applied and lots of snuggles given.  Based on this situation, I can't even begin to imagine if she slams her finger in the door or falls off her bike or ...

Sunday was a quintessential summer day - 80*, puffy white clouds, slight western breeze. It was a perfect day to... Take a tour of eastern WI and western MN.  We quickly ate our campfire egg sammies, and packed our tiny gear for the first leg.

Upon arriving at the 3000 acre farmstead, we picked up our craigslist find (who knew we could fit a fireplace in the truck with all our stuff?? Master packing.), and continued on.

Making a pit atop at the river, we had burgers for lunch and AP built his mama a platform for her washing machine. We chatted the afternoon away, and after raiding Papa's garden, we began the final leg of our journey.

Everyone was exhausted, and I drove in complete silence for the final 90 minutes. (Thumbs up!)

Morning.

Noon.

Night.

Our packing for the weekend at the Tiny House included a pickup so full we had to stick Ralph the Raft on the tailgate.

But we arrived safely, and after a quick tour of the addition, 

we jumped right in.

Sweet Viola did not disappoint, neither did the rope swing.

Today, I'm going for the seasonal SAHM of the year award. It all began with our friends arrival in the morning, crazy games on the wii, pancakes with whipped cream and nuts for lunch

and a rest time in the newly carpeted basement - projector style.

I knew I was in the running for this title, when I even made sure they had some vegetables for afternoon snack.

#winning

"It's just a phase."

They used to get up at 5am, and that was when they slept in. On summer mornings, after a late night of campfires and night games, it was painful. Other mornings, it was pure bliss to snuggle with those little bugs and watch cartoons. Either way, we said "it's just a phase".

And, it was. This little one sleeps until 9am, and the boy wakes and makes his own breakfast and sits with me on the sofa to share the morning news. And, once again, I get to do this in the morning sunshine.