A Tree Is Like A Magnet To Little Boys...

As a Mother I have learned that there is no way to keep little boys out of trees... just like a muddy puddle... it's just not going to happen!

Toothless...

I have to admit that I love this little toothless smile! McKay can't stand loose teeth. If they wiggle a little he works at them and works at them until he pulls them out. He even pulled his last one out in class at school & just put it in his pocket and brought it home! He does question the reality of a Tooth Fairy... He's not quite sure what he thinks about her! But, he doesn't mind the money that she leaves under his pillow!  

Little Man...

It's the simple things that keep this little man happy!

Lemonade Jar's

 Sooooo... i have been obsessing over these jar's lately... I thought that they would be the perfect little jar to go along with my Old Fashioned Lemonade recipe.... And in all honesty I thought that the $36 for 12 jars wasn't too bad of a price... I'm still thinking about them!

 But, then I saw this way cute idea and tutorial at
 A Bit Of Sunshine
 and think that it is a darling alternative... And as a mother of three little boys that is constantly cleaning up spilt drinks at the dinner table... It's also a really cute alternative to a sippy cup!               

And they are not quite as cute without the straws.... So, you can find the cute paper straws here at  
Hey YoYo's Etsy Site.

Old Fashioned Lemonade

 So, I have a TO DIE FOR fresh squeezed lemonade recipe. It is simply de'Vine! And so simple to make. But, I warn you... If you make it once... you WILL make it over & over again!

Old Fashioned Lemonade:

1 Cup Water

2 Cups White Sugar

1 1/2 Cups Fresh squeezed lemon juice

8 Cups Cold Water

2 Lemons Sliced Thin

In medium sauce pan combine 1 cup water & 2 cups of sugar. Boil on low, stirring constantly until sugar is dissolved, for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool for 10 minutes. Add lemon juice to sugar water and stir well. In a large pitcher, combine sugar & lemon syrup with 8 cups cold water & add sliced lemons. Serve over ice.

It takes about 6-8 lemons (depending on the size) to get your 1 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice. I have actually been adding closer to 2 Cups of fresh lemon juice which takes 8 lemons.

And check out these cute ideas for using Mason Jars to serve that fabulous lemonade after you make it!

A Little Chore Chart Love!

My boys list of chores changes with the days... So, when I came across this free printable at
Brought To You By The Letter B
 I thought they kinda looked perfect... and cute! But, you don't tell little boys they are cute or they will just turn their little noses up at them. Because if there is one thing I have learned... that is that boys don't like cute things! Unless they are girls & then they seem to not be able to help themselves!

A Story I Never Want To Forget...

McKay and Carter got home Monday from spending a week in Idaho with Grandma & Grandpa. They were truly spoiled in every possible way! They got to spend a lot of time with their cousins & have sleep overs, go swimming, go to movies, spend a day with the Beattie's, go on special dates with Grandma & Grandpa, go out to dinner, go camping.... Like I said... They were spoiled!

They spent the weekend camping up at Palisades. My Dad's friend owns Palisades Park & they were up there helping him get flowers planted & projects done for the summer. My Dad provided the boys with endless willows to carve which gave McKay an idea...

We have a friend who is here at Shriners Hospital. I have mentioned him before. Ned, is a young boy who has scoliosis & had surgery on his back yesterday to try and straighten his spine. It was a very intense surgery as you can imagine and lasted 11 hours. McKay, loves Ned. McKay worries about Ned & tries to do anything he can to make him happy.

So, back to McKay's idea... He decided to carve willow sticks and take them around to all the other campers and try to sell them. He was selling them for .25 - $1 a piece depending on the size. He told each camper about Ned & that he was trying to earn money to buy Ned something really special for after his surgery. Seriously, how can you turn a little boy away that has that sales pitch!!! McKay ended up earning $7.75. Later that afternoon he asked my Mom for some paper and a pen. He then proceeded to write each one of the campers a thank you note for buying his willows & hand delivered each one! (Yes, this is where the proud mother tears enter!)

When I met my Mom in Malad to pick up the boys the first thing McKay did was give me the money for Ned. It truly touched me so much! He has something that he is really wanting right now & instead of keeping the money to go towards that he wanted it to go to Ned. He realized that $7.75 wasn't enough to buy much... But, I assured him that it would be enough to buy him whatever he wanted to!

I am so honored to have this little man as my son. He has always had the most compassionate little soul & never ceases to amaze me. I love you McKay!