Rock Collection

So Tyler comes up to me yesterday and tells me that Reed has a rock in his pocket. ( That would not be tattling, Tyler would tell you, because it is TRUE). Before I even have a chance to say anything, Reed denies that he has a rock in his pocket, a sure sign that he does indeed have a rock in his pocket. It is the end of the day at the tag end of the week, when children tend to get in trouble anyway, so I ask for Reed's rock. He tells me that he didn't pick it up outside, (which would be against the school rules) it is part of a rock collection. Can I please see it? I would love to see a rock from a rock collection. So he digs out a smooth little piece of granite and hands it to me. And recognizing that he is danger of losing his rock, he starts explaining.
I bought it. It was a special sale on rocks, the second one is FREE!
I tell him that he probably shouldn't BUY any more rocks, and put it on my desk where it stays until the end of the day when he takes it home with him.
He is a quick thinker, that little Reed.

It is so much fun to smilebox

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Make sure you watch the video at the end. And you can click on the pictures to make them bigger.

If Rachel can do it, then so can I

;

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Summer is over, but we sure had fun!

I don't know how little Rachel can hike with Emma on her shoulders like this. She is stronger than she looks!!
Ian caught 3( and kept 2) fish from this rock in the creek by our campsite.
Aiden on the trail.

Fun with Photo Booth

Summer with the kids

All the kids, except Sam who was sulking about something. In a few minutes more it would be Aiden who was sulking. I had to wait while Aiden sat with his back to the trail, in a fine full-figured snit. He eventually got up and hiked happily a long ways up the trail, but everyone coming back down the trail make a comment like, "Oh, so he is happier now?"
Emma and our wonderful next door neighbor Katelyn on the porch.
No explanation needed. Except...how is it that Emma, the dirty faced angel, has a clean face while eating bubble gum ice cream with gummy bears? (I know. Ick.)

Another pilgrimage to Rock Creek Lake and beyond

We had some rain, thunder and hail...but no downpours

Aiden and I hiked up past Box Lake and took this picture to prove it!
The kids had a blast playing in the cold water here where the creek flows into the lake. And the men (and Sam) had a blast fishing.