Life with our little family of 3...

Emma went off to camp for the first time this week. She will be gone 7 days and 6 nights. She picked a camp that offers not only the summer camp experience, but horses as well! She was so excited to go she could hardly stand it! She was all packed up and ready to go hours before we had to leave! She went with a couple of friends. I think it made it a little easier being gone so long to know she has friends with her. I love this picture! They are going together... not only physically but on a deeper level. Here is where they get to stay! How exciting! It even has a full bathroom in each cabin/boxcar! There are 9 girls and 1 counselor in her cabin. After they checked in, they got to choose their beds. Emma picked a top bunk. It's hard to believe she will be gone for a whole week. I know she is going to have an awesome time! There will be so much to hear about when she returns. It's also the beginning of her slowly becoming her own independent ...

Emma went to her 6th Summer Hummer camp. I liked the description that my friend gave it - VBS on crack! Since there were 895 kids and 400 helpers! Friday night is Family Night. All of the activities from the week are open for everyone to enjoy. Water slides, zip line, bounce houses, monkey motion, swings, go karts and more! At the end of the evening the kids perform their songs for the parents. It's such a great way to end an amazing week! This is just a glimpse of the stage! The kids were pretending to rock out!  Whoo hoo!! Right before the kids' performance a thunderstorm started to roll in. Thunderstorms in our area are pretty rare. We were all hoping that the rain would hold off so the kids could perform!  Not only did the rain hold off... right at the end of their performance there was a loud, long rumble! It was perfect! We all thought it was God and the angels clapping for the kids.

We had a great 4th of July this year! The day started with a ride in the fire truck for Tumwater's annual 4th of July Parade! Then we had some great friends over for a bbq & fireworks! I was afraid we wouldn't have enough food. However once we got it all out, I realized we had PLENTY! This was only some of it! The kids begged us for hours to do the fireworks we had. Eventually we moved into the front yard for the pyro fun!  Plenty of food, great friends and no injuries! It was an awesome day! 

Emma finished up her first year of ballet with a wonderful Spring Showcase. After two performances she was ready! She was sad that it came to an end for the year and is looking forward to next year! Here is Emma with her friend Hannah...

I read a tip in a magazine recently about how to make popcorn in the microwave. I like the convenience of microwaved popcorn but I can't stand the chemicals they use in the bags. Quite frankly the smell of them makes me gag! So I was all for it! All you need is a paper bag, tape, popcorn, butter and salt to taste! Put 1/4 cup of popcorn kernels in a paper bag.  Fold the top down and secure it with tape. Put the bag on it's side in the microwave.  Microwave it on high for 2-4 minutes, depending upon your oven. Make sure you watch it so it won't burn. When the popping slows, take it out.  Add melted butter and salt to taste!  Wa la! Microwaved healthy popcorn! This version is a whole lot cheaper too! We picked up 100 paper bags from Target for $1.89. We bought 8lbs of popcorn from Costco for around $11. So for $13 you have a whole lot more servings!

Emma and her friend Krista came up with a great idea...to watch a movie...outside! So Dad powered up his laptop and let them watch a movie from Netflix. They even completed their movie with popcorn and drinks!  As the temperature dropped... the blankets were piled on. They were just about to give in when the movie finally ended!  Ahh the joys of childhood! 

We have good friends who recently adopted some Nigerian Dwarf goats. They are so very cute! They are still babies that need to be bottle fed. Our friends were away for the evening and asked if Emma would be willing to feed them. She jumped on it of course! Needless to say she was hooked and is looking forward to the next time!