Best Energy

Yesterday while ironing Austin's clothes I heard a great quote on Oprah. "Give your best energy to the people you love the most." So today instead of worrying about crazy stuff, I put my energy in loving my precious babies.

My Grandmother's Garden

My flowers are in full bloom! I'm pretty smug that my college education is finally being put to use in my own yard. These blooms came entirely from seeds that Grandma Goodell gave me last fall. Hooray!

Cindy-Lou Who

 

Maisie's uncle, Matt, thinks she looks like Dr. Suess' Cindy-Lou Who. Her photo from Sunday dinner confirmed his nomination. Look carefully and you'll see one curl on the very top of her head. (Yes, I did curl every bit of her hair, but this curl was all that remained by dinner.)

First Day of School

Meg has started 2nd grade. She likes her new teacher, and we love being back in a routine. Andy is a bit bored without her, but he seems fine if he is distracted. Maisie loves helping pack Meg's lunch -- of course she tastes the cheetos and cookies every morning. Nick loves the morning drive. Quite often he makes the commute with toast in hand. These pictures are of her first and second day.

On the Town

Today we actually ventured out of the house to show Shelly our town. First she went with Austin to the office and spent the morning learning new hygiene skills. Then we ate lunch with Meg and played on the playground. Afterwards we drove to the next town north and did some jewlery shopping, ice cream eating, and "horsey" riding. Afer naps we went swimming. The night ended "watching" the olympics. (I thought the last picture is the best because Babcocks always fall asleep right in front of their show. Yes, they all do it. OK I've never seen Char, but I have been a witness to the TV-land slumbering of the other five.)

Colorado Peaches

Shelly and Meg helped me freeze a case of peaches. We boiled them in water, added fruit fresh and poured sliced peaches into bags. My rule is going to be that they have to stay in the freezer until November. The peaches look so delicious that I hope we can wait until then.

SHELLY!

Shelly flew in yesterday to visit; we are thrilled! Today we tried to visit jewler in Linsborg, but her shop was closed. So we instead came home, put the kids down for a nap, and began a restful afternoon. Yay for Shelly!

Back in Blogging Business

Last week I tried to load a card of pictures onto my desktop, and my computer is so full that it would not accept the file. I didn't really have a solution until I talked to Natalie. She told me about an external drive, which I promptly purchased. Last night I loaded 29 G on the new drive and can now load pictures on my desktop again.

First Crush

Nick has confided in me about the name of his first crush. Sally Porsche. I know he loves her because she is the only car that he'll play with, and he carries her in his mouth. Lucky Sally. I hope she knows how nice he is.

Cresent Rolls

Nick's contribution

Since Meg starts second grade tomorrow, she and I decided that we should make some of her favorite cresent rolls to freeze use as the sandwhich bread in her lunch. All the children "helped." I assure you that there was much mess and stress. At least I tried.....

Project: Table

Austin and I painted our kitchen table and recovered the chairs. Here are the before and after pics.

Les Miserables

Friday night my friend gave me tickets to Les Miserables. So glad I already knew all the music and so glad I had already read the abridged version by Victor Hugo. And, I am happy to report that I stayed awake during the entire production (unlike the first time I heard the music at a sleepover at Erin's house -- I know she'll be proud of me.....).

Warped

The truth is that we mainly eat vegetables in my home, ok lots of whole-grained fiber, too. Because of this I often wonder how my kids will react when they are free to make their own food choices. I was pleasantly surprized at Andy's wisdom when he was forced to make the decision between fiber and sugar. Last Saturday we stayed a Days Inn on our journey back to Kansas from Utah. Of course the morning continental breakfast presented itself as our best bet for satisfying the need to eat the most important meal of the day. To the lobby we went. Here is where Andy's wisdom came into play. Instead of choosing fruit loops and a sprinkle doughnut for breakfast, he chose a bowl of raisin bran and followed by a bowl of oatmeal. Good boy, son! I have warped you more than you know; fiber is always the best choice for breakfast. Now convince Maisie of the same principle.

Whitni's Magic

When we visited Texas for the 4th, I convinced Whitni to take family pictures. If our pictures aren't proof enough of her mad skills, check out her website -- whitniparkerphotography.com

Boeing Babcock Boys

 

Grandma and Grandpa B. sent Andy and Nick BOEING shirts for their birthdays. We opened the fun package Sunday afternoon, and Andy still hasn't taken his shirt off. I suppose they look especially sweet since I cut their hair this morning right before I took this picture. Thank you Grandparents!

Lemonade Stand

Friday afternoon my sister Emily, and her two nieces, my Meg and Maisie, manned their very own lemonade stand. Together they sold lemonade in dixie cups and green jalapeno jelly beans to all those who would stop. Emily mixed and measured all the lemonade, Meg marketed to customers by ringing the dinner bell to every car that passed by, and Maisie was the sign. Grandpa was the most generous, as displayed by his quick jaunt to his armoir in search for large quantities of coins. Happy Summer.