That's how we ROLL...

 Over the weekend, the Foster Parents Association hosted a fundraiser at the skating rink near our home. 

 Because of major county budget cuts, the association is always looking for ways to make up for some of our lost funding. 

 We use the money for many things, but it ALL goes back to the kids in care! 

The association has a fun fall festival planned for the kids in care in October, and the Christmas party details are already underway too!

It's gonna be fun and we can't wait!!!!

The kids had a blast skating!

 I was SHOCKED at how well the babies did! 

They scooted around the floor like little pro's!

 Once again I was reminded that they are not really "babies" anymore, but big kids;(

 My sweet sisters were gracious enough to come along too, and offered a helping hand wherever needed!

 We had a SUPER fun time...

and enjoyed hanging out with other foster families.

!!!!yaD sdrawkcaB yppaH

 Today was backwards day in our house. 

Our slip read...It's backwards day and just for fun;

Our day will END before it BEGUN!

I thought about serving dinner foods for breakfast today, but I didn't think my kids would really eat it. I mean who really wants pizza or spaghetti for BREAKFAST right?!?! 

Anyway, I stuck with our usual breakfast foods, but served them in a backwards kind-of way;)

We enjoyed upside down blueberry muffins and sunny side DOWN eggs!

 And as an added treat, I let the kids eat upstairs in the bonus room instead of in the kitchen.

The babies didn't quite "get" the whole backwards theme, but they still sported their clothes backwards and gobbled up their yummy backwards breakfast!!

 The boys on the other hand took our backwards day to the next level. 

Here they are drinking their juice boxes upside down--of course!

They walked around backwards, tried talking backwards, called each other by different names,

 

 and even wore their shoes on the wrong feet!

 We picnicked by the pool this afternoon, and of course the kids got to eat their dessert before digging into their lunch;)

That may have been the most exciting part of the day for them!!

They then practiced their backstroke...

 and the babies showed me how they could float on their backs too;)

Tonight, we played a little game...

The boys had to decode several backward messages by reading them using the mirror.

Our backwards day was made complete when we sat down and enjoyed cinnamon pancakes, spinach and cheese scrambled eggs, and turkey sausages for dinner!
 I love having breakfast for dinner and the kids seemed to really enjoy it too!

 !!!!yaD sdrawkcaB yppaH

Playin' and Rainin'

Today's slip read...Let's jump and run INSIDE today;

We're headed to Monkey Joe's to play!

 Because it was so HOT here today, we decided to beat the heat by heading to Monkey Joe's for a morning of crazy, bouncing fun!

Wednesdays they offer a half-price day, AND as an added bonus I had a coupon for one free admission too. 

YAY for cheap summer fun-right!

Miss Sophie was seriously like a bolt of white lightening as she ran through that place. I could hardly keep up with her.

I know she totally wore herself OUT because

she slept for THREE FULL HOURS when we got home!

Crazy girl!!!

 My BIG boys paused for a moment so I could snap a pic and then they were off running again!

 Love my three little men!!

Tonight we had plans to go to Shane's softball game.

Unfortunately, those plans quickly changed when a HUGE summer storm rolled in.

 The kids were so disappointed and totally BUMMED that the game was canceled. They were so looking forward to seeing all their friends and playing with them on the ball field. 

 To make sure tonight wasn't a total bust, after dinner, AND after the thunder and lightening were over, we all headed outside to play in the rain!

 We enjoyed us a good...

 Raindrop eatin',

Puddle jumpin',

 

 Smilin' makin',

summer rain storm!

A sweet way to end the day;)

Today's slip read...

 "Pretty colors I do spy;

Let's get ready to tie dye!"

Today we rolled up our sleeves, picked out some fun summer colors, and got messy decorating our T-shirts.

Just the other day, I came across these really neat t-shirt paints at our local craft store.
I thought we should give them a try.

 They worked really well and the big boys had fun spraying their T's. 

The babies, on the other hand, were a little frustrated though because they couldn't work the spray bottles as easily as the older kids.

 This mommy had to step in and help just a little;)

 This was definitely a messy craft, but it wouldn't have been any fun otherwise-right!

And as a side note...

Have you tried this ice cream yet? 

Oh.My.Goodness...

I am the BIGGEST fan of ANYTHING peanut butter!

And if your a peanut-butter-a-holic like me, you MUST give it a try. 

So....delicious!!

Our green thumb;)

Well, today we were back to pulling our "Cool Summer Strips" again. 

We've taken about two weeks off--one week because of VBS and then last week because Shane was home.

The kids were really excited to be back to using the chart again and they couldn't wait to find out what was in store for them today. 

(We are providing respite care again for another foster family for a few days, so the kids let our "little friend"pull and read the strip for the day.)

Today's slip read...

"We're getting crafty in a special kind-of way.

Today is Cheer Up the Lonely Day"

I bought some terra-cotta pots for the kids to paint today. Then we went to the store and the kids helped me pick out some really pretty flowers to plant in each pot.

We then headed over to the nursing home where my grandpa is living and delivered our freshly potted plants to some of the sweet residents there.

We enjoyed a nice visit with my grandpa, but before long it was time for him to head to dinner.


We then stopped and said hello to a few of the other residents there, and handed our plants out to them.
I pray we were a blessing (even a small one) and were able to bring a little joy to their day.

And because we were in the gardening mood today,


 I surprised the kids with their very own dirt cake for dessert tonight!



Good to the very last drop;)