Day 161

We stopped by the fire station today to get the kids' cars seats installed. I recently had both car seats out and couldn't get them back in as tight as I wanted to, plus I like knowing that they are installed by someone trained to do so!   The kids had fun getting an up close look at the trucks and equipment and I admit, I enjoyed looking at the firemen equipment too! And this might sound like kind of a public service announcement.... but ya'll.... please make sure your car seats are installed correctly...and that you are using the safest choices for your kids in regards to seats. Something crazy like 80% of child restraints are used incorrectly, and over 1/3 of children ride in the unsafest kind of seat for their age/size. Many fire stations (almost all stations in Alabaster) have car seat installation trained firemen and are happy to do it. It took all of 10 minutes, literally ;)

ready to ride!

Day 160

We had an exciting morning! At my parents' house there is a live trap set to try and catch a nasty opposum that has decided to take residence under their porch/crawlspace. When we went to feed Bailey last night we noticed a baby had been caught... So this morning we happened to be at the house when Critter Control came to pick up the baby and we got to have a short lesson on opposums! He was so nice and wonderful- got the baby out and showed them how he 'plays possum', how he uses his tail to hang, etc. Then he told us where the baby will go until it's big enough to be released and survive on its own.

Day 159

This afternoon Rachel and the kids and I made a field trip to the Gardendale Splash Pad.  Last year, it was a total FAIL so I was hesitant to go again...but thankfully my kids have gotten brave (finally) and had lots of fun getting wet!

the was Jack's favorite thing to do...b/c he could play with the water without actually getting wet

love Clark's face in this one!

sweet Reid checking it out

silly E....with an awesome bruise on her arm!  She is covered in them! 

Day 158

(still catching up)
Elizabeth helped me plant some flowers yesterday.  She was very serious about it...careful not to touch the flowers or break any stems. As you can see...this baby worked up a sweat!  I really hope these flowers don't die---we had a hard enough time recovering from the death of her bean sprout from school and the fact that her orange seeds she saved from her lunch one day haven't produced orange trees in the backyard yet.

Day 157

Last night, while uploading pics of my camera to try and catch up on my blog...the power went out so now I am 2 days behind!  Here is Saturday's pic---DIY bubbles and refills!

I got the idea from Pinterest and it has been a lifesaver here!  My kids love bubbles---and are notorious for spilling the bottles multiple times a day (I have to think Jack might be doing it on purpose...ha) I picked up this cute little drink dispenser at Walmart for 3$, E helped decorate it and made my own solution :

6 cups water

2 cups Dawn dishwashing liquid

3/4 cup light corn syrup

Mix all ingredients together in a LARGE container (like my refill bottle!)...or an empty water bottle, milk jug, etc. Shake everything up and let sit for a few hours. There's nothing worse than lame bubble solution when the kids can't seem to blow a bubble to save their lives...and this solution fixes that problem It is awesome! 

Day 156

We had a wonderful time visiting our friends this weekend. Here are the 4 angelic (not) kiddos in the fleeting moment of all of them together in one place :)

Day 155

We are visiting our friends Katie, Maggie and new baby Lucy this weekend. Elizabeth is in heaven helping out with a REAL baby!