a little pat on the back

I was just sitting here looking through pictures and thinking about things I don't want to forget.

Of course, several times throughout the day, I hold Olivia.  So often, when I pick her up, she either rubs my back or pats my back.  I'm fully aware that she does it to me just because I do it to her, but it is just one of the sweetest things.  

Love that sweet baby.  

oliviaisms

Josh had late shift last night, so the girls and I were dining alone.  I rarely sit down and eat with them when Josh isn't home.  

But, I had actually planned a dinner for the evening, so I sat down and ate with them.  Everyone was in a really great mood, and no one complained about the food.  Well, maybe Amelia complained about the food, but I didn't notice because she complains every night about the food.  I digress.  

Anyway, so we had a great dinner.  The girls were laughing with each other and telling stories.  And it seems like the end of our meals always turn into making silly faces at Olivia and trying to get her to do funny things.  

Tonight, Olivia was just jabbering away, saying absolutely nothing decipherable {as usual}.  Amelia looked right at her and said, "Olivia, your words make absolutely no sense!"  This reminded me of another dinner conversation shortly before Olivia was born about her possibly being Chinese and us not being able to understand her.  And then I thought, maybe she IS speaking Chinese and that's why we can't understand her.  Just something I'm currently pondering.

So, as a little background to the next part of the conversation, Olivia's favorite word is no.  All day long.  I'm sure I'm not exaggerating when I tell you that she says it at least 200 times a day.  She often says it once very firmly and loudly, and then follows that up with several short, trailing off nos.  

Conversation between A and O:

A: Olivia!  Do you know what a cow says?!

O: NO!!  {As in, don't ask me these types of questions; I have no time for your silly cows! Think Grumpy Cat style.}

A: Olivia, a cow says "moooooo"!

O: {in the same tone that Amelia just said mooooo}  Nooooooooooo!

Hysterical laughter followed.  Love these girls.   

menu planning: june 2013

Yay for June!  I seemed to have an abundance of recipes for this month when I planned it.  For starters, I didn't plan until June 2.  Then, I have 4 days within June that I don't have to cook dinner.  Totally happy about that. :)

June 3-8

3: grilled ham steaks

4: sweet and sour chicken

5: fajitas

6: pancakes and bacon

7: no cooking

8: no cooking

June 9-15

9: no cooking

10: breakfast casserole

11: rosemary pork

12: no cooking

13: grilled duck breasts {late dinner}

14: spaghetti

15: pork shoulder

June 16-22

16: leftovers

17: angel hair chicken pasta

18: pot roast sliders {new/crock pot}

19: homemade pizza

20: french toast and sausage

21: tacos

22: chicken manicotti

June 23-30

23: homemade hamburger helper

24: potato boat dinner {new}

25: maple roasted chicken and sweet potatoes

26: frozen pizza

27: philly cheesesteak stuffed peppers {late dinner}

28: stir fry

29: santa fe chicken salad

30: deer steaks

just breathing

Well, here were are.  It's summertime.

We pushed our way through the last couple of weeks of school, and we survived.  We finished May 17, and it was such a great feeling!!

As a homeschool mom, I absolutely love summer.  It is such a blessing to not have to keep everyone on task.

We're playing games.  We're playing outside.  We're playing with water balloons.  We're playing in the garden.  We're playing with the garden hose.  We're playing at the park.

We're staying up late.  We're sleeping in.  We're eating lunches outside.

Oh, and we're potty training.  Overall, it's going well...more on this later!

If I haven't commented on your blog recently, it's because I haven't been reading it!  Sorry.  I'll catch up eventually.

Hope everyone is having a great summer!