A trip to the zoo and some glow chalk too

We finally have had some sun, and some mild temps.  The boys trip to the zoo was chilly however, but we are getting there.

The grill is getting a work out and we have enjoyed some corn on the cob at dinner too. 

I feel super blessed to have my kids..or most of them grown and yet 9x out of 10 have a sit down family dinner with them.  Family time, with a house full is my favorite time. 

The boys are enjoying the outdoors.  It is all we can do to nail them to the dinner table long enough to scarf down something healthy before they are off and running again. Ahh summer.

Dave will have our pool up and running for the holiday weekend.  Whether it will be sunny enough for the kids to brave the icy water is another matter entirely.  But at least it will be there.  Something comforting and relaxing about having it open, fountain running or lit up at night...it is our oasis in a cruddy neighborhood....bloom where you're planted I guess.

We are planning a trip to Al and Jeana's on Sunday for the Memorial Weekend Holiday.  However that is now up in the air.  Last night Jeana had emergency surgery to remove her appendix..so depending on her recovery we shall see.  I know we will be bummed if we can't go, it is always such a great time...and my favorite place to have my camera permanently adhered to my hand.  I mean really, a farm, horse back rides, chickens, volleyball, great food, s'mores and a bon-fire...doesn't get more Americana if you ask me.  Always a great time.  The skeeters are bound to be God awful this year with all the rain...I plan to wear an extra layer of skin loaded with OFF.  I have always been one of their favorite dishes :(

This weekend we managed to get more potted plants and hanging baskets for the porch, and Bill hung a huge wooden red white and blue star for me on to the house.  It is shaping up! and the side walk chalk art gets better every year.  This year Will wrote his name and Emily's...Bill and I were so impressed.  I hope he loves school, he is so smart!

Speaking of chalk art, Saturday we bought a glow chalk kit.  It is really cool.  Not a mess I want to deal with everyday, but sooo sooo fun.  You mix it and pour into molds about 30 mins before dark, then have at it.  There were flecks of chalk glowing on my kitchen floor, on every body part imaginable, and it was a 2 bath night for the boys.  But oh did we have fun.  Even BK, E and H had a ball.  AND YES, even daddy joined in on the fun writing NO TRESPASSING on the porch steps lol.  Love my family!

Oh and a personal note; I have been having more knitting fun..here is an example.