rule # 1

marshallow bribes treats are ok when you still have 5 hours to go and he wants out of the car...

now!

rule #2

stop at least every three for potty and running around...

especially if you had to apply rule #1.

it's what they do all day, every day.

with these two,

caroline and ellie.

summer long friends for the last 3 years.

they swim together.

eat together.

fish together.

they miss each other when they aren't around.

pick up where they left off.

i take the same picture every year.

memories in the making.

 

 

...he's really that cute.

chilling out on his daddy's lap.

taking a breath after swim lessons.

watching the kids playing on the shore.

planning his next adventure.

you are so lucky that you get to go white water rafting and you are only 7.

i know!

how old were you your first time, mom?

39.

it took him a beat to figure it out...

then he smiled that big pickle smile like he was the luckiest kid in the world.

this one had the time of his life.

it was on the top of his list of things to do this summer.

big will not give me the satisfaction of looking even in the general direction of my camera.

i have to sneak attack him...

he caught me and looked away.

this is as close as i got for a smile before tom locked the camera in the truck.

someone was a* little* nervous with the thought of my camera being near water.

even though we still had a 15 minute wait and 10 minute bus ride until we were anywhere close to it.

we had a blast.

can't wait to go back and try a longer route with iii and iv rapids.

 

what else would you bake on a monday?

according to one of sam's favorite wiggles songs...

nothing else will do.

hence the inspiration.

this week...

tuscan lemon ricotta muffins with our own addition of blueberlays.

yum!

depending on who you ask,

they are good, if not better, than last week's

banana bread muffins with a peanut butter truffle.

yum...again!

i am glad they are in the kitchen with me.

measuring, mixing, licking.

there is a little extra flour on the counter tops...

totally worth it.