2nd Attempt At Stone Mountain

Shaun and I took the kids to Stone Mountain for a second time this last Saturday. We were joined by one of my good friends from church Deirdre Davis and her 10mth boy Ashton. Its been warming up quite considerable, and how better to take advantage of that than to go for a nice hike up a steep stone mountain?

Shaun had Isabel in our backpack (its a little too steep for her, but she did walk down the whole way), Ian was in his sling with me, and Deirdre bought a brand new backpack to put Ashton in. This backpack was pretty awesome, with a sunshade, and a little mirror so you can see your baby without taking the pack off. Unfortunately with the baby, and all the gear it was roughly 30lbs on her back. Her legs were extremely sore by the time we headed home. She was such a trooper.
We stopped midway for a breather, and a snack.

There are these depressions all over the top of Stone Mountain that many people mistakenly take for lightening strikes. According to the park its actually just weak spots in the mountain that eroded away. I'd like to think its lightening, much more exciting.

We made it to the top!

Deirdre and I, with our favorite little boys, in front of the Confederate carving.

We relaxed by the lake to recuperate after the hike.

PAY IT FORWARD!

If someone needs a little loving to assure them its okay,

you hug and laugh together,

and pay it forward.

How I want to Pay it Forward:

1. Be one of the first 3 bloggers to leave a comment on this post and you will win a handmade item from me!

2. Winners, you must post this challenge on your blog, meaning you will Pay It Forward, creating a handmade gift for the first 3 bloggers who leave a comment on YOUR post about this giveaway.

3. You have 365 days to make/ship your item which can be in any price range. Remember it’s the spirit and the thought that count!

4. When you receive your gift, blog about it and share the appropriate link love. Don't forget to post your winners and your handmade gifts when you're done, too.

*If you are not one of the top 3 commenters on this post, you can still play along. Post it on your blog to start your own Pay It Forward chain and encourage your readers to do the same!

Fun Kid Recipe

This Goopy Goo recipe is just SO AWESOME!

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose white glue

1 cup water, divided

food coloring

1 tablespoon borax

Blend:

glue and 3/4 water until smooth

Add:

desired amount of food coloring; blend well and set aside

Blend:

remaining water with borax in a small bowl; stir wall

Add:

borax solution to glue mixture; stir until goo begins to form, then remove from bowl. There will be some liquid remaining in the bowl.

Make:

another batch of goo by blending 1/4 cup water with borax in a small bowl

Add:

to the remaining liquid in the first bowl; stir until goo begins to form

STORE: Goo in plastic zipping bags.

I made a batch of goopy goo for Isabel months ago and I still have it. It keeps forever as long as the goo gets put back in the bag when the kids are done. Isabel and Ian play with this stuff for hours! I give them a bunch of my cooking utensils and off they go. Keep in mind that it is very hard to get out if you let it dry on the carpet, clothes, anything really. Even still this stuff is awesome!

Izzy Starts Pre-K!

I am so excited!! I just signed Isabel up for Preschool today! She starts August 6th, and its free! Pre-K in Georgia is funded by the Georgia Lottery for Education. So Izzy gets to go to school on other people's gambling money.

Her schedule is going to be five days a week, from 8am-2:30pm. What am I going to do with all that time?

The Spectacular Binky Boy!

Watch this spectacular event of not one but TWO binky's disappear!

Okay, they didn't exactly disappear, but he is pretty spectacular isn't he!?

Warm weather means bubble time!

For those who aren't in the know, when warm weather finally comes around it's best to be sure you have plenty of bubble solution on hand for the kids. My kids end up on our porch for HOURS playing with the bubbles. I admit I have fun doing it too. It's relaxing.

Another excuse to show off my kids

This was taken by Deirdre at a playdate at Calloway Gardens. Isn't he just adorable!? Thanks Dre for the picture, I love candid photos.

Getting an 'Egg' start on Easter

We were at Lowe's getting a new plant for our front room and I saw all of these ceramic eggs that you are supposed to crack open, water, and watch a flower plant grow. I thought it was fabulous, and wanted Izzy to try it out. She dropped it as we were paying for it which put cracks in it that went the wrong way. That is why there is a rubber band around it. So far no plant.

I am constantly trying new shampoo, make-up, perfume, etc. Every once and a while I'll find a keeper, but nothing to really rave about till now. As you all know I've started jogging everyday, and I am not one of those type who can sit around in your sweat all day (sorry to be gross). So I've been trying different liquid Body Wash soap to see which was the best, and I have a winner!

C.O. Bigelow Mentha Body Vitamin Body Wash!

Absolutely love it! It really makes your skin tingle, and the peppermint smell rejuvenates me after a hard work out. Totally recommend it.

Drinking Chocolate

Speaking of Hot Chocolate (mentioned in my post before this one) I was watching the Food Network a few days ago and they did a segment on Drinking Chocolate. Apparently its NOT a new concept in Europe, but there is hot cocoa which is a powdered drink and drinking chocolate which is actual chocolate melted down into a drink. Now wouldn't that be something to try! I'll have to try it one of these days.

Its Snowing in Georgia!

Yesterday it was raining so hard that it was dark midday. It finally cleared up at about 6:00 p.m. Imagine to my surprise when I took the dog out this morning to see slush coming down. I made a mental note to dress myself and the kids warm for church today. As I finished getting everybody ready I noticed that slush had turned to snow and it was coming down fast. Big huge fluffy snowflakes are covering the ground right now as I right this blog. Its amazing and so beautiful to see here in Georgia. Shaun didn't feel comfortable with me driving the kids to church by myself so we stayed in (Shaun had to work) and I made Hot Apple Cider. Its Izzy's and I favorite drink now because I cool it down with some flavored cream, like the kind you put in hot chocolate or coffee. It may sound weird but it turned out really yummy. I can no longer go back to hot chocolate, plus cider has lots of good vitamin C.