So these are my wiffle balls in disguise. I have no idea if I am spelling that right. Do you know what I mean, those white plastic balls with holes all around? Well they had them at our dollar store and I decided they might have secret desires to be cute. So I cut strips of fabric and hot glued them around each ball.
I found this little guy at the thrift store.
Spray paint stikes again! I made some white balls and now my toilet is cute.
See?
I would like to move in.
This guy would like to move out!
This is my new footstool.
It used to look like this. Some paint and a whipped together little patchwork top, a lot of hot glue;
And now I have this. So that is why I am not blogging much. The kids are off to school and I can't seem to stop crafting. I really should shift gears to Halloween and Christmas but I am having too much fun with the spray paint!
William found some pictures on his camera that never got downloaded. These are so fun I had to post them. For a few years now my dad, William and my brother-in-law Nathan have taken my the old family boat out fishing at least once a Summer. I say the old family boat because it has belonged to my dad's parents since the 60's I think. My mom learned to water-ski behind it when she and my dad were dating. Loads of memories. Anyway, now it is the guys fishing boat and they love it. Matthew got to go with them for the first time last Summer so this year he was an old hand. They go down to Schofield reservoir.
Look at that face! Lots of fish were caught. Let's just pretend he has a life-jacket on shall we?
Uh-oh, Mr. Fish is trying to make a break for it!
And he is off the hook! Oh well, saves dad the trouble of getting him off.
To make it an even better day Uncle Nathan delivered on a promise Matthew has been hounding him about for a long time. Target practice with real, actual fire-arms! I am so glad we have Uncle Nathan to handle this part of Matthew's boyhood. He is so interested in guns and all that goes with them and I feel just as comfortable with Nate handling the guns as I would with William. If William had guns and skills. To finish the day off they went to our favorite Mexican restaurant, Los Hermanos. Fishing, guns and fried ice cream. It just couldn't get better! 
I found this card in Matthew's backpack the other day. His class had made cards for his birthday. You have to read it from right to left. It absolutley cracks me up. I love that this little girl can predict an eight year old boy's reaction to her declaration. 
This is one of my favorite meatless recipes. Unfortunately my family doesn't share the love. I made it to take to some neighbors last week.
I am going to miss getting to send them outside to play so much.
The one day of the school year that makes the drawer full of colored hairsprays in my bathroom worthwhile.
Who is the cool mom now?
The menfolk went to Peach Days this weekend. Lots of cars and just hanging with your granpa, what more could you ask for? Well, I guess getting to go to the show and still make it back in time to score a goal in your soccer game, which the awesome grandpa also attended
I mean, just look at all those cars!
Pretty sure it is cleaner under that hood than in my house.
Grandpa has an old Corvette so I am pretty sure a lot of time was spent in the 'Vette area.
Matthew told me about this one so it must have been pretty cool.
Dream on Grandpa!
The patchwork flower pillow.
There is something about a big family gathering like the baptism last week that makes me want to give my house a face lift. This is actually the after picture, I added this green table.
Here is a close-up.
The before. I found it at the thrift store. Nice heavy piece and the hardware was even still pretty good.
The top was pretty rough and had an unexplained hole. So I sanded it a bit. Didn't plug the hole though, too impatient. I just put the plant over it! 
This is my new favorite discovery, especially since I seem to be a spray painting fool right now. How did I not buy one of these sooner? For less than $3 I can paint a piece of furniture and not feel like my arthritic great-grandmother afterward! 
I just got back from taking Josh to his first day of Pre-school. Finally, after weeks of waiting it was his turn. He is one of the big kids this year, the four year olds. He was excited, walked right in, got his name sticker and went to work finding a toy and a friend. I was so proud. And sad. My baby is so big and as wonderful as he is it makes me sad. How long until he won' t let me smooch on his face anymore? There was a little guy coming in as I left who I could tell had just been told my his mom that he was big now and so he got to go to school. I heard him say " but I don't want to be big". I am right there with you kid.
This year Matthew wanted a birthday cake that looked like tank. The kid is obsessed with all things Army. I am hoping it is a phase like the superhero one because I honestly don't think I could bear it if he actually joined the Army, I am way to big a worrier for that. I have decided that my kids actually like making the cake with me as much as the end result.
The army dude and his cake. Complete with Oreo dirt and more army guys.
A close-up. I have to admit, it really was a fun cake. 
They would hate me saying this, but aren't they the cutest thing ever?
My boys in white. Neither one like to have his picture taken, can you tell?
The three of us after the baptism. William just won't learnt not to talk when someone is taking a picture.
All of these wonderful people love Matthew and gave up a part of their Saturday afternoon to come support him. We love them all.
Aunt Gloria even came all the way from Minnesota!
Grandma and Grandpa withe their oldest grandson.
With Oma and Opa, still not smiling. 
Matthew is eight today. Eight is big if you are LDS. At eight you are old enough to be accountable for your decisions and so we are baptized, Matthew is really lucky because it works out that he will be baptized on his birthday. Of course that has to be accompanied by great celebrating! So today is all about Matthew, he is such a great kid. Look at that face! Don't you wish he was yours? But no, he is mine all mine! Well and his dad's. He is funny, smart, sweet, curious, busy and just an all around great kid. We hope today is really great and you have an eight year old birthday you will always remember Matthew!
Okay, so I am really in a good book drought. This is the best thing I have read all Summer. This and her other three books. Ruth Reichl was the food critic for the New York Times. Her memoirs are funny, and of course full of food. I really enjoyed them. Not as much as I enjoyed The Help last Summer though. Anyone read anything good? Oh, and I tried The Hunger Games and I just couldn't love it. I just don't want to know about kids fighting and killing each other. So other than that send me your suggestions!
Upon entering room I find this and hear, "It was Gage's idea!"
Yes, that would be both hands in one handcuff! I love four year olds!
