First, A Plan

 Taking three kids school shopping is not high on my list of things that I love to do.  "I'll need your help," I told Lindsey (my daughter).  

First the plan.  

My demands:

 Complete cooperation (stay settled and focus on the plan....  also stay in sight and do not wander off JAKE!  No complaints!  Do not be impatient/picky/obnoxious/hard to get along with MARISSA!  

We split up.

Lindsey and Summer teamed up and Jake and Marissa stayed with me.  

First Jake.  I was impressed with his ability to shop sensibly and his taste in style was Grammy-approved.  Good job, Jake!

Marissa next.  First thing in the basket was a jacket.  Fifty dollars??!!  I asked her if it was something she could not live without.  It was indeed something she could not live without, so it made it's way to the checkout.  It was on sale half price plus I got 30% off my entire order at Kohls.  Not so bad.  

Meanwhile in the girls section Lindsey had big success with Summer, who starts pre-K this fall.  Summer is laid-back and easy.  She loves everything girly.  She is a star shopper!

A new back pack for Rissi.  

A new pair of shoes for Jake.  

Then a toy for each for being such good shoppers.  Jake picked out a toy and shirt for his brother too.

And so ended our back-to-school shopping spree, 2016.

The older kids were oohing and aaahhhing as they watched the numbers go up on the cash register while checking out.  We weren't sure what our total would be...    I held my breath and Lindsey was looking a little unsure.  Riss and Jake were giggling, and being wowed by the increasing numbers.  The girl checking us out told the kids that their grammy must really love them to buy them all this stuff.  (She is right!)

It was okay.  The total was in the range that I expected and I got a nice chunk of Kohl's cash to spend next week.  

At 30% off our entire purchase it was a great time to shop!  And we shopped early enough that there were a lot of choices yet.  

I did not ask for the style show that followed, but it blessed my heart that these kids appreciated the clothes and that they showed me their appreciation by taking the time to model their new clothes before jumping in the pool on this hot summers day.

A Grand Sunday

The second the organ music started playing in church, Jasper bowed his head to pray.

Jake takes his brothers cue and prays too....

They have their dollars ready to put in the collection plate...

Later some Summer fun with my new IPad Pro...  

Will the real Summer please stand up...

And we can't forget the oldest...  Marissa..  a real water bug.  

Hope your Sunday was a good one too.

The Heat Is On

If it wouldn't have been in the dead of summer I would have dressed for the occasion.

But I just couldn't see me investing money in a poodle skirt, bobby socks, and a pair of saddle oxfords for one morning of fun...  not when temps were pushing ninety and I knew darn well that I would literally die in anything other than sandals.  Now if this 50's extravaganza would have happened in the fall or winter I would have considered it..  I'm always ready to join in on the fun! 

 Costume judging wasn't till one o'clock anyway and we were making a bee line for our backyard pool by then.  

But it was a relaxing morning browsing the antique market in Hancock, Md. and I even made a few purchases.  The oldies blasting from the speakers took us back to a simpler time.  

Oh, to be young again!

Anytime Gary or I pick up a hat to model, the other always teases.  "Head lice! Head lice!"  Hey, ya never know where that hat might have been!  

But there we are...  always living on the edge.

No, I did not buy the hat...  though it was so me...   

But I did take advantage of the 10 cent root beer float and the free popcorn.  Both were soooooo totally yummy!  A perfect morning.

By the time we made it home the heat was on!

 And the pool was calling our name.

Check out miss nosey peering through the gate to see what's going on.