Angry Birds come to life

I saw this idea on Pinterest several weeks ago and had to pin it for future fun. Pure brilliance, I tell you! Since then, we've been on the lookout for rocks the right size and shape. We picked up one or two in northern Michigan and a few more in NH.

We started painting the rocks this week. Ethan helped draw some of the pig faces.




While out shopping today for last-minute school supplies, we stopped by a dollar store and were excited to find the same water-toy slingshots used in the original post. They worked well, once the boys got the hang of them.



Elaborate structures for the pigs were soon springing up.





Angry birds began flying.



Kingdoms were destroyed.



The only thing missing, that distinctive mumbo-jumbo battle cry of the vigilante birds and their piggy nemeses.

A day at the museum

Our city has been part of an exhibit sponsored by the DIA. In return, residents were offered free admission to the museum today. I've been wanting to go, but unsure how the kids would do.






This was the perfect chance to try it out, risk-free. We wouldn't have to feel bad walking away in case of major meltdowns since we hadn't paid a cent.



I knew by reputation that it was worth seeing and it did not disappoint. Ah, Detroit and its hidden jewels.





The boys did well, for the most part. Inside voices were strongly encouraged. No Picassos were defaced. Running and jumping kept to a minimum.



We let Sadie out of the stroller for a little romp and photo ops. She delighted us all by attempting to stand right beneath Van Gogh's self-portrait.



The cheering that resulted was not entirely appropriate for a museum, I'm afraid.



In the end, it was the usual hunger pangs that drove us out. Everyone was STARVING and I wasn't about to whip out goldfish under the watchful gaze of the Postman Roulin.



Culture. A little bit never killed anyone.

(More pictures here)

Guest post: Ethan blogs the Au Sable river

The canoe trip was one of the activities we participated in while in Grayling. Drew, Daddy and I went on the canoe trip. It was 3 hours. Drew was sitting in the middle. He did not paddle.

The weather was perfect. When we were about 10 minutes through the course there was an overhanging branch from a birch tree. We all saw it. We started paddling away from the branch but the stream was carrying us towards the branch. Finally it came to the top of the canoe. It skimmed the end of it.



I tried to duck but it was too low. It happened all so suddenly I do not remember exactly what happened but the next thing I know I was lying in the middle of the boat with my head hurting.

After 3 hours of paddling we got to the finishing station. I had a great time.

Sun, sand and soldiers

We've been home from our little vacation now for over a week but I still like to pretend I'm back there. Minus the bugs, thank you very much.



We tried a couple different beaches on nearby Lake Margrethe. The one time I didn't bring my camera was the only occasion we brought along our raft. It was later punctured after that one use.



Enough of that, though. We were able to gain access to a military base, Camp Grayling, in order to try out the beach there. It was largely empty and we enjoyed our long stretch of sand.



Keith filled me in on statistics about the base. Apparently it is the largest National Guard training spot in the U.S. It's not every day you glance behind your shoulder and suddenly become aware of several camouflaged men crouching below the trees, rifles up and pointed in your direction. A minute later, gone.

Very creepy.

Here's a little clip from the beach. If you watch closely, you can see a few soldiers running by in the far background.



Nothing like a well protected vacation.

Coming soon: Guest post!

Up North

We've wanted to explore northern Michigan since we moved here. The furthest north I've been was Muskegon although Keith has traveled more. We generally try to reserve travel energy (and money) for our trips East and South to visit family.

But, this summer, thanks to a generous offer, we've been able to see some more of this great state. We aren't all the way north but close. A friend offered the use of his family cabin and we were excited to accept.

Discovery number 1: Northern Michigan has the coolest bunk beds ever. At least this place does. The boys are in heaven.


It's been a bit wet since we arrived but we've been able to check out the lake nearby (Keith and the boys have anyway) and visit an elk herd which was pretty spectacular, really.





The weather is looking good for the next couple days. I'm so thankful that the kids will have these memories.

Hot enough?

It's hot. Too hot to think. So here's what we did.





Amazing what a little soap and water can do to cool things off.





And just how much kids can accomplish when they are having fun.





The boys ended up cleaning one Ford, one Little Tikes Cozy Coupe, one bike and each other. Not bad for a scorching hot, summer day.

Refreshment

I didn't have a great camera yesterday but I still want to mention one of the ways we tried to beat the heat.

I saw a recipe for Watermelon Granitas on Pioneer Woman and with a watermelon sitting in the fridge, the timing was just right.



I didn't have limes so I used a lemon and it came out great. Watermelon, cut up, then pureed with a little lemon juice and a couple tablespoons of sugar. Freeze it and scrape it up with a fork.

Serve!

More fun than...

I have a new blog favorite. Young House Love with all of it's DIY charm and intrigue. Inspiring and depressing as all good websites tend to be.

Clicking around the site I found a post in which the couple learned to make their own rain barrel. I've wanted one but never thought of looking into workshops. Behold, I did a search and there was one within reasonable driving distance.

Ethan was going to accompany me but sadly gave in to the lure of video games and stayed behind. Probably for the best since I got turned around about a hundred times on my trip, anxiety climbing almost to driving-in-Boston levels. Almost.

My biggest surprise, upon arriving five minutes late, was that no one even noticed. People were milling around, moving freely from one station to the next. No one was tapping their foot, pointing at a watch, sighing at my tardiness. Such are the fears of the neurotically punctual.

Armed with the world's worst cell phone camera, I managed to document the work of my helper who did virtually everything for me.

I picked out a barrel and put my initials on it. That's it. I overheard rumors that the barrels originally housed pickles or olives. Or both? Either way, for $20, they were a steal.



My young helper first covered the top with a screen.



Then he covered the back of a spigot (listen to my jargon!) with caulking (again!) and screwed it into a pre-drilled hole.



Too bad you can't actually see it. Just use your imagination.

Next, he asked where I would like the overflow hole to go, depending on where I planned to put it in the yard. Um, just put it...there. Whatever.



That was it. Done!

And then I was accosted by an inquisitive couple on the way to my car asking why I had that barrel and what I planned to use it for. DUH.

At home, Keith promptly hooked it right up to its final resting place.



Some statistics that might make you jealous of my new acquisition:

"After just one inch of rainfall, the average roof will collect more than 500 gallons of fresh, naturally softened water."

"An average family can collect 45,000 gallons of rainwater a year."

"Rainwater runoff can carry harmful chemicals, fertilizers, and pesticides into our city sewers. By collecting rainwater and distributing it on dry, summer days (when plants need it most) you are helping to keep our rivers and lakes clean."

Happy, Al?

U pick

After years of meaning to get out and try it, I finally managed to take the boys strawberry picking today, just before the season ended.



The morning could not have been nicer. Warm but breezy, perfect for picking.



Ethan was our master picker. He got right to work and gathered the majority of berries and would have stayed longer if I let him.



In the meantime, I tried to juggle my camera and Adam and Drew.



Adam did really well. He didn't fuss at all. Mostly he just stood still and ate berries.



Poor Drew was the one somehow baffled by the whole thing. "But, how do I pick them?"

"Just grab one and PULL IT OFF!"

"But HOW?" Moan, whine, wail, groan, give up.


We spent about an hour in the fields before giving in to Drew's pleas and demands.



10 pounds of beautiful, red, deliciousness! Ethan is full of plans for what we can make with them.

All together now

Last Friday we managed a little family outing. Something which has admittedly become rather rare. We have a great network of trails in this area and it is a fairly easy ride to a popular cider mill. It's a great fall destination but they also have good ice-cream and the summer-time advantage of no crowds.






















The men-folk took the bike trail and Sadie and I drove to meet them. I can't wait 'til she is old enough to sit in the bike seat behind me so we can all go together.















The weather was perfect and I think everyone enjoyed themselves.






















We had one incident where Drew kicked off his croc in the swiftly moving river and Ethan fell and cut himself on the rocks trying to retrieve it. Keith saved the day by running down beside the water and grabbing it.















Also. There were goats. Or cows, as Adam insists on calling them. Loud goats. Adam worked up his nerve to visit them beside their pen, and was just getting comfortable when they let out the loudest "MaaaaHHHHaaaaaaa" you have ever heard. I think we all jumped. Adam threw himself face first on the grass beside them. He was not happy.















Lulled to sleep in her car seat, Sadie slept the entire time. Ah, peace.