Flip Flop Bandits

"Where are my shoes, I left them here just a minute ago?!"

Jelly and SJ strike again.

Jelly is SJ's cousin, my brother's daughter. No, that's not her real name :o)

Healthy Summer Eats

I love to cook and enjoy making yummy, healthy food for my family. Some of our summer favorites are tzatziki with pitas, homemade popsicles, and watermelon. Nothing says summer like eating cold watermelon while lounging by the pool!

Tzatziki (a Greek dip usually served with gyros)
16 oz plain fat free yogurt
1 large cucumber, shredded
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, pressed
1/4 c minced onion
1 tsp dried dill/1 tbsp fresh dill
salt and pepper to taste
Place yogurt in a strainer lined with a large coffee filter (or cheesecloth) over a bowl. Refrigerate overnight. Discard liquid. Mix strained yogurt and remaining ingredients. Chill 4 hrs and serve.

Blueberry Pops (from MOPS)
1 pt fresh blueberries
1 c fat free vanilla yogurt
1 c skim milk
sugar to taste (I didn't use any, still delicious)
Blend until smooth, then freeze.

Insanely cute

2 cute things already, it's only 8 am.
-SJ says "fuffin" for "muffin".
-At breakfast, I handed B his cereal and SJ whispered to B, "Wendom, say thank you Mommy"!

Summer Fun

We've been spending lots of time by the pool with friends and family this summer. B passed his 2nd swimming test with Super Daddy and got a remote control racetrack. He had to perform 5 skills to claim the prize, B is quite the swimmer!

SJ let me put puffs in her hair finally. I got the front row done and she said, "Mommy, finish hairbows", they did look so cute. She also loves swimming and cries when we drag her inside.

Lounging by the pool with girlfriends while the kids play and eat watermelon makes even the summer heat fun. Come over and join us!

Photos: 1-First time SJ allowed Uncle to hold her, also Cousin B. 2-SJ in the pool, fearless one she is. 3- Coffey grandkids. 4- B "driving".

Dedication Sunday

This past Sunday, we had the privilege of dedicating our daughter to the Lord. We dressed her in the family christening gown (which fit a 2 yr old!?!), an Ethiopian headdress, an Ethiopian cross necklace and of course, new shoes. B wore a traditional Ethiopian shirt. We were able to hold a lit candle in honor of SJ's First Mother during the ceremony. Most of our family and friends were able to join the festivities. Following the service, Auntie Jo, Miss Missy and Mamaw were kind enough to serve lunch for us. I made doro we't for SJ, which she inhaled. It was a special day and we are honored to parent this little lady.

Brother and Sister

It is clear to me that God planned for SJ and B to be brother and sister. They are quite similar, in the cutest ways.

*They both love to swim and jump off of the diving board. SJ is already swimming around (with floaties of course) the pool and going off the diving board! B got too much sun today even with 3 reapplications of Coppertone.

*They both want to change clothes and/or shoes several times a day. SJ is a shoe fiend, she even likes to sort her brother's shoes and pick them up for him. Most of you know about B and his costumes, he's been in this "phase" for 3 years now.

*They are both fearless and adventurous! B loves all rides, the higher and faster the better. SJ saw a commercial for Dollywood's Thunderhead Coaster. She pointed at it and said, "SJ ride!".

B and SJ are growing in their love for each other. I feel so blessed to watch them together. And yes, they like to annoy each other too, they truly are brother and sister.

Stupid Humidity

It's only the beginning of June, and already I'm cranky about the heat. We left the house at 9:45 and I got sweaty just putting the kids in the car! We went to the park this morning with our SuperAmazing MOPS group, have I mentioned I LOVE MY MOPS GIRLS!!?? B and "The Outlaw" ran around in the woods with sticks, SJ jockeyed for time on the swings, and we later sat down for a snack in the shade.

This is a busy week for us, we've got VBS at church. B would rather go off and do his own thing rather than participate with his class and SJ is spending her time there following me around. The kids are hot and sweaty each night, but they're having a blast and sleeping well.

If you need me this summer, I'll be in the pool...