A reptile f(oe)riend

I am scared of snakes.  Yes, any type or kind.  It doesn't matter if it is ity-bity, I would rather come in contact with a bear.  I have never had any super scary encounters with snakes... although there was that one time I was laying beside my parents pool and a snake slithered right past in the water.  Or that time at my grandparents where we were exploring a nearby river and I almost stepped on one when crossing the river.  But anyway... I still have an unhealthy fear of snakes.

My son on the other hand does not.  He found a little garter snake the other day when we were playing outside near the water.  I told him "that's neat bud" while slowing backing away.  A cabin guest, Doug, on the other hand stopped and grabbed the snake and held it so Nate could touch it.  With no fear, Nate decided to hold it as well.

Yesterday, we found another (probably the same) snake in our back yard and Nate immediately says "Snake!" and runs over to try and catch it.  Now, I don't want him to have an unhealthy fear of snakes like me.. but I do want him to have a healthy fear!!

Anyway, later that day our fun activity was to play with some play-doh and of course what did Nate want to make.  Snakes.  Oh, and a big sandwich.

Snack time

After nap time (or more like rest time for Nate theses days) the kids get some juice and a snack to share.   I wish I were more creative when it comes to snacks and also that my kids would eat things like carrots or cucumbers... but snack nap normally consists of peanut butter ritz crackers or craisens or cheez-its.

Sharing is caring. 

CHEESE!!!

Help me out here with some suggestions.  What do you give your kids to snack on?  

"Nate's turn"

My little man is getting more and more independent.  He loves to do things all by himself if he can.  I hear "Nate's turn!" numerous times a day as I will try to help him with something, but he doesn't want my help.  I know that if I buckle his seatbelt, put the lid on his juice, get him dressed, etc... it will go so much faster, but I love that he is learning to do things by himself.  Unfortunately, he has acquired his mom's personality quirk of getting frustrated easily if things are hard, but I'm proud of him for trying.

Sometimes he decides to be funny as well.. as this picture demonstrates as he got dressed the other day.

Silly child that I love.

Happy Saturday Daddy!

Joe has not gotten a lot of sleep this week... or really since summer started for that matter.  He normally has something he has to be at early in the morning so the kids don't get to see him when they wake up in the morning.  But today is Saturday.  And even though Joe is working, he didn't have to be there at the crack of dawn.  Nate and Chloe were excited that daddy was home when they woke up.  I tried to keep them quiet as long as possible to let him sleep in a little, but getting up on our bed and waking up daddy was a highlight of the day for them.  I have to admit, I don't think Joe minded it so much either as he took these pictures of his kids sitting on top of him.  

Sunglasses hanger

After two more pairs of sunglasses have gotten broken from little curious hands and after supergluing them back together again... I decided a new project was in order.

I got this idea off of pintrest and it was actually super easy.  A piece of wood, some paint, a bit of cord and some raised paint to write with.

Voila!!!

I like the way it turned out! It is also a good reminder when I head outside that my life is to be a light to the world of God's love so that He can receive the praise and glory. 

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

Now no more broken sunnies as long as I (and my husband) can remember to hang them up and not leave them on the table.  

Tahoe summer

This is what I'm talking about.

We are down at our beach here at ZP almost every day,  I normally don't put forth the effort to change my kids into swim suits and they end up naked.  But whatever.  They are only 1 and 2.

Sunset viewing

We are big fans of going out down by the water to watch the sunset.  It may just be one of Nate's excuses for not wanting to go to bed... but it is still enjoyable.  Normally it is after the kids have had a bath and watched a bit of a video and are all PJed up.  There have not been very many clouds lately, but it is still fun to watch the sun go down behind the mountains.  This particular evening Joe was able to join us.

Nate loves sunsets and asks almost every night to go watch.

Chloe couldn't care less. :) "Whatever mom.  Its not that cool."