More summer fun...shucking corn & "dog days"

The "chaste" tree in our front yard is looking lovely, and the kids were relatively clean and well dressed, so I thought I'd capitalize on the moment and snap a nice shot. They marred it a bit by insisting on garden gloves (why, I do not know) but they're sweet nonetheless.



I know, the dog days of summer are nowhere near here but that's all that goes through my head when I see this shot. The kids insisted I lift Lily into the hammock. We were all mightily surprised when 13 y.o. Munch managed the leap up there on his own.



Ainslie helped shuck corn for the first time. She loved it, of course, although I'm not sure if she was as happy as the chickens who were on the receiving end of the husks. :)

We're revelling in summer...

Our summer so far has felt sublime. Lots of unscheduled fun, downtime, being outdoors. It reminds me of what summer felt like as a kid. I have a good deal more to write but not time for it at the moment. I'll share these pictures for the time being...



There is a similar picture of me as a child, covered in chocolate, so I couldn't resist snapping this "messy" shot.


ln cleaning out the closet in what will some day be Ainslie's room, we unearthed some of Lenny's old hunting gear. Grady was enthralled.


My little redneck, shirtless and all...


We also "discovered" this inflatable "boat." Ainslie has been getting lots of rides in it.


Unfortunately the better shot of this picture didn't come out. The point of it is that Ainslie is dressed in my old sunbonnet and two pieces of doll clothes from my childhood. They actually fit her rather well. The bottoms which you can't see are Cabbage Patch bloomers and the top is an old faded pink cotton dress.


The kids are clamoring for a fire every night, the better for roasting marshmallows. Here they are hamming it up for the camera.


Ainslie has discovered that she loves to indulge in foot baths, oh at least 5-6 times a day. It's even better when you can brush your teeth with two tooth brushes, at least one of which isn't her's.



And who could resist some brotherly love? :)