Lemonade is a summer staple around these parts.  For as long as I can remember there was always a pitcher of lemonade in the fridge during the summer months.  I believe my mother uses (or used) Country Time mix.  For me, whose tasted pretty much all lemonade items on the market and for a mix, its the next best to freshly squeezed. 

Today, I made my first ever batch of freshly squeezed lemonade and let me tell you.  Yum.O.  Just the right amount of lemon.  The right amount of sweet.  Perfect. 

I was calculating the costs of this drink while squeezing the lemons and at .48c apiece per lemon (of which I used 5), add a few extras for tax, water, sugar, etc...it's probably $2.75 for 5 cups of lemonade.  Fresh lemonade.  I am sure the Minute Maid premade lemonade is cheaper, but any tastier?  Not to my liking, thank you. 

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Recipe - found here at Lemonade Makin' Mama.
Dissolve 1 cup sugar in 1 cup water in saucepan (over low heat).
Bring to a boil, remove from heat and mix with 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice.
In separate pitcher, measure out 4 cups of water, add ice.
Pour lemon mixture into ice cold water.
Serve in glass with a lemon slice. 
Enjoy!

I've opened a shop at Big Cartel to sell various items I have made.  Right now I only have one item for sale, but I have plans to add other necklaces, bracelets and possibly kids t-shirts (still debating on this). 

This is a good outlet for me - my creative side - that helps balance motherhood, work and all the other hats I wear throughout the course of a day. 

All jewelry for sale will be sterling silver or gold vermeil (14k over sterling silver). 

Please come on over and take a look! 

you + me, shop.

When I found out I was having a boy, and only 18 months after the twinkies, I was pretty excited that Max would have an opportunity to be close to his cousins.  My brother and sister-in-law were excited as well.  My family never lived near extended family - as in the same town, metropolitain area - for as long as I can remember.  So knowing that my brother is a short car ride away, makes the whole parenting / family thing that more richer. 

Every few weeks or so, Andrew, Kelly and I try to get together so not only can we see each other, but so the boys can spend time together.  Most recently was a couple of weeeks ago while my brother was in the Mackinac race.  Kelly and the boys came out this way and we basically chilled in the backyard.  And when I say 'chilled' we were no where near cool, as it was so stinking hot.  But the boys were able to enjoy the new crab pool and its sprouting feature. 

Max was more interested in the spigot.

I tried to lure him to the crab pool... why yes that would be a giant mosquito bite on his forehead. 

The boys had some fun with the pool.

Then there was a case of  'invisible man' ... cant see them, can you??

Whoa! There they are! 

Wait! We're still missing one!

As Kelly posted on Facebook - Rub a dub dub, three boys in a tub!  (we had to - they were all covered in sand!)

These are the times I am thankful for modern technology and being able to capture these moments on virtual film.  I want Max, Charlie and Tyler to know these were good childhood memories.  Someday when they are older, they will see this here blog, or Kelly's photos and say, 'Geez Mom!'.  And that is when Kelly and I will high-five each other! 

That magnet was sent home with me from the hospital after I delivered Max.  I threw it up on the fridge and really never thought twice about it, until the other night where I found it under grocery lists and Max's artwork. 

You see, I am a good mom.  I stay in the bathroom while Max is in the tub, I usually play with him.  But lately, I've been washing my face and brushing my teeth while he is in the tub.  Its been working out just fine.  However, one accident in the tub earlier this week led me to cleaning the tub twice before I felt it was *really* clean.  I left the Comet out on the side of the tub totally blanking on the fact that Max will find this.  And he will put it in his mouth. 

And so he did on Thursday evening.  And I completely freaked out.  A call to Poison Control, the emergency room and my dad (a chemist), and of course my mother (several times) were made.  Conclusion: not the best idea for Max, but not the worst either.  I have no idea if he ingested any, but took precautions as if he did.  Luckily, he's fine. 

Today, after our large motor class, we came home and I threw this stuff out.

None of that stuff is good for the environment anyway.  And surely its not good for a 14 month old little boy.  I have found a recipe for a general purpose cleaner that is made from products we have in our households.  I heard it works, so we are going to give it a try.  I am not taking any chances, though I had these items locked up, Max can (and most likely will) figure out the ins/outs of the lock. 

One quarter cup baking soda, one half cup vinegar and one half gallon of water.  Mix, put into clear spray bottle and go to town on your countertops!

I've fallen behind in updating this here ol'blog.  Plus, I am embarrassed to say the amount of pictures I uploaded from my camera tonight.  I've been taking the pictures, just havent thought to stay on top of things.  So now that I want to post something, I am feeling very overwhelmed.  So in essence, you are getting a montage of the last few weeks. 

Starting with - Hello! new crab pool!  Not so much.

Fourth of July.

Horseshoe furniture.

Relaxing.

We made progress.  Someone likes the crab pool.

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I have added a list of books we are currently reading in our house over to the left.  Its a mix between what I am suppose to be reading (like I really need to sit down and finish that Frank book!) and what Max is displaying to be his favorites.  He has to go to bed with the Sleepy ABC book.  That was a well $3 spent at the Scholastic book club / school thing.  Pages are already ripped and looks as if its a couple of years old when really, its probably six months tops!

We finally made it to the library last weekend.  I am SO glad we went.  Max was engaged in the toys they had available, plus the books.  Oh, the books.  What I do miss though is the old fashioned card catalogs.  I am hoping this becomes a part of our weekend routine. 

Each day Max is at school, he comes home with some kind of artwork.  I love it.  I love hearing about how he has 'issues' with texture.  I love seeing the pieces.  I told myself I would keep them all, however the pile of artwork is getting to be rather large. 

I saw on some blog somewhere - cause you know you read one blog - jump to another from that blog - then jump to another - and so on - to use the artwork for card making.  What a brilliant idea!

All you have to do is pick up one of those blank card/envelope sets at any craft store and paste a piece of artwork to the front and Voila! Happy Birthday! or Congrats! or Just Because!

Picked up these cupcake holders/bakers at the Wilton tent sale thinking I would use them for a birthday or something.  Well 'something' happened to be today, Sunday, July 10th. 

And wouldn't you know, he ate the whole thing!  I swore he was going to have a stomach ache.  This was a good 'mommy' moment for me. 

Max really enjoyed this splash pad at the park. 

This here, seen above, is the bane of my existence this week. 

 I feel bad for Max, for having to deal with such changes and pressure and icky-ness and sleeplessness. 

 I feel helpless because I can give him temporary relief, I cannot take it away.    

 I want for the tooth to cut already. 

 I want for atleast one night over the next five to be restful, to a point where we both wake and feel refreshed.

 This holiday weekend will be spent doing the following :
-SLEEPING, especially when Max’s sleeps.

What’s is the bane of your existence?  How do you cope?