Rodeo-ee-oo-eee-o!

So Spence and I had this nice little discussion about him square dancing with me--- before the big night. And he was like, "No way I'm dancing with you, Mom." And I was like, "Come on, dance with your mother." And he was like, "No way Mom." And I was like, "I'll give you five bucks..." He was like, "Uhm. No." And I was like, "I'll get you a new Wii game." And he was like, "MOOOOOM."

So, no go.

But then...

Grace invited her friend Megan. And before I knew it, there he was doci-doeing. And sashaying all over the place. After the dance I was like, "How come you danced with Megan and you didn't dance with me." And he gave me an "aw shucks" kind of face and said, "Well, she asked me to dance. And how often does that happen? So I decided to dance with her since that may never happen again."

You know. He's got a point.

Labor Day Fishing And Lucy's Monster Face

Spence had a great Labor Day with Grandpa and Dad doing a little fishing...he caught his first Rainbow Trout. Although the motor on the boat was being a little finicky. Adam ended up rowing the fishermen across the lake...only an hour or so. I don't think Grandpa or Spencer noticed, since they fished the whole way.
And we finally caught this FACE on video. Lucy does this frequently at various times, but we never know why or when. Enjoy.

Por Fin! SCHOOL

School finally started!



So i think it's safe to say that Sophie may have had a rough first day of school. This is how we found her teddy bear Cuddles after the days events. :)

Arrow of Light. It's offical. He's now a Boy Scout. And he had his first overnighter (gasp) but Dad was allowed to go too, so I didn't have to worry (too much :)).

Chocolat

One of my all time favorite movies. And a lovely recipe to go along with it...and I know it's summer and one may not be in the mood for hot chocolate...but maybe after watching Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp, you might be...



And the best line of this movie is: Johnny Depp, "I'll come 'round some time and get that squeak out of your door."

Yes. Please do.

Hot Chocolate with Cinnamon and Chile

Ingredients

cooking chocolate / couverture 1 cup
cream 1 cup
milk 1 cup
cinnamon stick 1 pc
fresh red chile 1 pc

Method

Combine all the ingredients in a thick bottom saucepan (to prevent ant burning)
Using a low to medium heat, slowly bring to a gentle simmer while stirring. This will prevent the chocolate sitting on the bottom of the pan and burning
Once the ingredients have combined and the chocolate has melted, allow to sit on a low heat for 5 - 10 minutes to allow the flavours to infuse
Remove the chile and the cinnamon stick
Bring back to a boil
Serve in small espresso cups or 1/2 fill larger cups, top with lightly whipped cream and serve topped with grated chocolate and/or a light sprinkling of ground cinnamon

Chef's Tip:

Chile should be placed in whole, this helps minimise the heat from the chile
and gives a nice mildness in flavour

If you can get smoked chillies this adds an even better twist to the drink

Our Trippy VAY-CAY

So we're back from our vacation to California...which should have been fabulous...BUT it was more like THIS: Sometimes it was like THIS:
But mostly it was like THIS:

First: The Good Points:
1. We ate at IN-N-OUT three times, yes count them, 3 times!
2. We saw our lovely family (wait that should be number one)
3. We visited Mark and Tree in their new beautiful home 6.8 miles from the beach...I know, I'm so coveting that situation! :) Actually, the two days we spent with them was the HIGHLIGHT of the whole trip.
4. The cousins loved each other.
5. UHM....I think that's it.
6. Wait...I went to Trader Joe's and bought some beautiful flowers and delish chocolate covered fruit.
7. San Diego is from Heaven...non-windy beaches, warm water, perfectness all around.

Now: The BAD Points:
1. Leo Carillo campground bathrooms are DISGUSTING.
2. Leo Carillo was full of WIND...cold, sandblasting windy-wind which made us build a shelter out of beach umbrellas and coated our sunscreened lips in gritty sand. Lucy WOULD NOT get off my lap...she would hardly venture out into the wind tunnel/formerly known as THE BEACH.
3. While I love Malibu, they certainly need to get a little more shopping/eating establishments/movie theaters.
4. Our tent trailer was perloined out of the church parking lot (with the intent not to return)...and then happily found by the inspired Mark and the awed Adam.
5. Flat Tire outside of Victorville (105 degrees).
6. Air conditioner blows out right outside of Baker (115 degrees).
7. Family chaos: crying, sweating, complaining, hysteria for an hour and a half until Las Vegas. (how did the pioneers do it, really...HOW?)
8. Stay in Las Vegas. (people REALLY go there for vacation? Puleeez. No thank you.)
9. Car late and not fixed properly. Phone dies. Can't find AW. Asked to use some woman's cell phone and dismissed like a homeless street person, haranged and followed by homeless addicts, accosted by bare booby photos (do women keep their clothes on in Las Vegas?), can't use hotel shuttle because car seat is in suburban being repaired, walk a mile in 115 degree heat with "happy" family.
10. Seriously.
11. Arrive home 5am...
12. I need a vacation from my vacation.

Welcome to our _OOL, Notice there is No P in it. Please Keep it that Way

Lucy's first day in floaties and she found out she likes licking the water. Yum.

And this is why I so love summer...I must admit, I'm dreading the winter "lock down" even now.

Why we had a Rhinoceros for Dinner

So yes, you may be looking at this picture of a broken chair and think, why did the White's invite a 2 ton rhinoceros for dinner? Why? Well my friends, it was not a rhinoceros, it was ME.

I know, I know. Humiliating yes.

But I might add...these chairs are quite old and literally on their last legs (we have even banished another precarious chair to our bedroom so it won't be sat upon)...and I was thinking just before this tragedy occurred, 'oh, these chairs are fine...we'll just use them until they fall apart'. Apparently the chair had the same idea in mind.

I mean, I know I have a pu-dunka-dunk. I know. I am not in denial...but this accident happened with only one butt cheek. In fact, the left cheek, imagine what could've happened with BOTH cheeks.

And did this happen when I was home alone, having a nice quiet moment pondering life? NO...it happened during Sunday dinner and while AW was on the phone with neighbor/friend. And he HAD to tell the hilarious story...and everyone was laughing. And Grace said, "Mom you weigh too much." So I laughed too...but to tell you the truth, I hurt: 1. My left butt cheek. 2. My elbow. 3. My head, and okay...my feelings a little too. Now everyone keeps asking me when I'm going to do the "Booty Chop" Kung Fu Panda style.

So. Now off to buy new chairs...going to Four Chairs because I have been dying for some apple green kitchen chairs. Fate has spoken, I shall have those STURDY apple green chairs.