Solar S'mores

The plan was to make Solar S'mores for dessert on the first day of summer but, that just didn't happen. So, we made them for dessert today instead. We had saved a pizza box just for this project and the kids were excited to make it. We got out the aluminum foil, black construction paper, and clear plastic and got busy. The chocolate had done some previous solar cooking in the car yesterday, so it isn't too pretty, but it melted again just fine. We got everything all set and then went out to find just the right spot to place our oven, trying to get maximum solar power.

It sure is bright out here!

About 10 minutes later the chocolate was melted. After we finished planting a few restarts in the garden we went back to check the progress. The kids decided it was time. The marshmallows were still a little firm, but they were warm. The graham crackers were nice and toasty too. The chocolate was a great consistency for say, dipping strawberries.

We ended up with a chocolate dipped sidewalk and three chocolate dipped kids, but a little mess is always worth a great memory with our kids!

Little Lady was all smiles holding her solar s'more.

Crazy Fox isn't afraid of sugar.

Digging Badger with his dripping S'more

Happy Summer

Nothing says summer better than a lemonade stand.

We signed up to be part of the Crayons Lemonade Brigade. They sent us the blank cardboard stand and about 100 cans of lemonade to sell, to raise money for a charity of our choice. We chose Love Inc., which bands churches together to provide food, clothes and other services for people in need. We had a great time decorating our stand together. Unfortunately, our sales were not very good. Actually, we sat in the very hot sun for about and hour and a half at a local golf course and only sold two, TWO, cans of lemonade. It was a bit disappointing, but it was our best option for today. I was really surprised that so many businesses turned down charitable work by children. I called at least 10 places and everyone had a reason why we could not sell on their premises. I don't remember needing a permit to sell lemonade when I was a kid. Do you? All in all, the kids and I had a fun day together, even though we still have a big stack of lemonade to sell.

Cousins

We enjoyed a much anticipated visit from the Arizona Cousins and Aunt K last week. Isn't it wonderful how cousins can just pick up were they left off, as if no time has passed?

Little Lady just loved having "sisters" for the week. They played dress up and played with the kittens endlessly. Every now and then we stopped them to go do something really fun, but I think they would have been just as happy to stay at the house and play.

The boys and the Arizona Cousins used to ride bikes together in Grandpa's over sized driveway back when we lived in AZ. Little Lady was too little, but she joined in the fun this time.

The girls with batty the cat.

There was a creative group of cousins in the front yard making sculptures and golf balls out of play dough (mud and mini marshmallows that had been shot from marshmallow bows all week)

Our mud rule is: get as dirty as you want, but you will get hosed off before you come in the house and the well water is cold.

So, they opted for the water rocket.

I was a little breezy all week and that can make an Arizona girl chilly!

Contemplating if it is really hot enough to run through the water . . .

(notice the difference in skin tone)

. . . In the end they did get wet but it was a "huge mistake".

We had a great time with you girls during your visit. Thanks for coming to see us!

We miss you all.

Cousin to cousin we'll always be,

Special friends from the same family tree.